bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It takes two to tango: Exploring social tie development with both online and offline interactions
Authors: Yin Peifeng , He Qi , Liu Xingjie , Lee Wang‐Chien
Published: May 2016

Understanding social tie development among users is crucial for user engagement in social networking services. In this paper, we analyze the social interactions, both online and offline, of users and investigate the development of their social ties using data trail of ‘how social ties grow’ left in mobile and social networking services. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research attempt on studying social tie development by considering both online and offline interactions in a heterogeneous yet realistic relationship. In this study, we aim to answer three key questions: (i) is there a correlation between online and offline interactions? (ii) how is the social tie developed via heterogeneous interaction channels? and (iii) would the development of social tie between two users be affected by their common friends? To achieve our goal, we develop a Social‐aware Hidden Markov Model (SaHMM) that explicitly takes into account the factor of common friends in measure of the social tie development. Our experiments show that, comparing with results obtained using HMM and other heuristic methods, the social tie development captured by our SaHMM is significantly more consistent to lifetime profiles of users.
Principal axes analysis of symbolic histogram variables
Authors: Makosso‐Kallyth Sun
Published: May 2016

We present a new method to perform a principal axes analysis of symbolic histogram variables. In the symbolic data analysis framework, several Histogram Principal component Analysis (Histogram PCA) have been proposed. Some approaches focus on the relationships between some specific features of histograms such as the means or the quantiles. Others use the association for distributional variables based on the squared Wasserstein distance. In this paper, we propose two new approaches. The first one uses new correlation measures based on Fisher's z scores between corresponding bins of histogram variables. We also suggest the use of the estimator proposed by Olkin and Pratt. In the first approach, histogram variables must have the same number of bins. The second proposed approach, by contrast, extends the previous proposed correlations by considering the corresponding quantiles. This second approach can be used when histograms do not have the same number of bins.
Engineered Resilience for Complex Systems as a Predictor for Cost Overruns
Authors: Roberts Blake , Mazzuchi Thomas , Sarkani Shahram
Published: May 2016

The ever‐increasing complexity of large‐scale, ubiquitous systems, and internetworked Systems of Systems (SoS), have resulted in non‐linear challenges for systems engineering and program management such as interdependent, dynamic, and emergent behaviors that influence design and development cost. In order to invest, make decisions, and effectively manage technology developments, “should‐cost” estimates are used to baseline systems to what is considered affordable over the lifecycle. In addition to a higher likelihood for overrun, complex systems traditionally require major acquisitions, budgets, and development schedules where failure results in increased cost consequences. Behavioral properties (such as emergence) can influence performance resulting in dynamic and unpredictable effects on networked platform operation, system capability, and mission effectiveness. Data analyzed from 526 major weapons programs and from subject‐matter expert judgment are explored to propose: (1) a new approach to quantify these risks using prescriptive measures related to complexity, adaptability, and resilience, (2) identify leading indicators to reduce the likelihood of cost overrun, (3) suggest measurements based on research findings and systems heuristics to improve lifecycle cost estimation, and (4) present applications of Engineering Resilience to meet the growing complexity, interdependence, and scale of systems under constrained budgets with a growing demand for affordability.
Critical Care in a Tertiary Hospital in Malawi
Authors: Prin Meghan , Itaye Takondwa , Clark Sarah , Fernando Rohesh J. , Namboya Felix , Pollach Gregor , Mkandawire Nyengo , Sobol Julia
Published: May 2016

Background

The provision of critical care services is essential to healthcare systems and increasingly a global health focus, but many hospitals in sub‐Saharan Africa are unable to meet this need. Intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in this region is high, but studies describing the provision of critical care services are scarce.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to the ICU at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi, between September 1, 2013, and October 17, 2014. We summarized demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes, and analyzed factors associated with mortality.

Results

Of 390 patients admitted to ICU during the study, 44.9 % of patients were male, and the median age was 22 years (IQR 6–35) years. Although most patients (73.1 %) were admitted with surgical diagnoses, the highest mortality was among patients admitted with sepsis (59.3 %), or obstetric (44.7 %) or medical (40.0 %) diagnoses. Overall ICU mortality was high (23.6 %).

Conclusions

There is a shortage of data describing critical care in low‐resource settings, particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa. Surgical disease comprises the majority of ICU utilization in this study site, but medical and obstetric illness carried higher ICU mortality. These data may guide strategies for improving critical care in the region.
Formation Mechanism of CaS-Bearing Inclusions and the Rolling Deformation in Al-Killed, Low-Alloy Steel with Ca Treatment
Authors: Xu Guang , Jiang Zhouhua , Li Yang
Published: May 2016

