bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of microbial siderophores by mass spectrometry
Authors: Pluháček Tomáš , Lemr Karel , Ghosh Dipankar , Milde David , Novák Jiří , Havlíček Vladimír
Published: May 2015

Siderophores play important roles in microbial iron piracy, and are applied as infectious disease biomarkers and novel pharmaceutical drugs. Inductively coupled plasma and molecular mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) combined with high resolution separations allow characterization of siderophores in complex samples taking advantages of mass defect data filtering, tandem mass spectrometry, and iron‐containing compound quantitation. The enrichment approaches used in siderophore analysis and current ICP‐MS technologies are reviewed. The recent tools for fast dereplication of secondary metabolites and their databases are reported. This review on siderophores is concluded with their recent medical, biochemical, geochemical, and agricultural applications in mass spectrometry context. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 35: 35–47, 2016.
Influence of age on the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of cocoa flavanols in healthy subjects
Authors: Rodriguez‐Mateos Ana , Cifuentes‐Gomez Tania , Gonzalez‐Salvador Isidro , Ottaviani Javier I. , Schroeter Hagen , Kelm Malte , Heiss Christian , Spencer Jeremy P. E.
Published: May 2015

Scope

An understanding of the pharmacokinetics of structurally related (−)‐epicatechin metabolites (SREM) is a prerequisite for considering cocoa flavanols (CF) in the context of dietary recommendations. The objective of this study was to compare the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of SREM in healthy young and elderly Caucasian men.

Methods and results

Intraindividual variability of SREM was assessed in seven young subjects, after consuming 10.7 mg CF/kg body weight (BW) on two occasions separated by 1 week. The effect of age on flavanols ADME was assessed in 20 young (18–35 years) and 20 elderly (65–80 years) healthy male subjects receiving 5.3 and 10.7 mg total CF/kg BW or 1 g of acetaminophen as a control to compare differences in Phase II metabolism on three days separated by 1 week of wash‐out. Blood and urine samples were collected for 24‐h post consumption. The intraindividual variation, measured as CV(%) with respect to the area‐under‐the‐curve of the concentration over time (AUC(0‐6h)) of SREM, was 16%, while the interindividual variation in AUC(0‐6h), was 38%, comparable to acetaminophen (39%). The AUC(0‐6h) and the 24‐h excretion of total SREM was not significantly different between young and elderly subjects. At the high intake amount, the AUC(0‐6h) of (−)‐epicatechin‐3′‐β‐D‐glucuronide was greater in elderly subjects, whereas the AUC(0‐6h) of 3′‐O‐methyl‐(−)‐epicatechin‐5‐sulfate and 3′‐O‐methyl‐(−)‐epicatechin‐7‐sulfate as well as the 24‐h urinary excretion of γ‐valerolactone metabolites were lower in the elderly.

Conclusion

Cocoa flavanols are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted in healthy young and elderly subjects with relatively small differences between the two groups.
Mathematical optimization of contrast concentration for t1‐weighted spoiled gradient echo imaging
Authors: Reeder Scott B. , Smith Matthew R. , Hernando Diego
Published: May 2015

Purpose

To develop and validate closed form mathematical expressions that predict the optimal contrast agent concentration for the maximum T1‐weighted spoiled gradient echo (SGRE) signal.

Theory and Methods

Gadolinium and iron‐based contrast agents can have significant transverse relaxivity that leads to signal dropout with increasing contrast agent concentration. A mathematical expression for the “optimal” contrast agent concentration where recovery of longitudinal magnetization is offset by increasing transverse signal decay was derived. Expressions for the maximum possible SGRE signal were also derived. Three phantoms were constructed, each with varying concentrations of one of the following three agents: gadoteridol, gadobenate dimeglumine, and ferumoxytol. After measuring the longitudinal and transverse relaxivity of the three agents, the SGRE signal was measured in the phantoms over a wide range of flip angles and echo times.

Results

Excellent qualitative agreement between the SGRE signal behavior, optimal concentration, and optimal flip angle were observed between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions.

Conclusion

This work provides validated mathematical expressions for contrast enhanced T1‐weighted SGRE imaging and may provide guidance for contrast dosing and injection protocols, as well as for novel pulse sequence design. Magn Reson Med 75:1556–1564, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contact‐free physiological monitoring using a markerless optical system
Authors: Maclaren Julian , Aksoy Murat , Bammer Roland
Published: May 2015

Purpose

Physiological noise remains a major problem in MRI, particularly at higher imaging resolutions and field strengths. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using an MR‐compatible in‐bore camera system to perform contactless monitoring of cardiac and respiratory information during MRI of human subjects.

Methods

An MR‐compatible camera was mounted on an eight‐channel head coil. Video data of the skin was processed offline to derive cardiac and respiratory signals from the pixel signal intensity and from head motion in the patient head–feet direction. These signals were then compared with data acquired simultaneously from the pulse oximeter and the respiratory belt.

