bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycidylmethacrylate based resin functionalized with graphene oxide for column preconcentration and trace determination of Cd(ii) and Ni(ii) in environmental and food samples
Authors: Islam Aminul , Kumar Suneel
Published: August 2016

Graphene oxide decorated glycidylmethacrylate chelating resin was synthesized using a diethylenetriamine spacer arm and explored for the preconcentration/determination of Ni and Cd in environmental and food samples.
Sulfonamide-1,3,5-triazine–thiazoles: discovery of a novel class of antidiabetic agents via inhibition of DPP-4
Authors: Gao Hai-De , Liu Peng , Yang Yang , Gao Fang
Published: August 2016

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are a novel class of antidiabetic drugs used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Size-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles by a novel atmospheric pressure glow discharge system with a metallic pin electrode and a flowing liquid electrode
Authors: Dzimitrowicz A. , Greda K. , Lesniewicz T. , Jamroz P. , Nyk M. , Pohl P.
Published: August 2016

A direct current atmospheric pressure glow discharge operated between a pin-type solid metallic electrode and the surface of a flowing solution, positively or negatively charged and serving as the flowing liquid anode or cathode, was used for synthesizing gold nanoparticles.
Effect of Y3+ on the local structure and luminescent properties of La3−xYxSi6N11:Ce3+ phosphors for high power LED lighting
Authors: Du Fu , Zhuang Weidong , Liu Ronghui , Liu Yuanhong , Zhong Jiyou , Gao Wei , Chen Kai , Chen Lei , Kato Kenichi , Lin Kun
Published: August 2016

A series of phase pure nitride yellow phosphors La3−xYxSi6N11:Ce3+ with good thermal stability and tunable luminescence properties have been synthesized and the crystal structure was investigated in detail.
Site-selective Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of heteroaryl halides – understanding the trends for pharmaceutically important classes
Authors: Almond-Thynne Joshua , Blakemore David C. , Pryde David C. , Spivey Alan C.
Published: August 2016

Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of heteroaryl polyhalides with aryl boronates are surveyed. Drawing on data from literature sources and Pfizer's global chemistry RKB and CAS Scifinder® databases, factors that determine the site-selectivity of these reactions are discussed with a view to rationalising the trends.
An in situ formed Se/CMK-3 composite for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with long-term cycling performance
Authors: Zheng Cheng , Liu Minying , Chen Wenqiang , Zeng Lingxing , Wei Mingdeng
Published: August 2016

A Se/CMK-3 composite was in situ synthesized, exhibiting large capacity, high rate performance and excellent long-term cycling stability for Li-ion intercalation.
Inkjet-printed flexible, transparent and aesthetic energy storage devices based on PEDOT:PSS/Ag grid electrodes
Authors: Cheng Tao , Zhang Yi-Zhou , Yi Jian-Peng , Yang Lei , Zhang Jian-Dong , Lai Wen-Yong , Huang Wei
Published: August 2016

Inkjet-printed flexible transparent aesthetic supercapacitors were constructed for the first time using PEDOT:PSS/Ag grids as both current collectors and electrodes.
Porous cobalt phosphide/graphitic carbon polyhedral hybrid composites for efficient oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Wu Renbing , Wang Dan Ping , Zhou Kun , Srikanth Narasimalu , Wei Jun , Chen Zhong
Published: August 2016

A novel composite catalyst constructed from ultrasmall CoP nanoparticles uniformly embedded within a porous graphitic carbon (GC) polyhedral framework towards oxygen evolution reaction has been rationally synthesized through simultaneous pyrolysis and phosphorization of preformed ZIF-67.
Co-assembled hybrids of proteins and carbon dots for intracellular protein delivery
Authors: Zhang Jianxu , Zheng Min , Xie Zhigang
Published: August 2016

Co-assembled hybrids of carbon dots and proteins protect proteins against enzymatic hydrolysis and deliver them into HeLa cells.
Greatly decreased redshift and largely enhanced refractive index of mono-dispersed ZnO-QD/silicone nanocomposites
Authors: Huang Pei , Shi Han-Qiao , Fu Shao-Yun , Xiao Hong-Mei , Hu Ning , Li Yuan-Qing
Published: August 2016

Transparent silicone nanocomposites with greatly decreased redshift and largely enhanced refractive index have been achieved via a simple solvent mixing of silane surface modified ZnO-QDs with silicone resin.
Cold field electron emission of large-area arrays of SiC nanowires: photo-enhancement and saturation effects
Authors: Carapezzi Stefania , Castaldini Antonio , Fabbri Filippo , Rossi Francesca , Negri Marco , Salviati Giancarlo , Cavallini Anna
Published: August 2016

Photo-enhanced field emission from SiC nanowires showed the presence of a saturation region, which is of interest for nanotechnological applications.
Hsp90-binding immunophilin FKBP52 modulates telomerase activity by promoting the cytoplasmic retrotransport of hTERT
Authors: Jeong Yu Young , Her Joonyoung , Oh Sue-Young , Chung In Kwon
Published: August 2016