The existing form of CaS inclusion in Ca-treated, Al-killed steel during secondary refining process was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results of 12 heats industrial tests showed that CaS has two kinds of precipitation forms. One form takes place by the direct reaction of Ca and S, and the other takes place by the reaction of CaO in calcium aluminates with dissolved Al and S in liquid steel. Thermodynamic research for different precipitation modes of CaS under different temperature was carried out. In particular, CaO-Al2O3-CaS isothermal section diagrams and component activities of calcium aluminates were calculated by the thermodynamic software FactSage. By thermodynamic calculation, a precipitation-area diagram of oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion was established by fixing the sulfur content. The quantity of CaS, which was precipitated in a reaction between [Al], [S] and (CaO), can be calculated and predicted based on the precipitation-area diagram of oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion. Electron probe microanalysis and EDS were used for observing rolling deformation of different types of CaS-bearing inclusions during the rolling process. Low modification of calcium aluminates wrapped by CaS has different degrees of harm to steel in the rolling process. A thick CaS layer can prevent some fragile calcium aluminates from being crushed during the rolling process. Some oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion contains little CaS performed better deformation during the rolling process, but when CaS in oxide-sulfide duplex inclusion becomes more, it will cause the whole inclusion to lose plastic yielding ability. The plastic deformation region of CaS-bearing inclusion in a CaO-Al2O3-CaS isothermal section diagram is confirmed.
Synthesis, Surface Properties, and Corrosion Inhibition of 1‐Butyl‐3‐dodecanoylthiourea
Authors: Ullah Imdad , Shah Afzal , Khan Musharaf
Published: May 2016

Nonionic surfactants have a number of applications because they are effective in hard water, maintain their integrity in acidic, neutral, and basic media, show favorable skin compatibility, and can be formulated with ionic surfactants. Thus, spurred on by their favorable characteristics, a novel candidate of this class, 1‐butyl‐3‐dodecanoylthiourea, was synthesized in high yield. The structure was characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy. This surfactant demonstrated very low solubility in water and sub‐millimolar critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in ethanol and hexane, signifying that they are reasonably amphiphobic. This thio‐urea based surfactant shows corrosion inhibition of metals like chromium and aluminum.
Learning curves of a resident surgeon performing transobturator tape procedures for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Montera Roberto , Plotti Francesco , Ricciardi Roberto , Miranda Andrea , Venturella Roberta , Zullo Fulvio , Angioli Roberto
Published: May 2016

Objective

To evaluate the number of procedures necessary for an untrained resident surgeon to learn transobturator tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT‐O) procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

A prospective study was performed among patients aged 18–75 years who underwent TVT‐O procedures at a center in Rome, Italy, between March 2, 2009, and November 30, 2012. The TVT‐O procedure was performed by a right‐handed resident surgeon working under the supervision of an expert surgeon. Total and partial operative times were recorded.

Results

Among 18 patients included in analysis, the mean operative time was 22.2 minutes (range 7–44). All total operative times fell within the confidence interval after the 10th procedure, with a difference between the mean times recorded in the first nine and the last eight procedures (29.5 vs 13.1 minutes; P < 0.001). The resident surgeon required nine procedures to learn right tunneling and 13 to learn left tunneling.

Conclusion

Ten procedures were required for a resident surgeon to learn TVT‐O procedures for SUI.
Physicochemical parameters of deep-seated mantle plumes
Authors: Ryabchikov I.D. , Kogarko L.N.
Published: May 2016

Thermodynamic analysis of experimental data has demonstrated that FeO activity in silicate melts identical in composition to natural magmas can be described by the regular-solution model, which takes into account interactions of all cations with Si and interaction of Ca with Al. Using this model, we propose an oxygen barometer for spinel + magma phase association. In contrast to the earlier proposed methods for estimation of oxygen chemical potential, this barometer can work in the PT-domain close to the liquidus of magmatic process. The new oxygen barometer has been applied to magmas related to mantle plume activity, including Siberian meimechites, Hawaiian picrites, and picrites from the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP) and Greenland. We have shown that most magmas related to the activity of deep-seated mantle plumes are characterized by a higher relative chemical potential of oxygen than magmas of mid-ocean ridges. Thermodynamically calculated stability fields of rocks with different carbon-containing phases show that under PT-conditions of the lower mantle, the ascending mantle plumes are characterized by relatively high oxygen fugacity. Formation of diamond in the lower mantle requires more oxidizing conditions as compared with the major part of this geosphere, where the presence of Fe–Ni alloy is predicted. We have put forward a hypothesis that the main reason for the oxygen fugacity increase in particular domains of the lower mantle is a shift of redox equilibria toward a decrease in the amount of Fe–Ni alloy, up to its disappearance, with temperature growth.
Origin of high-velocity anomalies beneath the Siberian craton: A fingerprint of multistage magma underplating since the Neoarchean
Authors: Wang Qin , Bagdassarov N. , Shatsky V.S.
Published: May 2016