Results

The cardiac signal computed using the average image pixel intensity closely resembled the signal obtained using the pulse oximeter. Trigger intervals obtained from both systems matched to within 50 ms (one standard deviation). The respiratory signal computed from small in‐plane movements closely matched the signal obtained from the respiratory belt. Simultaneous MR imaging did not appear to have an effect on the physiological signals acquired by means of the contact‐free monitoring system.

Conclusion

Contact‐free monitoring of human subjects to obtain cardiac and respiratory information is feasible using a small camera and light emitting diode mounted on the head coil of an MRI scanner. Magn Reson Med 74:571–577, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Scheduling research and the first decade of NRLQ: A historical perspective
Authors: Panwalkar S.S. , Koulamas Christos
Published: May 2015

It is generally recognized that the first model involving job scheduling was presented by Selmer Johnson and published in the inaugural issue of Naval Research Logistics Quarterly (NRLQ) in 1954. NRLQ also published another seminal scheduling paper by Wayne E. Smith a short time later. In the present paper, we discuss the contribution of NRLQ and the role of the Office of Naval Research in the development of the scheduling literature during the first decade (1954–1963). We also provide a critical analysis of the papers by Johnson and Smith. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 335–344, 2015
Ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE‐MT) imaging of cortical bone
Authors: Chang Eric Y. , Bae Won C. , Shao Hongda , Biswas Reni , Li Shihong , Chen Jun , Patil Shantanu , Healey Robert , D'Lima Darryl D. , Chung Christine B. , Du Jiang
Published: May 2015

Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging is one way to indirectly assess pools of protons with fast transverse relaxation. However, conventional MT imaging sequences are not applicable to short T2 tissues such as cortical bone. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences with TE values as low as 8 µs can detect signals from different water components in cortical bone. In this study we aim to evaluate two‐dimensional UTE‐MT imaging of cortical bone and its application in assessing cortical bone porosity as measured by micro‐computed tomography (μCT) and biomechanical properties. In total, 38 human cadaveric distal femur and proximal tibia bones were sectioned to produce 122 rectangular pieces of cortical bone for quantitative UTE‐MT MR imaging, μCT, and biomechanical testing. Off‐resonance saturation ratios (OSRs) with a series of MT pulse frequency offsets (Δf) were calculated and compared with porosity assessed with μCT, as well as elastic (modulus, yield stress, and strain) and failure (ultimate stress, failure strain, and energy) properties, using Pearson correlation and linear regression. A moderately strong negative correlation was observed between OSR and μCT porosity (R2 = 0.46–0.51), while a moderate positive correlation was observed between OSR and yield stress (R2 = 0.25–0.30) and failure stress (R2 = 0.31–0.35), and a weak positive correlation (R2 = 0.09–0.12) between OSR and Young's modulus at all off‐resonance saturation frequencies. OSR determined with the UTE‐MT sequence provides quantitative information on cortical bone and is sensitive to μCT porosity and biomechanical function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent development and future trends in coir fiber‐reinforced green polymer composites: Review and evaluation
Authors: S Jayavani , Deka Harekrishna , Varghese T.O. , Nayak S.K.
Published: May 2015

Development of natural fiber composites with thermoplastics and thermosets finds applications in various fields, from agriculture to automotive. It can reduce the dependency on petroleum resources which causes several environmental problems. Natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable that reduces carbon footprint to the environment. Coir fibers are natural fibers used in the development of composites offers comparable properties with other mineral fillers. This article reviews different methods of coir fiber modification include alkali treatment, silane treatment, hydrogen peroxide treatment, sodium hypochlorite treatment, sodium periodate treatment coupled with p‐aminophenol and urea, treatment with benzene diazonium salt and maleated coupling agent. It also reviews composites of coir fiber with thermoplastic, rubber and thermoset plastics. Hybrid composites based on coir fiber are also being discussed. Thermoplastic composites such as biodegradable (PLA, PBS) and petroleum‐based polymers (PE, PP) and thermoset polymers include polyurethane, epoxy and polyester based composites also reviewed. Degradation and biodegradation studies were reviewed in the case of biodegradable polymers. Hybrid fibers of coir with other natural and mineral fibers have recently been used in composite industry has also been reviewed. All these composites show better properties. It can be used in different applications in the field of automobile, building and construction, consumer products and furniture. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3296–3309, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Development of biowaste encapsulated polypropylene composites: Thermal, optical, dielectric, flame retardant, mechanical, and morphological properties
Authors: Shah Atta ur Rehman , Prabhakar M.N. , Saleem Mohsin , Song Jung‐Il
Published: May 2015

