bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult testicular volume predicts spermatogenetic recovery after allogeneic HSCT in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Wilhelmsson Mari , Vatanen Anu , Borgström Birgit , Gustafsson Britt , Taskinen Mervi , Saarinen‐Pihkala Ulla M. , Winiarski Jacek , Jahnukainen Kirsi
Published: February 2014

Background

Testicular dysfunction and infertility are of major concern in long‐term survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study assesses predictive factors for very long‐term testicular recovery after allogeneic HSCT in childhood and adolescence.

Procedure

Testicular volume, sperm production and long‐term need of testosterone substitution were evaluated among 106 male survivors transplanted at Huddinge and Helsinki University Hospitals from 1978 through 2000, at a mean age of 8 ± 4.6 years (range 1–17). A mean ± SD of 13 ± 4.8 years (range 4–28) had elapsed since their HSCT and the mean age of the participants was 22 ± 6.0 years (range 12–42). An adult testicular volume was recorded in 74 patients at a mean age of 19 ± 3.3 years (range 14–36).

Results

Recipients conditioned with busulfan‐based regimens or regimens containing only cyclophosphamide had significantly larger adult testicular volumes (mean volume 18 ml and 16 ml vs. 9 ml, P < 0.00001, respectively) and lower serum levels of FSH (mean 9 IU and 5 IU vs. 19 IU, P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) compared to those conditioned with total body irradiation (TBI). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a non‐leukemia diagnosis (P < 0.01) and adult testicular volume ≥15 ml (P < 0.03) positively impacted spermatogenetic recovery.

Conclusions

A larger adult testicular volume, normal serum levels of FSH and spermatozoa detected in a majority of seminal fluids after busulfan‐based or cyclophosphamide conditionings suggest very long‐term recovery of spermatogenesis after chemotherapy‐based regimens. A simple measurement of adult testicular volume may help predict spermatogenetic potential among pediatric HSCT survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1094–1100. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioinspired synthesis of novel teeth‐like hierarchical architecture polyaniline/lead tungstate nanocomposites with photoluminescence property
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Shu Hongyan , Wang Yunlong , Li Chuanhao , Chen Ping , Shen Yuhua , Song Jiming , Xie Anjian
Published: February 2014

Large‐scale one‐step synthesis of novel teeth‐like hierarchical architecture polyaniline (PANI)/lead tungstate (PbWO4) nanocomposites has been achieved from aqueous solution by in situ polymerization at room temperature. The reaction conditions, such as pH value and the molar ratio, are found to play a crucial role in controlling the size and morphology of the products. The model of “nucleation‐growth‐assembly” is proposed to explain formation mechanism of the teeth‐like PANI/PbWO4 nanocomposites. Interestingly, the larger size and higher crystallinity are beneficial to the improvement of photoluminescence (PL) intensity. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:516–522, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Tentative Characterisation of Iridoids, Phenylethanoid Glycosides and Flavonoid Derivatives from Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae) Leaves by LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS
Authors: Amessis‐Ouchemoukh Nadia , Abu‐Reidah Ibrahim M. , Quirantes‐Piné Rosa , Rodríguez‐Pérez Celia , Madani Khodir , Fernández‐Gutiérrez Alberto , Segura‐Carretero Antonio
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Globularia alypum L., belonging to the Globulariaceae family, is a perennial wild shrub found throughout the Mediterranean area, Europe, and Africa. This plant is widely used to treat many diseases, but no previous work on the phytochemical composition of the Algerian G. alypum species has yet been reported.

Objective

To investigate the phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of G. alypum using an LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS method.

Methods

Ground air‐dried leaves of G. alypum were macerated with methanol at room temperature for 24 h. The supernatant was filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator, and extracts were recovered with methanol and filtered. Afterwards, the G. alypum extract was injected into the LC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS system.

Results

The combined LC–MS/MS led to the tentative characterisation of 63 phytochemicals. In this work, a large number of compounds have been characterised in the leaf‐extract analysis of this plant. Among others, 24 iridoids and secoiridoids were found, of which nine compounds have not previously been recorded in G. alypum. Also, nine unusual phenylethanoid glycosides were characterised for the first time in this species.

