bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Blended Learning Strategy on Learning Outcome in Educational Psychology of Pre-Service Teachers of B.Ed. Programme
Authors: Uddin Md. Jamal
Published: August 2024

The key aim of this study is to investigate the effect of blended learning strategy on learning outcome in Educational Psychology of pre-service teachers of 2-year B.Ed. programme. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design was employed. Only one state university located in Kolkata city was selected through simple random sampling. The sample for this study was comprised of 92 pre-service teachers available in second semester of 2-year B.Ed. programme in 2024 running under the Department of Education of that university. The two units of B.Ed. programme were assigned randomly as experimental group (N=48) and control group (N=44) respectively. For collecting the data, a learning outcome test with a reliability coefficient of 0.82 developed and standardised by the investigator was used. For analysing the data, one-way ANCOVA and 2×2 factorial design ANCOVA were applied. The findings demonstrated that the experimental group learners achieved higher learning outcome in comparison to the control group learners. Learning outcome in educational psychology of pre-service teachers was found to be independent on gender Further, findings of this study also showed that there was no significant effect of interaction between treatment and gender on learning outcome in Education Psychology, when their pre-learning outcome was considered as a covariate. Outcomes of this study can be implemented in improving the competency level of pre-service teachers in different teacher education programmes.
Advancing Redgram Productivity: Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations in Wanaparthy District, Telangana, India
Authors: Bhavani Gottemukkula , Vallela Rajendra Kumar
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to assess the productivity improvement of redgram under Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLD) in Wanaparthy district in the operational area of YFA-KVK, Mahabubnagar-I. A total of 261 demonstrations were conducted over a seven-year period (2016-17 to 2022-23), covering 104.4 hectares during the kharif season under rainfed situation with protected irrigation. Results showed that with the introduction of improved high yielding short duration varieties -PRG176 and WRGE 97 when combined with seed treatment, recommended fertilizer doses, weed management, and plant protection, achieved an increase in average yield of 10.20 quintals per hectare, compared to 6.23 quintals per hectare with traditional farmers’ practices. Net returns averaged ₹35000 from CFLD demonstrations, significantly higher than the ₹14,230 from conventional methods, though variations were influenced by the Minimum Support Price (MSP) set by the Government of India. The study identified an average extension gap of 3.98 quintals per hectare between the demonstrated technology and traditional practices, with an average technology gap of 14.80 quintals per hectare across the years. This gap varied annually due to the performance of recommended varieties and interventions. The technology index correlated with the technology gaps. The findings suggest that redgram production can be significantly improved through the adoption of improved technologies via CFLD. Therefore, it is crucial to spread these improved technologies among farmers using effective extension methods such as awareness camps, farmers-scientist interactions, group discussions, trainings, demonstrations, field days, and exposure visits through CFLD.
Influence of Priming on Seed Quality and Seed Health in Sorghum
Authors: Koradhanyamath Poornima , Gowda Basave , S. R. Doddagoudar , N. M. Shakuntala , Hosamani Arunkumar , A. S. Savitha , Rao Satyanarayan
Published: August 2024

Aims: To achieve sustainable agriculture, it is essential to conduct ongoing research aimed at reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers. This study investigates the effectiveness of seed priming, either alone or in combination with low doses of fungicides and/or biocontrol agents, to enhance seed quality and to reduce seed infection by improving the rate and uniformity of seed emergence and overcoming diseases.
Study Design:  Completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: Seed Unit, UAS, Raichur, from March 2022 to September 2022.
Methodology: Sorghum seeds were surface sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (1 %) for five minutes and then washed thrice with sterile water. Later the seeds were primed with Trichoderma hamatum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Carboxin 37.5 % + thiram 37.5 % (vitavax power), Trichoderma harzianum, Azospirillium and control with the seed to solution ratio of 1:5 for eight hours and then the primed seeds were dried back to original moisture content (24 hrs.) and then used to assess the seed quality parameters.
Results: Seed priming with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens resulted in statistically significant improvements in seed germination (95.0%), shoot length (16.9 cm), root length (16.6 cm), seedling length (33.5 cm), speed of germination (20.1), seedling dry weight (339.3 mg), seedling vigour index-I (3183), seedling vigour index-II (32234), lower electrical conductivity (0.35 dS/m) and reduced seed infection (0.6%). In contrast, the control group exhibited significantly lower seed germination (83.0%), shoot length (12.6 cm), root length (11.1 cm), seedling length (23.7 cm), speed of germination (15.2), seedling dry weight (333.2 mg), seedling vigour index-I (1967), seedling vigour index-II (27656), higher electrical conductivity (0.65 dS/m) and increased seed infection (6.8%).
Conclusion: Sorghum seeds primed with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens increases the seed quality parameters and reduces seed infection, supporting its use as an effective strategy for enhancing seed performance and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Evaluation of Bond Strength of a Bioactive Adhesive System Associated with Ozonized Water on Enamel Preconditioned with Phosphoric Acid
Authors: Colognese Maria Ritha Veiga , Cardoso Poliana Maria de Faveri , Furlan Juliana Tomazeli , Ueda Julio Katuhide , Camilotti Veridiana
Published: August 2024