Polymer matrix composites have recently gained attraction due to their light weight, low cost, and easy availability, but they are also known for their higher burning rate and low thermal stability. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most used thermoplastic polymers, its thermal stability and flammability have been modified in this study by incorporation of oyster shell powder (OSP) into PP as a filler. Besides flammability and thermal properties, OSP incorporation has some effects on dielectric and mechanical properties of PP. Effect of concentration of OSP (0–50 wt%) on the properties of OSP/PP composites was studied. The burning rate was observed to decrease while thermal stability was increased as a result of OSP addition into PP. Similarly, relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of OSP/PP composites was found higher than that of pure PP. Flame retardancy, thermal stability, and dielectric properties are functions of OSP concentration. Optical tests including fluorescence spectroscopy and FT‐IR were conducted to study any possible interactions between OSP and PP. A slight decrease in the tensile strength was observed. FESEM images revealed that the decrease in tensile strength is a result of interfacial flaws between filler particles and matrix. Tensile modulus was found to increase which is an evidence of stiffness, this is also correlated to the improvement in thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:236–243, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of drug adherence and medical care on heart failure outcome in the primary care setting in Austria
Authors: Marzluf Beatrice A. , Reichardt Berthold , Neuhofer Lisa M. , Kogler Bernhard , Wolzt Michael
Published: May 2015

Purpose

Guideline‐recommended therapy has been proven beneficial in heart failure (HF), but general implementation remains poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to drug therapy, quality of primary non‐drug medical care (NDMC) and its impact on HF outcome.

Methods

From 13 Austrian health insurance funds, we identified 36 829 patients (77.1 ± 10.8 years, 44.8% men) hospitalised for HF who survived more than 90 days after discharge in the period between April 2006 and June 2010. Drug adherence was analysed from prescriptions filled and NDMC from numbers of physician consultations and diagnostic tests relevant for HF per quarter of a year (medical care index (MedCI)) claimed from the insurance funds. Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the association of outcome (survival and death without further admission for HF, readmission for HF) with drug adherence and NDMC.

Results

Readmission due to HF or death without prior readmission for HF occurred in 19.7% and 22.5%, respectively. Adherence to angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, beta‐blockers and aldosterone antagonists was 49.3%, 40.4% and 16.1%, respectively, and was associated with better survival by Kaplan–Meier analysis. NDMC was consumed less frequently by deceased (76.0%; MedCI 2.55 ± 3.04) than surviving (79.3%; 3.60 ± 3.81) or readmitted (78.4%; 3.80 ± 4.13) patients (p < 0.001 for deceased vs both other). Drug adherence and NDMC were independent factors associated with better survival by multivariate regression analysis.

Conclusion

Guideline‐recommended drug therapy remains underutilised in Austria. Drug adherence and quality of NDMC are associated with better outcome in HF patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of life of family caregivers 8 years after a relative's cancer diagnosis: follow‐up of the National Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers
Authors: Kim Youngmee , Shaffer Kelly M. , Carver Charles S. , Cannady Rachel S.
Published: May 2015

Background

The long‐term impact of cancer caregiving on the family caregivers' quality of life (QOL) is currently not known. This study aimed (a) to characterize family caregivers of cancer survivors at 8 years post‐diagnosis in terms of multidimensional aspects of QOL and (b) to identify demographic and early caregiving experience characteristics that may play significant roles in predicting the caregivers' longer‐term QOL.

Methods

A total of 1087 caregivers participated in the 8‐year follow‐up National Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers. Demographics and early caregiving experiences were measured 2 years post‐diagnosis of their relative's cancer. Multidimensional aspects of QOL were assessed, including mental and physical health, psychological adjustment, and spirituality at both 2‐year and 8‐year post‐diagnosis.

Results

Approximately 90% of family caregivers ceased the caregiver role by 8 years. One‐fourth of them were due to bereavement. Caregivers' demographic and early caregiving characteristics were significantly associated with QOL. In addition, being bereaved by the 8‐year mark predicted poorer mental health and greater psychological distress independent of contributions of demographic and early caregiving characteristics.

Conclusions

Findings provided the first evidence that 8 years after the initial cancer diagnosis in the family, family members who became bereaved suffer from poorer mental health and greater psychological distress. Findings have theoretical implications for better understanding bereavement to cancer and practical implications for developing integrative programs to improve QOL among family members in the various phases of caregivership. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semiconducting enrichment of arc discharge single‐walled carbon nanotubes by density gradient ultracentrifugation
Authors: Scharfenberg Linda , Mertig Michael
Published: May 2015

Due to their intrinsic properties, single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are promising candidates for source‐drain channels in field‐effect transistors (FETs). However, their application in transistors requires semiconducting tubes, and thus, sorting of SWCNTs according to those. The basis for an efficient sorting is the dispersion of the material that usually includes but is not limited to applying tip sonication in the presence of appropriate amphiphilic molecules. We present a high semiconducting enrichment of surfactant‐wrapped arc discharge SWCNTs via sorting according to electronic type by applying density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU). We utilized a common combination of anionic surfactants, but optimized the sonication time during the dispersion step of the SWCNTs and the duration of performing DGU. Furthermore, we used UV–Vis spectroscopy to determine the differences in the content of metallic (m) and semiconducting (sc) SWCNTs of different samples. By the refinement of the conditions, we have achieved an enrichment of sc‐SWCNTs up to 98% in two sorting steps.
Curcumin Reactivates Silenced Tumor Suppressor Gene RARβ by Reducing DNA Methylation
Authors: Jiang Apei , Wang Xuemin , Shan Xiaoyun , Li Yuan , Wang Pengqi , Jiang Pan , Feng Qing
Published: May 2015

