bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological variation of serum neuron‐specific enolase and carbohydrate antigen 724 tumor markers
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhao Min , Mu Runqing , Zhang Xin , Yun Ke , Shang Hong
Published: September 2017

Background

The aim of our study was to assess two tumor markers, carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), in 20 healthy individuals. Then, we determined their average intra‐ and inter‐individual biological variations (CVI and CVG).

Methods

Blood samples were taken at weekly intervals for five weeks from 20 healthy subjects through a detailed questionnaire and physical examination. These samples were stored at −80°C and analyzed in a single run in duplicate. We calculated the biological variations, the reference change value (RCV), and the index of individuality (II) for the two tumor markers.

Results

The intra‐individual and inter‐individual biological variations were 50.3% and 103.4% for CA724, and 10.1% and 12.0% for NSE, respectively. The II values for CA724 and NSE were 0.48 and 0.85, respectively.

Conclusion

We determined the biological variations and indices of individuality for CA724 and NSE among 20 healthy subjects. These results will improve clinical applications of the markers.
PACAP and PAC1R are differentially expressed in motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and support survival of iPSC‐derived motor neurons
Authors: Bonaventura Gabriele , Iemmolo Rosario , D'Amico Agata G. , La Cognata Valentina , Costanzo Erminio , Zappia Mario , D'Agata Velia , Conforti Francesca L. , Aronica Eleonora , Cavallaro Sebastiano
Published: September 2017

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and disabling neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neurons depletion. In our previous work, comprehensive genomic profiling of 41 motor cortex samples enabled to discriminate controls from sporadic ALS patients, and segregated these latter into two distinct subgroups (SALS1 and SALS2), each associated with different deregulated genes. In the present study, we focused our attention on two of them, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and its type 1 receptor (PAC1R), and validated the results of the transcriptome experiments by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. To assess the functional role of PACAP and PAC1R in ALS, we developed an in vitro model of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)‐derived motor neurons and examined the trophic effects of exogenous PACAP following neurodegenerative stimuli. Treatment with 100 nm PACAP was able to effectively rescue iPSC‐derived motor neurons from apoptosis, as shown by cell viability assay and protein dosage of the apoptotic marker (BAX). All together, these data suggest that perturbations in the PACAP‐PAC1R pathway may be involved in ALS pathology and represent a potential drug target to enhance motor neuron viability.
Key‐genes regulating the liposecretion process of mature adipocytes
Authors: Maurizi Giulia , Petäistö Tiina , Maurizi Angela , Della Guardia Lucio
Published: September 2017

White mature adipocytes (MAs) are plastic cells able to reversibly transdifferentiate toward fibroblast‐like cells maintaining stem cell gene signatures. The main morphologic aspect of this transdifferentiation process, called liposecretion, is the secretion of large lipid droplets and the development of organelles necessary for exocrine secretion. There is a considerable interest in the adipocyte plastic properties involving liposecretion process, but the molecular details are incompletely explored. This review analyzes the gene expression of MAs isolated from human subcutaneous fat tissue with respect to bone marrow (BM)‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) focusing on gene regulatory pathways involved into cellular morphology changes, cellular proliferation and transports of molecules through the membrane, suggesting potential ways to guide liposecretion. In particular, Wnt, MAPK/ERK, and AKT pathways were accurately described, studying up‐ and down‐stream molecules involved. Moreover, adipogenic extra‐ and intra‐cellular interactions were analyzed studying the role of CDH2, CDH11, ITGA5, E‐Syt1, PAI‐1, IGF1, and INHBB genes. Additionally, PLIN1 and PLIN2 could be key‐genes of liposecretion process regulating molecules transport through the membrane. All together data demonstrated that liposecretion is regulated through a complex molecular networks that are able to respond to microenvironment signals, cytokines, and growth factors. Autocrine as well as external signaling molecules might activate liposecretion affecting adipocytes physiology.
Glucose stimulates intestinal epithelial crypt proliferation by modulating cellular energy metabolism
Authors: Zhou Weinan , Ramachandran Deepti , Mansouri Abdelhak , Dailey Megan J.
Published: September 2017

The intestinal epithelium plays an essential role in nutrient absorption, hormone release, and barrier function. Maintenance of the epithelium is driven by continuous cell renewal by stem cells located in the intestinal crypts. The amount and type of diet influence this process and result in changes in the size and cellular make‐up of the tissue. The mechanism underlying the nutrient‐driven changes in proliferation is not known, but may involve a shift in intracellular metabolism that allows for more nutrients to be used to manufacture new cells. We hypothesized that nutrient availability drives changes in cellular energy metabolism of small intestinal epithelial crypts that could contribute to increases in crypt proliferation. We utilized primary small intestinal epithelial crypts from C57BL/6J mice to study (1) the effect of glucose on crypt proliferation and (2) the effect of glucose on crypt metabolism using an extracellular flux analyzer for real‐time metabolic measurements. We found that glucose increased both crypt proliferation and glycolysis, and the glycolytic pathway inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG) attenuated glucose‐induced crypt proliferation. Glucose did not enhance glucose oxidation, but did increase the maximum mitochondrial respiratory capacity, which may contribute to glucose‐induced increases in proliferation. Glucose activated Akt/HIF‐1α signaling pathway, which might be at least in part responsible for glucose‐induced glycolysis and cell proliferation. These results suggest that high glucose availability induces an increase in crypt proliferation by inducing an increase in glycolysis with no change in glucose oxidation.
Loss of RUNX1 is associated with aggressive lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Ramsey Jon , Butnor Kelly , Peng Zhihua , Leclair Tim , van der Velden Jos , Stein Gary , Lian Jane , Kinsey C. Matthew
Published: September 2017