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of ozonated water as a cavity cleaning solution in combination with a bioactive adhesive system on bond strength to enamel, compared to distilled water, after different storage times.
Study Design: Experimental in vitro study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Restorative Dentistry, State University of West Parana, Cascavel, Parana, Brazil, between September 2022 and August 2023.
Methodology: Bovine anterior teeth were divided into four groups: AD24h (distilled water and 24-hour storage), AO24h (ozonated water and 24-hour storage), AD30D (distilled water and 30-day storage), and AO30D (ozonated water and 30-day storage). After cavity cleaning, a bioactive adhesive system and composite resin were applied. Three bioactive composite resin cylinders were light-cured on each tooth using a LED light device. Microshear bond strength was tested with a testing machine (EMIC) at a speed of 1 mm/min using a 50N load cell. Statistical analysis was performed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05).
Results: Ozonated water significantly increased bond strength to enamel after 24 hours (p < 0.05). However, after 30 days, no significant differences in bond strength were observed between ozonated water and distilled water groups.
Conclusion: Ozonated water enhances initial bond strength to enamel but its effect diminishes over time. These findings suggest the need for improved adhesion techniques to achieve long-term durability in dental restorations.
A Study on Profile Characteristics of Stakeholders of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs)
Authors: Nikhitha A. , Kumar P. Ganesh , Kumar S. Arun , Sailaja V. , Subramanyam D. , Murthy B. Ramana
Published: August 2024

In this modern era, farmers encounter difficulties in receiving timely services from extension agents. So, technological advancement in quality of services, speed in deliverables and precision actions are possible by creating proper interface between farmers, scientists, extension officers, service providers etc. and by bringing innovation/sustainable interventions in agriculture and allied sector. With this context as a new extension reform, Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched Rythu Bharosa Kendras. The study was carried out in Srikakulam, Prakasam and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 409 stakeholders were selected, among them 361 were farmers and 12 were scientis, 24 MAOs/DAOs, 12VAAs were selected for the study. The objective of the study was to know the profile of stakeholders of RBKs. The results of the study showed that majority of the farmers had medium extension contact (41.83%), medium mass media exposure (39.33%), medium innovativeness (42.66%), medium training undergone (38.23%), medium digital literacy (45.43%), medium possession of digital tools (44.88%), medium frequency of use of digital tools (44.32%), medium perception on RBKs(43.77% ), medium information sharing behaviour (45.16%). In case of stakeholders most of them had high mass media exposure (45.63%), medium innovatveness (64.58%), medium training undergone (72.92%),high digital literacy (50.00%),medium possession of digital tools (45.83%),high frequency of use of digital tools (50.00%), medium perception on RBKs (52.08%) and medium information sharing behaviour (56.25%) and the chi-square were done to know the siginificance difference. From the above results it is clear that most of the farmers were belonged to medium to high level so there is a need to enhance their knowledge and use of digital technologies which helps to provide better connections and communication among these farmers to get up-to-date information with the latest agricultural practices and innovations. Regarding stakeholders most of them belonged to medium to high level because it enables them to access and disseminate information more effectively by using digital tools and also helps in bridging the information gap. This dual approach will facilitate a more integrated and efficient agricultural information system, ultimately benefiting the entire agricultural community.
Provenance analysis using Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material: A case study in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Authors: Nibourel Lukas , Herman Frédéric , Cox Simon C. , Beyssac Olivier , Lavé Jérôme
Published: August 2015

Detrital provenance analyses in orogenic settings, in which sediments are collected at the outlet of a catchment, have become an important tool to estimate how erosion varies in space and time. Here we present how Raman Spectroscopy on Carbonaceous Material (RSCM) can be used for provenance analysis. RSCM provides an estimate of the peak temperature (RSCM‐T) experienced during metamorphism. We show that we can infer modern erosion patterns in a catchment by combining new measurements on detrital sands with previously acquired bedrock data. We focus on the Whataroa catchment in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and exploit the metamorphic gradient that runs parallel to the main drainage direction. To account for potential sampling biases, we also quantify abrasion properties using flume experiments and measure the total organic carbon content in the bedrock that produced the collected sands. Finally, we integrate these parameters into a mass‐conservative model. Our results first demonstrate that RSCM‐T can be used for detrital studies. Second, we find that spatial variations in tracer concentration and erosion have a first‐order control on the RSCM‐T distributions, even though our flume experiments reveal that weak lithologies produce substantially more fine particles than do more durable lithologies. This result implies that sand specimens are good proxies for mapping spatial variations in erosion when the bedrock concentration of the target mineral is quantified. The modeling suggests that highest present‐day erosion rates (in Whataroa catchment) are not situated at the range front but around 10 km into the mountain belt.
Metallic 1T‐WS2 for Selective Impedimetric Vapor Sensing
Authors: Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Ambrosi Adriano , Eng Alex Yong Sheng , Sofer Zdeněk , Pumera Martin
Published: August 2015