Despite the violent eruption of the Siberian Traps at ~250 Ma, the Siberian craton has an extremely low heat flow (18–25 mW/m2) and a very thick lithosphere (300–350 km), which makes it an ideal place to study the influence of mantle plumes on the long-term stability of cratons. Compared with seismic velocities of rocks, the lower crust of the Siberian craton is composed mainly of mafic granulites and could be rather heterogeneous in composition. The very high Vp (> 7.2 km/s) in the lowermost crust can be fit by a mixture of garnet granulites, two-pyroxene granulites, and garnet gabbro due to magma underplating. The high-velocity anomaly in the upper mantle (Vp = 8.3–8.6 km/s) can be interpreted by a mixture of eclogites and garnet peridotites. Combined with the study of lower crustal and mantle xenoliths, we recognized multistage magma underplating at the crust–mantle boundary beneath the Siberian craton, including the Neoarchean growth and Paleoproterozoic assembly of the Siberian craton beneath the Markha terrane, the Proterozoic collision along the Sayan–Taimyr suture zone, and the Triassic Siberian Trap event beneath the central Tunguska basin. The Moho becomes a metamorphism boundary of mafic rocks between granulite facies and eclogite facies rather than a chemical boundary that separates the mafic lower crust from the ultramafic upper mantle. Therefore, multistage magma underplating since the Neoarchean will result in a seismic Moho shallower than the petrologic Moho. Such magmatism-induced compositional change and dehydration will increase viscosity of the lithospheric mantle, and finally trigger lithospheric thickening after mantle plume activity. Hence, mantle plumes are not the key factor for craton destruction.
Distribution of PGE in Permo-Triassic basalts of the Siberian Large Igneous Province
Authors: Izokh A.E. , Medvedev A.Ya. , Fedoseev G.S. , Polyakov G.V. , Nikolaeva I.V. , Palesskii S.V.
Published: May 2016

We have revealed the spatio-temporal regularities of distribution of platinum group elements (PGE) in basaltoids related to the activity of the Siberian mantle plume. As objects of study, we chose rift and flood basalts from the Norilsk district (sampled from the SD-9 borehole), flood basalts from the central part of the Tunguska syneclise (Lower Tunguska), Kuznetsk Basin traps, and subalkalic basalt from the Semeitau volcanoplutonic structure in eastern Kazakhstan. Based on the PGE patterns of basaltoids related to the activity of the Permo-Triassic Siberian plume, we have shown that the rocks that formed in the central part of the Siberian Large Igneous Province (LIP) at the early rift stage have low contents of PGE, whereas picrites and tholeiitic flood basalts have high contents. The rift (Semeitau structure) and flood (Kuznetsk Basin traps) basalts from the peripheral regions are characterized by extremely low PGE contents. The high PGE contents in magmas of the plume head are responsible for the high productivity of ultramafic–mafic trap magmatism. The elevated K contents in magmas and the high PGE contents in the mantle plume head are probably due to the ascent of deep-seated material from the core–lower-mantle boundary, as follows from the thermochemical model of the Siberian plume.
Reliability database for unmanned aerial vehicles based on morphological analysis
Authors: Gonçalves P. , Sobral J. , Ferreira L.
Published: May 2016

The certification process plays an important role in aircraft safety and operation, assuring a high degree of confidence in accomplishing their objectives. Unfortunately, in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), there is not enough information to enable an acceptable decision-making process regarding compliance with certification requirements. To overcome this limitation, a methodology was developed based on morphological analysis principle, taking advantage of the knowledge and behaviour of similar items and affecting them with the necessary corrective factor in accordance to the differences in design, operation and environment. The objective is to establish an initial maintenance program as an important requirement to operate any kind of aircraft. This paper presents the methodology and the obtained results for a UAV under development concerning the establishment of a maintenance program regarding its certification process.
Horizontal Discrimination and Article 15(2) of the Indian Constitution: A Transformative Approach
Authors: BHATIA Gautam
Published: May 2016

This article explores horizontal non-discrimination rights under the Constitution of India (Indian Constitution). The Indian Constitution is unique in that it expressly prohibits private discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, caste, religion, etc. for the purpose of, inter alia, “access to … shops” (Article 15(2)). The article argues that a historically grounded understanding of the word “shops”, in the context of the transformative purposes of the Indian Constitution, necessitates a broad reading that covers all private economic transactions where goods and services are offered to the public at large. Furthermore, seemingly contrary Supreme Court precedent, if it is constitutionally justifiable, must be restricted to its own facts. In sum, Article 15(2) of the Indian Constitution provides a radical constitutional remedy that is directly horizontally applicable to private conduct, and goes far beyond remedies developed in other jurisdictions, which have often needed to turn to legislation in order to adequately combat private discrimination in the economic and social sphere.
Beyond the Binary: Rethinking Gender Neutrality in Indian Rape Law
Authors: PATHAK Harshad
Published: May 2016

Despite expanding the definition of rape under theIndian Penal Codeto include non-penile-vaginal acts of penetration, the said definition continues to conform to a gender-specific notion of rape, based on a predetermined characterization of the victim-perpetrator framework on the basis of their genders. Herein, I will critique this idea of gender specificity in Indian rape law on the grounds that it reinforces a binary notion of gender, and results in gross underinclusion. Instead, it is more appropriate to adopt a human-rights-based approach in defining the offence of rape, and negate the role of gender in identifying the victims and perpetrators of an act of rape. The argument is pillared on a state’s obligation to not discriminate on the basis of sex, the recognition of transgender rights, and an assessment of the common grounds for opposing gender neutrality in Indian rape law.
“We Must Deflate”: The Crime of 1920 Revisited
Authors: SHAW CHRISTOPHER W.
Published: May 2016