Telomerase is a unique ribonucleoprotein enzyme that is required for continued cell proliferation. To generate catalytically active telomerase, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) must translocate to the nucleus and assemble with the RNA component of telomerase. The molecular chaperones heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and p23 maintain hTERT in a conformation that enables nuclear translocation. However, the regulatory role of chaperones in nuclear transport of hTERT remains unclear. In this work, we demonstrate that immunophilin FK506-binding protein (FKBP)52 linked the hTERT–Hsp90 complex to the dynein–dynactin motor, thereby promoting the transport of hTERT to the nucleus along microtubules. FKBP52 interacted with the hTERT–Hsp90 complex through binding of the tetratricopeptide repeat domain to Hsp90 and binding of the dynamitin (Dyt) component of the dynein-associated dynactin complex to the peptidyl prolyl isomerase domain. The depletion of FKBP52 inhibited nuclear transport of hTERT, resulting in cytoplasmic accumulation. Cytoplasmic hTERT was rapidly degraded through ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent proteolysis, thereby abrogating telomerase activity. In addition, overexpression of dynamitin, which is known to dissociate the dynein–dynactin motor from its cargoes, reduced telomerase activity. Collectively, these results provide a molecular mechanism by which FKBP52 modulates telomerase activity by promoting dynein–dynactin-dependent nuclear import of hTERT.
The Extended Pterional Approach and Microsurgery Resection for Craniopharyngiomas, Operative Nuances and Results: A Series of 29 Patients
Authors: Lynch Jose Carlos , Pereira Celestino , Manicacci Valérie , Gonçalves Mariangela , Welling Leonardo , Lenk Rudy
Published: August 2016

Objective The aim of this paper is to observe if the extended pterional approach for the removal of craniopharyngiomas is safe and effective. The mortality, morbidity, and recurrence rates are presented and discussed.

Method This is a retrospective analysis of 29 craniopharyngioma patients who underwent surgery between January 1988 and December 2014 at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The charts, operative reports and imaging studies were reviewed.

Results We identified 17 males (58.6%) and 12 females (41.3%) ranging in age from 0.6 to 84 years (mean 57.4 years). Thirteen (44.8%) patients were infants or adolescents. Surgical mortality occurred in one patient (3.4%). Gross total tumor removal was achieved in 15 (51.7%) patients. The median follow-up time was 7.1 years.

Conclusion The extended pterional approach provides adequate access to craniopharyngiomas, and the majority of lesions could be totally removed, with a low mortality rate, but the best treatment for craniopharyngiomas remains controversial.
Spectroscopic imaging of limiter heat and particle fluxes and the resulting impurity sources during Wendelstein 7-X startup plasmas
Authors: Stephey L. , Wurden G. A. , Schmitz O. , Frerichs H. , Effenberg F. , Biedermann C. , Harris J. , König R. , Kornejew P. , Krychowiak M. , Unterberg E. A. ,   W7-X Team
Published: August 2016

A combined IR and visible camera system [G. A. Wurden et al., “A high resolution IR/visible imaging system for the W7-X limiter,” Rev. Sci. Instrum. (these proceedings)] and a filterscope system [R. J. Colchin et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2068 (2003)] were implemented together to obtain spectroscopic data of limiter and first wall recycling and impurity sources during Wendelstein 7-X startup plasmas. Both systems together provided excellent temporal and spatial spectroscopic resolution of limiter 3. Narrowband interference filters in front of the camera yielded C-III and Hα photon flux, and the filterscope system provided Hα, Hβ, He-I, He-II, C-II, and visible bremsstrahlung data. The filterscopes made additional measurements of several points on the W7-X vacuum vessel to yield wall recycling fluxes. The resulting photon flux from both the visible camera and filterscopes can then be compared to an EMC3-EIRENE synthetic diagnostic [H. Frerichs et al., “Synthetic plasma edge diagnostics for EMC3-EIRENE, highlighted for Wendelstein 7-X,” Rev. Sci. Instrum. (these proceedings)] to infer both a limiter particle flux and wall particle flux, both of which will ultimately be used to infer the complete particle balance and particle confinement time τP.
Variations in the morphotropic phase boundary with Bi deficiency on Ba-substituted sodium bismuth titanate
Authors: Yamatoh Tomonori , Fujimori Hirotaka
Published: August 2016

We successfully demonstrated that a slight Bi deficiency causes the rhombohedral-tetragonal morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) to shift to the considerably lower Ba content in a (Na0.5Bi0.5)1−xBaxTiO3 (Ba-substituted NBT) system. Rietveld analysis revealed that the composition yielding the MPB was located at x = 0.10 when using the polymerizable complex method to prevent evaporation of sodium and bismuth and at x = 0.068 in samples of (Na0.5Bi0.5−z)1−xBaxTiO3−δ with a Bi deficiency of z = 0.03.
Cross-diffusion-driven gravitational instability in a Hele-Shaw cell saturated with a ternary solution
Authors: Kim Min Chan , Song Kwang Ho
Published: August 2016

