bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
End‐of‐life care in pediatric neuro‐oncology
Authors: Vallero Stefano Gabriele , Lijoi Stefano , Bertin Daniele , Pittana Laura Stefania , Bellini Simona , Rossi Francesca , Peretta Paola , Basso Maria Eleonora , Fagioli Franca
Published: August 2014

Background

The management of children with cancer during the end‐of‐life (EOL) period is often difficult and requires skilled medical professionals. Patients with tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) with relapse or disease progression might have additional needs because of the presence of unique issues, such as neurological impairment and altered consciousness. Very few reports specifically concerning the EOL period in pediatric neuro‐oncology are available.

Procedure

Among all patients followed at our center during the EOL, we retrospectively analyzed data from 39 children and adolescents with brain tumors, in order to point out on their peculiar needs.

Results

Patients were followed‐up for a median time of 20.1 months. Eighty‐two percent were receiving only palliative therapy before death. Almost half the patients (44%) died at home, while 56% died in a hospital. Palliative sedation with midazolam was performed in 58% of cases; morphine was administered in 51.6% of cases. No patient had uncontrolled pain.

Conclusions

The EOL in children with advanced CNS cancer is a period of active medical care. Patients may develop complex neurological symptoms and often require long hospitalization. We organized a network‐based collaboration among the reference pediatric oncology center, other pediatric hospitals and domiciliary care personnel, with the aim to ameliorate the quality of care during the EOL period. In our cohort, palliative sedation was widely used while no patients died with uncontrolled pain. A precise process of data collection and a better sharing of knowledge are necessary in order to improve the management of such patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2004–2011. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geography and the burden of care in pediatric cancers
Authors: Fluchel Mark N. , Kirchhoff Anne C. , Bodson Julia , Sweeney Carol , Edwards Sandra L. , Ding Qian , Stoddard Gregory J. , Kinney Anita Y.
Published: August 2014

Background

Childhood cancers typically require rigorous treatment at specialized centers in urban areas, which can create substantial challenges for families residing in remote communities. We evaluated the impact of residence and travel time on the burden of care for families of childhood cancer patients.

Procedure

We conducted a cross‐sectional, self‐administered survey of 354 caregivers of pediatric cancer patients at a children's hospital serving a seven state area. Measures included the impact of cancer treatment on relocation, employment, schooling, and finances. We evaluated these domains by rural/urban residence and travel time (>1 hour and >2 hours) to the hospital in multivariable regression models.

Results

Of the 29% of caregivers who reported moving residences as their child was diagnosed, 33% reported that the move was due to their child's cancer. Rural and remote (e.g., >1 hour travel time) caregivers missed more days of work during the first month after diagnosis than did urban and local caregivers, however, these differences did not persist over the first 6 months of therapy. One‐third of caregivers reported quitting or changing jobs as a direct result of their child being diagnosed with cancer. Rural respondents had greater out‐of‐pocket travel expenses and reported a significantly greater perceived financial burden. Rural patients missed more school days and were at an increased risk of having to repeat a grade.

Conclusions

Childhood cancer has an appreciable impact on the lives of patients and caregivers. The burden is greater for those living far from a treatment center. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1918–1924. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Initial solid tumor testing (Stage 1) of AZD1480, an inhibitor of Janus kinases 1 and 2 by the pediatric preclinical testing program
Authors: Houghton Peter J. , Kurmasheva Raushan T. , Lyalin Dmitry , Maris John M. , Kolb E. Anders , Gorlick Richard , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kang Min H. , Keir Stephen T. , Wu Jianrong , Smith Malcolm A.
Published: August 2014

Background

AZD1480 is an ATP competitive inhibitor of Janus kinases 1 and 2 (JAK1, 2) that has been shown to inhibit the growth of solid tumor models. This agent was selected for testing the putative role of JAK/STAT signaling in the standard PPTP solid tumor models.

Procedures

AZD1480 was tested against the PPTP in vitro cell line panel at concentrations from 1.0 nM to 10 μM and against the PPTP in vivo solid tumor xenograft panels at (60 mg/kg once daily (SID) × 5) for three consecutive weeks. Additional studies evaluated 5 to 20 mg/kg BID × 5 with SID dosing at 7–30 mg/kg at weekends for three consecutive weeks.

Results

In vitro the median relative IC50 (rIC50) for the PPTP cell lines was 1.5 µM, with a range from 0.3 µM to 5.9 µM. The two cell lines with rIC50 values of 0.3 µM both had ALK activating genomic alterations. AZD1480 demonstrated statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in EFS distribution compared to control in 89% of the solid tumor xenografts. AZD1480 induced intermediate (EFS T/C > 2) or high‐level growth inhibition in 15 of 30 (50%) solid tumor xenografts. Tumor regressions were observed in three of six Wilms tumor models at doses that induced inhibition of Stat3(Y705) phosphorylation.

Conclusions

AZD1480 demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition against most PPTP solid tumor xenografts, similar to that observed for antiangiogenic agents tested by the PPTP. Tumor regressing activity was noted for Wilms tumor xenografts. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1972–1979. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abnormalities in renal tubular phosphate handling in children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Raj Vimal Master Sankar , Freundlich Michael , Hamideh Dima , Alvarez Ofelia , Seeherunvong Wacharee , Abitbol Carolyn , Katsoufis Chryso , Chandar Jayanthi , Ruiz Phillip , Zilleruelo Gaston
Published: August 2014

Background

The mechanisms responsible for the hyperphosphatemia in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and preserved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are not fully understood. The role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone has not been investigated in SCD. Hence, we evaluated parameters of renal tubular phosphorus handling and their relation to prevailing FGF23 levels in a cohort of young SCD patients.