The mammalian runt‐related factor 1 (RUNX1) is a master transcription factor that regulates lineage specification of hematopoietic stem cells. RUNX1 translocations result in the development of myeloid leukemias. Recently, RUNX1 has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in other cancers. We postulated RUNX1 expression may be associated with lung adenocarcinoma etiology and/or progression. We evaluated the association of RUNX1 mRNA expression with overall survival data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a publically available database. Compared to high expression levels, Low RUNX1 levels from lung adenocarcinomas were associated with a worse overall survival (Hazard Ratio = 2.014 (1.042–3.730 95% confidence interval), log‐rank p = 0.035) compared to those that expressed high RUNX1 levels. Further immunohistochemical examination of 85 surgical specimens resected at the University of Vermont Medical Center identified that low RUNX1 protein expression was associated with larger tumors (p = 0.038). Gene expression network analysis was performed on the same subset of TCGA cases that demonstrated differential survival by RUNX1 expression. This analysis, which reveals regulatory relationships, showed that reduced RUNX1 levels were closely linked to upregulation of the transcription factor E2F1. To interrogate this relationship, RUNX1 was depleted in a lung cancer cell line that expresses high levels of RUNX1. Loss of RUNX1 resulted in enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion. RUNX1 depletion also resulted in increased mRNA expression of E2F1 and multiple E2F1 target genes. Our data implicate loss of RUNX1 as driver of lung adenocarcinoma aggression, potentially through deregulation of the E2F1 pathway.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity Studies of 8,9‐Dihydro [7h] Benzo 1,2,4‐Oxadiazoles and its Coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Srinivas B. , Suryachandram Jettiboina , Katyayani Devi Y. , Prabhakara Rao Koya
Published: September 2017

Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial active studies of 12 coumarin derivatives were described in this study. Synthesis was achieved by the reaction of 4‐carbonyl chloride with 1,2‐dichloroethane as a solvent, in moderate to good yields. The structures of all the newly synthesized molecules were assigned by spectral data and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities strains using paper disc method.
Climatic and synoptic characterization of heat waves in Brazil
Authors: Geirinhas João L. , Trigo Ricardo M. , Libonati Renata , Coelho Caio A. S. , Palmeira Ana Cristina
Published: September 2017

According to the latest global and regional circulation models, the probability of occurrence of large heat waves (HWs), such as the 2003 European or the 2010 Russian events will increase significantly in the following decades under most climate scenarios. Currently, there are numerous studies for the Northern Hemisphere characterizing HWs and evaluating their impacts in several areas such as public health, economy, and agriculture. However, over South America, and in particular for Brazil, similar analysis is lacking despite its large geographical extension and numerous population potentially affected. Here we perform an assessment of HW events and characteristics recorded in six large Brazilian cities during the last five decades. The performed analysis reveals the existence of positive and significant trends in HW frequency since the 1980s, particularly for the cities of São Paulo, Manaus, and Recife. Over the last decades, Brasília was the city that recorded the highest number of days per year under a HW regime, contrasting with Rio de Janeiro that recorded the lowest value. The assessment of the large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with summer HWs, indicated for Porto Alegre, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília the presence of well‐marked concentric and positive 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies followed by positive 850 hPa temperature anomalies. These anomalies are likely associated with quasi‐stationary anticyclonic systems promoted by anomalous westward displacements of the South Atlantic Subtropical High System which are related to a weakening of other transients (and non‐transient) systems such the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the South Atlantic Convergence Zone. For Manaus, the identified anomalies are linked to a northward displacement of the ITCZ. This configuration is compatible with an increase in solar radiative pattern and decreased soil moisture, enhancing surface temperature values, possibly associated with positive feedback mechanisms between soil and the atmosphere.
Ca2+ influxes and transmembrane transport are essential for phytic acid degradation in mung bean sprouts
Authors: Zhou Ting , Wang Pei , Yang Runqiang , Wang Xinyue , Gu Zhenxin
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Phytic acid is considered as an antinutrient. Ca2+ addition during germination has been proved to be an effective method for reducing phytic acid content in seeds. In this study, mung bean sprouts were treated with LaCl3 (La), verapamil (VP), ruthenium red (RR), and CaCl2 to explore the effect of Ca2+ influxes on phytic acid degradation.

