bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification, evaluation, and application of the genomic-SSR loci in ramie
Authors: Luan Ming-Bao , Yang Ze-Mao , Zhu Juan-Juan , Deng Xin , Liu Chen-Chen , Wang Xiao-Fei , Xu Ying , Sun Zhi-Min , Chen Jian-Hua
Published: September 2016

To provide a theoretical and practical foundation for ramie genetic analysis, simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified in the ramie genome and employed in this study. From the 115 369 sequences of a specific-locus amplified fragment library, a type of reduced representation library obtained by high-throughput sequencing, we identified 4774 sequences containing 5064 SSR motifs. SSRs of ramie included repeat motifs with lengths of 1 to 6 nucleotides, and the abundance of each motif type varied greatly. We found that mononucleotide, dinucleotide, and trinucleotide repeat motifs were the most prevalent (95.91%). A total of 98 distinct motif types were detected in the genomic-SSRs of ramie. Of them, The A/T mononucleotide motif was the most abundant, accounting for 41.45% of motifs, followed by AT/TA, accounting for 20.30%. The number of alleles per locus in 31 polymorphic microsatellite loci ranged from 2 to 7, and observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.04 to 1.00 and 0.04 to 0.83, respectively. Furthermore, molecular identity cards (IDs) of the germplasms were constructed employing the ID Analysis 3.0 software. In the current study, the 26 germplasms of ramie can be distinguished by a combination of five SSR primers including Ibg5-5, Ibg3-210, Ibg1-11, Ibg6-468, and Ibg6-481. The allele polymorphisms produced by all SSR primers were used to analyze genetic relationships among the germplasms. The similarity coefficients ranged from 0.41 to 0.88. We found that these 26 germplasms were clustered into five categories using UPGMA, with poor correlation between germplasm and geographical distribution. Our study is the first large-scale SSR identification from ramie genomic sequences. We have further studied the SSR distribution pattern in the ramie genome, and proposed that it is possible to develop SSR loci from genomic data for population genetics studies, linkage mapping, quantitative trait locus mapping, cultivar fingerprinting, and as genetic diversity studies.
Book Review: Managing Creativity: The Innovative Research Library
Authors: Cook Matt
Published: September 2016

In Managing Creativity: The Innovative Research Library, author Ronald Jantz succeeds by expertly weaving together empirically derived theory with public and private sector case studies to elucidate what it takes for academic libraries to remain relevant via innovative leadership. Not only has Jantz conducted original, data-driven research to support his arguments, he has also gone a step further and described for readers where they—as present or future library leaders—might begin looking for programs and projects to kick-start organizational innovation.
Book Review: More Storytime Magic
Authors: Sofge Robin
Published: September 2016

This book offers a bounty of fresh materials for both storytime novices and veterans, including songs, flannel boards, rhymes, stories, and recommended book lists to engage the audience. Updating their 2009 Storytime Magic, authors MacMillan and Kirker use the same format for this volume, but with new materials. As with the earlier title, chapters have themes, such as “All About Me,” “Fairy Tales and Castles,” and “The Natural World.” The new materials in these chapters are useful when planning storytimes. Some activities and flannel boards are tied to specific books. For example, Toni Yuly’s Early Bird (2009, 19) is the focus of a flannel board, and an ALA web link is provided for flannel board patterns, which makes it easy to use. Song lyrics listed in the book can be sung to familiar tunes, including childhood favorites. As in the previous book, some American Sign Language is also included.
Book Review: The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff, 5th ed.
Authors: Lucisano Dana
Published: September 2016

The aim of the Library Technology Companion is to be a portal to information about any kind of technology for staff or patron use that your library might need to achieve its mission. A resource of this type can be helpful in many ways: as a starting point for developing a technology plan, as a means of educating yourself about technology you are considering acquiring, as a roadmap for planning your own or your staff’s continuing education, or simply as a handy reference for the questions about technology that arise from time to time. Due to the rapid pace at which technology changes, one of the first things this reviewer examined was how current this new edition is. In that regard, this book really shines. An entire chapter, new to this edition, is devoted to makerspaces. This volume also provides good coverage of emerging trends, addressing questions such as “Should we keep buying DVDs or rely on streaming services?” Readers will find answers in a chapter aptly titled “The Death of Technologies.” The book concludes with an overview of technology trends to watch and suggestions about where to hang out (online) to stay informed.
Book Review: Putting Assessment into Action: Selected Projects from the First Cohort of the Assessment in Action Grant
Authors: Cooperman Larry
Published: September 2016

Creating, implementing, and managing academic library programs can be a daunting task in itself, but how do academic librarians successfully assess the outcomes of multifaceted, long-term programs? In 2013 and 2014, ACRL began an Assessment in Action (AiA) grant program to monitor the results and outcomes of twenty-seven American and Canadian academic library programs, including programs on information literacy, student collaboration, management of technology facilities, space optimization, and linkage of student retention with research assistance.
Book Review: Crimes of the Centuries: Notorious Crimes, Criminals, and Criminal Trials in American History
Authors: Slack Anita J.
Published: September 2016