Post-World War I Federal Reserve System policy focused on reducing price levels. Faith in liquidationist ideas led Federal Reserve officials to maintain tight-money policies during the depression of 1920–1921. Farmers suffering through this economic crisis objected to contemporary monetary policy. Organized labor and leading Progressive reformer Robert M. La Follette Sr. seconded their criticism. Postwar challenges to the nation’s financial leadership and its priorities bore tangible results by producing a number of notable reforms, including modifications of Federal Reserve policy and the Agricultural Credits Act of 1923. In the absence of similar political pressure during the Great Depression, the Federal Reserve System adhered to liquidationist ideas and did not pursue monetary expansion.
Understanding Inpatient Perceptions of Indwelling Urinary Catheters Using the Health Belief Model
Authors: Quast Joshua , Knobloch Mary Jo , Patterson Erin , Purvis Suzanne , Shirley Daniel , Safdar Nasia
Published: May 2016

Patient interviews using the Health Belief Model framework identified thematic patient perceptions of indwelling urinary catheters and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Generally, patients perceived catheters as convenient and were unaware of catheter alternatives and risks for infection. Better patient education is needed to reduce urinary catheter use and infections.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1098–1100
International Human Rights and Israel as Seen in the Work of the Treaty Bodies: Do They Walk the Talk?
Authors: Halperin-Kaddari Ruth , Danino Amichai
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this article is to review the manner in which the human rights treaty bodies (HRTBs) treat Israel, focusing on the system of periodic reporting, with the aim of examining whether Israel is being accorded ‘special treatment’ or, put more simply, whether a bias against Israel can be ascertained in the work of the HRTBs. In analysing the concluding observations (COBs) issued in respect of six of Israel's recent periodic reports, we identified four distinct population groups within Israeli society, and studied the number and nature of the COBs targeting each of these groups. This we termed the ‘output’. We then looked into the amount of the alternative information provided to the Committees by civil society organisations, which we termed the ‘input’. An examination of the two reveals a clear correlation between the relatively greater weight accorded to the Palestinian population in the occupied territories in the input side of the exercise (the alternative reports) and the output side (the COBs). Thus, what might initially be perceived as proved bias in the treatment of Israel by the HRTBs in light of the seemingly disproportional weight they accord to the conflict, turns out to be at least partially influenced by the information and materials provided to the Committees.
A comparative study of Silurian and recent deposit-feeding bivalve communities
Authors: Levinton Jeffrey S. , Bambach Richard K.
Published: May 2016

Two communities dominated by deposit-feeding bivalves are recognized in Quisset Harbor, Massachusetts. Interference with life position and sediment preconditioning restrict the distribution of some species. The Eel Grass Community, dominated by Nucula proxima, comprises primarily non-siphonate forms which live in fecal-pellet rich, high-water-content, oxygenated sediment. The sediment texture results from active burrowing. This soft, mobile sediment readily clogs the siphons of siphonate bivalves. The Channel Community, dominated by Yoldia limatula, comprises primarily siphonate forms which live in partly compacted, low-water-content muds. Each community is characterized by abundant surface, shallow, and deep feeding species. Competition for food has generated this distinct stratification in feeding depth of the dominant species with each community.

Similar competitive relationships, affecting both species occurrence and trophic stratification, are apparent in three Silurian age deposit-feeding bivalve communities from the McAdam Brook Formation of Nova Scotia. A community dominated by four non-siphonate species inhabited soupy, high-water-content muds. A community dominated by three siphonate species lived in cohesive muds. A mixed community, dominated by four species, two non-siphonate and two siphonate species (the most abundant of which are present, but not as the most abundant forms, in the other communities), characterized the mid-way point of the ecotone between the other two communities.

These deposit-feeding bivalve dominated communities have similar structural patterns although separated by 400 million years and despite environmental differences and evolutionary changes. Both response to physical factors, such as sediment character, and interspecific competition impose and maintain this type of community structure.
Brachiopod Synecology in a Time of Crisis (Late Ordovician-Early Silurian)
Authors: Sheehan Peter M.
Published: May 2016

The extinction of endemic brachiopods in North America at the end of the Ordovician and recolonization by European species has been related to glacio-eustatic lowering of sea level which disrupted conditions in epicontinental seas. North American species may have been narrowly adapted to relatively stable conditions of broad, tropical shallow seas. European invaders may have been less specialized because they were adapted to conditions in both the open ocean and in narrow European epicontinental seas. Being less narrowly adapted, European species probably were better able to cope with changing environmental conditions than were North American species.