The effect of cross diffusion on the onset of the gravitational instabilities in a Hele-Shaw cell saturated with a ternary solution is analyzed. Based on the linear stability theory, new stability equations are derived in the global domain and then transformed into the similar domain. These stability equations are solved by employing various methods such as an initial value problem approach and quasi-steady state approximations (QSSA’s). Through the initial growth rate analysis without the QSSA, we prove that initially the system is unconditionally stable. However, the QSSA in the global domain showed that the system can be initially unstable for a certain condition. Based on the QSSA in the similar domain (QSSAζ), we obtain the critical time for the onset of instability motion. As expected, the higher δ21β makes the system more unstable, i.e., accelerates the onset of instability motion; here δ21 and β represent the normalized cross diffusion coefficient and the ratio of densification coefficients, respectively. Based on the linear analysis, fully nonlinear analyses are also conducted by using the Fourier spectral method. The present nonlinear analyses show that the double-diffusive and diffusive-layer convection-type of instabilities are possible for the positive and negative δ21β-values, respectively. From the present nonlinear analysis, the system having δ22 > 1 prefers the instabilities with a larger wavelength than the system having δ22 < 1. Here δ22 is the normalized normal diffusion coefficient of component B.
Faraday-cup-type lost fast ion detector on Heliotron J
Authors: Yamamoto S. , Ogawa K. , Isobe M. , Darrow D. S. , Kobayashi S. , Nagasaki K. , Okada H. , Minami T. , Kado S. , Ohshima S. , Weir G. M. , Nakamura Y. , Konoshima S. , Kemmochi N. , Ohtani Y. , Mizuuchi T.
Published: August 2016

A Faraday-cup type lost-fast ion probe (FLIP) has been designed and installed in Heliotron J for the purpose of the studies of interaction between fast ions and MHD instabilities. The FLIP can measure the co-going fast ions whose energy is in the range of 1.7–42.5 keV (proton) and pitch angle of 90∘–140∘, especially for fast ions having the injection energy of neutral beam injection (NBI). The FLIP successfully measured the re-entering passing ions and trapped lost-fast ions caused by fast-ion-driven energetic particle modes in NBI heated plasmas.
Hyperthermia with rotating magnetic nanowires inducing heat into tumor by fluid friction
Authors: Egolf Peter W. , Shamsudhin Naveen , Pané Salvador , Vuarnoz Didier , Pokki Juho , Pawlowski Anne-Gabrielle , Tsague Paulin , de Marco Bastien , Bovy William , Tucev Sinisa , Ansari M. H. D. , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: August 2016

A magnetic hyperthermia cancer treatment strategy that does not operate by means of conventional heating mechanisms is presented. The proposed approach consists of injecting a gel with homogeneously distributed magnetic nanowires into a tumor. Upon the application of a low-frequency rotating or circularly polarized magnetic field, nanowires spin around their center of viscous drag due to torque generated by shape anisotropy. As a result of external rotational forcing and fluid friction in the nanoparticle's boundary layer, heating occurs. The nanowire dynamics is theoretically and experimentally investigated, and different feasibility proofs of the principle by physical modeling, which adhere to medical guidelines, are presented. The magnetic nanorotors exhibit rotations and oscillations with quite a steady center of gravity, which proves an immobile behavior and guarantees a time-independent homogeneity of the spatial particle distribution in the tumor. Furthermore, a fluid dynamic and thermodynamic heating model is briefly introduced. This model is a generalization of Penne's model that for this method reveals theoretic heating rates that are sufficiently high, and fits well into medical limits defined by present standards.
Static and dynamic theoretical analyses of a scanning tip on suspended graphene surface
Authors: Yu Yan-Zi , Guo Jian-Gang
Published: August 2016

Recent research progress shows that graphene exhibits distinct adhesion and friction behaviors. In the paper, the static and dynamic analyses of a diamond tip sliding on suspended graphene surface are conducted via theoretical and numerical research methods, and the adhesion and friction properties between them are investigated. The analytical expression of interaction potential between a diamond tip and graphene surface is derived based on the interatomic pairwise potential, and then, the lateral and normal interaction forces are calculated. The equilibrium heights and adhesion energy of the diamond tip are calculated on three particular sites of graphene surface. The influence of vertical distance between the tip and graphene surface is studied on the maximum static frictional force and initial velocity of tip. What is more, the influence of scanning velocity and damping are also analyzed on the frictional force and dynamic behaviors of the scanning tip, and the “stick-slip” phenomenon is observed and discussed by the numerical calculation.
Stabilization of laser-induced plasma in bulk water using large focusing angle
Authors: Tian Ye , Xue Boyang , Song Jiaojian , Lu Yuan , Zheng Ronger
Published: August 2016

Laser focusing geometry effects on plasma emissions in bulk water were investigated with five focusing angles ranging from 11.9° to 35.4°. Fast imaging and space-resolved spectroscopy techniques were used to observe the plasma emission distributions and fluctuations. We demonstrated that by increasing the focusing angle, discrete and irregular plasma formed in multiple sites could be turned into continuous and stable plasma with single core fixed at the laser focal point. This indicates the key role of laser focusing angle in the stabilization of plasma positions, which is crucial to the improvement of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy repeatability in bulk water.
Tailoring the optical bandgap and magnetization of cobalt ferrite thin films through controlled zinc doping
Authors: Sharma Deepanshu , Khare Neeraj
Published: August 2016