Conclusion

The method used has proved to be a valued tool for the characterisation of a wide range of compounds from G. alypum leaves. This work constitutes a detailed investigation of the chemical composition of G. alypum leaves, which are widely used in different traditional systems of medicine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Guideline‐recommended use of asthma medication by children is associated with parental information and knowledge: the PIAMA birth cohort
Authors: Wijga Alet H. , Zuidgeest Mira G. P. , Kerkhof Marjan , Koppelman Gerard H. , Smit Henriëtte A. , de Jongste Johan C.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

We investigated the use of asthma medication by children and the association of use as recommended by guidelines with modifiable risk factors: parental attitudes, knowledge of asthma medication and information provided by health care providers.

Methods

Questionnaire data were obtained from parents of 229 8‐year‐old children participating in the prevention and incidence of asthma and mite allergy birth cohort who used asthma medication in the past 12 months. They reported on their child's medication use, their own knowledge and attitudes towards the medication and their satisfaction with the information they received from health care providers.

Results

Irregular use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was common: 40% of the parents only gave their child ICS when the child felt breathless and 52% only ‘when the child needed it’; 15% of the parents tried to avoid giving medication, and about 25% of the parents sometimes discontinued medication. Parental knowledge of how asthma medication should be given was a major determinant of guideline‐recommended use: Of the parents who knew that anti‐inflammatory drugs should be taken everyday (53% of all parents), 84% reported that they actually gave their child the medicines everyday as compared with 25% of the parents who did not know this. Guideline‐recommended use was also significantly associated with parental satisfaction with the amount of information received from health care providers. These associations were independent of maternal school education.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that substantial improvements in the use of asthma medication are feasible, and this could considerably improve the effectiveness of current asthma treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CYP2C19 Polymorphisms and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Voriconazole: Are We Ready for Clinical Implementation of Pharmacogenomics?
Authors: Owusu Obeng Aniwaa , Egelund Eric F. , Alsultan Abdullah , Peloquin Charles A. , Johnson Julie A.
Published: February 2014

Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002, voriconazole has become a key component in the successful treatment of many invasive fungal infections including the most common, aspergillosis and candidiasis. Despite voriconazole's widespread use, optimizing its treatment in an individual can be challenging due to significant interpatient variability in plasma concentrations of the drug. Variability is due to nonlinear pharmacokinetics and the influence of patient characteristics such as age, sex, weight, liver disease, and genetic polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 2C19 gene (CYP2C19) encoding for the CYP2C19 enzyme, the primary enzyme responsible for metabolism of voriconazole. CYP2C19 polymorphisms account for the largest portion of variability in voriconazole exposure, posing significant difficulty to clinicians in targeting therapeutic concentrations. In this review, we discuss the role of CYP2C19 polymorphisms and their influence on voriconazole's pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and clinical efficacy. Given the association between CYP2C19 genotype and voriconazole concentrations, as well as the association between voriconazole concentrations and clinical outcomes, particularly efficacy, it seems reasonable to suggest a potential role for CYP2C19 genotype to guide initial voriconazole dose selection followed by therapeutic drug monitoring to increase the probability of achieving efficacy while avoiding toxicity.
Characterization of individual mouse cerebrospinal fluid proteomes
Authors: Smith Jeffrey S. , Angel Thomas E. , Chavkin Charles , Orton Daniel J. , Moore Ronald J. , Smith Richard D.
Published: February 2014

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) offers key insight into the status of the CNS. Characterization of murine CSF proteomes can provide a valuable resource for studying CNS injury and disease in animal models. However, the small volume of CSF in mice has thus far limited individual mouse proteome characterization. Through nonterminal CSF extractions in C57Bl/6 mice and high‐resolution 2D‐LC MS/MS analysis of individual murine samples, we report the most comprehensive proteome characterization of individual murine CSF to date. We identified a total of 566 unique proteins, including 128 proteins from three individual CSF samples that have been previously identified in brain tissue. Our methods and analysis provide a mechanism for individual murine CSF proteome analysis. The data are available in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000248 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000248).
Investigation on the mechanical behavior of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel membrane under compression in the assembly process of microfluidic system
Authors: Zhao Weiwei , Liu Changqing , Wu Fengshun , Lenardi Cristina
Published: February 2014