This three-volume set’s biggest strength is its unique focus. While many encyclopedias of crime exist, focusing on types of criminals, locations of crimes, and types of punishments, I have yet to experience a set that focuses on the notoriety of the crimes it discusses. The introduction details the philosophy employed by the editors in choosing the content for this set, noting that they sought crimes that are notorious in the sense of uniqueness, newsworthiness, and timeliness to other political, social, or cultural happenings. A quick search of Amazon confirmed my suspicion that scholarly reference work on these types of crimes has been a niche in the literature that has remained, until recently, largely unfilled.
Book Review: The Early Republic: Documents Decoded
Authors: Tosko Mike
Published: September 2016

This is the newest release in ABC-CLIO’s Documents Decoded series, a range of works devoted to collecting noteworthy primary resources. The subjects covered in the series are wide-ranging and include Women’s Rights, Presidential Power, the Abolitionist Movement, and the Death Penalty. What makes Documents Decoded books stand out among the plethora of primary resource collections available is that expert commentary and analysis are presented literally alongside the text of seminal primary resources. That is, scholarly observation and historical background annotations are actually printed in the margins of the primary resource text. This is a unique approach that seems more accessible and user-friendly than traditional endnotes, footnotes, or isolated explanations.
Book Review: The Gilded Age and Progressive Era: A Historical Exploration of Literature
Authors: Bartlett Jennifer A.
Published: September 2016

One of the latest volumes in ABC-CLIO/Greenwood’s “Historical Explorations of Literature” series, The Gilded Age and Progressive Era is a useful and interesting introduction to framing key literary works of this time period in their historical context. Each volume in the series presents a discussion of four or five representative works of a historical era, such as the Harlem Renaissance, the Chicano Movement, the Jazz Age, and the Civil War Era.
Formação continuada de professores: buscando melhorar e facilitar o ensino para deficientes visuais por meio de tecnologias assistivas
Authors: Marchi Miriam Ines , Silva Tânia Núsia da Costa
Published: September 2016

Este artigo é um recorte da dissertação de Mestrado intitulada: “Deficiente visual: ensinando e aprendendo química através das tecnologias assistivas no ensino médio” e compreende a formação continuada de professores abordando tecnologias assistivas para deficientes visuais. O curso ofertado aos professores de químicas e auxiliares, que trabalham com alunos deficientes visuais, teve como principal objetivo promover o desenvolvimento de novas práticas pedagógicas a partir das tecnologias assistivas. Foi utilizada a técnica de observação em duas escolas Estaduais de Boa Vista/RR para analisar as práticas e anseios dos professores e as necessidades dos alunos na sala de aula regular. A partir desta prática optou-se em promover o curso de Mecdaisy que é uma tecnologia brasileira que traz sintetizador de voz (narração e permite combinar texto, áudio e imagens para representar conteúdos). Constatou-se que a formação continuada possibilitou a reflexão e o crescimento tanto pessoal como profissional e a mudança nas práticas pedagógicas.
Inclusão de estudante cego em curso de Análise e Desenvolvimento de Sistemas de uma instituição pública de ensino superior: um estudo de caso
Authors: Pansanato Luciano Tadeu Esteves , Rodrigues Luzia , Silva Christiane Enéas
Published: September 2016

A proposta da educação inclusiva tem sido destaque na legislação brasileira nas últimas décadas. Entretanto, a concretização desse modelo é uma das questões que desafiam o sistema educacional de países do mundo todo, uma vez que requer recursos para adaptação dos ambientes físicos, aquisição de software específico, contratação de profissionais especializados, entre outras necessidades. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar as ações desenvolvidas para permitir a inclusão de um estudante cego na educação superior, por meio de um estudo de caso que teve como participante o próprio aluno. A apresentação deste estudo aborda as ações iniciais e também as ações específicas para superar as dificuldades encontradas. Os resultados indicam que as ações desenvolvidas alcançaram o efeito desejado de promover a inclusão e permanência do estudante cego, visto que ao término do curso este demonstrou domínio das habilidades e competências previstas no projeto político-pedagógico do curso. Espera-se que as ações apresentadas possam ser repetidas em outras situações nas quais seja necessário realizar práticas inclusivas.
As possibilidades da inclusão do aluno surdo no curso de Ciências Biológicas
Authors: Silva Tatiane Aparecida , Silva Luiz Antonio , Kataguiri Vanessa Suzuki , Araujo Deicy Lorrane Rodrigues
Published: September 2016

As dificuldades ou limitações na educação dos surdos sempre foram motivos de inquietações, principalmente quando se trata de incluir estes alunos no espaço acadêmico. A falta de conhecimento sobre as diferenças que separam ouvintes e surdos ainda é um tabu para as pessoas que não participam de sua cultura ou forma de comunicação. Pensando neste momento de interação é que esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar as condições e as necessidades de um aluno surdo durante as aulas teóricas e práticas do Curso de Ciências Biológicas UFU-FACIP. Participaram da pesquisa setenta e cinco discentes, dez docentes e quatro técnicos do Curso de Ciências Biológicas UFU- FACIP e cursos associados. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam aspectos importantes sobre o pouco conhecimento e convivência dos discentes, docentes e técnicos em relação aos surdos, o que torna essa interação uma novidade na Universidade. Concluindo assim que estes apresentaram grandes dificuldades para descrever o impacto da interação com um aluno surdo em sala de aula.
Da avaliação à intervenção na perturbação do espetro do autismo
Authors: Reis Helena Isabel da Silva , Pereira Ana Paula Da Silva , Almeida Leandro Da Silva
Published: September 2016