In this report, the tuning of the optical bandgap and saturation magnetization of cobalt ferrite (CFO) thin films through low doping of zinc (Zn) has been demonstrated. The Zn doped CFO thin films with doping concentrations (0 to 10%) have been synthesized by ultrasonic assisted chemical vapour deposition technique. The optical bandgap varies from 1.48 to 1.88 eV and saturation magnetization varies from 142 to 221 emu/cc with the increase in the doping concentration and this change in the optical and magnetic properties is attributed to the change in the relative population of the Co2+ at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Raman study confirms the decrease in the population of Co2+ at tetrahedral sites with controlled Zn doping in CFO thin films. A quantitative analysis has been presented to explain the observed variation in the optical bandgap and saturation magnetization.
Ultralow field magnetization reversal of two-body magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Li Fei , Lu Jincheng , Lu Xiaofeng , Tang Rujun , Sun Z. Z.
Published: August 2016

Field induced magnetization reversal was investigated in a system of two magnetic nanoparticles with uniaxial anisotropies and magnetostatic interaction. By using the micromagnetic simulation, ultralow switching field strength was found when the separation distance between the two particles reaches a critical small value (on nanometer scale) in the perpendicular configuration where the anisotropic axes of the two particles are perpendicular to the separation line. The switching field increases sharply when the separation is away from the critical distance. The ultralow field switching phenomenon was missed in the parallel configuration where both the anisotropic axes are aligned along the separation line of the two particles. The micromagnetic results are consistent with the previous theoretical prediction [J. Appl. Phys. 109, 104303 (2011)] where dipolar interaction between two single-domain magnetic particles was considered. Our present simulations offered further proofs and possibilities for the low-power applications of information storage as the two-body magnetic nanoparticles might be implemented as a composite information bit.
Proteomic responses in shoots of the facultative halophyte Aeluropus littoralis (Poaceae) under NaCl salt stress
Authors: Azri Wassim , Barhoumi Zouhaier , Chibani Farhat , Borji Manel , Bessrour Mouna , Mliki Ahmed
Published: August 2016

Salinity is an environmental constraint that limits agricultural productivity worldwide. Studies on the halophytes provide valuable information to describe the physiological and molecular mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Therefore, because of genetic relationships of Aeluropus littoralis (Willd) Parl. with rice, wheat and barley, the present study was conducted to investigate changes in shoot proteome patterns in response to different salt treatments using proteomic methods. To examine the effect of salinity on A. littoralis proteome pattern, salt treatments (0, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) were applied for 24 h and 7 and 30 days. After 24 h and 7 days exposure to salt treatments, seedlings were fresh and green, but after 30 days, severe chlorosis was established in old leaves of 400 mM NaCl-salt treated plants. Comparative proteomic analysis of the leaves revealed that the relative abundance of 95 and 120 proteins was significantly altered in 200 and 400 mM NaCl treated plants respectively. Mass spectrometry-based identification was successful for 66 out of 98 selected protein spots. These proteins were mainly involved in carbohydrate, energy, amino acids and protein metabolisms, photosynthesis, detoxification, oxidative stress, translation, transcription and signal transduction. These results suggest that the reduction of proteins related to photosynthesis and induction of proteins involved in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and energy metabolism could be the main mechanisms for salt tolerance in A. littoralis. This study provides important information about salt tolerance, and a framework for further functional studies on the identified proteins in A. littoralis.
Potential risks to offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications
Authors: Tarín Juan J. , García-Pérez Miguel A. , Cano Antonio
Published: August 2016