A microfluidic system with an inserted membrane assembled using mechanical fastening process is described. The membrane is made of a biocompatible water swollen poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel thin film as a sealing component. The hyperelastic characteristics of PHEMA membrane under the compression during fastening are investigated through numerical simulations, including strain and Von Mises stress distribution, and potential fracture in correlation with the microchannel's geometry and dimensions. To validate the modeling, the experiments have also been conducted to visualize the deformation induced in membrane and internal stress distribution using 3D optical measuring system. The results from this study have revealed the implications in connection with the mechanical behavior of the PHEMA membranes in the assembly of microfluidic system through mechanical fastening technique. This will ultimately assist to produce a guideline for the optimum design of microchannels in the uses of PHEMA membranes and associated assembly process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 485–495
How language affects peer responsiveness in an online cancer support group: implications for treatment design and facilitation
Authors: Lewallen Andrea C. , Owen Jason E. , Bantum Erin O'Carroll , Stanton Annette L.
Published: February 2014

Objective

Little is known about how positive group interactions develop in online support groups. Previous research suggests that message content, self‐disclosure, and emotional expression may be central to this process. The purpose of this study was to identify linguistic and qualitative characteristics of participants' messages that predict how other participants respond in an asynchronous discussion board for cancer‐related distress.

Methods

525 discussion board messages posted by 116 participants in the health‐space.net trial were collected. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (2001) was used to identify linguistic markers of emotional expression and pronoun use. Message topics were identified using qualitative analysis. Logistic regression and chi‐square analyses were used to evaluate whether linguistic characteristics and message topics predicted receiving a response from other survivors in the online group.

Results

Messages were more likely to receive a reply if they had higher word count, OR = 1.30, p = 0.001, or fewer second‐person pronouns, OR = 0.923, p = 0.040. Messages with high levels of positive emotion were less likely to receive a reply, OR = 0.94, p = 0.03. Common message topics related to self‐disclosure (51%), the support group (38.5%), medical experiences (30.9%), and experiences with the website (30.1%). Several message topics were associated with greater likelihood of a reply: self‐disclosure (p < 0.001), medical experiences (p = 0.01), relationship issues (p = 0.05), and introductory posts (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Informing participants how to introduce themselves to the group (i.e., detailed and self‐focused messages discussing personal issues such as the effects of illness on life and relationships) could promote cohesion and enhance overall engagement with Internet‐based support groups or interventions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colloidal Silica Rods: Material Properties and Fluorescent Labeling
Authors: Kuijk Anke , Imhof Arnout , Verkuijlen Margriet H. W. , Besseling Thijs H. , van Eck Ernst R. H. , van Blaaderen Alfons
Published: February 2014

In this paper, the characterization and fluorescent labeling of silica rods are reported. These rods are synthesized following a recently reported method. Material properties of the silica rods measured with NMR, elemental analysis, TGA, and porosimetry are compared with those of well‐established Stöber silica spheres. Additionally, silica rods are made suitable for quantitative real‐space studies by confocal microscopy. Several methods of fluorescent labeling to prepare rods with different fluorescent patterning, ranging from uniform fluorescence levels to gradients from one rod‐end to the other, and even patterns of several colors are presented and discussed.
Structural biology of the IL‐1 superfamily: Key cytokines in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses
Authors: Krumm Brian , Xiang Yan , Deng Junpeng
Published: February 2014

Interleukin‐1 superfamily of cytokines (IL‐1, IL‐18, IL‐33) play key roles in inflammation and regulating immunity. The mechanisms of agonism and antagonism in the IL‐1 superfamily have been pursued by structural biologists for nearly 20 years. New insights into these mechanisms were recently provided by the crystal structures of the ternary complexes of IL‐1β and its receptors. We will review here the structural biology related to receptor recognition by IL‐1 superfamily cytokines and the regulation of its cytokine activities by antagonists.
Influence of growth temperature on the morphology and luminescence of Ga2O3:Mn nanowires
Authors: Gonzalo Alicia , Nogales Emilio , Méndez Bianchi , Piqueras Javier
Published: February 2014