Selective gas sensing is of immense importance for industrial as well as safety purposes. Here it is shown that metallic 1T phase transition metal dichalcogenides, such as tungsten sulfide (WS2), provide sensitive and selective platform for gas sensing. Using impedance spectroscopy distinguishable alterations can be detected on the impedance phase spectrum of interdigitated gold electrode modified with chemically exfoliated 1T‐WS2 caused by different vapors. In particular, it is found that the impedance phase spectra of 1T‐WS2 device present different resonant frequencies with maximum around 1 Hz in the presence of methanol vapor and around 1 kHz in the presence of water vapor. Such a well‐distinguished signal allows their selective detection also when they are present in a mixture. The impedance phase spectra allow the selective methanol and water vapor sensing with an impedimetric device based on 1T‐WS2. This system utilizing 1T phase of WS2 for selective gas sensing based on impedance spectroscopy opens new avenues for gas sensing and shall find wide spectra of applications.
Synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles using a recyclable heterogeneous nanonickel ferrite catalyst
Authors: Abrishami Fatemeh , Ebrahimikia Maryam , Rafiee Fatemeh
Published: August 2015

An efficient method was developed for the [2 + 3] cycloaddition of sodium azide with nitriles to afford 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles using nanonickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) as an effective heterogeneous catalyst in dimethylformamide. The main advantages of this method are high yields, simple methodology and easy work‐up. The catalyst can be recovered and reused for several cycles with predictable activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods in Molecular Biology 1297: RNA Nanotechnology and Therapeutics: Methods and Protocols. Edited by Peixuan Guo and Farzin Haque
Authors: Hermann Thomas
Published: August 2015

Humana Press, Totowa 2015, XI+239 pp., hardcover, $ 119.00—ISBN 978‐1‐4939‐2561‐2
Dual antiplatelet therapy, drug‐eluting stents and bioresorbable vascular scaffolds: Evolutionary perspectives
Authors: Albuquerque Felipe N. , Bortnick Anna , Iqbal Javaid , Ishibashi Yuki , Stone Gregg W. , Serruys Patrick W.
Published: August 2015

Dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and cardiovascular mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention, but the optimal duration of therapy remains unclear. Stent thrombosis, one of the most feared complications of coronary intervention, is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is related in part to technical and patient‐specific factors. Advances in device technology and better understanding of the pathophysiology of stent thrombosis have reduced the frequency of this devastating complication. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds possess a number of advantageous features and are currently undergoing active investigation. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds have been demonstrated to restore physiologic vasomotion, allow for late lumen enlargement, and upon full resorption remove the nidus for very late polymer reactions and resolve concerns of stent malapposition and side branch jailing. Based on the results from recent large‐scale randomized trials, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy may depend on the choice of device type, as well as the individual patient risk of ischemic versus hemorrhagic complications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva: Different techniques and mid‐term follow‐up
Authors: Mahimarangaiah Jayranganath , Chandra Subash , Subramanian Anand , Srinivasa K. H. , Usha M. K. , Manjunath C. N.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to study the feasibility and approaches to device closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva (RSOV). We have compared the advantages and disadvantages of different devices and techniques and discussed complications which might occur during or after the procedure.

Background

There are only a few case series of transcatheter closure of RSOV, with most cases being traditionally referred for surgery. We have employed different devices used for treatment of congenital shunt lesions to achieve closure. Reasons for failure and need for surgical referral have also been analyzed.

Methods

Transcatheter closure was attempted in a total of 25 patients of RSOV who presented to us over a period of 4 years. Different devices were deployed using antegrade and retrograde approaches. All patients have been on regular follow‐up.

Results

The procedural success rate was 84%. Two patients presenting in cardiogenic shock were effectively treated by device closure. There was one case of device embolization and two patients had residual leak. Three patients were referred for surgery. There was one case of device induced severe aortic regurgitation. Ventricular septal defect and RSOV were closed simultaneously in one patient.

Conclusions

Different approaches and devices may be used for transcatheter closure of RSOV. We prefer antegrade closure using duct occluders in most cases while muscular VSD occluders may be used in select situations. ADO II devices should hardly ever be used on their own for device closure of RSOV. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regression calibration with instrumental variables for longitudinal models with interaction terms, and application to air pollution studies
Authors: Strand M. , Sillau S. , Grunwald G. K. , Rabinovitch N.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we derive forms of estimators and associated variances for regression calibration with instrumental variables in longitudinal models that include interaction terms between two unobservable predictors and interactions between these predictors and covariates not measured with error; the inclusion of the latter interactions generalize results we previously reported. The methods are applied to air pollution and health data collected on children with asthma. The new methods allow for the examination of how the relationship between health outcome leukotriene E4 (LTE4, a biomarker of inflammation) and two unobservable pollutant exposures and their interaction are modified by the presence or absence of upper respiratory infections. The pollutant variables include secondhand smoke and ambient (outdoor) fine particulate matter. Simulations verify the accuracy of the proposed methods under various conditions. © 2015 The Authors Environmetrics Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Suitability of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the in situ silylation of chlorophenols in water samples before gas chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: Saraji Mohammad , Ghambari Hoda
Published: August 2015