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the negative effects of delayed motherhood on an offspring’s morbidity later in life. However, these hypotheses are not supported by clinical and epidemiological evidence. Because advanced maternal age is associated with increased risk of obstetric complications, the aim of the present study was to ascertain whether the negative effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may explain the reported negative effects of delayed motherhood on offspring. To this end, a literature search was performed to identify relevant publications up to March 2016 on PubMed; references cited in relevant articles were also searched. There was a direct correlation between the risks to offspring conferred by intrauterine exposure to at least one of the obstetric complications present at the time of delivery in women aged ≥35 years and the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood. This correlation was not observed when comparing the risks to offspring of delayed motherhood and the risks associated with maternal transmission of defective mitochondria, chromosomal anomalies or DNA double-strand breaks. Most of the effects on offspring of intrauterine exposure to maternal age-related obstetric complications may be induced by epigenetic DNA reprogramming during critical periods of embryo or fetal development. Women wanting to enrol in a fertility preservation program to offset age-related declines in fertility should be informed not only about their chances of pregnancy and the percentage of live births, but also about the risks to themselves and their prospective offspring of delaying motherhood.
Early emerging system for reasoning about the social nature of food
Authors: Liberman Zoe , Woodward Amanda L. , Sullivan Kathleen R. , Kinzler Katherine D.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Food choice can serve as a social shibboleth, whereby information about what an individual eats affords insight into her cultural background and social relationships. We provide evidence for an early-emerging system linking food preferences to social identity. Infants expect people to share food preferences, unless those people belong to different groups, suggesting human reasoning about food preferences is fundamentally social. However, infants generalize disgust toward a food even across people who belong to different groups, suggesting that infants are particularly vigilant to social information that might signal danger. This research opens new lines of investigation regarding infant social cognition and food selection across the lifespan, and has implications for social policy surrounding nutrition, heath, and obesity.
Salmonella
Typhimurium utilizes a T6SS-mediated antibacterial weapon to establish in the host gut
Authors: Sana Thibault G. , Flaugnatti Nicolas , Lugo Kyler A. , Lam Lilian H. , Jacobson Amanda , Baylot Virginie , Durand Eric , Journet Laure , Cascales Eric , Monack Denise M.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Gram-negative bacteria use the type VI secretion system (T6SS) to deliver effectors into adjacent cells.
Salmonella
Typhimurium is an enteric pathogen that causes disease in millions of individuals each year. Its ability to infect the mammalian gut is a key factor that contributes to its virulence and transmission to new hosts. However, many of the details on how
Salmonella
successfully colonizes the gut and persists among members of the gut microbiota remain to be deciphered. In this work, we provide evidence that
Salmonella
uses an antibacterial weapon, the type VI secretion system, to establish infection in the gut. In addition, our results suggest that
S.
Typhimurium selectively targets specific members of the microbiota to invade the gastrointestinal tract.
Climate influence on
Vibrio
and associated human diseases during the past half-century in the coastal North Atlantic
Authors: Vezzulli Luigi , Grande Chiara , Reid Philip C. , Hélaouët Pierre , Edwards Martin , Höfle Manfred G. , Brettar Ingrid , Colwell Rita R. , Pruzzo Carla
Published: August 2016

Significance

Long-term ecological and paleontological data analyses indicate climate change is having an impact on marine eukaryotic communities. However, little is known about effects of global warming on marine prokaryotes, which are, by far, the largest living biomass in world oceans. Here, we report, for the first time to our knowledge, that a warming trend in sea surface temperature is strongly associated with spread of vibrios, an important group of marine prokaryotes, and emergence of human diseases caused by these pathogens. Our results are based on formalin-preserved plankton samples collected in the past half-century from the temperate North Atlantic.
Secondary expansion of the transient subplate zone in the developing cerebrum of human and nonhuman primates
Authors: Duque Alvaro , Krsnik Zeljka , Kostović Ivica , Rakic Pasko
Published: August 2016

Significance

The subplate zone, a transient cellular compartment of the embryonic cerebrum, has expanded in size and complexity during primate evolution, culminating in humans. Here, the application of multiple methods, including labeling time and place of neuronal origin and subsequent changes in their positions in macaque monkey embryos, and the use of histo- and immunochemistry in human fetal cerebral tissue of comparable prenatal ages reveals extraordinary cellular dynamics and unexpected secondary displacement of neurons. These findings may have significance for understanding cortical development and evolution and may provide insight into the pathogenesis of cortical disorders, as well as hypoxic-ischemic lesions in preterm infants.
A critical approach proposal for training translation memory systems in translator education programs
Authors: de Andrade Stupiello Erika Nogueira , Esqueda Marileide Dias
Published: August 2016

The fast pace of todays translation market and the definite integration of translation memory systems TMS in the translators workstation have created new demands in terms of technological skills expected from novice translators. Aiming to prepare future translators to meet market demands, many translation undergraduate programs in Brazil have included the training on translation memory systems in their curricula. Applying the action-research methodology, this paper reports on the training methodology used for TMS in translation classrooms at two Brazilian public universities. The collected data in both contexts suggest that TMS may affect both the composing of the final translation and the decision-making of trainee translators and the quality of their production if they do not reflectively challenge their choices and the suggested output.
Coup-Proofing and Civil War
Authors: Koga Sudduth Jun
Published: August 2016

Political leaders face threats to their power from within and outside the regime. Leaders can be removed via a coup d’état undertaken by militaries that are part of the state apparatus. At the same time, leaders can lose power when they confront excluded opposition groups in civil wars. The difficulty for leaders, though, is that efforts to address one threat might leave them vulnerable to the other threat due to the role of the military as an institution of violence capable of exercising coercive power. On one hand, leaders need to protect their regimes from rebels by maintaining strong militaries. Yet, militaries that are strong enough to prevail against rebel forces are also strong enough to execute a coup successfully. On the other hand, leaders who cope with coup threats by weakening their militaries’ capabilities to organize a coup also diminish the very capabilities that they need to defeat their rebel challengers.