A avaliação das perturbações caracterizadas por padrões de comportamento e de desenvolvimento atípicos tais como as Perturbações do Espetro do Autismo é, no mínimo, complexa. Desde o diagnóstico à própria descrição de PEA que a contradição, incerteza e desacordo, surgem entre os vários profissionais e, apesar do Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA, 2013) providenciar uma descrição cuidada do perfil sintomático da criança com PEA, a observação, a aplicação de checklists e de testes standardizados, conjuntamente com a família, continua a ser crucial para o desenvolvimento de um plano individualizado de intervenção. Apesar do aumento significativo da pesquisa sobre a PEA e dos rápidos avanços na ciência, a avaliação eficiente desta perturbação continua a ser um desafio, sobretudo, para determinar uma intervenção precoce efetiva.
Le débat sur le style pastoral au xviiie siècle : Madame Deshoulières, modèle de l’élégiaque galant
Authors: Gladu Kim
Published: September 2016

La querelle sur le genre pastoral, qui occupera la critique des années 1685 à 1730, suppose une entreprise de redéfinition générique selon laquelle les théoriciens chercheront de nouveaux modèles pouvant exemplifier la nouvelle pastorale française et galante qu’ils envisagent. C’est ainsi que la réception critique qu’on fera des oeuvres de Madame Deshoulières participera au développement d’un style champêtre moderne qui sera pleinement investi par les poètes de la fin du siècle. Dans cette optique, on verra s’affirmer un goût renouvelé pour l’élégie, genre généralement délaissé dans la première moitié du siècle, qui accompagnera cette fois la vogue en faveur d’une poésie sentimentaliste. Deux facteurs semblent alors avoir contribué à faire de Madame Deshoulières un modèle dans ce domaine : d’abord, elle constitue une figure marquante de ce passage du genre de l’élégie vers un mode élégiaque adossé à l’esthétique galante et rattaché à une promotion des genres mineurs ; ensuite, les qualités de naturel et de délicatesse qu’on accorde au style de la poétesse ont favorisé sa mise à profit dans le cadre d’une revalorisation de la sensibilité servant désormais de socle à la poésie pastorale en général et à l’élégie en particulier.
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Elastographic Strain Ratio Measurements of Patellar and Achilles Tendons
Authors: Ağladıoğlu Kadir , Akkaya Nuray , Güngör Harun R. , Akkaya Semih , Ök Nusret , Özçakar Levent
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the sonographic and elastographic properties of patellar and Achilles tendons in smoking and nonsmoking otherwise healthy adults.

Methods

We conducted a level 3 case‐control analytical study. Smoking and nonsmoking volunteers (>18 years) without musculoskeletal system disorders were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and smoking habits (pack‐years) were recorded. Proximal, middle, and distal third thicknesses of the patellar and Achilles tendons were measured by B‐mode sonography. Strain ratio measurements of the same regions were measured by real‐time ultrasound elastography.

Results

A total of 69 participants (57 male and 12 female; mean age ± SD, 35.5 ± 7.8 years) were evaluated in the study. Smoking (n = 35) and nonsmoking (n = 34) groups had no significant differences in terms of age, body mass index, sex, and activity level (all P > .05). Proximal, middle, and distal thirds of the patellar and Achilles tendons were significantly thinner in the smoking group (all P < .05). Furthermore, strain ratio measurements in the same regions were significantly lower in the smoking group (all P< .05). Patellar tendon thicknesses and strain ratios had negative correlations with the smoking amount (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Thickness and strain ratio measurements of patellar and Achilles tendons were reduced (thinner and harder tendons) in smokers. Clinical implications of these morphologic and elastographic changes should be investigated in future studies.
Assessment of crosslink network and network defects of unfilled and filled ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer using solid state nuclear magnetic relaxation spectroscopy
Authors: Saleesung Thanisararat , Saeoui Pongdhorn , Sirisinha Chakrit
Published: September 2016

Reinforced rubbers are complex compared to unfilled systems. There are differences in the mechanisms affecting network molecular structure as well as properties of the rubber materials. In this article investigation of crosslink network and untied network defects on a molecular level of unfilled and carbon black filled ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer was carried out using proton solid‐state double‐quantum NMR spectroscopy. The results show that the filled system demonstrates lower cure efficiency in conjunction with more noncoupled network defects than the unfilled one. In addition, the filled system yields the greater spatial heterogeneity because of the localization of the free radicals at the rubber–filler boundary. These strongly influence the mechanical properties of the filled rubber. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44224.
Biodegradation of PHBV/GNS nanocomposites by Penicillium funiculosum
Authors: Stieven Montagna Larissa , Amaral Montanheiro Thaís Larissa do , Chiodi Borges Aline , Yumi Koga‐Ito Cristiane , Paula Lemes Ana , Cerqueira Rezende Mirabel
Published: September 2016