Methods

Renal tubular phosphate handling and circulating levels of various analytes including FGF23 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 24 children with SCD and normal estimated GFR in a cross sectional study. Correlation and regression analysis were employed to derive relationships between serum phosphorus and several variables.

Results

Most children showed elevated age‐ adjusted serum phosphorus (5.1 ± 0.7 mg/dl) levels. Tubular re‐absorption of phosphorus(TRP) (96.3 ± 2.1%) and tubular maximum re‐absorption of phosphorus per unit volume of GFR (TMP/GFR) (4.9 ± 0.6 mg/dl) were both elevated. Plasma intact FGF23 concentrations were elevated (81 ± 38 pg/ml) while the average PTH values were normal in most patients (50 ± 27 pg/ml). Univariate analysis showed significant correlations of serum phosphorus with TMP/GFR, alkaline phosphatase, age, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and log intact FGF23. TMP/GFR correlated with log intact FGF23 (r = 0.5, P< or = 0.01) but not with PTH. Multiple regression analysis yielded an independent relationship of serum phosphorus with TMP/GFR.

Conclusion

The elevated serum phosphorus concentrations with simultaneously increased TMP/GFR and elevated FGF23 levels collectively suggest that patients with SCD display proximal tubular resistance to the action of FGF23 before any decline in GFR. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2267–2270. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Melt foamability of reactive extrusion‐modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) with pyromellitic dianhydride using supercritical carbon dioxide as blowing agent
Authors: Xia Tian , Xi Zhenhao , Liu Tao , Pan Xun , Fan Chaoyang , Zhao Ling
Published: August 2014

By reactive extrusion with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), foamable poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was obtained, which achieved a maximum intrinsic viscosity of 1.36 dL/g with PMDA content 0.8 wt%. Dynamic shear rheological properties were measured to characterize the structure evolution of modified PET. And the Avrami analysis was extended for the non‐isothermal crystallization process of modified PET, which relates to cell stabilization in the melt foaming process. Based on the batch foaming process with supercritical carbon dioxide as blowing agent, broad foaming temperature windows were obtained for PETs modified with 0.8 and 0.5 wt% PMDA, in which PET foams with the expansion ratio between 10 and 50 times, the cell diameter between 15 and 37 μm, and the cell density between 6.2 × 108 and 1.6 × 109 cells/cm3 were controllably produced. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1528–1535, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Extraordinarily large swelling energy of iodine‐treated poly(vinyl alcohol) demonstrated by jump of a film
Authors: Takamura Tatsuro , Nozawa Kazuya , Sugimoto Yoshiki , Shioya Masatoshi
Published: August 2014

Organic material characteristics of volume change and stress generation have attracted the attention of many researchers aiming to develop chemomechanical systems such as artificial muscles and polymer engines having the advantages of high energy density and silent operation. Although polymer gels offer a relatively large actuator stroke, their mechanical properties are relatively poor and the working temperature is relatively low, often limited by the evaporation of liquid if contained. We have developed an iodine‐treated poly(vinyl alcohol) having extraordinarily large vapor‐induced deswelling stress reaching 59 MPa, which is one to two orders of magnitude greater than those of ordinary polymer gels. Furthermore, this material has extremely large volumetric and gravimetric energy densities reaching 1.3 × 106 J m−3 and 9.6 × 102 J kg−1, respectively, and an elastic modulus of a few GPa and is heat‐resistant to at least 200 °C. The high performance of this material can be demonstrated by a jump of a film. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1357–1365
High risk of adult asthma following severe wheezing in early life
Authors: Goksör Emma , Åmark Mainor , Alm Bernt , Ekerljung Linda , Lundbäck Bo , Wennergren Göran
Published: August 2014

Background: Severe wheezing in early life is associated with an increased risk of asthma during childhood and adolescence. The aim of the present follow‐up was to investigate the asthma prevalence and risk factors for asthma in adulthood. Methods: We have prospectively studied asthma development in 101 children hospitalized due to severe wheezing before the age of 24 months. The cohort was re‐investigated at a mean age of 27 years and tested for bronchial hyper‐responsiveness and allergic sensitization. The response rate in adulthood was 81% (82/101). The results were compared with a population‐based, age‐matched control group (n = 1,210) recruited from the West Sweden Asthma Study. Results: Current doctor‐diagnosed asthma was found in 37% (30/82) compared with 7% (82/1,210) in the control group. The risk of adult asthma in the cohort compared with the control group was increased 10‐fold (adjusted OR 10.0, 95% CI 5.3–18.7), independently of allergic rhinitis, gender, smoking and heredity. Within the cohort, current allergy (aOR 9.6, 95% CI 3.0–31.2) and female gender (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–9.3) independently increased the risk of adult asthma. Females with current allergy had the highest risk of adult asthma (OR 29.4, 95% CI 5.0–173.3), compared with males without allergy. When separately adjusting for factors present at admission in early life within the cohort, a family history of asthma was a significant risk factor for asthma in adulthood (aOR 4.0, 95% CI 1.3–12.5). Conclusion: Subjects with severe early wheezing have a 10‐fold increase in the risk of adult asthma compared to an age‐matched control group, adjusted for allergic rhinitis, gender, smoking and heredity. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:789–797. © 2014 The Authors. Pediatric Pulmonology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dual effects of familial Alzheimer's disease mutations (D7H, D7N, and H6R) on amyloid β peptide: Correlation dynamics and zinc binding
Authors: Xu Liang , Chen Yonggang , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: August 2014