Trace analysis of chlorophenols in water was performed by simultaneous silylation and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction was carried out using an organic solvent lighter than water (n‐hexane). The effect of different silylating reagents on the method efficiency was investigated. The influence of derivatization reagent volume, presence of catalyst and derivatization/extraction time on the yield of the derivatization reaction was studied. Different parameters affecting extraction efficiency such as kind and volume of extraction and disperser solvents, pH of the sample and addition of salt were also investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.05–100 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 0.01 ng/mL. The enrichment factors were 242, 351, and 363 for 4‐chlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, respectively. The values of intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations were in the range of 3.0–6.4 and 6.1–9.9%, respectively. The applicability of the method was investigated by analyzing water and wastewater samples.
Efficient pDNA Delivery Using Cationic 2‐Hydroxypropyl‐β‐Cyclodextrin Pluronic‐Based Polyrotaxanes
Authors: Badwaik Vivek , Mondjinou Yawo , Kulkarni Aditya , Liu Linjia , Demoret Asher , Thompson David H.
Published: August 2015

A family of cationic Pluronic‐based polyrotaxanes (PR+), threaded with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPCD), was synthesized for pDNA delivery into multiple cell lines. All PR+ formed highly stable, positively charged pDNA complexes that were < 250 nm in diameter. The cellular uptake and pDNA transfection efficiencies of the PR+:pDNA complexes was enhanced relative to the commercial transfection standards L2K and bPEI, while displaying similar or lower toxicity profiles. Charge density and threading efficiency of the PR+ agent significantly influenced the colloidal stability and physical properties of the complexes, which impacted their intracellular transfection efficiencies. Taken together, our results suggest that HPCD: Pluronic PR+ can be used as potent vectors for pDNA‐based therapeutics.
Finite dimensionality of the attractor for the hyperbolic Cahn–Hilliard–Oono equation in
Authors: Savostianov Anton , Zelik Sergey
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we continue the study of the hyperbolic relaxation of the Cahn–Hilliard–Oono equation with the sub‐quintic non‐linearity in the whole space
started in our previous paper and verify that under the natural assumptions on the non‐linearity and the external force, the fractal dimension of the associated global attractor in the natural energy space is finite. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of spiritual interventions addressing existential themes using a narrative approach on quality of life of cancer patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kruizinga Renske , Hartog Iris D. , Jacobs Marc , Daams Joost G. , Scherer‐Rath Michael , Schilderman Johannes B. A. M. , Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M.
Published: August 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of spiritual interventions on quality of life of cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted our search on June 6, 2014 in Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and PubMed. All clinical trials were included that compared standard care with a spiritual intervention that addressed existential themes using a narrative approach. Study quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results

A total of 4972 studies were identified, of which 14 clinical trials (2050 patients) met the inclusion criteria, and 12 trials (1878 patients) were included in the meta‐analysis. The overall risk of bias was high. When combined, all studies showed a moderate effect (d) 0.50 (95% CI = 0.20–0.79) 0–2 weeks after the intervention on overall quality of life in favor of the spiritual interventions. Meta‐analysis at 3–6 months after the intervention showed a small insignificant effect (0.14, 95% CI = −0.08 to 0.35). Subgroup analysis including only the western studies showed a small effect of 0.17 (95% CI = 0.05–0.29). Including only studies that met the allocation concealment criteria showed an insignificant effect of 0.14 (95% CI = −0.05 to 0.33).

Conclusions

Directly after the intervention, spiritual interventions had a moderate beneficial effect in terms of improving quality of life of cancer patients compared with that of a control group. No evidence was found that the interventions maintained this effect up to 3–6 months after the intervention. Further research is needed to understand how spiritual interventions could contribute to a long‐term effect of increasing or maintaining quality of life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heavy metal transport by the CusCFBA efflux system
Authors: Delmar Jared A. , Su Chih‐Chia , Yu Edward W.
Published: August 2015

It is widely accepted that the increased use of antibiotics has resulted in bacteria with developed resistance to such treatments. These organisms are capable of forming multi‐protein structures that bridge both the inner and outer membrane to expel diverse toxic compounds directly from the cell. Proteins of the resistance nodulation cell division (RND) superfamily typically assemble as tripartite efflux pumps, composed of an inner membrane transporter, a periplasmic membrane fusion protein, and an outer membrane factor channel protein. These machines are the most powerful antimicrobial efflux machinery available to bacteria. In Escherichia coli, the CusCFBA complex is the only known RND transporter with a specificity for heavy metals, detoxifying both Cu+ and Ag+ ions. In this review, we discuss the known structural information for the CusCFBA proteins, with an emphasis on their assembly, interaction, and the relationship between structure and function.
Genetik des familiären Brust- und Eierstockkrebses: Paneldiagnostik – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen
Authors: Meindl Alfons , Ramser Juliane , Hauke Jan , Hahnen Eric
Published: August 2015