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites are an essential alternative to minimize the generation of polymeric solid waste that shows short shelf life and difficult degradation. In this study, nanocomposites based on poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were prepared by the incorporation of different contents, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 wt % of graphite nanosheets (GNS), using a solution casting method. The investigation of the PHBV samples biodegradation was made using filamentous fungi (Penicillium funiculosum) in solid medium. Characterization of the material was performed by weight loss, differential scanning calorimetry, carbonyl index determined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, roughness, and scanning electron microscopy. Results revealed that PHBV/GNS nanocomposites can be totally degraded in the presence of Penicillium funiculosum; however, it will be necessary high incubation period. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44234.
Adsorption of methylene blue onto powdered activated carbon immobilized in a carboxymethyl sago pulp hydrogel
Authors: Dahlan Nuraina Anisa , Ng Si Ling , Pushpamalar Janarthanan
Published: September 2016

The potential of crosslinked carboxymethyl sago pulp (CMSP) beads immobilized with powdered activated carbon (PAC) as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) adsorption was investigated. The finely powdered PAC had an excellent adsorption capacity for MB but was disadvantageous for the separation process from treated effluents. To ease the separation process, the CMSP medium could be advantageous for the process by acting an immobilizing medium for PAC. The MB adsorption reached equilibrium at the 14th hour, and further adsorption was studied to determine the effects of the CMSP concentration, PAC dosage, and pH. Different CMSP concentrations in the preparation of CMSP–PAC beads showed no significant differences; this proved that CMSP–PAC adsorbed more MB than CMSP did. The MB adsorption increased with increasing PAC concentration, whereas the CMSP–PAC beads disintegrated at pH 11.5. In the equilibrium study, the Langmuir isotherm fit well into the experimental data with a linear correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9837 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 250 mg/g. The kinetic study showed that pseudo‐second‐order kinetics accommodated the experimental data well with an R2 value of 0.9512 and a pseudo‐second‐order rate constant value of 3.61 × 10−3 min−1. The crosslinked CMSP–PAC beads have the potential to remove MB dye, and this could be exploited as an alternative to treating colored dye effluents produced by industries such as the textile, printing, and cosmetics industries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44271.
Evaluating one's own practice whilst training: A systematic case study design in a further education setting
Authors: Noble Julia
Published: September 2016

Background

Research suggests using formal outcome assessment can provide additional validation for clinical judgement and aid practitioners in providing a better service for their clients; however, very few articles have been published by psychologists evaluating their own practice. As part of the values of a reflexive practitioner, it is important to evaluate practice systematically to inform future work.

Aim

This practitioner case study looks at the effect of therapy on client reported functioning, psychological distress and ratings of the therapeutic alliance using short standardised outcome measures (ORS, CORE‐10 and SRS).

Methodology

The participants were 13 clients in a higher education college during a 12‐month trainee counselling psychologist's placement.

Findings

There was an improvement in overall functioning (ORS) and rating of therapeutic alliance (SRS) (p < 0.05) with average scores moving from clinical to normal ranges from beginning to end of therapy. There was no therapeutic effect on CORE‐10. The effect sizes, d = 0.52 (ORS) and d = 0.32 (SRS), were beyond levels expected by natural recovery, in comparison with a waitlist effect size from previous research (d = 0.24).

Implications

This case study suggests helping profession trainees can have a positive impact on their clients even in the very early stages of their therapeutic career. A consideration of whether a quantitative case study should be an essential part of training is discussed, alongside the limitations of these findings and potential ethical dilemmas which might arise from case studies of this nature.
Composition and Chemical Variability of Cleistopholis patens Trunk Bark Oil from Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Ouattara Zana A. , Boti Jean Brice , Ahibo Coffy Antoine , Bekro Yves‐Alain , Janat Mamyrbekova , Casanova Joseph , Tomi Félix , Bighelli Ange
Published: September 2016

The chemical composition of trunk bark oil from Cleistopholis patens (Benth.) Engl. & Diels, growing wild in Côte d'Ivoire, has been investigated by GC (FID) in combination with retention indices, GC/MS and 13C‐NMR. Moreover, one oil sample has been subjected to CC and all the fractions analyzed by GC (RI) and 13C‐NMR. In total, 61 components have been identified, including various sesquiterpene esters scarcely found in essential oils. 13C‐NMR was particularly efficient for the identification of a component not eluted on GC and for the quantification of heat‐sensitive compounds. Then, 36 oil samples, isolated from trunk bark harvested in six Ivoirian forests have been analyzed. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)‐β‐caryophyllene (0.4 – 69.1%), β‐pinene (0 – 57%), α‐phellandrene (0 – 33.2%), α‐pinene (0.1 – 30.6%), β‐elemol (0.1 – 29.9%), germacrene D (0 – 25.4%), juvenile hormone III (0 – 22.9%), germacrene B (0 – 20.6%) and sabinene (tr‐20.3%). Statistical analysis, hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis, carried out on the 36 compositions evidenced a fair chemical variability of the stem bark oil of this species. Indeed, three clusters have been distinguished: the composition of group I (ten samples) was dominated by β‐pinene and α‐pinene, group II (nine samples) was represented by α‐phellandrene and p‐cymene and group III (16 samples) by β‐elemol. A sample displayed an atypical composition dominated by (E)‐β‐caryophyllene.
Root exudate cocktails: the link between plant diversity and soil microorganisms?
Authors: Steinauer Katja , Chatzinotas Antonis , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: September 2016