Although the N‐terminal region of Amyloid β (Aβ) peptides plays dual roles as metal‐coordinating sites and conformational modulator, few studies have been performed to explore the effects of mutations at this region on the overall conformational ensemble of Aβ and the binding propensity of metal ions. In this work, we focus on how three familial Alzheimer's disease mutations (D7H, D7N, and H6R) alter the structural characteristics and thermodynamic stabilities of Aβ42 using molecular dynamics simulations. We observe that each mutation displays increased β‐sheet structures in both N and C termini. In particular, both the N terminus and central hydrophobic region of D7H can form stable β‐hairpin structures with its C terminus. The conserved turn structure at Val24–Lys28 in all peptides and Zn2+‐bound Aβ42 is confirmed as the common structural motif to nucleate folding of Aβ. Each mutant can significantly increase the solvation free energy and thus enhance the aggregation of Aβ monomers. The correlation dynamics between Aβ(1–16) and Aβ(17–42) fragments are elucidated by linking the domain motions with the corresponding structured conformations. We characterize the different populations of correlated domain motions for each mutant from a more macroscopic perspective, and unexpectedly find that Zn2+‐bound Aβ42 ensemble shares the same populations as Aβ42, indicating that the binding of Zn2+ to Aβ follows the conformational selection mechanism, and thus is independent of domain motions, even though the structures of Aβ have been modified at a residue level. Proteins 2014; 82:3286–3297. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reversing cancer multidrug resistance: insights into the efflux by ABC transports from in silico studies
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo J. , Ferreira Maria‐José U. , dos Santos Daniel J. V. A.
Published: August 2014

One of the greatest threats to cancer treatment is the development, by some tumors, of resistance to the pharmacological action of several structurally unrelated cytotoxic agents—multidrug resistance (MDR). As P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is one of the most studied ATP‐dependent efflux pumps that are frequently involved in drug efflux from cancer cells, the development of MDR modulators with the ability to inhibit P‐gp efflux is considered a promising approach for overcoming MDR. However, the development of P‐gp modulators have been hampered due to the absence of knowledge on the intrinsic molecular aspects by which efflux occurs, namely the specific steps that correlates drug recognition, ATP binding and efflux‐related conformational changes. Experimental evidences for these processes are also difficult to obtain and only provide small pieces of information that need to be assembled for better comprehension of a wider and complex process that is drug efflux. A promising alternative relies on cutting‐edge computational techniques to provide new insights on key aspects that are determinant to understand how P‐gp efflux can be effectively reversed. With the contribution of ligand‐based or structure‐based computational methods, P‐gp drug efflux is slowly becoming a dynamic and reactive process rather than a simple response to drug binding, with the complex architecture of ABC transporters playing a determinant role not only in drug recognition but in the coordination of ATP‐driven conformational changes that ultimately drives drug efflux. The major enlightenments that computational studies provided toward a better comprehension of MDR and P‐gp efflux phenomena are hereby described. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2015, 5:27–55. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1196

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics
Effects of sea surface temperature accuracy on offshore wind resource assessment using a mesoscale model
Authors: Shimada Susumu , Ohsawa Teruo , Kogaki Tetsuya , Steinfeld Gerald , Heinemann Detlev
Published: August 2014

Offshore wind simulations were performed with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model driven by three different sea surface temperature (SST) datasets for Japanese coastal waters to investigate the effect of the SST accuracies on offshore wind simulations. First, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Final analysis (FNL) (1° × 1° grid resolution) and the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis (OSTIA) (0.05° × 0.05° grid resolution) datasets were compared with in situ measurements. The results show a decrease in accuracy of these datasets toward the coast from the open ocean. Aiming at an improved accuracy of SST data, we developed a new high‐resolution SST dataset (0.02° × 0.02° grid resolution). The new dataset referred to as MOSST is based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) product, provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). MOSST was confirmed to be more accurate than FNL and OSTIA for the coastal waters. Then, WRF simulations were carried out for 1 year with a 2 km grid resolution and by using the FNL, OSTIA and MOSST datasets. The use of the OSTIA dataset for a WRF simulation was found to improve the accuracy when compared with the FNL dataset, and further improvement was obtained when the MOSST dataset was applied. The sensitivity of wind speed and wind energy density to SST is also discussed. We conclude that the use of an accurate SST is a key factor not only for realistic offshore wind simulations near the surface but also for accurate wind resource assessments at the hub height of wind turbines. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model of wind shear conditional on turbulence and its impact on wind turbine loads
Authors: Dimitrov Nikolay , Natarajan Anand , Kelly Mark
Published: August 2014