During the Lower and Middle Llandovery, shallow water, low diversity communities ofPentamerusCommunity depth were unstable and characterized by repeated extinctions and invasions. Following the crisis at the Ordovician-Silurian boundary 3 to 5 million years were needed to reestablish communities that were persistent in geologic time.
Modulus of surface families and the radial stretch in the Heisenberg group
Authors: PLATIS IOANNIS D.
Published: May 2016

We develop a modulus method for surface families inside a domain in the Heisenberg group and we prove that the stretch map between two Heisenberg spherical rings is a minimiser for the mean distortion among the class of contact quasiconformal maps between these rings which satisfy certain boundary conditions.
Characteristics of child daycare centres associated with clustering of major enteropathogens
Authors: PIJNACKER R. , MUGHINI-GRAS L. , VENNEMA H. , ENSERINK R. , VAN DEN WIJNGAARD C. C. , KORTBEEK T. , VAN PELT W.
Published: May 2016

Insights into transmission dynamics of enteropathogens in children attending daycare are limited. Here we aimed at identifying daycare centre (DCC) characteristics associated with time-clustered occurrence of enteropathogens in DCC-attending children. For this purpose, we used the KIzSS network, which comprises 43 DCCs that participated in infectious disease surveillance in The Netherlands during February 2010–February 2013. Space–time scan statistics were used to identify clusters of rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. in a two-dimensional DCC characteristic space constructed using canonical correlation analysis. Logistic regression models were then used to further identify DCC characteristics associated with increased or decreased odds for clustering of enteropathogens. Factors associated with increased odds for enteropathogen clustering in DCCs were having indoor/outdoor paddling pools or sandpits, owning animals, high numbers of attending children, and reporting outbreaks to local health authorities. Factors associated with decreased odds for enteropathogen clustering in DCCs were cleaning child potties in designated waste disposal stations, cleaning vomit with chlorine-based products, daily cleaning of toys, extra cleaning of toys during a suspected outbreak, and excluding children with gastroenteritis. These factors provide targets for reducing the burden of gastrointestinal morbidity associated with time-clustered occurrence of major enteropathogens in DCC attendees.
Health-related quality of life in children with surgery for CHD: a study from the Swedish National Registry for Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Svensson Birgitta , Idvall Ewa , Nilsson Fredrik , Liuba Petru
Published: May 2016

Background

As survival of children with CHD needing surgery has improved significantly, the need for follow-up in terms of health-related quality of life has become increasingly important. In this study, we sought to describe health-related quality of life in children with CHD in relation to cardiac surgery.

Methods

A retrospective Swedish National Registry for Congenital Heart Disease survey measured using DISABKIDS chronic generic measure-short version included 337 children (age 9–17 years; 39% girls). The majority (n=319, 95%) of children had a biventricular heart, whereas the remaining had a univentricular heart. Cardiac surgery was performed in 197 (58%) children. Health-related quality of life was expressed as total score (100 highest) and given as medians and 10–90th percentiles.

Results

The overall total score was 95 (88–100). Children with a biventricular heart who had undergone three or more surgeries (n=31; 9%) had the lowest total score of 81 (61–97; p<0.001). Children with two or more surgeries and those with univentricular heart were classified in NYHA II more frequently than children with one or no cardiac surgery (p=0.005 and <0.001, respectively). Children with three or more surgeries and those with univentricular heart needed more help at school (p<0.001). Compared with children with other chronic diseases, children with CHD had a high total score except for children with three or more surgeries who had comparable total scores with children with other chronic diseases.

Conclusion

Children with three or more cardiac surgeries and those with a univentricular heart appear to have lower health-related quality of life, cognitive ability, and NYHA classification.
Single coronary artery with a pre-pulmonic dual left anterior descending artery and a retro-aortic left circumflex artery
Authors: Shah Soham , Rajiah Prabhakar
Published: May 2016

We present two cases of an unusual coronary artery anomaly, namely, a single coronary artery with retro-aortic course of the left circumflex artery and pre-pulmonic course of the left anterior descending artery, and one of which showed a dual left anterior descending artery as well – a combination that has not yet been reported in the literature.
You Can’t Make a Silk Purse Out of a Sow’s Ear: Time to Start Again with MCI Triage
Authors: Horne Simon , Nutbeam Tim
Published: May 2016

HorneS, NutbeamT. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear: time to start again with MCI triage. Prehosp Disaster Med.2016;31(4):459–460.
Haben Schüler mit optimistischen Selbsteinschätzungen die Nase vorn?
Authors: Praetorius Anna-Katharina , Kastens Claudia , Hartig Johannes , Lipowsky Frank
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. In der pädagogisch-psychologischen Selbstkonzeptliteratur findet sich vielfach die Forderung nach optimistischen Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepten. Längsschnittstudien, die dezidiert den Auswirkungen von Selbstüber- und -unterschätzungen auf die Leistungsentwicklung nachgehen, existieren bislang jedoch kaum. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde mittels Residualscores das Ausmaß an Selbstüber- und -unterschätzungen in Bezug auf das Fach Mathematik von 925 Erstklässler/-innen bestimmt und über Cross-Lagged-Panel-Analysen mit der mathematischen Leistungsentwicklung über die gesamte Grundschulzeit in Zusammenhang gesetzt. Es zeigte sich, dass die Residualscores lediglich zu Beginn der Grundschulzeit positive Effekte auf die Leistungen aufwiesen. Die Befunde werden vor dem Hintergrund der theoretischen Annahme einer positiven Auswirkung von optimistischen Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepten und der Selbstkonzeptentwicklung im Grundschulalter diskutiert.
Sprachkompetenz als Prädiktor mathematischer Kompetenzentwicklung von Kindern deutscher und nicht-deutscher Familiensprache
Authors: Paetsch Jennifer , Radmann Susanne , Felbrich Anja , Lehmann Rainer , Stanat Petra
Published: May 2016