Higher plant diversity is often associated with higher soil microbial biomass and diversity, which is assumed to be partly due to elevated root exudate diversity. However, there is little experimental evidence that diversity of root exudates shapes soil microbial communities. We tested whether higher root exudate diversity enhances soil microbial biomass and diversity in a plant diversity gradient, thereby negating significant plant diversity effects on soil microbial properties. We set up plant monocultures and two‐ and three‐species mixtures in microcosms using functionally dissimilar plants and soil of a grassland biodiversity experiment in Germany. Artificial exudate cocktails were added by combining the most common sugars, organic acids, and amino acids found in root exudates. We applied four different exudate cocktails: two exudate diversity levels (low‐ and high‐diversity) and two nutrient‐enriched levels (carbon‐ and nitrogen‐enriched), and a control with water only. Soil microorganisms were more carbon‐ than nitrogen‐limited. Cultivation‐independent fingerprinting analysis revealed significantly different soil microbial communities among exudate diversity treatments. Most notably and according to our hypothesis, adding diverse exudate cocktails negated the significant plant diversity effect on soil microbial properties. Our findings provide the first experimental evidence that root exudate diversity is a crucial link between plant diversity and soil microorganisms.
Type 2 Diabetes and Risk of Hip Fractures and Non-Skeletal Fall Injuries in the Elderly: A Study From the Fractures and Fall Injuries in the Elderly Cohort (FRAILCO)
Authors: Wallander Märit , Axelsson Kristian F , Nilsson Anna G , Lundh Dan , Lorentzon Mattias
Published: September 2016

Questions remain about whether the increased risk of fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is related mainly to increased risk of falling or to bone-specific properties. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the risk of hip fractures and non-skeletal fall injuries in older men and women with and without T2DM. We included 429,313 individuals (aged 80.8 ± 8.2 years [mean ± SD], 58% women) from the Swedish registry “Senior Alert” and linked the data to several nationwide registers. We identified 79,159 individuals with T2DM (45% with insulin [T2DM-I], 41% with oral antidiabetics [T2DM-O], and 14% with no antidiabetic treatment [T2DM-none]) and 343,603 individuals without diabetes. During a follow-up of approximately 670,000 person-years, we identified in total 36,132 fractures (15,572 hip fractures) and 20,019 non-skeletal fall injuries. In multivariable Cox regression models where the reference group was patients without diabetes and the outcome was hip fracture, T2DM-I was associated with increased risk (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) [95% CI] 1.24 [1.16–1.32]), T2DM-O with unaffected risk (1.03 [0.97–1.11]), and T2DM-none with reduced risk (0.88 [0.79–0.98]). Both the diagnosis of T2DM-I (1.22 [1.16–1.29]) and T2DM-O (1.12 [1.06–1.18]) but not T2DM-none (1.07 [0.98–1.16]) predicted non-skeletal fall injury. The same pattern was found regarding other fractures (any, upper arm, ankle, and major osteoporotic fracture) but not for wrist fracture. Subset analyses revealed that in men, the risk of hip fracture was only increased in those with T2DM-I, but in women, both the diagnosis of T2DM-O and T2DM-I were related to increased hip fracture risk. In conclusion, the risk of fractures differs substantially among patients with T2DM and an increased risk of hip fracture was primarily found in insulin-treated patients, whereas the risk of non-skeletal fall injury was consistently increased in T2DM with any diabetes medication. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Fetal stomach and gallbladder in contact with the bladder wall is a common ultrasound sign of stomach‐down left congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Morgan Tara A. , Basta Amaya , Filly Roy A.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify sonographic (US) findings that can assist in prenatal diagnosis of stomach‐down left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), specifically related to positioning of the abdominal contents including the stomach, bladder, and gallbladder.

Methods

All US examinations with a postnatally confirmed diagnosis of stomach‐down left CDH over a 13‐year period were retrospectively reviewed for abnormal position of the abdominal contents, including whether the fetal stomach was in contact with the urinary bladder. Normal fetuses that underwent comprehensive US surveys were similarly evaluated for comparison in a 2:1 ratio.

Results

Twenty‐two fetuses with stomach‐down left CDH were identified in a cohort of 278 fetuses with left CDH. In 15/22 (68.2%) cases of stomach‐down left CDH, the bladder and stomach walls were in contact. Contact of the fetal gallbladder with the fetal bladder wall was also observed and was present even more commonly (17/22 cases [77.3%]). There was no case of either the stomach or gallbladder in contact with the bladder wall in the normal fetal cohort (n = 44).