RESULTS

CaCl2 (6 mmol L−1) significantly improved extracellular and intracellular calcium precipitates and calcium content, elevated phytase and acid phosphatase activity, and further enhanced phytic acid degradation. Conversely, La, VP, or RR induced the opposite results. Among them, RR exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect. Decreased PA, PAP, MIPP, and ALP gene expression after VP or RR treatment was also observed. Enhanced or weakened extracellular Ca2+ influx or intracellular Ca2+ efflux was detected with increased or decreased calcium precipitates distributed in different compartments. However, CaCl2 addition differentially reversed the inhibitory effects of all channel blockers.

CONCLUSION

CaCl2 enhanced Ca2+ influxes and accumulation in cells, which contributed to the regulation of phytic acid degradation. This study demonstrates that calcium channels play an essential role in mediating phytic acid degradation in mung bean sprouts, and both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+‐regulation were involved in phytic acid degradation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects on nutritional care practice after implementation of a flow chart‐based nutrition support protocol in an intensive care unit
Authors: Wikjord Kristina , Dahl Vegard , Søvik Signe
Published: September 2017

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with improved outcome in critically ill patients and is more affordable. We compared nutritional care practice in our ICU before and after modification of our nutrition support protocol: Several comprehensive documents were substituted with one flow chart and early EN was encouraged.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Methods

Nutritional data were collected from admission up to 7 days in 25 patients before and 25 patients after protocol modification.

Results

The percentage of patients receiving EN within 72 hr of admission increased from 64% before to 88% after protocol modification. Cumulative percentage energy from EN during ICU days 1–4 increased from 26–89% of total kcal. Overall amount of nutrition administered enterally increased, with a corresponding marked decline in use of parenteral nutrition. Pre‐modification, >80% of patients received >65% of their calculated nutrition requirements by ICU Day 4; post‐modification this goal was achieved by Day 7.
Simultaneous Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Triterpenoids in Ilex pubescens by Ultra‐High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Cao Di , Wang Qing , Jin Jing , Qiu Maosong , Zhou Lian , Zhou Xinghong , Li Hui , Zhao Zhongxiang
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Ilex pubescens Hook et Arn mainly contains triterpenoids that possess antithrombotic, anti‐inflammatory and analgesic effects. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the triterpenoids in I. pubescens can be useful for determining the authenticity and quality of raw materials and guiding its clinical preparation.

Objectives

To establish a method for rapid and comprehensive analysis of triterpenoids in I. pubescens using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation and quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS), which will also be applied to evaluate the contents of nine triterpenoids among root, root heartwood and root bark of I. pubescens to judge the value of the root bark to avoid wastage.

Methods

UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS data from the extracts of I. pubescens in negative mode were analysed using Peakview and Masterview software that provided molecular weight, mass errors, isotope pattern fit and MS/MS fragments for the identification of triterpenoids. The quantification of nine investigated compounds of I. pubescens was accomplished using MultiQuant software.

Results

A total of 33 triterpenoids, five phenolic acids, two lignans and a flavonol were characterised in only 14 min. The total content of the nine compounds in the root bark was generally slightly higher than that of the root and root heartwood, which has not been reported before.

Conclusion

The developed UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS method was proven to be rapid and comprehensive for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analyses of the characteristic triterpenoids in I. pubescens. The results may provide a basis for holistic quality control and metabolic studies of I. pubescens, as well as serve as a reference for the analysis of other Ilex plants. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supplementing electronic health records through sample collection and patient diaries: A study set within a primary care research database
Authors: Joseph Rebecca M. , Soames Jamie , Wright Mark , Sultana Kirin , van Staa Tjeerd P. , Dixon William G.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To describe a novel observational study that supplemented primary care electronic health record (EHR) data with sample collection and patient diaries.

Methods

The study was set in primary care in England. A list of 3974 potentially eligible patients was compiled using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Interested general practices opted into the study then confirmed patient suitability and sent out postal invitations. Participants completed a drug‐use diary and provided saliva samples to the research team to combine with EHR data.

Results

Of 252 practices contacted to participate, 66 (26%) mailed invitations to patients. Of the 3974 potentially eligible patients, 859 (22%) were at participating practices, and 526 (13%) were sent invitations. Of those invited, 117 (22%) consented to participate of whom 86 (74%) completed the study.

Conclusions

We have confirmed the feasibility of supplementing EHR with data collected directly from patients. Although the present study successfully collected essential data from patients, it also underlined the requirement for improved engagement with both patients and general practitioners to support similar studies.
Theoretical Investigations for Strain Relaxation and Growth Mode of InAs Thin Layers on GaAs(110)
Authors: Ito Tomonori , Akiyama Toru , Nakamura Kohji
Published: September 2017