We analyse high‐frequency wind velocity measurements from two test stations over a period of several years and at heights ranging from 60 to 200 m, with the objective to validate wind shear predictions as used in load simulations for wind turbine design. A validated wind shear model is thereby proposed for flat terrain and that can significantly decrease the uncertainty associated with fatigue load predictions for wind turbines with large rotors. An essential contribution is the conditioning of wind shear on the 90% quantile of wind turbulence, such that the appropriate magnitude of the design fatigue load is achieved. The proposed wind shear model based on the wind measurements is thereby probabilistic in definition, with shear jointly distributed with wind turbulence. A simplified model for the wind shear exponent is further derived from the full stochastic model. The fatigue loads over different turbine components are evaluated under the full wind measurements, using the developed wind shear model and with standard wind conditions prescribed in the IEC 61400‐1 ed. 3. The results display the effect of the Wöhler exponent and reveal that under moderate turbulence, the effect of wind shear is most pronounced on the blade flap loads. It is further shown that under moderate wind turbulence, the wind shear exponents may be over‐specified in the design standards, and a reduction of wind shear exponent based on the present measurements can contribute to reduced fatigue damage equivalent loads on turbine blades. Although the influence of wind shear on extreme loads was found to be negligible, the IEC 61400‐1 wind shear definition was found to result in non‐conservative estimates of the 50 year extreme blade deflection toward the tower, especially under extreme turbulence conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microfluidic sample preparation for elemental analysis in liquid samples using micro X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: McIntosh Kathryn G. , Neal J. Avery , Nath Pulak , Havrilla George J.
Published: August 2014

The integration of microfluidic devices with micro X‐ray fluorescence (micro‐XRF) spectrometry offers a new approach for the direct characterization of liquid materials. A sample presentation method based on use of small volumes (<5 µl) of liquid contained in an XRF‐compatible device has been developed. In this feasibility study, a prototype chip was constructed, and its suitability for XRF analysis of liquids was evaluated, along with that of a commercially produced microfluidic device. Each of the chips had an analytical chamber which contained approximately 1 µl of sample when the device was filled using a pipette. The performance of the chips was assessed using micro‐XRF and high resolution monochromatic wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence, a method that provides highly selective and sensitive detection of actinides. The intended application of the device developed in this study is for measurement of Pu in spent nuclear fuel. Aqueous solutions and a synthetic spent fuel matrix were used to evaluate the devices. Sr, which has its Kα line energy close to the Pu Lα line at 14.2 keV, was utilized as a surrogate for Pu because of reduced handling risks. Between and within chip repeatability were studied, along with linearity of response and accuracy. The limit of detection for Sr determination in the chip is estimated at 5 ng/µl (ppm). This work demonstrates the applicability of microfluidic sample preparation to liquid characterization by XRF, and provides a basis for further development of this approach for elemental analysis within a range of sample types. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Fluorescence Properties of Two Transition Metal‐Organic Coordination Polymers Based on 4,4′‐Dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine
Authors: Shan Yuexia , Chen Qin , Wang Lei , Zhang Wenli , Ni Liang
Published: August 2014

Two transition metal‐organic coordination polymers, [Mn2(1,3‐bdc)2(Me2bpy)2]·Me2bpy (1) and [Co(4,4′‐oba)(Me2bpy)] (2) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction [1,3‐H2bdc = benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid, H2oba = 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) Me2bpy = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P212121, with a = 23.371(5), b = 14.419(3), and c = 14.251(3) Å. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 7.4863(15), b = 18.272(4), c = 16.953(5) Å, and β = 107.44(3)°. The crystal structure of complex 1 is a wave‐like layer with central Mn2+ atoms bridged by 1,3‐bdc ligands, whereas the structure of compound 2 presents a ladder chain of hexacoordinate Co2+ atoms, in which the metal atoms are bridged by 4,4′‐oba ligands and decorated by Me2bpy ligands. The two compounds are further extended into 3D supramolecular structures through π–π stacking interactions. Additionally, the compounds show intense fluorescence in solid state at room temperature.
Evaluation of QOL After Proximal Gastrectomy Using a Newly Developed Assessment Scale (PGSAS‐45)
Authors: Inada Takao , Yoshida Masashi , Ikeda Masami , Yumiba Takeyoshi , Matsumoto Hideo , Takagane Akinori , Kunisaki Chikara , Fukushima Ryoji , Yabusaki Hiroshi , Nakada Koji
Published: August 2014

Background

Proximal gastrectomy with esophagogastrostomy (PGEG) has been widely applied as a comparatively simple method. In this study, we used a questionnaire survey to evaluate the influence of various surgical factors on post‐operative quality of life (QOL) after PGEG.

Methods

In this post‐gastrectomy syndrome assessment study, we analyzed QOL in 2,368 cases. Among these, 193 had undergone proximal gastrectomy and 115 had undergone PGEG. The Post‐Gastrectomy Syndrome Assessment Scale (PGSAS)‐45 is a questionnaire consisting of 45 items, including the SF‐8, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and other symptom items seemed to be specific to post‐gastrectomy. The 23 symptom items were composed of seven symptom subscales (SS), including esophageal reflux, abdominal pain, and meal‐related distress. These seven SS, total symptom score, ingested amount of food per meal, necessity for additional meals, quality of ingestion SS, ability to work, dissatisfaction with symptoms, dissatisfaction with the meal, dissatisfaction with working, dissatisfaction with daily life SS and change in body weight were evaluated as main outcome measures. In PGEG cases, we evaluated the influence on QOL of various surgical factors, such as procedures to prevent gastroesophageal regurgitation and size of the remnant stomach.