Conclusions

Recognition of the fetal stomach and/or gallbladder in contact with the bladder wall can help in the detection of stomach‐down left CDH. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:8–13, 2017
Comparative proteome analysis of egg yolk plasma proteins during storage
Authors: Gao Dan , Qiu Ning , Liu Yaping , Ma Meihu
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Physical changes such as chicken egg white thinning and egg yolk flattening occur during storage, implying a decline in egg quality. To reveal the deteriorative process related to chicken egg internal quality, a comparative proteomic method was used in this study to analyze the alterations in egg yolk plasma proteins at different storage times (0, 20 and 40 days) under an ambient temperature of 22 ± 2 °C.

RESULTS

Using two‐dimensional electrophoresis followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry, 33 protein spots representing 12 proteins were identified with significant (P < 0.05) alterations in abundance at different storage times. The proteins that showed significant changes in abundance included serum albumin, vitellogenin fragments, IgY chains, ovalbumin, ovoinhibitor, α2‐macroglobulin‐like protein 1‐like, hemopexin, transthyretin, apolipoprotein A‐I and β2‐glycoprotein I precursor. Accelerating degradation for most egg yolk plasma proteins was observed after prolonged storage (from day 20 to day 40).

CONCLUSION

It is likely that the increased degradation of protease inhibitors such as ovoinhibitor and α2‐macroglobulin‐like protein 1‐like during prolonged storage lead to an imbalance of protease and antiprotease in egg yolk, which may play a key role in the degradation of egg yolk proteins. These findings will provide an insight into the effects of storage on egg yolk protein changes and give a deeper understanding of the deteriorative process of chicken egg yolk. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(lactic acid) nanofibres by electrospinning
Authors: Praharaj Bhatnagar Manoj , Kelkar Sunder , Mahanwar Prakash
Published: September 2016

The poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) family of polymers is a technologically important class of conducting polymers showing high stability, medium band gap, low redox potential and high optical transparency in the electrically conductive state. While PEDOT nanotubes and nanofibres have been synthesized electrochemically, significant opportunity exists for developing a convenient chemical synthetic route for the bulk synthesis of nanostructured PEDOT for potential use in the design of next‐generation nano‐electronic circuits and field emission devices. In this paper, chemical oxidative polymerization was used to synthesize PEDOT nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were co‐electrospun with poly(l‐lactic acid) from a solution in acetone and N,N‐dimethylformamide. The PEDOT particles were analysed using attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size distribution using dynamic light scattering. The synthesized nanofibre mats were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity was measured using a two‐probe conductivity tester. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Relationship of plant diversity with litter and soil available nitrogen in an alpine meadow under a 9‐year grazing exclusion
Authors: Zou Jingru , Luo Caiyun , Xu Xingliang , Zhao Na , Zhao Liang , Zhao Xinquan
Published: September 2016

Grazing exclusion is widely used globally to restore degraded grasslands. Plant diversity has important impacts on grassland ecosystem functions, including grassland productivity and carbon storage. In this study, we selected a Kobresia meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau to investigate how grazing exclusion affects plant diversity. Inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−) was also measured because its availability impacts plant growth. We found that plant diversity in the meadow was significantly lower under grazing exclusion (fenced meadow) for 9 years compared with moderate grazing. Accumulated litter was significantly higher under grazing exclusion (386.41 g m−2) compared with grazing (58.77 g m−2). Soil inorganic nitrogen at 0–5 cm depth was significantly higher under grazing exclusion (13.60 × 10−2 g kg−1) than under grazing (9.40 × 10−2 g kg−1). The composition of the four functional groups (grasses, sedges, legumes, and forbs) might alter in response to significant changes in the amount of litter and soil available nitrogen content under grazing exclusion compared with grazing. However, the enhanced soil available nitrogen content showed weak feedbacks on plant diversity. In conclusion, light limitation induced by increased amounts of litter may be the main factor causing decreased plant diversity in grazing‐excluded meadows compared with moderately grazed meadows.
Association of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism with negative symptoms severity, but not cognitive function, in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Mezquida G. , Penadés R. , Cabrera B. , Savulich G. , Lobo A. , González-Pinto A. , Penzol M.J. , Corripio I. , Fernandez-Egea E. , Gassó P. , Cuesta M.J. , Bernardo M. ,   PEPs group
Published: September 2016

Objective

A functional polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) Val66Met has been associated with cognitive function and symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia. It has been suggested that the Val66Met polymorphism has a role as a modulator in a range of clinical features of the illness, including symptoms severity, therapeutic responsiveness, age of onset, brain morphology and cognitive function. However, little work has been done in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) spectrum disorders. The objective of this study is to investigate the association of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on cognitive function and clinical symptomatology in FES patients.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design in a cohort of 204 patients with FES or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and 204 healthy matched controls, we performed BDNF Val66Met genotyping and tested its relationship with cognitive testing (attention, working memory, learning/verbal memory and reasoning/problem-solving) and assessment of clinical symptom severity.