Aktuelle Untersuchungen belegen, dass das hereditäre Mamma- und Ovarialkarzinom eine extreme genetische Heterogenität aufweist. Aktuell sind neben BRCA1 und BRCA2 bereits mehr als 20 Risikogene bekannt, die etwa ein Drittel aller familiären Fälle erklären können. Zusätzlich werden ständig neue polygene Komponenten identifiziert, die derzeit 16 % der gesamten genetischen Last bedingen. Das bedeutet, diese Varianten befinden sich zusätzlich zu hoch- oder moderat penetranten Mutationen in den Familien und modulieren die Penetranz.Gegenwärtig wird eine erweiterte BRCA-Diagnostik bereits in mehreren Ländern angeboten. Das Deutsche Konsortium Familiärer Brust- und Eierstockkrebs (GC-HBOC) hat z. B. für die Multigenanalyse das TruRisk™-Genpanel konsentiert, welches neben den 10 sog. „core genes“ (ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, CHEK2, NBN, PALB2, RAD51C, RAD51D, TP53) derzeit weitere noch zu validierende 24 Kandidatengene umfasst. Innerhalb des GC-HBOC wurde festgelegt, dass zunächst nur die Untersuchung der 10 core genes verpflichtend ist. Neben dem TruRisk™-Genpanel existieren zahlreiche kommerzielle Genpanels, wie beispielsweise das TruSight Cancer Panel (Fa. Illumina), welches 94 Gene abdeckt, oder die jeweils 26 Gene umfassenden BRCA Hereditary Cancer MASTRTM Plus (Fa. Multiplicom) und Myriad myRiskTM (Myriad Genetics) Panels. Der Einsatz der Paneldiagnostik ermöglicht, im Rahmen der molekulargenetischen Diagnostik bei Tumorprädispositionserkrankungen, die flexible Untersuchung der relevanten erblichen Risikofaktoren. Das heißt aber, dass die Panels ständig neuen Erkenntnissen angepasst werden, die zwangsläufig einerseits aus den laufenden klinischen Validierungsstudien und andererseits aus den initiierten „exom“- oder „whole-genome“ Sequenzierungen resultieren.
Combination of 13 cis‐retinoic acid and tolfenamic acid induces apoptosis and effectively inhibits high‐risk neuroblastoma cell proliferation
Authors: Shelake Sagar , Eslin Don , Sutphin Robert M. , Sankpal Umesh T. , Wadwani Anmol , Kenyon Laura E. , Tabor‐Simecka Leslie , Bowman W. Paul , Vishwanatha Jamboor K. , Basha Riyaz
Published: August 2015

Chemotherapeutic regimens used for the treatment of Neuroblastoma (NB) cause long‐term side effects in pediatric patients. NB arises in immature sympathetic nerve cells and primarily affects infants and children. A high rate of relapse in high‐risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) necessitates the development of alternative strategies for effective treatment. This study investigated the efficacy of a small molecule, tolfenamic acid (TA), for enhancing the anti‐proliferative effect of 13 cis‐retinoic acid (RA) in HRNB cell lines. LA1‐55n and SH‐SY5Y cells were treated with TA (30 μM) or RA (20 μM) or both (optimized doses, derived from dose curves) for 48 h and tested the effect on cell viability, apoptosis and selected molecular markers (Sp1, survivin, AKT and ERK1/2). Cell viability and caspase activity were measured using the CellTiter‐Glo and Caspase‐Glo kits. The apoptotic cell population was determined by flow cytometry with Annexin‐V staining. The expression of Sp1, survivin, AKT, ERK1/2 and c‐PARP was evaluated by Western blots. The combination therapy of TA and RA resulted in significant inhibition of cell viability (p < 0.0001) when compared to individual agents. The anti‐proliferative effect is accompanied by a decrease in Sp1 and survivin expression and an increase in apoptotic markers, Annexin‐V positive cells, caspase 3/7 activity and c‐PARP levels. Notably, TA + RA combination also caused down regulation of AKT and ERK1/2 suggesting a distinct impact on survival and proliferation pathways via signaling cascades. This study demonstrates that the TA mediated inhibition of Sp1 in combination with RA provides a novel therapeutic strategy for the effective treatment of HRNB in children.
New instability mode in a grooved channel
Authors: Mohammadi A. , Moradi H. V. , Floryan J. M.
Published: August 2015

It is known that longitudinal grooves may stabilize or destabilize the travelling wave instability in a channel flow depending on the groove wavenumber. These waves reduce to the classical Tollmien–Schlichting waves in the absence of grooves. It is shown that another class of travelling wave instability exists if grooves with sufficiently high amplitude and proper wavelengths are used. It is demonstrated that the new instability mode is driven by the inviscid mechanism, with the disturbance motion having the form of a wave propagating in the streamwise direction with phase speed approximately four times larger than the Tollmien–Schlichting wave speed and with its streamwise wavelength being approximately twice the spanwise groove wavelength. The instability motion is concentrated mostly in the middle of the channel and has a planar character, i.e. the dominant velocity components are parallel to the walls. A significant reduction of the corresponding critical Reynolds number can be achieved by increasing the groove amplitude. Conditions that guarantee the flow stability in a grooved channel, i.e. the grooved surface behaves as a hydraulically smooth surface, have been identified.
Retraction of large liquid strips
Authors: Lv Cunjing , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: August 2015

We study the behaviour of elongated puddles deposited on non-wetting substrates. Such liquid strips retract and adopt circular shapes after a few oscillations. Their thickness and horizontal surface area remain constant during this reorganization, so that the energy of the system is only lowered by minimizing the length of the contour (and the corresponding surface energy); despite the large scale of the experiments (several centimetres), motion is driven by surface tension. We focus on the retraction stage, and show that its velocity results from a balance between the capillary driving force and inertia, due to the frictionless motion on non-wetting substrates. As a consequence, the retraction velocity has a special Taylor–Culick structure, where the puddle width replaces the usual thickness.
A WEAKLY UNIFORMLY ROTUND DUAL OF A BANACH SPACE
Authors: GILES J. R.
Published: August 2015