Results

The scores for esophageal reflux and dissatisfaction with the meal were higher in patients who had not undergone an anti‐reflux procedure. In most cases, the preserved remnant stomach was more than two‐thirds the size of the pre‐operative stomach. When comparing patients with a remnant stomach two‐thirds the pre‐operative size and those with more than three‐quarters, the diarrhea SS and necessity for additional meals scores were lower in the group with more than three‐quarters. The indigestion, constipation, and abdominal pain subscales, and the total symptom score, were higher in patients who had not undergone pyloric bougie than in those who had.

Conclusion

These results indicated that QOL was better in patients with a large remnant stomach. Procedures to prevent gastroesophageal reflux, and the use of pyloric bougie as a complementary drainage procedure, were considered effective ways to reduce the deterioration of QOL.
Congenital Anomalies in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: The Unborn Child of Global Surgery
Authors: Sitkin Nicole A. , Ozgediz Doruk , Donkor Peter , Farmer Diana L.
Published: August 2014

Surgically correctable congenital anomalies cause a substantial burden of global morbidity and mortality. These anomalies disproportionately affect children in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) due to sociocultural, economic, and structural factors that limit the accessibility and quality of pediatric surgery. While data from LMICs are sparse, available evidence suggests that the true human and financial cost of congenital anomalies is grossly underestimated and that pediatric surgery is a cost‐effective intervention with the potential to avert significant premature mortality and lifelong disability.
Marriage and Bridewealth (Ilobolo) in Contemporary Zulu Society
Authors: Posel Dorrit , Rudwick Stephanie
Published: August 2014

This article investigates links between ilobolo (bridewealth) practices and marriage outcomes in contemporary Zulu society. It presents quantitative data showing very low marriage rates among Zulu adults, as well as interview evidence suggesting that the majority of Zulu adults identify ilobolo as a constraint to marriage. However, the interview evidence also suggests that ilobolo remains widely valued as a Zulu tradition and continues to be an integral and defining feature of a Zulu marriage. The article concludes that this tension—between the high cost of ilobolo and respect for ilobolo as a custom—contributes to the very low marriage rates observed among Zulu people today.
African Marriage Regulation and the Remaking of Gendered Authority in Colonial Natal, 1843–1875
Authors: Sheik Nafisa Essop
Published: August 2014

This article examines the gendered relationships of authority that are at the heart of the processes of customary marriage in South Africa, as well as the ways in which colonial political intervention worked to effect social change in nineteenth-century colonial Natal. This analysis reinforces the established historiographical understanding that instigating generational shifts in authority was important to Natal Native Policy, unlike customary regulation elsewhere in colonial Africa in which colonial law worked to shore up the authority of senior men. However, it seeks to underline that while negotiations of colonial power began to shift authority from older to younger men by manipulating Native marriage, and in particular the practice oflobola, the effects of such policies produced profound shifts in the experience and articulation of gendered relationships of marriage and colonial authority. The imbrication of changes in gender and generational norms ultimately reveals the contradictions in both colonial claims of liberal gender reform and African claims that colonial policy provoked the usurpation of male traditional authority.
COMPLEXITY OF EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS AND PREORDERS FROM COMPUTABILITY THEORY
Authors: IANOVSKI EGOR , MILLER RUSSELL , NG KENG MENG , NIES ANDRÉ
Published: August 2014

We study the relative complexity of equivalence relations and preorders from computability theory and complexity theory. Given binary relationsR,S, a componentwise reducibility is defined by

R≤S⇔ ∃f∀x, y[x R y↔f(x)S f(y)].

Here,fis taken from a suitable class of effective functions. For us the relations will be on natural numbers, andfmust be computable. We show that there is a${\rm{\Pi }}_1^0$-complete equivalence relation, but no${\rm{\Pi }}_k^0$-complete fork≥ 2. We show that${\rm{\Sigma }}_k^0$preorders arising naturally in the above-mentioned areas are${\rm{\Sigma }}_k^0$-complete. This includes polynomial timem-reducibility on exponential time sets, which is${\rm{\Sigma }}_2^0$, almost inclusion on r.e. sets, which is${\rm{\Sigma }}_3^0$, and Turing reducibility on r.e. sets, which is${\rm{\Sigma }}_4^0$.
Saharan migrant camel herders: Znāga social status and the global age
Authors: Freire Francisco
Published: August 2014

In the late 20th century, 300 Mauritanian shepherds travelled to the United Arab Emirates in order to tend the herds of some of that country's most prominent leaders. These low-tech subjects of global migration flows were particularly valued and sought after by their Emirati employers for their expertise in raising camels. I analyse the forms and consequences of this migration, focusing on the reintegration of these shepherds into Mauritanian stratified tribal spheres following their return to the Sahara. The possibility of a change in their social status (after a financially rewarding experience in the Gulf) will be a central theme of this article. This issue arises from the pervasive designation of these shepherds as a ‘tributary’ (znāga) group, through the application of the tripartite social model that, to a large extent, still defines Mauritania's arabophone population.
The fall of a donor darling: the role of aid in Mali's crisis
Authors: Bergamaschi Isaline
Published: August 2014