The growth mode of InAs/GaAs(110) is systematically investigated using our macroscopic theory with the aid of ab initio calculations that determine the parameter values used in the macroscopic theory. Formations of misfit dislocation and island are employed as strain relaxation mechanisms. The calculated results reveal that the misfit dislocation formation generally leads to two‐dimensional growth of InAs on GaAs(110) because of its small formation energy compared with that on GaAs(001). On the other hand, three‐dimensional growth mode appears with insertion of an In0.25Ga0.75As strain‐reducing layer between InAs and GaAs, since the strain relaxation induced by the insertion layer reduces the surface energy from 51 to 49 meV Å−2 that prefers the three‐dimensional island formation. These findings are consistent with experimental results.
Influence of Carbon Nanotube Spatial Distribution on Electromagnetic Properties of Nanotube–Polymer Composites
Authors: Moseenkov Sergey I. , Krasnikov Dmitry V. , Suslyaev Valentin I. , Korovin Evgeniy Yu. , Dorozhkin Kiril V. , Kuznetsov Vladimir L.
Published: September 2017

This paper is devoted to the influence of the multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) spatial distribution within a polymer matrix on the electrophysical properties of the composite. We have studied composites with MWCNT concentrations close to the percolation threshold upon variation in (i) the morphology of the reinforcing material using MWCNTs with different aspect ratio and nanotube aggregate size (up to the average size of ≈300 µm) that were isolated from each other by thin polymer layers, and (ii) the type of the polymer matrix. The composites obtained have been characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and DC conductivity measurements. A study of the electromagnetic response in microwave (0.01–18 GHz) and terahertz (100–200 GHz) ranges was performed. In the region close to and above the percolation threshold, the electrophysical properties of the composites were found to be strongly affected by the spatial distribution of MWCNTs in the composite matrix. The effect of conductive fillers (NTs) size on the EMI reflectance of the composites was different for microwave and terahertz ranges.
The Quantified Self
Authors: Briggs Rex
Published: September 2017

Meet Juvoni. He is an African‐American male growing up in the Bronx, New York. Look at any of the statistics for African‐American men living in rough neighborhoods like the Bronx and his prospects of getting ahead in this world are not very good. He knows it too. But rather than becoming a statistic, Juvoni has decided he will make statistics work for him. He uses his smartphone to analyse data on himself to improve his life.
The bots are coming …
Authors: Verhaeghe Annelies
Published: September 2017

Will the market researcher of the future be a robot?
A history of the last 70 years
Authors: Lehmann Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2017

A 2087 RETROSPECTIVE
Spectral‐based fault localization using hyperbolic function
Authors: Neelofar N. , Naish Lee , Ramamohanarao Kotagiri
Published: September 2017

Debugging is crucial for producing reliable software. One of the effective bug localization techniques is spectral‐based fault localization. It tries to locate a buggy statement by applying an evaluation metric to program spectra and ranking program components on the basis of the score it computes. Here, we propose a restricted class of “hyperbolic” metrics, with a small number of numeric parameters. This class of functions is based on past theoretical and empirical results. We show that optimization methods such as genetic programming and simulated annealing can reliably discover effective metrics over a wide range of data sets of program spectra. We evaluate the performance for both real programs and model programs with single bugs, multiple bugs, “deterministic” bugs, and nondeterministic bugs and find that the proposed class of metrics performs as well as or better than the previous best‐performing metrics over a broad range of data.
Lightweight migration for web applications with framework separation
Authors: Kwon Jin‐woo , Jeong InChang , Moon Soo‐Mook
Published: September 2017

Web applications (apps) are programs created by web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Web apps can be executed on any platform that supports a web browser. Such portability allows an interesting user experience called app migration, which can save an app's execution state to a file called snapshot, transmit it to another device, and continue the execution using the snapshot. However, existing approaches save all the states of the current app, regardless of its relevance to an app's state, making the snapshot size and snapshot creation time infeasibly large. For example, web apps are often programmed using web frameworks such as jQuery, which are libraries written in JavaScript to support app developments. We found that most objects created by frameworks during their initialization are not relevant to an app's state. Hence, one idea to reduce the snapshot size is not saving those framework objects in the snapshot but creating them after migration via re‐initialization. Unfortunately, this is not always straightforward since the framework objects are intermingled with the app objects in the heap, possibly pointing to each other. To resolve this, we separated app objects that are attached to framework objects by monitoring app's execution and saved them to the snapshot. This paper proposes such a framework separated migration technique, with optimization to reduce the overhead, especially related to monitoring app's execution. With our approach, we could reduce the snapshot size by 89.1% on average and shorten the migration time by 47.6%, increasing the feasibility of app migration.
Steady Shear Rheological Properties of Native and Hydrothermally Modified Persian Acorn (Quercus brantii Lindle.) Starches
Authors: Molavi Hooman , Razavi Seyed M. A.
Published: September 2017