Zusammenfassung. Das Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages bestand darin, anhand der längsschnittlich angelegten Studie Erhebungen zum Lese- und Mathematikverständnis–Entwicklungen in den Jahrgangsstufen 4 bis 6 in Berlin (ELEMENT) den Einfluss von Lesekompetenz auf die Kompetenzentwicklung in Mathematik bei Schülerinnen und Schülern von der 4. bis zur 6. Jahrgangsstufe (N = 3 169) zu analysieren. Darüber hinaus wurde untersucht, ob Kinder nicht-deutscher Familiensprache unter Kontrolle des sozioökonomischen Status (SES) und der allgemeinen kognitiven Grundfähigkeiten geringere Lernzuwächse in Mathematik erzielen als Kinder deutscher Familiensprache. Der Entwicklungsverlauf der Mathematikkompetenz wurde dabei anhand eines Wachstumskurvenmodells analysiert. Erwartungskonform zeigte sich, dass die Lesekompetenz, auch unter Kontrolle des SES und der allgemeinen kognitiven Grundfähigkeiten, nicht nur signifikant mit der mathematischen Ausgangskompetenz zusammenhing, sondern darüber hinaus auch einen signifikanten Beitrag zur Vorhersage der mathematischen Lernzuwachsraten aller Schülerinnen und Schüler leistete. Obwohl die bestehenden Kompetenzunterschiede in Mathematik zwischen Kindern nicht-deutscher Familiensprache und deutscher Familiensprache größtenteils auf die Lesekompetenz zurückführbar waren, vergrößerten sich die Disparitäten zwischen Kindern deutscher und Kindern nicht-deutscher Familiensprache nicht.
'Mitochondrial energy imbalance and lipid peroxidation cause cell death in Friedreich’s ataxia'
Authors: Abeti R , Parkinson M H , Hargreaves I P , Angelova P R , Sandi C , Pook M A , Giunti P , Abramov A Y
Published: May 2016

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease. The mutation consists of a GAA repeat expansion within the FXN gene, which downregulates frataxin, leading to abnormal mitochondrial iron accumulation, which may in turn cause changes in mitochondrial function. Although, many studies of FRDA patients and mouse models have been conducted in the past two decades, the role of frataxin in mitochondrial pathophysiology remains elusive. Are the mitochondrial abnormalities only a side effect of the increased accumulation of reactive iron, generating oxidative stress? Or does the progressive lack of iron-sulphur clusters (ISCs), induced by reduced frataxin, cause an inhibition of the electron transport chain complexes (CI, II and III) leading to reactive oxygen species escaping from oxidative phosphorylation reactions? To answer these crucial questions, we have characterised the mitochondrial pathophysiology of a group of disease-relevant and readily accessible neurons, cerebellar granule cells, from a validated FRDA mouse model. By using live cell imaging and biochemical techniques we were able to demonstrate that mitochondria are deregulated in neurons from the YG8R FRDA mouse model, causing a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (▵Ψm) due to an inhibition of Complex I, which is partially compensated by an overactivation of Complex II. This complex activity imbalance leads to ROS generation in both mitochondrial matrix and cytosol, which results in glutathione depletion and increased lipid peroxidation. Preventing this increase in lipid peroxidation, in neurons, protects against in cell death. This work describes the pathophysiological properties of the mitochondria in neurons from a FRDA mouse model and shows that lipid peroxidation could be an important target for novel therapeutic strategies in FRDA, which still lacks a cure.
The emerging role of Toll-like receptor 4 in myocardial inflammation
Authors: Yang Y , Lv J , Jiang S , Ma Z , Wang D , Hu W , Deng C , Fan C , Di S , Sun Y , Yi W
Published: May 2016

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors involved in cardiovascular diseases. Notably, numerous studies have demonstrated that TLR4 activates the expression of several of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes that play pivotal roles in myocardial inflammation, particularly myocarditis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. In addition, TLR4 is an emerging target for anti-inflammatory therapies. Given the significance of TLR4, it would be useful to summarize the current literature on the molecular mechanisms and roles of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. Thus, in this review, we first introduce the basic knowledge of the TLR4 gene and describe the activation and signaling pathways of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. Moreover, we highlight the recent progress of research on the involvement of TLR4 in myocardial inflammation. The information reviewed here may be useful to further experimental research and to increase the potential of TLR4 as a therapeutic target.
EB1 regulates attachment of Ska1 with microtubules by forming extended structures on the microtubule lattice
Authors: Thomas Geethu E. , Bandopadhyay K. , Sutradhar Sabyasachi , Renjith M. R. , Singh Puja , Gireesh K. K. , Simon Steny , Badarudeen Binshad , Gupta Hindol , Banerjee Manidipa , Paul Raja , Mitra J. , Manna Tapas K.
Published: May 2016