This article offers a political economy perspective on the Malian crisis with a focus on aid and donor practices. The argument is two-fold. On the one hand, aid consolidated a regime that grew increasingly discredited, so that aid and donors – voluntarily or otherwise – contributed to create the pre-2012 context of fragility. On the other hand, this structural gap has created a state of affairs that provided some impulse and support to putschists and insurgent groups. It explores four channels through which this has happened in practice. External funding agencies have sponsored what was perceived as President Amadou Toumani Touré's ‘mismanagement’ of the situation in the north and the degradation of governance. In addition, donors exerted weak control over policies and ignored signals of growing popular dissatisfaction with ATT. Finally, when they tried to put pressure on governments, donors chose highly controversial issues and have enacted unpopular conditionalities, which have had destabilising effects.
Troubling Multiculturalisms: Staging Trans/National Identities in Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes'sEl gallo
Authors: Zien Katherine
Published: August 2014

The collaborative “antiopera”El gallo: Ópera para actores(The Cock: An Opera for Actors), which was produced from 2007 to 2009 by Mexican theatre company Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes (hereafter referred to as Ciertos Habitantes) and British composer Paul Alan Barker, toured for three years to dozens of venues in Mexico and abroad, garnering numerous awards and accruing more than a hundred performances. Performed in speech/song gibberish,El gallomingles physical theatre andbutohtechniques. The piece chronicles the making of an opera, from auditions through rehearsals and performance, alongside the emotional, physical, and vocal breakdowns of the five main characters and their beleaguered director.El galloenacts an allegory of conflict-ridden community formation through the device of a play within a play.
Psychology and Poverty Reduction: A Global Special Issue
Authors: Carr Stuart C. , Thompson Miles , Dalal Ajit K. , de Guzman Judith M. , Gloss Alexander , Munns Lewis , Steadman Alice
Published: August 2014

A “global special issue” on poverty brought together 9 international psychology journals during 2010 through 2013. The purpose was to highlight psychology’s contribution toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These goals are rooted in the “capabilities approach” and highlight the importance of fostering environments that support 3 core domains: health, basic education, and income. Here, we analyze what the global special issue contributed. As a whole the global special issue provided an account of “how” psychology engages with poverty and poverty reduction. First, the global special issue, more than other research on poverty, was focused on lower- and middle-income settings. Second, while the content of the articles could be coded into 3 specific domains (health/well-being, education/development, and society/work), the vast majority of the articles straddled more than 1 category. Third, the contents of the global special issue could be organized in terms of the type of contribution: that is, practicality, theory, description, and advocacy. We highlight the importance of addressing wider situational and sociopolitical structures that constrain capability and potential, without losing sight of the person. Psychology might (a) concentrate resources on finding out what actually works to enable poverty reduction; and (b) apply what we know to ensure that research on poverty reduction is more informative and compelling to community stakeholders, organizations, and policymakers. Such an “implementation science” could advance poverty reduction and human development.
Longitudinal recordings of the vocalizations of immature Gombe chimpanzees for developmental studies
Authors: Plooij Frans X. , van de Rijt-Plooij Hetty , Fischer Martha , Pusey Anne
Published: August 2014

Many researchers are interested in chimpanzee vocal communication, both as an important aspect of chimpanzee social behavior and as a source of insights into the evolution of human language. Nonetheless, very little is known about how chimpanzee vocal communication develops from infancy to adulthood. The largest dataset of audiorecordings from free-living immature chimpanzees was collected by the late Hetty van de Rijt-Plooij and Frans X. Plooij at Gombe National Park, Tanzania (1971–1973). These recordings have not yet been analysed. Therefore, the most extensive effort to study the development of chimpanzee vocalizations remains unfinished. The audiospecimens total over 10 h on 28 tapes, including 20 tapes focusing on 17 specific immature individuals with a total of 1,136 recordings. In order to make this dataset available to more researchers, the analogue sound recordings were digitized and stored in the Macaulay Library and the Dryad Repository. In addition, the original notes on the contexts of the calls were translated and transcribed from Dutch into English.
Multi-responsive ionic liquid emulsions stabilized by microgels
Authors: Monteillet Hélène , Workamp Marcel , Li Xiaohua , Schuur Boelo , Kleijn J. Mieke , Leermakers Frans A. M. , Sprakel Joris
Published: August 2014

We present a complete toolbox to use responsive ionic liquid (IL) emulsions for extraction purposes.
Chemical biology of genomic DNA: minimizing PCR bias
Authors: McInroy Gordon R. , Raiber Eun-Ang , Balasubramanian Shankar
Published: August 2014

We describe a PCR bias induced by chemical modification of DNA, and exemplify a solution with the design, synthesis and characterization of a cleavable probe designed to leave minimal chemical scarring.
Synthesis of 2-phenylnaphthalenes from styryl-2-methoxybenzenes
Authors: Mudududdla Ramesh , Sharma Rohit , Abbat Sheenu , Bharatam Prasad V. , Vishwakarma Ram A. , Bharate Sandip B.
Published: August 2014

A new simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-phenylnaphthalenes from electron-rich 1-styryl 2-methoxybenzenes has been described.
Palladium-catalyzed cyclization of benzamides with arynes: application to the synthesis of phenaglydon and N-methylcrinasiadine
Authors: Pimparkar Sandeep , Jeganmohan Masilamani
Published: August 2014

N-Methyl or methoxy substituted benzamides reacted with benzynes in the presence of a palladium catalyst, yielding tricyclic N-methyl or N-methoxy substituted phenanthridinones.
Evaluation of structural transformation in 2D metal–organic frameworks based on a 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoate linker: microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis, characterization and applications
Authors: Wu Cheng-You , Raja Duraisamy Senthil , Yang Chun-Chuen , Yeh Chun-Ting , Chen Yu-Ru , Li Chen-Yu , Ko Bao-Tsan , Lin Chia-Her
Published: August 2014