The steady shear rheological properties of native and hydrothermally modified Persian acorn starches at different concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) and temperatures (25, 40, 55, and 70 °C) were assessed. The rheological data of starch dispersions were fitted to the power law (R2 = 0.769–0.980) and Casson models (R2 = 0.904–0.994). According to the power law model, all native and hydrothermally modified starches presented shear‐thinning behavior with the flow behavior index between 0.697 and 0.933. The consistency coefficient (k) and apparent viscosity (ηa,100) of starches were in the range of 3.157–246.167 mPa sn and 2.212–74.443 mPa s, respectively. Based on the Casson model, the plastic viscosity (ηc) and yield stress (τ0c) of starches were in the range of 1.977–41.167 mPa s and 0.333–506.667 mPa, respectively. All rheological parameters, except for the flow behavior index, increased with increasing in concentration, and decreased with temperature. The temperature dependency of all the starches was well described by the Arrhenius model (R2 = 0.837–0.999). The activation energy (Ea) values were in the range of 4.47–12.96 kJ mol−1. The concentration dependency of all the starches in the temperature range of 25–70 °C was well fitted to the power law (R2 = 0.919–0.998) and exponential (R2 = 0.970–0.999) models. Generally, the rheological parameters such as k, ηa,100, ηc, and τ0c of native starch were maximum and those of annealing (ANN) starch were between those of native and heat‐moisture‐treatment (HMT) starches. These properties for dually modified starches were between those of single ones, showing that the second treatment could negate the effects of the first one.
Synthesis, Structures, and Physical Properties of Thiocyanate Coordination Compounds with 3‐Hydroxymethylpyridine
Authors: Neumann Tristan , dos Santos Cunha Cesar , Terraschke Huayna , Germann Luzia S. , Dinnebier Robert E. , Jess Inke , Näther Christian
Published: September 2017

The reaction of Cd(NCS)2 with 3‐hydroxymethylpyridine (3‐HMPy) leads to the formation of compounds with the composition Cd(NCS)2(3‐HMPy)4 (1‐Cd), Cd(NCS)2(3‐HMPy)2 (2‐Cd) (Cd(NCS)2)2(3‐HMPy)3 (3‐Cd), and (Cd(NCS)2)3(3‐HMPy)4 (4‐Cd). Compound 1‐Cd consists of discrete complexes and in 2‐Cd the Cd cations are linked into chains by the anionic and the organic co‐ligands. In 3‐Cd as well as 4‐Cd the Cd cations are connected into chains by the thiocyanate anions, which are further linked into layers by the 3‐HMPy co‐ligands. In contrast, with Zn only one compound with the composition Zn(NCS)2(3‐HMPy)2·H2O (1‐Zn‐H2O) was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which shows a tetrahedral coordination of the Zn cations by two thiocyanate anions and two 3‐HMPy ligands. The discrete complexes are arranged to form channels, in which the water molecules are embedded. 1‐Zn‐H2O cannot be obtained phase pure and detailed investigations reveal, that additional Zn compounds with the composition Zn(NCS)2(3‐HMPy)2·xH2O including an anhydrate (1‐Zn) can be obtained, which possesses a similar X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern. 1‐Zn was characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction analysis. Most compounds were investigated by thermoanalysis, IR and Raman as well as luminescence spectroscopy.
Trigonal Bipyramidal Metalselenide Clusters with Palladium and Tin Atoms in Various Positions
Authors: Rinn Niklas , Hanau Katharina , Guggolz Lukas , Rinn Andre , Chatterjee Sangam , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: September 2017

The reaction of [(R1Sn)3Se4Cl] (R1 = CMe2CH2COMe) with [Pd(PPh3)2Cl2], (SiMe3)2Se, and hydrazine hydrate yields a new Pd/Se cluster, [Pd3(PPh3)5(SeH)(μ3‐Se)2][SnCl3] (1). Using [(R1Sn)4Se6] as reactant and varying the reaction conditions as well as the addition of (SiMe3)2Se and hydrazine hydrate, [Pd3(PPh3)5(SnCl3)(μ3‐Se)2][SnCl3] (2) and [Pd2(PPh3)3Cl{SnR2Cl2}(μ3‐Se)2] (3) can be isolated. 3 is the first compound based on a [Pd2SnSe2] moiety, which furthermore exhibits a functional organic group at the tin atom. Its photoluminescence and absorption spectra are discussed as well. All compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicating a bipyramidal structure. Mass spectrometric analyses of the reaction solutions provide some insight into the formation of the clusters.
Typicality Knowledge and the Interpretation of Adjectives
Authors: Lee Choonkyu
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we discuss our experimental results involving color preference and yes/no categorization judgments that provide insight into the interpretation of color adjectives. We selected a set of object categories that show a consistent color typicality bias, and presented them with varying degrees of color manipulation in our experiments. In Experiment 1, Dutch speakers performed a forced-choice picture-phrase matching task. Between a photograph of an object in its typical color (e.g., a light green tomato) and another photograph in a focal color (a darker green tomato), participants showed a significantly higher proportion of preference for the typical, nonfocal color for categories with a color bias (e.g., tomato; 52%) than for categories without a bias (e.g., box; 36%). In Experiment 2, we conducted a categorization task in which participants judged whether an image was an example of the target adjective-noun combination or not, in yes-no format, for 14 adjective-noun combinations including color and other adjectives, such as pattern and material adjectives. When presented with nonfocal images, participants were much more likely to give ‘Yes’ responses for categories with a typicality bias (55%) than for those without a bias (27%), demonstrating an effect of world knowledge in yes-no categorization judgments as well.
Imagination extended and embedded: artifactual versus fictional accounts of models
Authors: Knuuttila Tarja
Published: September 2017