This unfortunate trade-off between protection by the military and protection from the military has been the long-standing theme in studies of civil-military relations and coup-proofing. Though most research on this subject has focused primarily on rulers’ maneuvers to balance the threats posed by the military and the threats coming from foreign adversaries, more recent scholarship has begun to explore how leaders’ efforts to cope with coup threats will influence the regime’s abilities to address the domestic threats coming from rebel groups, and vice versa. This new wave of research focuses on two related vectors. First, scholars address whether leaders who pursue coup-proofing strategies that weaken their militaries’ capabilities also increase the regime’s vulnerability to rebel threats and the future probability of civil war. Second, scholars examine how the magnitude of threats posed by rebel groups will determine leaders’ strategies toward the militaries, and how these strategies affect both the militaries’ influence over government policy and the future probability of coup onsets. These lines of research contribute to the conflict literature by examining the causal mechanisms through which civil conflict influences coup propensity and vice versa. The literatures on civil war and coups have developed independently without much consideration of each other, and systematic analyses of the linkage between them have only just began.
Avalokiteśvara: The Bodhisattva of Compassion
Authors: Yü Chün-fang
Published: August 2016

Avalokiteśvara is one of the most famous bodhisattvas in Buddhism. The worship of bodhisattvas (beings of enlightenment) is one of the most distinctive features of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Whereas early or mainstream Buddhism recognizes only two bodhisattvas—the Buddha in his previous lives and Maitreya, the future Buddha—there are a number of bodhisattvas in Mahāyāna to whom one can appeal for help and guidance. Of the many bodhisattvas, Avalokiteśvara is identified specifically as the embodiment of compassion and as such has been worshipped throughout Buddhist Asia.
Sōka Gakkai
Authors: Gebert Andrew
Published: August 2016

The Sōka Gakkai is a lay Buddhist movement, originating in Japan, that bases its religious practice and worldview on the Lotus Sutra-centric teachings of the Kamakura-era priest Nichiren (1222–1282). Following Nichiren, members of the Sōka Gakkai consider the practice of reciting Namu-myōhō-renge-kyō—the Daimoku, or title of the Lotus Sutra—to a copy of a character mandala (Gohonzon) originally inscribed by Nichiren to be the fundamental means for attainment of enlightenment. Also modeling themselves on Nichiren, the membership takes an active interest in the social and political realities of this world. In Japan, this engagement has taken various forms, including electoral support for a political party made up largely of Sōka Gakkai members, and globally, as activities in the fields of nuclear disarmament, sustainable development, human rights education, and humanitarian assistance.

Founded in 1930, the organization was suppressed during World War II. In the postwar era, its rapid growth, driven by a campaign of aggressive proselytization, as well its ongoing involvement in politics, has generated considerable controversy within Japanese society. Even as the organization has matured institutionally, and in its relations with other faith traditions, an exclusive commitment by members to a single faith practice makes it an outlier within the Japanese religious landscape.

The Sōka Gakkai in Japan currently claims some 8.27 million member families, making it the nation’s largest and most active religious movement. Outside Japan, under the rubric of Sōka Gakkai International (SGI), official statistics give membership totals of 1.75 million in 192 countries and territories, with 94 organizations incorporated under local national laws. More than half of the membership outside Japan—slightly more than 1 million—are said to be in Asia and Oceania, with South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore among the sites of large and active memberships. Other countries with significant national movements include Brazil, the United States, India, and Italy.

While the Sōka Gakkai was originally associated with the Nichiren Shōshū sect, long-standing tensions over the respective roles of priesthood and laity came to a head in a decisive schism in 1991, since which the two groups have pursued independent paths. Following the schism, the Sōka Gakkai has given more central emphasis to the “mentor-disciple relationship,” in particular as this relates to the first three presidents of the organization: Makiguchi Tsunesaburō (1871–1944), Toda Jōsei (1900–1958) and Ikeda Daisaku (1928–).
Martin Luther’s Life, 1483–1516
Authors: Leppin Volker
Published: August 2016

Luther in his early years came of age in a late medieval setting from which he was not prone to depart during these years. His father, Hans, strongly impressed upon his son a responsibility to improve his lot by climbing the social ladder, for in his eyes that was what a dutiful son should do. But young Luther declined to follow this path and instead entered the order of the Augustinian Eremites in Erfurt in 1505. Here, he found pious advisors, chiefly John Staupitz, his patron over the course of the following years. Luther’s first mass in 1507 symbolically marked the break with his father. From that time forward, Luther spent his time as a monk, priest, and theologian. Somehow he became involved in controversies within his order, which led him to make a journey first to Rome in 1511/12, and, following his return, to Wittenberg. Here, he developed his hermeneutical method lecturing on the Psalms and Paul. In this time, his religious thought developed, but not all at once, as Luther himself often reported, but gradually. Here he was influenced not only by Paul and Augustine, but also by the late medieval mysticism he came to know through the sermons of John Tauler. Reading these sermons in 1515/16 he inserted many marginal notes, and they show that he was a proponent of an inward piety focused on the concept of faith. At this time, he was still attached to his spiritual advisor John of Staupitz. Mainly through the temptation occasioned by the doctrine of predestination, Luther developed some helpful insights, which led him to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only Savior. His insights took him beyond the medieval framework and made him a reformer who was first and foremost focused on a new approach to the academic training of the theologian.
Martin Luther in 19th-Century Theology
Authors: Purvis Zachary
Published: August 2016