Structural transformation has been observed in 2D MOFs.
Assessing the performance of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA methods. 5. Improved docking performance using high solute dielectric constant MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA rescoring
Authors: Sun Huiyong , Li Youyong , Shen Mingyun , Tian Sheng , Xu Lei , Pan Peichen , Guan Yan , Hou Tingjun
Published: August 2014

We have thoroughly investigated the performance of MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA methodologies on virtual screening based on various protocols for kinase targets.
Exchange-coupled nanocomposites: chemical synthesis, characterization and applications
Authors: Liu Fei , Hou Yanglong , Gao Song
Published: August 2014

This review summarizes the recent progress in the chemical synthesis and applications of exchange-coupled nanocomposites.
Highly efficient and chemoselective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls over Pd/N-doped hierarchically porous carbon
Authors: Wei Zhongzhe , Gong Yutong , Xiong Tianyi , Zhang Pengfei , Li Haoran , Wang Yong
Published: August 2014

Pd supported on N-doped hierarchically porous carbon was successfully applied in the selective hydrogenation of CC bonds.
Task specific ionic liquids as polarity shifting additives of common organic solvents
Authors: Couto Ricardo M. , Lourenço Catarina , Simões Pedro C. , Branco Luís C.
Published: August 2014

The effect of the addition of RTILs to tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, acetonitrile, isopropanol and ethanol on ENT values.
Functionalized imidazoliniums from the three-component domino reaction of N-formylmethylcarboxamides with amines and isocyanides
Authors: Lei Chuan-Hu , Zhao Liang , Wang De-Xian , Zhu Jieping , Wang Mei-Xiang
Published: August 2014

Functionalized imidazoliniums were synthesized efficiently from the three-component domino reaction of N-formylmethyl-substituted tertiary amides and enamides with amines and isocyanides.
Sol–gel synthesis of Ni and Ni supported catalysts for hydrogen production by methane decomposition
Authors: Shen Yi , Lua Aik Chong
Published: August 2014

Sol-gel synthesis of NiO and supported NiO catalysts for hydrogen production by methane decomposition.
Natural product mixture analysis by matrix-assisted DOSY using Brij surfactants in mixed solvents
Authors: Vieira Mariano G. S. , Gramosa Nilce V. , Ricardo Nágila M. P. S. , Morris Gareth A. , Adams Ralph W. , Nilsson Mathias
Published: August 2014

Brij surfactant micelles in mixed solvent systems aid resolution of natural product NMR signals in diffusion-ordered spectroscopy.
Free-standing graphene-based nanohybrid paper electrode as an anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yun Young Soo , Jin Hyoung-Joon
Published: August 2014

Free-standing paper electrodes based on nitrogen-doped graphenes with mesoporous Mn3O4 nanoparticles were used as an anode for Li-ion batteries.
Effect of silane-functionalized TiO2 on the optical properties and moisture barrier of silicone resin nanocomposites
Authors: Liao Wei-Hao , Hsiao Sheng-Tsung , Wu Yi-Fang , Zeng Shi-Jun , Li Shin-Ming , Wang Yu-Sheng , Ma Chen-Chi M.
Published: August 2014

An effective approach for fabricating silane-functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles/silicone resin (SR) composites that exhibit high transparency, high refractive indexes (RIs), high UV aging resistance, and high moisture barrier.
Water-dispersible and magnetically separable gold nanoparticles supported on a magnetite/s-graphene nanocomposite and their catalytic application in the Ullmann coupling of aryl iodides in aqueous media
Authors: Dabiri Minoo , Shariatipour Monire , Kazemi Movahed Siyavash , Bashiribod Sahareh
Published: August 2014

The water-dispersible and magnetic separable Au/Fe3O4/s-G nanocomposite was used as an effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the Ullmann homocoupling.
Criteria for the selection of a support material to fabricate coated membranes for a life support device
Authors: Yang Yifan , Rana Dipak , Matsuura Takeshi , Zheng Songyuan , Lan Christopher Q.
Published: August 2014

The innovative design of coated membranes opens up wider applications for a life support device improving quality of life.
Ultrasonic decrosslinking of crosslinked high-density polyethylene: effect of degree of crosslinking
Authors: Huang Keyuan , Isayev Avraam I.
Published: August 2014

The normalized gel fraction versus the normalized crosslink density of the decrosslinked 1% (a), 2% (b) and 4% (c) XHDPE. Dotted and dashed lines represent Horikx function fits, respectively.
Study of the promotion mechanism of the photocatalytic performance and stability of the Ag@AgCl/g-C3N4 composite under visible light
Authors: Bu Yuyu , Chen Zhuoyuan , Feng Chang , Li Weibing
Published: August 2014

The formation of an effective heterojunction electric field at the interface between g-C3N4 and Ag@AgCl significantly strengthens the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes, leading to a dramatic promotion of the photocatalytic degradation performance.
Studies on the Langmuir–Blodgett films of polythiophene containing a mesogenic side chain
Authors: Suryanarayanan Chandrasekaran , Sankaranarayanan Kamatchi , Divakara Chinthalapuri , Somanathan Narayanasastri
Published: August 2014