Reactivation of tumor suppressor genes by nontoxic bioactive food component represents a promising strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ), one member of the RAR receptor family, is considered as a tumor suppressor. Reduced expression of RARβ has been reported in lung cancer and other solid tumors. DNA hypermethylation of the promoter region of RARβ is a major mechanism for its silencing in tumors. Recently, curcumin has been considered as a potential DNA methyltransferase inhibitor. Herein, we demonstrated that curcumin significantly elevate RARβ expression at the mRNA and protein levels in tested cancer cells. Additionally, curcumin decreased RARβ promoter methylation in lung cancer A549 and H460 cells. Mechanistic study demonstrated that curcumin was able to downregulate the mRNA levels of DNMT3b. In a lung cancer xenograft node mice model, curcumin exhibited protective effect against weight loss because of tumor burden. Tumor growth was strongly repressed by curcumin treatment. As the results from in vitro, RARβ mRNA were increased and DNMT3b mRNA were decreased by curcumin treatment compared with the mice in control group. Altogether, this study reveals a novel molecular mechanism of curcumin as a chemo‐preventive agent for lung cancer through reactivation of RARβ. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proposing Social Resources as the Fundamental Catalyst Toward Opportunity Creation
Authors: Tocher Neil , Oswald Sharon L. , Hall Dianne J.
Published: May 2015

The growing body of research on the creation view of opportunities suggests that social processes between potential entrepreneurs and interested parties often account for why many technically brilliant business ideas are abandoned sometime between conceptualization and market launch. Surprisingly though, few studies have comprehensively examined the different roles various categories of social resources play at different stages of the opportunity‐creation process. Hence, the present article fills this gap by outlining how the unique resources of social capital and social competence facilitate entrepreneurs' ability to guide imagined ideas through the multistage, path dependent, socially complex opportunity‐creation process. Copyright © 2015 Strategic Management Society.
Transplantation of Photoreceptor Precursors Isolated via a Cell Surface Biomarker Panel from Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Self-Forming Retina
Authors: Lakowski Jorn , Gonzalez-Cordero Anai , West Emma L. , Han Ya-Ting , Welby Emily , Naeem Arifa , Blackford Samuel J. I. , Bainbridge James W. B. , Pearson Rachael A. , Ali Robin R. , Sowden Jane C.
Published: May 2015

Loss of photoreceptors due to retinal degeneration is a major cause of untreatable blindness. Cell replacement therapy, using pluripotent stem cell-derived photoreceptor cells, may be a feasible future treatment. Achieving safe and effective cell replacement is critically dependent on the stringent selection and purification of optimal cells for transplantation. Previously, we demonstrated effective transplantation of post-mitotic photoreceptor precursor cells labelled by fluorescent reporter genes. As genetically labelled cells are not desirable for therapy, here we developed a surface biomarker cell selection strategy for application to complex pluripotent stem cell differentiation cultures. We show that a five cell surface biomarker panel CD73(+)CD24(+)CD133(+)CD47(+)CD15(−) facilitates the isolation of photoreceptor precursors from three-dimensional self-forming retina differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells. Importantly, stem cell-derived cells isolated using the biomarker panel successfully integrate and mature into new rod photoreceptors in the adult mouse retinae after subretinal transplantation. Conversely, unsorted or negatively selected cells do not give rise to newly integrated rods after transplantation. The biomarker panel also removes detrimental proliferating cells prior to transplantation. Notably, we demonstrate how expression of the biomarker panel is conserved in the human retina and propose that a similar selection strategy will facilitate isolation of human transplantation-competent cells for therapeutic application. Stem Cells  2015;33:2469—2482
New current–voltage transferring device with different metals
Authors: Kando Masaaki , Pattanadech Norasage
Published: May 2015

A new concept of an electrical shunt with different materials (aluminum and copper) has been developed to be used as an alternative current measurement device. The device provides better current measurement characteristics compared with the conventional current measurement devices such as a shunt resistor with an ammeter or the multiple shunts consisting of molybdenum having a low temperature coefficient and a Rogowski coil with an integrated circuit. The currents in several electrical circuits have been measured using the developed current–voltage transferring device (CVTD) as voltages between the aluminum and copper elements. The measured voltages (Vm) are proportional to measuring currents (Im), which is shown as the following the experimental equation Vm [mV] =kIm [A], in which k is a coefficient depending on the configuration of the CVTD. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison between PFC and PID control systems for a pneumatic cylinder
Authors: Hashimoto Yusuke , Satoh Toshiyuki , Nagase Jun‐Ya , Saga Norihiko
Published: May 2015