Across the theology of the 19th century, Martin Luther came to represent not only the Reformation but also what it meant to be Protestant—and, more than occasionally, what it meant to be modern, German, and Lutheran, in particular. Much of the modern theological interaction with and “return” to Luther occurred in the context of the various Luther or Lutheran Reformation jubilees; these religious, commemorative occasions were themselves more often than not heavily politicized affairs: for instance, 1817, 1830, 1867, and 1883. In addition, neo-confessional movements and attempts at both retrieving and “repristinating” the theology of the Reformation confessions and the highly developed systems of Protestant orthodoxy, as well as debates over what constituted the key “principle of Protestantism,” had a significant impact in the reception and formation of Luther’s image (Lutherbild) in theology across the modern era. Certain aspects of Luther’s theology, such as his doctrine of the hiddenness of God (Deus absconditus) from his landmark treatise De servo arbitrio (The Bondage of the Will, 1525), played particularly important roles. A few basic approaches to Luther emerged in the second half of the 19th century, spearheaded by such figures as Albrecht Ritschl, Theodosius Harnack, C. F. W. Walther, and Charles Porterfield Krauth. Some, like Ludwig Feuerbach or Søren Kierkegaard, constructed idiosyncratic images of the reformer. Many of the interpretations arose from polemical concerns, whether political, ecclesiastical, or theological. Conflicts over the proper appropriation of Luther’s thought increasingly resembled the battles between Protestants and Catholics in the late Reformation over who could claim the authority of the church fathers and other patristic voices. In many respects, the story of Luther’s theological reception is also a struggle for authority.
Soils, Science, Society, and the Environment
Authors: Robins Colin R.
Published: August 2016

Soils are the complex, dynamic, spatially diverse, living, and environmentally sensitive foundations of terrestrial ecosystems as well as human civilizations. The modern, environmental study of soil is a truly young scientific discipline that emerged only in the late 19th century from foundations in agricultural chemistry, land resource mapping, and geology. Today, little more than a century later, soil science is a rigorously interdisciplinary field with a wide range of exciting applications in agronomy, ecology, environmental policy, geology, public health, and many other environmentally relevant disciplines. Soils form slowly, in response to five inter-related factors: climate, organisms, topography, parent material, and time. Consequently, many soils are chemically, biologically, and/or geologically unique. The profound importance of soil, combined with the threats of erosion, urban development, pollution, climate change, and other factors, are now prompting soil scientists to consider the application of endangered species concepts to rare or threatened soil around the world.
Out-of-School Suspension of African American Youth and Progressive Education Alternatives
Authors: Haight Wendy , Gibson Priscilla
Published: August 2016

Racial disproportionality in out-of-school suspensions (suspensions) is a persistent, multi-level social justice and child well-being issue affecting not only youth, families, and schools but society as a whole. It is a complex, multiple-level social problem that will require an equally complex response. The design of effective remedies will require adequate understanding of the problem as well as the historical and sociocultural contexts in which it emerged and is perpetuated. Progressive educators have offered a number of alternatives to harsh and exclusionary discipline, but research is needed to examine their effectiveness, especially in reducing racial disproportionalities.
Ally Model of Social Justice in Social Work
Authors: Gibson Priscilla
Published: August 2016

The ally model of social justice is a philosophical approach that is congruent with social work’s values and emphasis on social justice and human rights. Using concepts from multiple identities and social justice, it directs those with privilege to act on behalf of those without privilege who belong to a different social group. It is developmental in nature and contains an extensive list of specific ally characteristics that inform social workers at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and system levels. Despites its limitations, the ally model of social justice is instructive for all social workers regardless of setting as they continue the profession’s mission to eliminate social injustice.
PRODIGY: a web server for predicting the binding affinity of protein–protein complexes
Authors: Xue Li C. , Rodrigues João Pglm , Kastritis Panagiotis L. , Bonvin Alexandre Mjj , Vangone Anna
Published: August 2016

Summary: Gaining insights into the structural determinants of protein–protein interactions holds the key for a deeper understanding of biological functions, diseases and development of therapeutics. An important aspect of this is the ability to accurately predict the binding strength for a given protein–protein complex. Here we present PROtein binDIng enerGY prediction (PRODIGY), a web server to predict the binding affinity of protein–protein complexes from their 3D structure. The PRODIGY server implements our simple but highly effective predictive model based on intermolecular contacts and properties derived from non-interface surface.

Availability and Implementation: PRODIGY is freely available at: http://milou.science.uu.nl/services/PRODIGY.

Contact:  a.m.j.j.bonvin@uu.nl, a.vangone@uu.nl
Bayesian network feature finder (BANFF): an R package for gene network feature selection
Authors: Lan Zhou , Zhao Yize , Kang Jian , Yu Tianwei
Published: August 2016

Motivation: Network marker selection on genome-scale networks plays an important role in the understanding of biological mechanisms and disease pathologies. Recently, a Bayesian nonparametric mixture model has been developed and successfully applied for selecting genes and gene sub-networks. Hence, extending this method to a unified approach for network-based feature selection on general large-scale networks and creating an easy-to-use software package is on demand.