This paper presents an artifactual approach to models that also addresses their fictional features. It discusses first the imaginary accounts of models and fiction that set model descriptions apart from imagined-objects, concentrating on the latter (e.g., Frigg in Synthese 172(2):251–268, 2010; Frigg and Nguyen in The Monist 99(3):225–242, 2016; Godfrey-Smith in Biol Philos 21(5):725–740, 2006; Philos Stud 143(1):101–116, 2009). While the imaginary approaches accommodate surrogative reasoning as an important characteristic of scientific modeling, they simultaneously raise difficult questions concerning how the imagined entities are related to actual representational tools, and coordinated among different scientists, and with real-world phenomena. The artifactual account focuses, in contrast, on the culturally established external representational tools that enable, embody, and extend scientific imagination and reasoning. While there are commonalities between models and fictions, it is argued that the focus should be on the fictional uses of models rather than considering models as fictions.
Variations in Soils Derived from an Erodible Sandstone Formation and Factors Controlling their Susceptibility to Erosion and Landslide
Authors: Emeh Chukwuebuka , Igwe Ogbonnaya
Published: September 2017

Environmental degradations caused by erosion and landslide within an area in the South-eastern part of Nigeria were assessed, and also an attempt to characterize the underlying soils based on their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide. Factors affecting soil erodibility such as physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as vegetation density and slope gradient was determined in 20 different areas. Simple linear regression and principal component analysis were employed to relate the factors controlling erosion and landslide to the erosion and slide densities, and to determine the pattern that exists in the data and as well express the data in such a way as to highlight their similarities and differences. Four vertical horizons and two horizontal zones of soil were distinguished based on their degree of weathering as well as their chemical and mineralogical composition; hence the soils were classified into six different types based on their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide. Variations in their degree of susceptibility to erosion and landslide were majorly controlled by its chemical and mineralogical composition rather than its particle size distribution.
GPR Survey and Physical Measurements of Sea Ice in Quilty Bay, Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica and its Correlation with Local Atmospheric Parameters
Authors: Shah Mohd Yunus , Ayemi Kato K. , Shrivastava Prakash Kumar
Published: September 2017

Sea ice formation in Quilty Bay, East Antarctica shows a strong relationship with climatic conditions and its spatial variation is established by GPR survey over the sea ice during the austral winters. The study also evaluates the variability of sea ice thickness and extent with local weather parameters between 2010 and 2014. Profiling on sea ice in Quilty Bay shows that sea ice thickness decreases gradually towards east. The overall thickness of sea ice is considerably less at the centre of the bay as compared to the coastal side. Two types of fast ice layers have been delineated from GPR surveys i.e. top layer fast ice which incorporates very low density surface snow and underlying high density fast ice i.e. with melt water pockets. Development of sea ice is influenced by persistent easterly winds, temperature fluctuations and ocean currents. Sea ice reveal average annual cyclic trend in Quilty Bay with maximum development in the year 2013 (157.54 cm) and the minimum development has been observed in the year 2010 (99.04 cm). The cyclic pattern of average sea ice accumulation data show perfect inverse correlation with surface air temperature, with measure of reliability R2 = 0.93. However, moderate (R2 = 0.52) and good (R2 = 0.69) degree of inverse relationship is observed with surface snow and overall sea ice (snow and ice) respectively. With 0.46 °C change in temperature, there is 33% change in sea ice condition in Quilty Bay which may remain same as far as ice extents in the region. Besides this easterly winds play a vital role in controlling the snow/ice distribution patterns as reflected by isopach maps.
Fluid inclusions in “superquartzites” of the Bural-Sardyk deposit (East Sayan)
Authors: Volkova M.G. , Nepomnyashchikh A.I. , Fedorov A.M. , Makhlyanova A.M. , Bryanskii N.V.
Published: September 2017

We present results of study of fluid inclusions in “superquartzites” of the Bural-Sardyk deposit (East Sayan). “Superquartzites” are regarded as a source of extrapure quartz raw material; therefore, the presence of fluid inclusions in them is an important characteristics of their quality. We have first applied not only microthermometry but also LA–ICP-MS to study fluid inclusions in the above rocks. Release of volatiles in quartzite grit was studied by thermal-desorption mass spectrometry. The research has shown the uneven distribution of fluid inclusions in the quartz grains. The inclusions are flattened isometric or rounded (often, of complex morphology), up to 12 µm across. The concentration of salts in the fluid corresponds to 5.5–5.7 wt.% NaCl equiv., Na is the main element in its salt system, and K and Mg are present in background concentrations. According to mass-spectrometric analysis, water is the main volatile component in the “superquartzite” (39 to 124 ppm). Next in abundance are carbon-containing substances (CO, CO2, and hydrocarbons). On stepwise heating of the samples, H2O releases in two temperature regions: at low temperatures (with the maximum release at 400 °C) and at high temperatures (above 1000 °C). The results of the chemical enrichment of “superquartzites” indicate low initial contents of structural impurities, which expands the boundaries for the application of this type of raw material in the production of high-tech quartz products.
Potential implications of practice effects in Alzheimer's disease prevention trials
Authors: Jacobs Diane M. , Ard M. Colin , Salmon David P. , Galasko Douglas R. , Bondi Mark W. , Edland Steven D.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Practice effects (PEs) present a potential confound in clinical trials with cognitive outcomes. A single‐blind placebo run‐in design, with repeated cognitive outcome assessments before randomization to treatment, can minimize effects of practice on trial outcome.