The world population is aging, along with a decrease in population and a shortage of young workers. Mechanisms using pneumatic cylinders are therefore expected to be useful to perform tasks such as day‐to‐day work support for elderly people. However, a pneumatic cylinder involves a large time delay. Therefore, a traditional control system becomes complex, with the necessity to add Smith compensation. Therefore, we use predictive functional control (PFC). This control system is not complex even if the plant includes a time delay. This study evaluates the performance of force and position control systems using a pneumatic cylinder and PFC. We compare the PFC scheme with the proportional integral derivative (PID) control and show that PFC achieves better performance than PID control. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multi‐analytical non‐invasive study of modern yellow paints from postwar Italian paintings from the International Gallery of Modern Art Cà Pesaro, Venice
Authors: Izzo Francesca Caterina , Capogrosso Valentina , Gironda Michele , Alberti Roberto , Mazzei Chiara , Nodari Luca , Gambirasi Arianna , Zendri Elisabetta , Nevin Austin
Published: May 2015

We present a multi‐analytical non‐invasive approach for the characterisation of yellow paints used in three paintings from the International Gallery of Modern Art Cà Pesaro, Venice. The paintings selected for this study were executed in oil‐based media between 1940 and 1960, they are unvarnished and have large monochromatic yellow areas. We focus on the identification of yellow pigments with a combined approach based on non‐invasive portable X‐ray Fluorescence spectrometry, complemented with VIS reflectance, remote‐Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Different yellow pigments including Chrome yellow Naples Yellow and Cadmium‐based yellow were identified. Their identification is of fundamental importance because several modern inorganic yellow pigments (in particular chrome and cadmium‐based pigments) are known to exhibit peculiar degradation patterns, leading to noteworthy aesthetic changes in paint such as darkening and fading. This work highlights the suitability of non‐destructive techniques for the characterisation of modern paints and the utility of an integrated approach to obtain useful information for preventive conservation. Results demonstrate the need to complement elemental data acquired using portable X‐ray Fluorescence with suitable complementary molecular spectroscopic techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moving Beyond Global Warming Potentials to Quantify the Climatic Role of Ecosystems
Authors: Neubauer Scott C. , Megonigal J. Patrick
Published: May 2015

For decades, ecosystem scientists have used global warming potentials (GWPs) to compare the radiative forcing of various greenhouse gases to determine if ecosystems have a net warming or cooling effect on climate. On a conceptual basis, the continued use of GWPs by the ecological community may be untenable because the use of GWPs requires the implicit assumption that greenhouse gas emissions occur as a single pulse; this assumption is rarely justified in ecosystem studies. We present two alternate metrics—the sustained-flux global warming potential (SGWP, for gas emissions) and the sustained-flux global cooling potential (SGCP, for gas uptake)—for use when gas fluxes persist over time. The SGWP is generally larger than the GWP (by up to ~40%) for both methane and nitrous oxide emissions, creating situations where the GWP and SGWP metrics could provide opposing interpretations about the climatic role of an ecosystem. Further, there is an asymmetry in methane and nitrous oxide dynamics between persistent emission and uptake situations, producing very different values for the SGWP vs. SGCP and leading to the conclusion that ecosystems that take up these gases are very effective at reducing radiative forcing. Although the new metrics are more realistic than the GWP for ecosystem fluxes, we further argue that even these metrics may be insufficient in the context of trying to understand the lifetime climatic role of an ecosystem. A dynamic modeling approach that has the flexibility to account for temporally variable rates of greenhouse gas exchange, and is not limited by a fixed time frame, may be more informative than the SGWP, SGCP, or GWP. Ultimately, we hope this article will stimulate discussion within the ecosystem science community about the most appropriate way(s) of assessing the role of ecosystems as regulators of global climate.
Parents’ Perspectives on Variants of Uncertain Significance from Chromosome Microarray Analysis
Authors: Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Owens Kailey M. , Yashar Beverly M. , Schuette Jane L.
Published: May 2015

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for unexplained anomalies and developmental delay has improved diagnosis rates, but results classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS) may challenge both clinicians and families. We explored the impact of such results on families, including parental knowledge, understanding and interpretation. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with parents (N = 14) who received genetic counseling for a VUS in their child. Transcripts were analyzed through an iterative coding process. Participants demonstrated a range of recall and personal interpretation regarding whether test results provided a causal explanation for their children's health issues. Participants maintained contradictory interpretations, describing results as answers while maintaining that little clarification of their child's condition had been provided. Reported benefits included obtaining medical services and personal validation. Parents described adaptation/coping processes similar to those occurring after positive test results. Recall of terminology, including “VUS” and precise CMA abnormalities, was poor. However, most demonstrated conceptual understanding of scientific uncertainty. All participants expressed intentions to return for recommended genetics follow‐up but had misconceptions about how this would occur. These results provide insight into the patient‐and‐family experience when receiving uncertain genomic findings, emphasize the importance of exploring uncertainty during the communication process, and highlight areas for potential attention or improvement in the clinical encounter.
Geochemistry of Feldspar Intergrowth Microtextures from Paleoproterozoic Granitoids in Central India: Implications to Exsolution Processes in Granitic System
Authors: Pandit Dinesh
Published: May 2015