A nonreflexive Banach space may have a weakly uniformly rotund dual. The aim of this paper is to determine alternative characterisations and study further implications of this property in higher duals.
Unchanging public order policing in changing times in East Africa
Authors: Baker Bruce
Published: August 2015

This article offers a political analysis of the practices and motives of public order policing in Ethiopia and Uganda. It offers an explanation of the continuation of forceful tactics against political protest in a context of changing methods of information gathering, organisation and mobilisation by urban activists resulting from their access to internet and communication technology. It finds the two regimes, as anocracies, are caught between legally allowing protest and yet, conscious of their fragility, determined to crush opposition. For the latter approach, their militarist leaderships rely heavily on continued police violence. The paper concludes that failure of the police to adapt their public order policing to the new protest environment leaves them increasingly ineffective and unpopular. It is likely to provoke an escalation of violence and may both undermine the legitimacy of their regimes and reverse their attempts to open political space that justified their rebellions against former autocracies.
Patterns of Emotion Attribution are Affected in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Romero-Ferreiro María Verónica , Aguado Luis , Rodriguez-Torresano Javier , Palomo Tomás , Rodriguez-Jimenez Roberto
Published: August 2015

Deficits in facial affect recognition have been repeatedly reported in schizophrenia patients. The hypothesis that this deficit is caused by poorly differentiated cognitive representation of facial expressions was tested in this study. To this end, performance of patients with schizophrenia and controls was compared in a new emotion-rating task. This novel approach allowed the participants to rate each facial expression at different times in terms of different emotion labels. Results revealed that patients tended to give higher ratings to emotion labels that did not correspond to the portrayed emotion, especially in the case of negative facial expressions (p < .001, η2 = .131). Although patients and controls gave similar ratings when the emotion label matched with the facial expression, patients gave higher ratings on trials with "incorrect" emotion labels (ps < .05). Comparison of patients and controls in a summary index of expressive ambiguity showed that patients perceived angry, fearful and happy faces as more emotionally ambiguous than did the controls (p < .001, η2 = .135). These results are consistent with the idea that the cognitive representation of emotional expressions in schizophrenia is characterized by less clear boundaries and a less close correspondence between facial configurations and emotional states.
Two enzymes with redundant fructose bisphosphatase activity sustain gluconeogenesis and virulence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ganapathy Uday , Marrero Joeli , Calhoun Susannah , Eoh Hyungjin , de Carvalho Luiz Pedro Sorio , Rhee Kyu , Ehrt Sabine
Published: August 2015

The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) likely utilizes host fatty acids as a carbon source during infection. Gluconeogenesis is essential for the conversion of fatty acids into biomass. A rate-limiting step in gluconeogenesis is the conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate by a fructose bisphosphatase (FBPase). The Mtb genome contains only one annotated FBPase gene, glpX. Here we show that, unexpectedly, an Mtb mutant lacking GLPX grows on gluconeogenic carbon sources and has detectable FBPase activity. We demonstrate that the Mtb genome encodes an alternative FBPase (GPM2, Rv3214) that can maintain gluconeogenesis in the absence of GLPX. Consequently, deletion of both GLPX and GPM2 is required for disruption of gluconeogenesis and attenuation of Mtb in a mouse model of infection. Our work affirms a role for gluconeogenesis in Mtb virulence and reveals previously unidentified metabolic redundancy at the FBPase-catalysed reaction step of the pathway.
A scalable and operationally simple radical trifluoromethylation
Authors: Beatty Joel W. , Douglas James J. , Cole Kevin P. , Stephenson Corey R. J.
Published: August 2015

The large number of reagents that have been developed for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated compounds is a testament to the importance of the CF3 group as well as the associated synthetic challenge. Current state-of-the-art reagents for appending the CF3 functionality directly are highly effective; however, their use on preparative scale has minimal precedent because they require multistep synthesis for their preparation, and/or are prohibitively expensive for large-scale application. For a scalable trifluoromethylation methodology, trifluoroacetic acid and its anhydride represent an attractive solution in terms of cost and availability; however, because of the exceedingly high oxidation potential of trifluoroacetate, previous endeavours to use this material as a CF3 source have required the use of highly forcing conditions. Here we report a strategy for the use of trifluoroacetic anhydride for a scalable and operationally simple trifluoromethylation reaction using pyridine N-oxide and photoredox catalysis to affect a facile decarboxylation to the CF3 radical.
DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide for highly efficient gene silencing
Authors: Nishina Kazutaka , Piao Wenying , Yoshida-Tanaka Kie , Sujino Yumiko , Nishina Tomoko , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Nitta Keiko , Yoshioka Kotaro , Kuwahara Hiroya , Yasuhara Hidenori , Baba Takeshi , Ono Fumiko , Miyata Kanjiro , Miyake Koichi , Seth Punit P. , Low Audrey , Yoshida Masayuki , Bennett C. Frank , Kataoka Kazunori , Mizusawa Hidehiro , Obika Satoshi , Yokota Takanori
Published: August 2015