Methods

We investigated the potential implications of PEs in Alzheimer's disease prevention trials using placebo arm data from the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study donepezil/vitamin E trial in mild cognitive impairment. Frequent ADAS‐Cog measurements early in the trial allowed us to compare two competing trial designs: a 19‐month trial with randomization after initial assessment, versus a 15‐month trial with a 4‐month single‐blind placebo run‐in and randomization after the second administration of the ADAS‐Cog. Standard power calculations assuming a mixed‐model repeated‐measure analysis plan were used to calculate sample size requirements for a hypothetical future trial designed to detect a 50% slowing of cognitive decline.

Results

On average, ADAS‐Cog 13 scores improved at first follow‐up, consistent with a PE and progressively worsened thereafter. The observed change for a 19‐month trial (1.18 points) was substantively smaller than that for a 15‐month trial with 4‐month run‐in (1.79 points). To detect a 50% slowing in progression under the standard design (i.e., a 0.59 point slowing), a future trial would require 3.4 times more subjects than would be required to detect the comparable percent slowing (i.e., 0.90 points) with the run‐in design.

Discussion

Assuming the improvement at first follow‐up observed in this trial represents PEs, the rate of change from the second assessment forward is a more accurate representation of symptom progression in this population and is the appropriate reference point for describing treatment effects characterized as percent slowing of symptom progression; failure to accommodate this leads to an oversized clinical trial. We conclude that PEs are an important potential consideration when planning future trials.
Library - Lab - Research
Authors: Lurk Tabea
Published: September 2017

The Mediathek of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz Basel (FHNW) is a remarkable place. It's shaped, on the one hand, by the demands it must meet in functioning as the central information hub of the Faculty of Art and Design (Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst - HGK). On the other hand its exposed location on the Campus der Künste (art campus) and its specific spatial plan determine the everyday work. Positioned between research and education, the Mediathek HGK functions as an intermediary, with the character of a laboratory: it provides access to important knowledge bases and makes content available in a way which enables experimental, creative and yet also systematic forms of research. Knowledge, in the sense of classified information, becomes a resource and raw material for the arts and design. New, digital contents must be made as available and accessible as archived (post-research) or historical material. A creative work cycle is enabled, which continually questions, implements, refines and forgets materials and resources.1

Both the dynamic agility of the university itself and the focus on always questioning the adequacy, timeliness, relevance, potential, etc. of the theme of information service, results in continuous developments at the Mediathek (bibliotheca semper reformanda est).
Cataloguing the Library of Sir Charles Eastlake (1793–1865) at the Library of the National Gallery, London
Authors: Franklin Jonathan
Published: September 2017

The Library of Sir Charles Eastlake (1793–1865), the first Director of the National Gallery, London, became the founding collection of the National Gallery Library. It is now being catalogued to rare book standards, and the records will be made available to researchers as part of a wider retrospective conversion and online access project. A few highlights from the Eastlake Library are described in order to illustrate the range and depth of the collection.
Introducing our secondary school students to an important art library: Internships at the Uffizi Prints and Drawings Library
Authors: Basagni Carla
Published: September 2017

How can we entice adolescents into a “behind- the- scenes” world of an art library? The internship project at the Prints and Drawings Library is now in its 7th successful year. Young Florentine students are introduced to the working of the bibliographic research done by the librarians and are given the opportunity to carry out their own projects. At the end of the week they visit the masterpieces on show in the Uffizi Gallery.
Evaluation of dietary intake assessed by the Dutch self-administered web-based dietary 24-h recall tool (Compl-eat™) against interviewer-administered telephone-based 24-h recalls
Authors: Meijboom Saskia , van Houts-Streppel Martinette T. , Perenboom Corine , Siebelink Els , van de Wiel Anne M. , Geelen Anouk , Feskens Edith J. M. , de Vries Jeanne H. M.
Published: September 2017