Kinetochore couples chromosome movement to dynamic microtubules, a process that is fundamental to mitosis in all eukaryotes but poorly understood. In vertebrates, spindle-kinetochore-associated (Ska1–3) protein complex plays an important role in this process. However, the proteins that stabilize Ska-mediated kinetochore-microtubule attachment remain unknown. Here we show that microtubule plus-end tracking protein EB1 facilitates Ska localization on microtubules in vertebrate cells. EB1 depletion results in a significant reduction of Ska1 recruitment onto microtubules and defects in mitotic chromosome alignment, which is also reflected in computational modelling. Biochemical experiments reveal that EB1 interacts with Ska1, facilitates Ska1-microtubule attachment and together stabilizes microtubules. Structural studies reveal that EB1 either with Ska1 or Ska complex forms extended structures on microtubule lattice. Results indicate that EB1 promotes Ska association with K-fibres and facilitates kinetochore-microtubule attachment. They also implicate that in vertebrates, chromosome coupling to dynamic microtubules could be mediated through EB1-Ska extended structures.
Electron–phonon coupling in hybrid lead halide perovskites
Authors: Wright Adam D. , Verdi Carla , Milot Rebecca L. , Eperon Giles E. , Pérez-Osorio Miguel A. , Snaith Henry J. , Giustino Feliciano , Johnston Michael B. , Herz Laura M.
Published: May 2016

Phonon scattering limits charge-carrier mobilities and governs emission line broadening in hybrid metal halide perovskites. Establishing how charge carriers interact with phonons in these materials is therefore essential for the development of high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics and low-cost lasers. Here we investigate the temperature dependence of emission line broadening in the four commonly studied formamidinium and methylammonium perovskites, HC(NH2)2PbI3, HC(NH2)2PbBr3, CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3, and discover that scattering from longitudinal optical phonons via the Fröhlich interaction is the dominant source of electron–phonon coupling near room temperature, with scattering off acoustic phonons negligible. We determine energies for the interacting longitudinal optical phonon modes to be 11.5 and 15.3 meV, and Fröhlich coupling constants of ∼40 and 60 meV for the lead iodide and bromide perovskites, respectively. Our findings correlate well with first-principles calculations based on many-body perturbation theory, which underlines the suitability of an electronic band-structure picture for describing charge carriers in hybrid perovskites.
Content and quality of websites supporting self-management of chronic breathlessness in advanced illness: a systematic review
Authors: Luckett Tim , Disler Rebecca , Hosie Annmarie , Johnson Miriam , Davidson Patricia , Currow David , Sumah Anthony , Phillips Jane
Published: May 2016

Chronic breathlessness is a common, burdensome and distressing symptom in many advanced chronic illnesses. Self-management strategies are essential to optimise treatment, daily functioning and emotional coping. People with chronic illness commonly search the internet for advice on self-management. A review was undertaken in June 2015 to describe the content and quality of online advice on breathlessness self-management, to highlight under-served areas and to identify any unsafe content. Google was searched from Sydney, Australia, using the five most common search terms for breathlessness identified by Google Trends. We also hand-searched the websites of national associations. Websites were included if they were freely available in English and provided practical advice on self-management. Website quality was assessed using the American Medical Association Benchmarks. Readability was assessed using the Flesch–Kincaid grades, with grade 8 considered the maximum acceptable for enabling access. Ninety-one web pages from 44 websites met the inclusion criteria, including 14 national association websites not returned by Google searches. Most websites were generated in the USA (n=28, 64%) and focused on breathing techniques (n=38, 86%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=27, 61%). No websites were found to offer unsafe advice. Adherence to quality benchmarks ranged from 9% for disclosure to 77% for currency. Fifteen (54%) of 28 written websites required grade ⩾9 reading level. Future development should focus on advice and tools to support goal setting, problem solving and monitoring of breathlessness. National associations are encouraged to improve website visibility and comply with standards for quality and readability.
Assembling Bare Au Nanoparticles at Positively Charged Templates
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Zhang Honghu , Kuzmenko Ivan , Mallapragada Surya , Vaknin David
Published: May 2016

In-situ X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and grazing incidence X-ray small-angle scattering (GISAXS) reveal that unfunctionalized (bare) gold nanoparticles (AuNP) spontaneously adsorb to a cationic lipid template formed by a Langmuir monolayer of DPTAP (1,2-dihexadecanoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane) at vapor/aqueous interfaces. Analysis of the XRR yields the electron density profile across the charged-interfaces along the surface normal showing the AuNPs assemble with vertical thickness comparable to the particle size. The GISAXS analysis indicates that the adsorbed mono-particle layer exhibits short-range in-plane correlations. By contrast, single-stranded DNA-functionalized AuNPs, while attracted to the positively charged surface (more efficiently with the addition of salt to the solution), display less in-plane regular packing compared to bare AuNPs.
Neuron-Like Networks Between Ribosomal Proteins Within the Ribosome
Authors: Poirot Olivier , Timsit Youri
Published: May 2016