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are recognized therapeutic agents for the modulation of specific genes at the post-transcriptional level. Similar to any medical drugs, there are opportunities to improve their efficacy and safety. Here we develop a short DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) with a structure different from double-stranded RNA used for short interfering RNA and single-stranded DNA used for ASO. A DNA/locked nucleotide acid gapmer duplex with an α-tocopherol-conjugated complementary RNA (Toc-HDO) is significantly more potent at reducing the expression of the targeted mRNA in liver compared with the parent single-stranded gapmer ASO. Toc-HDO also improves the phenotype in disease models more effectively. In addition, the high potency of Toc-HDO results in a reduction of liver dysfunction observed in the parent ASO at a similar silencing effect. HDO technology offers a novel concept of therapeutic oligonucleotides, and the development of this molecular design opens a new therapeutic field.
SPINK1 promotes colorectal cancer progression by downregulating Metallothioneins expression
Authors: Tiwari R , Pandey S K , Goel S , Bhatia V , Shukla S , Jing X , Dhanasekaran S M , Ateeq B
Published: August 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world, and second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Although, anti-EGFR therapy is commonly prescribed for CRC, patients harboring mutations in KRAS or BRAF show poor treatment response, indicating an ardent demand for new therapeutic targets discovery. SPINK1 (serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 1) overexpression has been identified in many cancers including the colon, lung, breast and prostate. Our study demonstrates the functional significance of SPINK1 in CRC progression and metastases. Stable knockdown of SPINK1 significantly decreases cell proliferation, invasion and soft agar colony formation in the colon adenocarcinoma WiDr cells. Conversely, an increase in these oncogenic phenotypes was observed on stimulation with SPINK1-enriched conditioned media (CM) in multiple benign models such as murine colonic epithelial cell lines, MSIE and YAMC (SPINK3-negative). Mechanistically, SPINK1 promotes tumorigenic phenotype by activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways, and the SPINK1-positive WiDr cells are sensitive to AKT and MEK inhibitors. Importantly, SPINK1 silencing mediated upregulation of various Metallothionein isoforms, considered as tumor suppressors in CRC, confer sensitivity to doxorubicin, which strengthens the rationale for using the combinatorial treatment approach for the SPINK1-positive CRC patients. Furthermore, in vivo studies using chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay, murine xenograft studies and metastasis models further suggest a pivotal role of SPINK1 in CRC progression and metastasis. Taken together, our study demonstrates an important role for the overexpressed SPINK1 in CRC disease progression, a phenomenon that needs careful evaluation towards effective therapeutic target development.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Smart Phone Platforms
Authors: Liu Yun , Liu Qiang , Chen Shimeng , Cheng Fang , Wang Hanqi , Peng Wei
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate a fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on smart phone platforms. The light-weight optical components and sensing element are connected by optical fibers on a phone case. This SPR adaptor can be conveniently installed or removed from smart phones. The measurement, control and reference channels are illuminated by the light entering the lead-in fibers from the phone’s LED flash, while the light from the end faces of the lead-out fibers is detected by the phone’s camera. The SPR-sensing element is fabricated by a light-guiding silica capillary that is stripped off its cladding and coated with 50-nm gold film. Utilizing a smart application to extract the light intensity information from the camera images, the light intensities of each channel are recorded every 0.5 s with refractive index (RI) changes. The performance of the smart phone-based SPR platform for accurate and repeatable measurements was evaluated by detecting different concentrations of antibody binding to a functionalized sensing element and the experiment results were validated through contrast experiments with a commercial SPR instrument. This cost-effective and portable SPR biosensor based on smart phones has many applications, such as medicine, health and environmental monitoring.
Structure-switching of an organothiol neutral carrier by gold nanoparticles decorated on SH-MWCNTs for ultra-trace voltammetric assay of Hg(ii) using a carbon paste electrode
Authors: Ramezani Soleyman , Mashhadizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Jalilian Sajad , Aghili Mehdi
Published: August 2015

A simple strategy has been developed based on 1,2-bis[5,2-thiolmethyl-sulphide-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]ethane (BTMSOE) as a novel ion-carrier for construction of a voltammetric Hg(ii)-CPE.
Concise synthesis of (±)-Lingzhiol via epoxy-arene cyclization
Authors: Chen Dong , Liu Hao-Miao , Li Ming-Ming , Yan Yong-Min , Xu Wen-Dan , Li Xiao-Nian , Cheng Yong-Xian , Qin Hong-Bo
Published: August 2015

Concise synthesis of (±)-Lingzhiol has been achieved.
Dielectric constant enhancement of non-fullerene acceptors via side-chain modification
Authors: Donaghey Jenny E. , Armin Ardalan , Burn Paul L. , Meredith Paul
Published: August 2015

Substitution of alkyl solubilizing groups with short glycol chains can give non-fullerene electron acceptors with static dielectric constants of up to 9.8.
Two-way chromic interconversion of the 2,2′-biphenol-6,6′-diyl dication with 5H,10H-dioxapyrene or 9H,10H-4,5-dihydroxyphenanthrene
Authors: Sakano Yuto , Katoono Ryo , Fujiwara Kenshu , Suzuki Takanori
Published: August 2015