Results: We extended the method and developed an R package, the Bayesian network feature finder (BANFF), providing a package of posterior inference, model comparison and graphical illustration of model fitting. The model was extended to a more general form, and a parallel computing algorithm for the Markov chain Monte Carlo -based posterior inference and an expectation maximization-based algorithm for posterior approximation were added. Based on simulation studies, we demonstrate the use of BANFF on analyzing gene expression on a protein–protein interaction network.

Availability:  https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/BANFF/index.html

Contact:  jiankang@umich.edu, tianwei.yu@emory.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Changes in the Phenolic Acid Content and Antioxidant Activity During Kernel Development of Corn (Zea mays L.) and Relationship with Mycotoxin Contamination
Authors: Giordano Debora , Beta Trust , Reyneri Amedeo , Blandino Massimo
Published: August 2016

Corn grain production could be affected by several fungal pathogens responsible for the production of mycotoxins. The aims of this study were to determine the evolution of phenolic acids and total antioxidant activity (TAA) during kernel development and to evaluate their potential protective role in minimizing mycotoxin contamination in six corn genotypes (four open‐pollinated varieties and two hybrids) characterized by a wide array of kernel traits. TAA and free and cell wall‐bound phenolics showed significant differences among corn genotypes at different stages of development, with the highest values found at the beginning of kernel development. Ferulic, p‐coumaric, and caffeic acids were the main cell wall‐bound phenolic acids during kernel development, whereas chlorogenic acid was the main free phenolic acid. A significant negative correlation was observed between deoxynivalenol contamination at harvest maturity and free phenolic acids and TAA at the beginning of kernel development, whereas no significant correlation was observed with fumonisin contamination. In conclusion, free phenolic acids are evidently involved in the resistance mechanism toward deoxynivalenol contamination, whereas their role toward fumonisin contamination was not elucidated under field conditions, implying that components other than phenolic acids may be responsible for this latter type of resistance.
Fecal incontinence
Authors: Fejka Michael David
Published: August 2016

Fecal incontinence affects patients of all sexes, races, and ethnicities; however, those affected often are afraid or too embarrassed to ask for help. Attention to risk factors and directed physical examinations can help healthcare providers diagnose and formulate treatment plans. Numerous diagnostic tests are available. Diligent follow-up is needed to direct patients to second-line therapies such as sacral nerve stimulation or surgical procedures.
Epidemiology of severe anaphylaxis: can we use population-based data to understand anaphylaxis?
Authors: Turner Paul J. , Campbell Dianne E.
Published: August 2016

Purpose of review

The observed increase in incidence of allergic disease in many regions over the past 3 decades has intensified interest in understanding the epidemiology of severe allergic reactions. We discuss the issues in collecting and interpreting these data and highlight current deficiencies in the current methods of data gathering.

Recent findings

Anaphylaxis, as measured by hospital admission rates, is not uncommon and has increased in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia over the last 10–20 years. All large datasets are hampered by a large proportion of uncoded, ‘unspecified’ causes of anaphylaxis. Fatal anaphylaxis remains a rare event, but appears to be increasing for medication in Australia, Canada, and the United States. The rate of fatal food anaphylaxis is stable in the United Kingdom and the United States, but has increased in Australia. The age distribution for fatal food anaphylaxis is different to other causes, with data suggesting an age-related predisposition to fatal outcomes in teenagers and adults to the fourth decade of life.

The increasing rates of food and medication allergy (the latter exacerbated by an ageing population) has significant implications for future fatality trends. An improved ability to accurately gather and analyse population-level anaphylaxis data in a harmonized fashion is required, so as to ultimately minimize risk and improve management.
Choosing Wisely for Medical Education: Six Things Medical Students and Trainees Should Question
Authors: Lakhani Anand , Lass Elliot , Silverstein William K. , Born Karen B. , Levinson Wendy , Wong Brian M.
Published: August 2016

Problem

Physician behaviors that promote overuse of health care resources develop early in training, and the medical education environment helps foster such behaviors. The authors describe the development of a Choosing Wisely list for medical students aimed at helping to curb overuse.

Approach

The list was developed in 2015 by Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and the Fédération médicale étudiante du Québec, which together represent all medical students in Canada. CWC convened a student-led taskforce to develop recommendations targeting medical student behaviors with respect to resource stewardship practices. Students at all 17 Canadian medical schools were consulted via an online questionnaire to solicit feedback on a list of 10 candidate recommendations. The taskforce used this student feedback in finalizing the list.

Outcomes

The final list of “Six Things That Medical Students and Trainees Should Question” highlights both behaviors students should avoid (e.g., “Don’t suggest ordering the most invasive test before considering other less invasive options”) and behaviors related to aspects of medical training that may promote overuse, such as the hierarchical nature of clinical supervision (e.g., “Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on tests, treatments, or procedures that you believe may be ordered inappropriately”). Based on student requests for illustrative examples, clinical vignettes were developed.

Next Steps

This list highlights medical student behaviors and aspects of the academic environment that drive overuse. It is also relevant to faculty, whose behaviors and supervision practices influence trainees.