Various forms of feldspar intergrowth microtextures occurred in granitic rocks. Characteristically, two distinct types of microtextures formed due to intergrowth between K-feldspar and plagioclase i.e. perthites and myrmekites. Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids are two contemporaneous units of Paleoproterozoic granitoids in central India. Three varieties of perthites have been identified in these granitoids i.e. flame, braid, and vein types. Flame perthite bearing K-feldspar is common. Braid and vein perthites occur occasionally. Paleopiezometry estimation indicates that flame perthite formed under the influence of low to moderate differential stress on granitoids. Most of the perthites occurs in these granitoids are compositionally albite to oligoclase in nature. The composition ranges XAb: 0.98-0.49 for the Malanjkhand and XAb: 0.96-0.49 for Dongargarh granitoids. Binary feldspar thermometry calculation indicates that perthites have formed at moderate to high temperature conditions in the Malanjkhand granitoid whereas low to moderate temperature conditions in Dongargarh granitoids during sub-solidus phase. Myrmekites is another feldspar intergrowth microtexture found in these granitoids. Myrmekites are identified in these granitoids based on their characteristic morphologies such as ghost, bulbous, rim, etc. These myrmekites were formed under moderate temperature conditions during magmatic-hydrothermal transition phase. Formation of flame perthite can be explained by replacement reaction mechanism (Na-K exchange) between K-feldspar and plagioclase under low to moderate differential stress condition during rapid cooling. Further, extensive deuteric alteration results in the formation of braid and vein perthites. Formation of myrmekites can be assumed by couple of replacement mechanisms (Na-K and Ca-K exchange) between K-feldspar and plagioclase. Paleopiezometry and feldspar thermometry results infer that orthomagmatic-hydrothermal transition in the Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids were favored at upper or shallow levels in the continental crust.
Morphometric Studies Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Bah Tehsil, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Rao Liaqat A. K. , Ansari Ziaur Rehman , Mirza M. Sadiq , Yusuf A.
Published: May 2015

Morphometric analysis of four sub-watersheds namely Pidhaura, Batesar, Balapur and Pariar forming parts of Yamuna River around Bah Tahsil of Agra district have been carried out using Geocoded FCC of bands 2, 3 and 4 of IRS-1D, LISS-III, SOI toposheets number 54 J/5 and 54 J/9 and GIS softwares - ArcGIS, Arcview and 3Dem software for preparation of DEM. The present study shows that the terrain exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern, stream order ranges from third to fourth order; drainage density varies slightly and has very coarse to coarse texture in Pidhaura and Balarpur sub-watersheds and fine drainage texture in Batesar and Pariar sub-watersheds. The other parameters determined and discussed include bifurcation ratio, elongation ratio, stream frequency, infiltration number, length of overland flow and relief aspects of the watersheds. The mean bifurcation ratio depicts that the basin falls under normal basin category. The elongation ratio shows that Balarpur sub-watershed mark elongation pattern, whereas, Pidhaura, Batesar and Pariar sub-watersheds possess circular shape. The present study concludes that remote sensing techniques proved to be a competent tool in morphometric analysis of drainage basin and channel network.
Time Series Analysis of Groundwater Levels and Projection of Future Trend
Authors: Patle G. T. , Singh D. K. , Sarangi A. , Rai Anil , Khanna Manoj , Sahoo R. N.
Published: May 2015

A study was under taken for identifying the trends in pre and post-monsoon groundwater levels using Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, and for time series modelling of groundwater levels for forecasting the pre and post-monsoon water levels in Karnal district of Haryana. Results showed that the groundwater levels had significantly declined during 1974 to 2010. Average rates of water level decline were 0.228 and 0.267 m/yr during pre and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. There was rapid decline in water level between 2001 and 2010. The ARIMA (0, 1, 2) was identified as the appropriate model for time series modelling and forecasting. Results showed that the pre and post-monsoon groundwater level in 2050 would decline by 12.97 m and 12.00 m over the observed water level in 2010, and reach to a level of 29.95 m and 28.14 m below ground surface. The average rate of decline of pre and post-monsoon groundwater level in the district during this period would be 0.32 and 0.30 m/yr, respectively.
Concurrent validity of Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory profiles: A secondary analysis of data from the United Kingdom
Authors: Worrell Frank C. , McKay Michael T. , Andretta James R.
Published: May 2015

This paper examined the association between membership in profiles based on a shortened form of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI‐S; McKay, Andretta, McGee, & Worrell, 2014) and other temporal and psychosocial variables. Participants consisted of 1620 adolescents attending high school in Northern Ireland. ZTPI‐S scores had correlations with other temporal and psychosocial variables that were similar to those reported for ZTPI scores in previous studies. Four ZTPI‐S profiles were identified—Balanced, Past Negative, Present Hedonistic, and Future—and results indicated that these profiles had theoretically meaningful relationships with self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, aggression, parental attachment, consideration of future consequences, and future temporal focus. Unlike studies of college students where the Balanced profile was related to more adaptive functioning, the Future profile was related to more adaptive functioning. Future studies are needed to establish the generalizability of these profiles and to determine if there are developmental differences in which profiles are more adaptive.
Relation of peer effects and school climate to substance use among Asian American adolescents
Authors: Ryabov Igor
Published: May 2015