Self-administered web-based 24-h dietary recalls (24 hR) may save a lot of time and money as compared with interviewer-administered telephone-based 24 hR interviews and may therefore be useful in large-scale studies. Within the Nutrition Questionnaires plus (NQplus) study, the web-based 24 hR tool Compl-eat™ was developed to assess Dutch participants’ dietary intake. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of this tool against the interviewer-administered telephone-based 24 hR method. A subgroup of participants of the NQplus study (20–70 years, n 514) completed three self-administered web-based 24 hR and three telephone 24 hR interviews administered by a dietitian over a 1-year period. Compl-eat™ as well as the dietitians guided the participants to report all foods consumed the previous day. Compl-eat™ on average underestimated the intake of energy by 8 %, of macronutrients by 10 % and of micronutrients by 13 % as compared with telephone recalls. The agreement between both methods, estimated using Lin's concordance coefficients (LCC), ranged from 0·15 for vitamin B1 to 0·70 for alcohol intake (mean LCC 0·38). The lower estimations by Compl-eat™ can be explained by a lower number of total reported foods and lower estimated intakes of the food groups, fats, oils and savoury sauces, sugar and confectionery, dairy and cheese. The performance of the tool may be improved by, for example, adding an option to automatically select frequently used foods and including more recall cues. We conclude that Compl-eat™ may be a useful tool in large-scale Dutch studies after suggested improvements have been implemented and evaluated.
Rhizocarpon smaragdulum, a new monosporic yellow-thalline species and some additional species of the genusRhizocarponfrom the Altai Mountains (Siberia)
Authors: DAVYDOV Evgeny A. , YAKOVCHENKO Lidia S.
Published: September 2017

Rhizocarpon smaragdulumDavydov & Yakovchenko sp. nov. is described and a phylogenetic analysis (ITS, mtSSU) is presented, confirming its distinctiveness and indicating a sister relationship withR. suomienseandR. subgeminatum. The species is unique among yellowRhizocarponspecies in having a single hyaline ascospore per ascus. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the number of ascospores per ascus has been reduced inRhizocarponmore than once during the course of its evolution. Two new distributional records are also reported:Rhizocarpon atroflavescensis new for Siberia andR. norvegicumis new for the Altai Mountains.Rhizocarpon norvegicumin this region grows on rocks and is also lichenicolous onAcarospora bullata.
Habitat use, activity patterns and human interactions with jaguarsPanthera oncain southern Belize
Authors: Dobbins Michael T. , Steinberg Michael K. , Broadbent Eben N. , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: September 2017

Parts of southern Belize are designated as a corridor for the jaguarPanthera oncabut the Maya region remains understudied. We therefore studied jaguar habitat use, activity patterns, and interactions with people in Blue Creek, a Maya village in a human-dominated tropical landscape in southern Belize. We used camera traps to detect jaguar presence, and interviews to assess local people's attitudes to and perceptions of jaguars. We recorded 28 independent photographic events during 1,200 camera-trap nights (i.e. a relative abundance index of 2.3 jaguars per 100 trap days). Seven individual jaguars were identified. Jaguars preferred lowland broad-leaf tropical forest and were detected more often during daylight, in contrast to findings from previous studies. Attitudes towards jaguars were largely positive: 88% of respondents (n = 48) did not fear jaguars living around the village, and 81% understood the positive effect that jaguars have on the ecosystem. Although 92% of respondents reported seeing a jaguar within the previous 2 years, attacks on livestock in the village were rare, with only two occurrences in the previous 3 years. Ecotourism has grown rapidly in Belize in recent years, and Blue Creek is home to several natural tourist attractions and an eco-lodge that brings tourists, school groups, and researchers to the village. Ecotourism has provided an economic incentive for village investment in conservation, and 94% of respondents stated that preservation of wildlife, including jaguars, was beneficial to their well-being.
Art as Kinship: Signs of Life in the Eastern Woodlands
Authors: Creese John L.
Published: September 2017

Can archaeology make sense of art ‘after interpretation’? Post-human scholarship suggests that conventional approaches to art, guided by Cartesian ontology, fail to account for the deeper kinship between things and thoughts. But the growing disillusionment with representation leaves art and the semiotic questions it raises in limbo. Can we recover an adequate social theory of art, semiosis and the subject in a post-humanist world? I submit that we can by building on Eduardo Kohn's thesis that life beyond the human is constitutively semiotic. Art, as a semiotic involution of life's animating processes, is form-taking and form-replicating activity. This form-taking is open-ended and prospective, continuously reaching beyond itself to refigure specific cases as general kinds. This occasions a process of emergence through which novel ‘reals’—including societies and selves—are produced. Extending Sahlins’ definition of kinship to include human/non-human relations, I argue that seventeenth-century Iroquoian art was about kinning—the making of relatives—and its power to form and reform relations of all sorts was central to its success.
THE OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE TAX BURDEN OVER THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: Angelopoulos Konstantinos , Asimakopoulos Stylianos , Malley James
Published: September 2017

This paper analyzes optimal capital and labor income taxation for households differentiated by labor skill, income, and wealth, under a balanced government budget, over the business cycle. A model incorporating capital–skill complementarity in production and differential access to labor and capital markets is developed to capture the cyclical characteristics of the US economy, as well as the empirical observations on wage (skill premium) and wealth inequality. We find that optimal taxes for middle-income households are more volatile than the remaining taxes. Moreover, the government re-allocates the total tax burden in bad times so that the share of total tax revenue paid by middle-income households rises. This share also rises for low-income households but by significantly less, whereas the tax share for skilled households falls.