Results

There was no significant influence of the BDNF allele frequency on cognitive factor scores in either patients or controls. An augmented severity of negative symptoms was found in FES patients that carried the Met allele.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that in patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism does not exert an influence on cognitive functioning, but is associated with negative symptoms severity. BDNF may serve as suitable marker of negative symptomatology severity in FES patients within the schizophrenia spectrum.
The influences of operating conditions and design configurations on the performance of symmetric electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Ike Innocent S. , Sigalas Iakovos , Iyuke Sunny E.
Published: September 2016

The influence of different charging current densities, charging times and several structural designs on symmetric electrochemical capacitor (EC) performance, including capacitance, energy density and power density, has been investigated via modelling and simulation.
An aerated and fluidized bed membrane bioreactor for effective wastewater treatment with low membrane fouling
Authors: Ye Yaoli , LaBarge Nicole , Kashima Hiroyuki , Kim Kyoung-Yeol , Hong Pei-Ying , Saikaly Pascal E. , Logan Bruce E.
Published: September 2016

An aerobic fluidized bed membrane bioreactor (AOFMBR) with GAC particles suspended by rising air bubbles had low membrane fouling.
Retracted Article: First-principle investigations of structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of bulk BiVO3
Authors: Liu Biao , Wu Li-Juan , Zhao Yu-Qing , Wang Lin-Zhi , Cai Meng-Qiu
Published: September 2016

The structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of bulk BiVO3 are investigated by first-principle calculations.
Optimizing the silanization of thermally-decomposed iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient aqueous phase transfer and MRI applications
Authors: Wang Xin-Yang , Mertz Damien , Blanco-Andujar Cristina , Bora Anindita , Ménard Mathilde , Meyer Florent , Giraudeau Céline , Bégin-Colin Sylvie
Published: September 2016

A facile silanization method allows to efficiently stabilise in aqueous solution iron oxide NPs synthesized by thermal decomposition for MRI applications.
Guanidine based task specific ionic liquids for the synthesis of biolubricant range esters under solvent-free condition
Authors: Porwal Jyoti , Kumar Subodh , Kaul Savita , Jain Suman L.
Published: September 2016

Guanidine-based task specific ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized from the reaction of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine with protic acids and used for the synthesis of higher alcohol esters of fatty acids as biolubes under solvent free condition.
An octamolybdate-metal organic framework hybrid for the efficient adsorption of histidine-rich proteins
Authors: Chen Qing , Wang Meng-Meng , Hu Xue , Chen Xu-Wei , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: September 2016

Incorporation of octamolybdate (Mo8O26) into the metal–organic framework, MIL-101(Cr), produces a novel hybrid. The covalent interactions of the Mo8O26 moiety in the hybrid with the N-terminal site and the multi-metal binding site of proteins offer favorable adsorption performance towards histidine-rich proteins.
Silver nanowire networks embedded in a cure-controlled optical adhesive film for a transparent and highly conductive electrode
Authors: Kang Hong Suk , Choi Jaeho , Cho Wonhee , Lee Hongkyung , Lee Dongyoung , Lee Dai Gil , Kim Hee-Tak
Published: September 2016

A highly conductive and transparent electrode fabricated by mechanically embedding AgNWs into a pre-cured NOA 85 matrix.
Integrated analysis of phenome, genome, and transcriptome of hybrid rice uncovered multiple heterosis-related loci for yield increase
Authors: Li Dayong , Huang Zhiyuan , Song Shuhui , Xin Yeyun , Mao Donghai , Lv Qiming , Zhou Ming , Tian Dongmei , Tang Mingfeng , Wu Qi , Liu Xue , Chen Tingting , Song Xianwei , Fu Xiqin , Zhao Bingran , Liang Chengzhi , Li Aihong , Liu Guozhen , Li Shigui , Hu Songnian , Cao Xiaofeng , Yu Jun , Yuan Longping , Chen Caiyan , Zhu Lihuang
Published: September 2016

Significance

Because of its practical importance and scientific significance, heterosis (hybrid vigor) is an interesting topic for both breeders and biologists. However, although heterosis has been applied successfully to increase crop yields, the molecular mechanisms involved remain obscure. In this study, using an integrative approach, we found that multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) cumulatively drive yield heterosis in hybrid rice by regulating two grain-yield component traits in which theRH8(rice heterosis 8) gene plays a major role. Our research highlights the importance of integrative methods to uncover the molecular mechanism of heterosis and thus pave a way toward revealing the molecular mechanisms in rice heterosis in detail.
Robust classification of single-cell transcriptome data by nonnegative matrix factorization
Authors: Shao Chunxuan , Höfer Thomas
Published: September 2016

Motivation

Single-cell transcriptome data provide unprecedented resolution to study heterogeneity in cell populations and present a challenge for unsupervised classification. Popular methods, like principal component analysis (PCA), often suffer from the high level of noise in the data.

Results

Here we adapt Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) to study the problem of identifying subpopulations in single-cell transcriptome data. In contrast to the conventional gene-centered view of NMF, identifying metagenes, we used NMF in a cell-centered direction, identifying cell subtypes (‘metacells’). Using three different datasets (based on RT-qPCR and single cell RNA-seq data, respectively), we show that NMF outperforms PCA in identifying subpopulations in an accurate and robust way, without the need for prior feature selection; moreover, NMF successfully recovered the broad classes on a large dataset (thousands of single-cell transcriptomes), as identified by a computationally sophisticated method. NMF allows to identify feature genes in a direct, unbiased manner. We propose novel approaches for determining a biologically meaningful number of subpopulations based on minimizing the ambiguity of classification. In conclusion, our study shows that NMF is a robust, informative and simple method for the unsupervised learning of cell subtypes from single-cell gene expression data.