Using a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of Asian American late adolescents/young adults (ages 18–26), this article investigates the link between peer effects, school climate, on the one hand, and substance use, which includes tobacco, alcohol, and other illicit mood altering substance. The sample (N = 1585) is drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Waves I and III). The study is set to empirically test premises of generational, social capital and stage‐environment fit theories. The exploratory variables include individual‐level (immigrant generation status, ethnic origin, co‐ethnic and co‐generational peers – peers from the same immigrant generation) as well as school‐level measures (average school socio‐economic status and school climate). Multilevel modeling (logistic and negative binomial regression) was used to estimate substance use. Results indicate that preference for co‐generational friends is inversely associated with frequency of cannabis and other illicit drug use and preference for co‐ethnic peers is inversely associated with other illicit drug use. We also find that school climate is a strong and negative predictor of frequency of cannabis and other illicit drug use as well as of heavy episodic drinking. In terms of policy, these findings suggest that Asian American students should benefit from co‐ethnic and co‐generational peer networks in schools and, above all, from improving school climate.
Identification of glucose‐6‐phosphate transporter as a key regulator functioning at the autophagy initiation step
Authors: Ahn Hye-Hyun , Oh Yumin , Lee Huikyong , Lee WonJae , Chang Jae-Woong , Pyo Ha-Kyung , Nah Do hyung , Jung Yong-Keun
Published: May 2015

Autophagy is a catabolic process involving autophagosome formation via lysosome. However, the initiation step of autophagy is largely unknown. We found an interaction between ULK1 and ATG9 in mammalian cells and utilized the interaction to identify novel regulators of autophagy upstream of ULK1. We established a cell‐based screening assay employing bimolecular fluorescence complementation. By performing gain‐of‐function screening, we identified G6PT as an autophagy activator. G6PT enhanced the interaction between N‐terminal Venus‐tagged ULK1 and C‐terminal Venus‐tagged ATG9, and increased autophagic flux independent of its transport activity. G6PT negatively regulated mTORC1 activity, demonstrating that G6PT functions upstream of mTORC1 in stimulating autophagy.
Historicizing Allegory: The Jew as Hagar in Medieval Christian Text and Image
Authors: Klepper Deeana
Published: May 2015

Over the course of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, Christian thinkers turned rhetorically to the biblical servant Hagar (Genesis 16 and 21) to establish, or at least support, specific policies restricting Jewish interaction with Christians. Referencing St. Paul's allegorical interpretation of Abraham, Sarah, and her servant Hagar in his Epistle to the Galatians, they transformed a longstanding association of Hagar with the old law, synagogue, or a vague Jewish “other” into a figure representative of Jews living in their midst. The centrality of St. Paul's allegory in western Christian liturgical and exegetical traditions made it a useful framework for thinking about contemporary Christian-Jewish relations. This article is a consideration of the intertwining of biblical typology and history; an examination of the way one particularly rich typological reading came to give meaning to relationships between real Christians and Jews in medieval Europe. A proliferation of Hagar imagery in word and image offered a structure for thinking about Jewish policies in a way that moved beyond Augustine's insistence on toleration. The association of living Jews with the haughty, disrespectful, ungrateful servant sent away by Abraham provided an effective support for increasingly harsh treatment of Jews in Christian society.
Carolingian Religion
Authors: Noble Thomas F. X.
Published: May 2015

The Carolingian period, roughly the eighth and ninth centuries, was dynamic and decisive in European religious history. The ruling dynasty and the clerical elite promoted wave after wave of reform that I call “unifying,” “specifying,” and “sanctifying.” This presidential address argues that religion was the key unifying and universalizing force in the Carolingian world; that the Carolingians were obsessed with doing things the right way—usually the Roman way; and that the Carolingians sought to inculcate Christian behavior more than religious knowledge. The address concludes by arguing that the Carolingians put a markedly European stamp on Christianity and that they Romanized Christianity well before the papacy attempted to do so.
Modern Marital Practices and the Growth of World Christianity During the Mid-Twentieth Century
Authors: Stasson Anneke
Published: May 2015