LB study of mesogenic polythiophenes showed changes in optical properties due to variations in supramolecular assembly with solvent polarity.
Synthesis of β-enaminodicarbonyl derivatives in the titanium(iv) chloride-promoted reactions of β-dicarbonyl compounds with nitriles
Authors: Pei Shuchen , Xue Chenchen , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: August 2014

TiCl4-promoted reactions of β-dicarbonyl compounds with nitriles.
Caseinophosphopeptides cytoprotect human gastric epithelium cells against the injury induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yanli , Yuan Lulu , Yao Chenjie , Ding Lin , Li Chenchen , Fang Jie , Wu Minghong
Published: August 2014

Caseinophosphopeptides can protect GES-1 cells against the zinc oxide nanoparticles induced injury through the down-regulation of oxidative stress.
A novel facile method using polyetheretherketone as a solid phase extraction material for fast quantification of urinary monohydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Li Yinping , Li Xue , Zhou Zhen
Published: August 2014

A novel facile method using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a solid phase extraction (SPE) material to extract urinary monohydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) has been successfully demonstrated.
Synthesis of a hierarchically meso-macroporous TiO2 film based on UV light-induced in situ polymerization: application to dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jin Quan , Li Zhiwen , Lin Kaifeng , Wang Shuo , Xu Rongguo , Wang Dan
Published: August 2014

Hierarchically meso-macroporous TiO2 films were prepared via a UV light-induced in situ polymerization of hybrid organic–inorganic films containing propoxylated glyceryltriacrylate monomers and titania precursors.
Synthesis optimization of the ultra-microporous [Ni3(HCOO)6] framework to improve its CH4/N2separation selectivity
Authors: Ren Xinyu , Sun Tianjun , Hu Jiangliang , Wang Shudong
Published: August 2014

The adsorptive separation selectivities of CH4/N2were successfully improved from 4.0–4.8 to 7.0–7.5viasynthesis optimization of ultra-microporous [Ni3(HCOO)6] frameworks.
Synthesis and anti-cancer evaluation of steroidal diglycoside–pyrazoline hybrids
Authors: Kankala Shravankumar , Kankala Ranjith Kumar , Kommidi Devendar Reddy , Mudithanapelli Chandrashekar , Balaboina Ramesh , Vadde Ravinder , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B. , Vasam Chandra Sekhar
Published: August 2014

A new series of pyrazoline-steroidal diglycoside hybrids were synthesizedviacatalyzed cyclocondensation of the corresponding chalcones, screened forin vitrocytotoxic activity and the SAR deduced.
Noncovalent assembly of carbon nanoparticles and aptamer for sensitive detection of ATP
Authors: Liu Jinhua , Yu Jing , Chen Jianrong , Shih Kaimin
Published: August 2014

Here base on competitive interaction of electrostatic repulsion and π–π stacking, noncovalent assembly of carbon nanoparticles (cCNPs) with aptamer that allows sensitive and selective detection of ATP is reported. The sensor exhibits minimal background fluorescence and rapid kinetics response depending on the spherical structure of cCNPs.
Catalyst-free three-component reaction to synthesize chiral α-amino phosphine oxides
Authors: Li Xi-An , Li Jia-Yuan , Yang Bin , Yang Shang-Dong
Published: August 2014

A novel method for high diastereoselective syntheses of chiral α-aminophosphine oxides by a three-component reaction involve a metal-free system was performed.
Synthesis of chitosan–gelatin molecularly imprinted membranes for extraction ofl-tyrosine
Authors: Zheng Xue-Fang , Lian Qi , Yang Hua
Published: August 2014

CS-GEL-l-tyr MIMs were prepared in aqueous phase using CS and GEL as functional polymers. The effect of crosslinking agent, PEG concentration and imprinting molecular content were examined. The results indicated that the MIMs have special selectivity to template moleculesl-tyrosine, can effectively separatel-tyrosine from other substances in the water phase and the permeability rate was 13.42%.
Precisely designed rattle-type mTiO2@P(NIPAM-co-MBA) microspheres with screening gel network for highly selective extraction of phosphopeptidome
Authors: Ma Wanfu , Zhang Ying , Miao Weili , Zhang Cheng , Yu Meng , Zhang Yuting , Guo Jia , Lu Haojie , Wang Changchun
Published: August 2014

Rattle-type mTiO2@P(NIPAM-co-MBA) microspheres with a screening gel network shell were elaborately designed and fabricated for highly selective extraction of endogenous phosphopeptidome.
Controlling elastico-mechanoluminescence in diphase (Ba,Ca)TiO3:Pr3+ by co-doping different rare earth ions
Authors: Zhang Jun-Cheng , Long Yun-Ze , Wang Xusheng , Xu Chao-Nan
Published: August 2014

Elastico-mechanoluminescence (EML) of diphase (Ba,Ca)TiO3:Pr3+,RE (RE includes all rare-earth-ions except Sc and Pm) is systematically investigated.
Graphene oxide–palladium modified Ag–AgBr: a visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for the Suzuki coupling reaction
Authors: Gao Shutao , Shang Ningzhao , Feng Cheng , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a plasmonic Ag–AgBr photocatalyst functionalized with graphene oxide–Pd was successfully fabricated and used as an efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for the Suzuki coupling reaction. A possible catalytic mechanism for the photocatalyst is proposed.