Availability and Implementation

https://github.com/ccshao/nimfa

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FBB: a fast Bayesian-bound tool to calibrate RNA-seq aligners
Authors: Rodriguez-Lujan Irene , Hasty Jeff , Huerta Ramón
Published: September 2016

Motivation

Despite RNA-seq reads provide quality scores that represent the probability of calling a correct base, these values are not probabilistically integrated in most alignment algorithms. Based on the quality scores of the reads, we propose to calculate a lower bound of the probability of alignment of any fast alignment algorithm that generates SAM files. This bound is called Fast Bayesian Bound (FBB) and serves as a canonical reference to compare alignment results across different algorithms. This Bayesian Bound intends to provide additional support to the current state-of-the-art aligners, not to replace them.

Results

We propose a feasible Bayesian bound that uses quality scores of the reads to align them to a genome of reference. Two theorems are provided to efficiently calculate the Bayesian bound that under some conditions becomes the equality. The algorithm reads the SAM files generated by the alignment algorithms using multiple command option values. The program options are mapped into the FBB reference values, and all the aligners can be compared respect to the same accuracy values provided by the FBB. Stranded paired read RNA-seq data was used for evaluation purposes. The errors of the alignments can be calculated based on the information contained in the distance between the pairs given by Theorem 2, and the alignments to the incorrect strand. Most of the algorithms (Bowtie, Bowtie 2, SHRiMP2, Soap 2, Novoalign) provide similar results with subtle variations.

Availability and Implementation

Current version of the FBB software is provided at https://bitbucket.org/irenerodriguez/fbb.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Following Surgery for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Kohorst John J. , Baum Christian L. , Otley Clark C. , Roenigk Randall K. , Pemberton John H. , Dozois Eric J. , Tran Nho V. , Davis Mark D.P.
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a progressive, recurrent inflammatory disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To assess long-term satisfaction and postoperative perceptions among patients who underwent surgical management of HS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to 499 HS surgical patients to assess surgical outcome, satisfaction, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Of the 499 questionnaires mailed, 113 were returned (22.6% response rate) and 2 were excluded for redundancy. Of the 111 respondents, 65 (58.6%) were female, 91 (82.0%) had Hurley Stage III disease, 88 (79.3%) were treated with excision and 23 (20.7%) with unroofing, 45 (40.5%) had perianal or perineal disease, and 41 (36.9%) had axillary disease. Most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgical results (84.7%; 94 of 111), were glad they underwent surgery (96.3%; 105 of 109), and would recommend surgery to a friend or relative (82.6%; 90 of 109). Most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the appearance of their healed wound (62.4%; 68 of 109). Retrospective mean quality of life increased significantly from 5 preoperatively to 8.4 postoperatively (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Hidradenitis suppurativa surgical management was well regarded by patients and should be considered by future patients to limit the morbidity of HS.
The Northwestern Abdominoplasty Scar Model: A Novel Human Model for Scar Research and Therapeutics
Authors: Lanier Steven T. , Liu Jing , Chavez-Munoz Claudia , Mustoe Thomas A. , Galiano Robert D.
Published: September 2016

There is a growing interest in the development and evaluation of therapeutic agents that improve the cosmetic appearance of scars. Existing nonhuman animal models to study scarring, while valuable, have well-acknowledged limitations, as it is accepted that the biology of human scarring differs significantly from scarring in other species. Moreover, human clinical trials of scarring require large numbers of subjects to achieve statistical power and are plagued by inherent intersubject variability because of the complex nature of wound healing in human beings. As a better alternative, we have developed the Northwestern Abdominoplasty Scar Model—a novel human clinical model that permits analysis of up to 20 cutaneous scars in a single subject and allows for not only visual scar comparison, but also histologic and molecular analyses of factors involved in scarring and wound healing. We have utilized this model in 5 early phase clinical trials designed to test the safety and efficacy of a variety of scar therapeutics without any complications to date. The model not only is applicable to scar therapeutics, but also can be utilized for other applications, such as the testing of implantable biomaterials, injectable products, therapies such as lasers, or even for in vivo study of wound healing processes in humans.
Retroauricular Pleomorphic Adenoma Arising from Heterotopic Salivary Gland Tissue
Authors: Grome Luke , Bacaj Patrick , Borah Gregory
Published: September 2016

A 38-year-old woman is described who presented with a slowly growing mass on the posterior aspect of the left ear. Excision and histopathologic evaluation revealed a pleomorphic adenoma (PA) originating from heterotopic salivary gland tissue. Many authors have presented cases of PAs originating from ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal or of so-called chondroid syringoma originating from apocrine and eccrine sweat glands. This is the only case in the recent literature of a PA originating from a heterotopic rest of salivary gland tissue in the retroauricular region. The 3 main sources of PAs, their embryologic derivation, and treatment are described.