Studies concerned with modernity, mission Christianity, and sexuality generally address how western, Christian gender ideologies have affected women or how they have affected modernization. This article approaches the nexus of modernity, Christianity, and sexuality from a different angle. One of the notable consequences of modernization was that young people in industrializing nations began demanding the right to choose their own spouse and marry for love. Several scholars have noted the connection between modernization and spouse self-selection, but none have explored the relationship between Christianity's endorsement of spouse self-selection and its global appeal during the mid-twentieth century. This article examines a collection of letters written by young Africans to missionary Walter Trobisch after reading his popular 1962 book,I Loved a Girl. These letters suggest that Christianity's endorsement of spouse self-selection and marrying for love gave it a kind of modern appeal for young people who were eagerly adopting the modern values of individualism and self-fulfillment. The practice of prayer provided relief to young people who were struggling to navigate the unfamiliar realm of dating in the modern world.
Slavery and Syncretic Performance in the Noite do Tambores Silenciosos: Or HowBatuqueand theCalungaDance around with the Memory of Slavery
Authors: WOOD MARCUS
Published: May 2015

How does slavery's memory work its way out in Afro-Brazilian syncretic culture (and particularly carnival) today? How does this African interculturation react with white Brazilian culture? I shall begin an answer to these questions by paying methodologicalhomageto Raymond Williams and by turning to the contemplation of some “key words” which I believe provide “a vocabulary of [Afro Brazilian syncretic] culture and society.”Batuqueandcalungaare at the heart of the ceremony performed by Recife's Afro-Brazilianafoxésduring the Noite do Tambores Silenciosos (“Night of the Silent Drums”). They are key words which encapsulate music and ritual focussed upon a remarkably charged engagement with Brazil's African inheritance, and its positive cultural manifestations both within and beyond slavery. They are also conceptually multivalent terms that finally emphasize their resistance to, and untranslatability within, the modes of white Euro-American academic thought.
HARMONISING HARMONY
Authors: TRANCHINI LUCA
Published: May 2015

The term ‘harmony’ refers to a condition that the rules governing a logical constant ought to satisfy in order to endow it with a proper meaning. Different characterizations of harmony have been proposed in the literature, some based on the inversion principle, others on normalization, others on conservativity. In this paper we discuss the prospects for showing how conservativity and normalization can be combined so to yield a criterion of harmony equivalent to the one based on the inversion principle: We conjecture that the rules for connectives obeying the inversion principle are conservative over normal deducibility. The plausibility of the conjecture depends in an essential way on how normality is characterized. In particular, a normal deduction should be understood as one which is irreducible, rather than as one which does not contain any maximal formula.
Ubiquity of Kelvin–Helmholtz waves at Earth’s magnetopause
Authors: Kavosi Shiva , Raeder Joachim
Published: May 2015

Magnetic reconnection is believed to be the dominant process by which solar wind plasma enters the magnetosphere. However, for periods of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) reconnection is less likely at the dayside magnetopause, and Kelvin–Helmholtz waves (KHWs) may be important agents for plasma entry and for the excitation of ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves. The relative importance of KHWs is controversial because no statistical data on their occurrence frequency exist. Here we survey 7 years of in situ data from the NASA THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macro scale Interactions during Substorms) mission and find that KHWs occur at the magnetopause ∼19% of the time. The rate increases with solar wind speed, Alfven Mach number and number density, but is mostly independent of IMF magnitude. KHWs may thus be more important for plasma transport across the magnetopause than previously thought, and frequently drive magnetospheric ULF waves.
Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength
Authors: Qin Zhao , Compton Brett G. , Lewis Jennifer A. , Buehler Markus J.
Published: May 2015

Spiders spin intricate webs that serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure. To determine how web mechanics are controlled by their topological design and material distribution, here we create spider-web mimics composed of elastomeric filaments. Specifically, computational modelling and microscale 3D printing are combined to investigate the mechanical response of elastomeric webs under multiple loading conditions. We find the existence of an asymptotic prey size that leads to a saturated web strength. We identify pathways to design elastomeric material structures with maximum strength, low density and adaptability. We show that the loading type dictates the optimal material distribution, that is, a homogeneous distribution is better for localized loading, while stronger radial threads with weaker spiral threads is better for distributed loading. Our observations reveal that the material distribution within spider webs is dictated by the loading condition, shedding light on their observed architectural variations.
Atomistic mechanisms of nonstoichiometry-induced twin boundary structural transformation in titanium dioxide
Authors: Sun Rong , Wang Zhongchang , Saito Mitsuhiro , Shibata Naoya , Ikuhara Yuichi
Published: May 2015

Grain boundary (GB) phase transformations often occur in polycrystalline materials while exposed to external stimuli and are universally implicated in substantially affecting their properties, yet atomic-scale knowledge on the transformation process is far from developed. In particular, whether GBs loaded with defects due to treatments can still be conventionally considered as disordered areas with kinetically trapped structure or turn ordered is debated. Here we combine advanced electron microscopy, spectroscopy and first-principles calculations to probe individual TiO2 GB subject to different atmosphere, and to demonstrate that stimulated structural defects can self-assemble at GB, forming an ordered structure, which results in GB nonstoichiometry and structural transformations at the atomic scale. Such structural transformation is accompanied with electronic transition at GB. The three-dimensional transformations afford new perspectives on the structural defects at GBs and on the development of strategies to manipulate practically significant GB transformations.