From brain to the World Wide Web, information-processing networks share common scale invariant properties. Here, we reveal the existence of neural-like networks at a molecular scale within the ribosome. We show that with their extensions, ribosomal proteins form complex assortative interaction networks through which they communicate through tiny interfaces. The analysis of the crystal structures of 50S eubacterial particles reveals that most of these interfaces involve key phylogenetically conserved residues. The systematic observation of interactions between basic and aromatic amino acids at the interfaces and along the extension provides new structural insights that may contribute to decipher the molecular mechanisms of signal transmission within or between the ribosomal proteins. Similar to neurons interacting through “molecular synapses”, ribosomal proteins form a network that suggest an analogy with a simple molecular brain in which the “sensory-proteins” innervate the functional ribosomal sites, while the “inter-proteins” interconnect them into circuits suitable to process the information flow that circulates during protein synthesis. It is likely that these circuits have evolved to coordinate both the complex macromolecular motions and the binding of the multiple factors during translation. This opens new perspectives on nanoscale information transfer and processing.
Construction of plasmid-free Escherichia coli for the production of arabitol-free xylitol from corncob hemicellulosic hydrolysate
Authors: Su Buli , Zhang Zhe , Wu Mianbin , Lin Jianping , Yang Lirong
Published: May 2016

High costs and low production efficiency are a serious constraint to bio-based xylitol production. For industrial-scale production of xylitol, a plasmid-free Escherichia coli for arabitol-free xylitol production from corncob hemicellulosic hydrolysate has been constructed. Instead of being plasmid and inducer dependent, this strain relied on multiple-copy integration of xylose reductase (XR) genes into the chromosome, where their expression was controlled by the constitutive promoter P43. In addition, to minimize the flux from L-arabinose to arabitol, two strategies including low XR total activity and high selectivity of XR has been adopted. Arabitol was significantly decreased using plasmid-free strain which had lower XR total activity and an eight point-mutations of XR with a 27-fold lower enzyme activity toward L-arabinose was achieved. The plasmid-free strain in conjunction with this mutant XR can completely eliminate arabitol formation in xylitol production. In fed-batch fermentation, this plasmid-free strain produced 143.8 g L−1 xylitol at 1.84 g L−1 h−1 from corncob hemicellulosic hydrolysate. From these results, we conclude that this route by plasmid-free E. coli has potential to become a commercially viable process for xylitol production.
Structural characterization of CYP144A1 – a cytochrome P450 enzyme expressed from alternative transcripts in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Chenge Jude , Kavanagh Madeline E. , Driscoll Max D. , McLean Kirsty J. , Young Douglas B. , Cortes Teresa , Matak-Vinkovic Dijana , Levy Colin W. , Rigby Stephen E. J. , Leys David , Abell Chris , Munro Andrew W.
Published: May 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes the disease tuberculosis (TB). The virulent Mtb H37Rv strain encodes 20 cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, many of which are implicated in Mtb survival and pathogenicity in the human host. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that CYP144A1 is retained exclusively within the Mycobacterium genus, particularly in species causing human and animal disease. Transcriptomic annotation revealed two possible CYP144A1 start codons, leading to expression of (i) a “full-length” 434 amino acid version (CYP144A1-FLV) and (ii) a “truncated” 404 amino acid version (CYP144A1-TRV). Computational analysis predicted that the extended N-terminal region of CYP144A1-FLV is largely unstructured. CYP144A1 FLV and TRV forms were purified in heme-bound states. Mass spectrometry confirmed production of intact, His6-tagged forms of CYP144A1-FLV and -TRV, with EPR demonstrating cysteine thiolate coordination of heme iron in both cases. Hydrodynamic analysis indicated that both CYP144A1 forms are monomeric. CYP144A1-TRV was crystallized and the first structure of a CYP144 family P450 protein determined. CYP144A1-TRV has an open structure primed for substrate binding, with a large active site cavity. Our data provide the first evidence that Mtb produces two different forms of CYP144A1 from alternative transcripts, with CYP144A1-TRV generated from a leaderless transcript lacking a 5′-untranslated region and Shine-Dalgarno ribosome binding site.
Quantitative trait locus analysis of body shape divergence in nine-spined sticklebacks based on high-density SNP-panel
Authors: Yang Jing , Guo Baocheng , Shikano Takahito , Liu Xiaolin , Merilä Juha
Published: May 2016

Heritable phenotypic differences between populations, caused by the selective effects of distinct environmental conditions, are of commonplace occurrence in nature. However, the actual genomic targets of this kind of selection are still poorly understood. We conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping study to identify genomic regions responsible for morphometric differentiation between genetically and phenotypically divergent marine and freshwater nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) populations. Using a dense panel of SNP-markers obtained by restriction site associated DNA sequencing of an F2recombinant cross, we found 22 QTL that explained 3.5–12.9% of phenotypic variance in the traits under investigation. We detected one fairly large-effect (PVE = 9.6%) QTL for caudal peduncle length–a trait with a well-established adaptive function showing clear differentiation among marine and freshwater populations. We also identified two large-effect QTL for lateral plate numbers, which are different from the lateral plate QTL reported in earlier studies of this and related species. Hence, apart from identifying several large-effect QTL in shape traits showing adaptive differentiation in response to different environmental conditions, the results suggest intra- and interspecific heterogeneity in the genomic basis of lateral plate number variation.