Two-proton or two-electron transfer of the title biphenolic dication proceeds nearly simultaneously to induce 2,6′/2′,6- or 6,6′-bond formation to give dioxapyrene or dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, respectively, with vivid changes in color.
Tandem mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy as a tool to identify peptide oxidized residues
Authors: Scuderi D. , Ignasiak M. T. , Serfaty X. , de Oliveira P. , Houée Levin C.
Published: August 2015

Met–Trp oxidized products formed by γ radiolysis and their vibrational signatures.
Alkali–metal ion coordination in uranyl(vi) poly-peroxo complexes in solution, inorganic analogues to crown-ethers. Part 2. Complex formation in the tetramethyl ammonium-, Li+-, Na+- and K+-uranyl(vi)–peroxide–carbonate systems
Authors: Zanonato Pier Luigi , Szabó Zoltán , Vallet Valerie , Di Bernardo Plinio , Grenthe Ingmar
Published: August 2015

Equilibrium constants and 17O-NMR demonstrate that alkali ions act as templates for the formation of [(UO2)(O2)(CO3)]n rings.
The first examples of 1-D organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates based on two [AsVS4]3− linkage modes
Authors: Zhao Rong-Qing , Liu Xing , Zhou Jian , Xiao Hong-Ping , Zou Hua-Hong , Fu Lianshe , Tang Qiuling , Tan Xiao-Feng
Published: August 2015

Two different [AsVS4]3− linkage modes first coexist in 1-D organic hybrid lanthanoid thioarsenates.
Decontaminating chemically contaminated residential premise plumbing systems by flushing
Authors: Casteloes K. S. , Brazeau R. H. , Whelton A. J.
Published: August 2015

Recent large-scale drinking water chemical contamination incidents in Canada and the U.S. have affected more than 1 000 000 people and involved disparate premise plumbing decontamination approaches.
Synthesis of polyhydroxyurethanes from di(trimethylolpropane) and their application to quaternary ammonium chloride-functionalized films
Authors: Matsukizono Hiroyuki , Endo Takeshi
Published: August 2015

Polyhydroxyurethanes synthesized using non-isocyanate and non-phosgene derivatives afford quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC)-functionalized films after chloroacetylation and quaternization with cross-linkable amines.
Solar light based degradation of organic pollutants using ZnO nanobrushes for water filtration
Authors: Gupta Ankur , Saurav Jayant Raj , Bhattacharya Shantanu
Published: August 2015

In this work, we report an effective water filtration system based on the photocatalytic performance of semiconducting dense nano-brushes under natural sunlight.
Photoinduced electron injection from an organic dye having a pyridyl anchor to Lewis acid site of TiO2 surface
Authors: Harima Yutaka , Kano Yuta , Fujita Takuya , Imae Ichiro , Ooyama Yousuke , Ohshita Joji
Published: August 2015

Adsorbability of dye onto TiO2 is not a principal factor for a high electron injection probability from dye to TiO2.
Two-step hydrothermal synthesis of sodium tantalate nanoparticles with deep ultraviolet sensitivity
Authors: Guo Bing , Wu Gang , Chen Hongzheng , Wang Mang
Published: August 2015

A convenient two-step hydrothermal method was developed to synthesize water dispersible NaTaO3 nanoparticles.
The biosynthesis of l-rhamnose of plum-leaf polysaccharides
Authors: Andrews P , Hough L , Picken JM
Published: August 2015

1. The utilization of d-[1-(14)C]- and d-[6-(14)C]-glucose in the biosynthesis of l-rhamnose units of plum-leaf polysaccharides has been studied. 2. After the precursors had been metabolized in the leaves, polysaccharide fractions were prepared therefrom and the constituent l-rhamnose was isolated and purified. 3. Both the specific activity and the distribution of (14)C along the carbon chain of l-rhamnose from two polysaccharide fractions from each experiment were determined. 4. The results indicated a close affinity between l-rhamnose and pectin, and show that biosynthesis of the 6-deoxyhexose from d-glucose occurs in the main without scission or inversion of the carbon chain. 5. A degradation scheme for l-rhamnose via l-rhamnitol was described which gives the labelling at C-1, C-2+C-3+C-4,C-5 and C-6 on a 0.3millimole scale.
Steroid metabolism in the rabbit. Biliary and urinary excretion of metabolites of [4-14C]progesterone
Authors: Taylor W , Scratcherd T
Published: August 2015

1. [4-(14)C]Progesterone was administered intravenously to anaesthetized male and female New Zealand White rabbits as a single injection or as a 45-60min. infusion. 2. After a single dose about 60% of the radioactivity was recovered in 6hr., and twice as much radioactivity was present in bile as in urine. After infusion total recovery of radioactivity was only about 40% in 6hr., but the relative proportions of metabolites in bile and urine were about the same as after a single dose. 3. Bile and urine samples were hydrolysed successively by beta-glucuronidase, cold acid and hot acid. 4. In bile the major proportion of metabolites appeared in the glucuronide fraction; in urine beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis yielded the greatest amounts of ether-extractable radioactivity, but the greatest proportion of radioactivity could not be extracted by ether from an alkaline solution of the hydrolysed urine. 5. There was no apparent difference in the quantity or distribution of metabolites excreted by male and female animals.