Mn doped β‐Ga2O3 nanowires have been obtained by a thermal evaporation method on a gallium oxide substrate. The growth temperature has been varied in the range 1300–1500 °C. The morphology of the resulting structures has been found to depend on this temperature, as observed in the images obtained with scanning electron microscopy. The structures grown on the sample at 1500 °C are both isolated microrods and interconnected rods. At lower temperatures, 1300 and 1400 °C, nanowires with widths of about 100 nm and stair‐shaped microcrystals were found. Raman analysis demonstrates that both nanowires and microrods present the β‐Ga2O3 crystal structure. In addition, Mn related light emission has been found to depend on the growth temperature. The assessment of luminescence properties have been carried out by cathodoluminescence analysis. The results show an intense orange emission in the nanowires and green emission in the microrods. These bands are associated to the manganese ions incorporated into the gallium oxide crystal lattice.
Spin relaxation in Cu and Al spin conduits
Authors: Motzko Nils , Richter Nils , Burkhardt Björn , Reeve Robert , Laczkowski Piotr , Vila Laurent , Attané Jean‐Philippe , Kläui Mathias
Published: February 2014

We study the spin relaxation in Al and Cu spin conduits embedded in non‐local spin valve nanostructures. Measuring the key spin transport properties, we determine the spin and charge diffusion constants as well as the spin flip time. By varying the temperature, we find that the maximum of the non‐local spin resistance change occurs at finite temperatures with a clear difference between Al and Cu. In particular, we find that the maximum of the non‐local spin signal in Al is less pronounced and occurs at lower temperatures compared to Cu suggesting that the self‐passivating Al surface plays a role. Having fabricated devices with both materials in identical processes, we can attribute the differences unambiguously to the differences in the spin current conduit materials properties rather than the fabrication process.
Growth of Ru–SiO2 underlayer for Co72Pt28–SiO2 nanocomposite films
Authors: Tang Rujun , Ho Pin
Published: February 2014

The effects of sputter growth conditions of Ru–SiO2 under‐layer (hereafter referred as Rut layer) on the microstructure of this layer were studied. The effects of growth conditions of the Rut layer on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the Co72Pt28–SiO2 top layer were further investigated. Results show that increasing SiO2 content in the Rut layer deteriorates slightly the texture of Ru grains in this layer generally. The high‐pressure (1.3 Pa) deposition can better protect the texture of Ru than low‐pressure (0.4 Pa) deposition with SiO2 addition. Furthermore, high‐pressure deposition of Rut layer with low SiO2 content produces better texture of Co72Pt28 than low pressure. The sizes of Ru grains and Co72Pt28 grains decrease with increasing SiO2 content. A high‐pressure deposition of Rut layer further reduces the grain size of Co72Pt28. Both the coercivity and the remanence ratio of Co72Pt28 layer decrease when SiO2 content in the Rut layer exceeds 10 vol.%. High‐pressure deposition of Rut layer results in a higher coercivity and remanence ratio of Co72Pt28 layer than those with low‐pressure depositions. The above results show that the grain size of Co72Pt28 can be reduced without sacrificing its magnetic properties at small SiO2 content.
Mn2+‐induced room‐temperature ferromagnetism and spin‐glass behavior in hydrothermally grown Mn‐doped ZnO nanorods
Authors: Vinod R. , Bushiri M. Junaid , Sajan P. , Achary Sreekumar Rajappan , Muñoz‐Sanjosé Vicente
Published: February 2014

The magnetic properties of Mn‐doped ZnO (ZnO:Mn) nanorods grown by hydrothermal process at a temperature of 200 °C and a growth time of 3 h have been studied. The samples were characterized by using powder X‐ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and SQUID magnetometry. Mn (3 wt%) and (5 wt%)‐doped ZnO samples exhibit paramagnetic and ferromagnetic behavior, respectively, at room temperature. The spin‐glass behavior is observed from the samples with respect to the decrease of temperature. At 10 K, both samples exhibit a hysteresis loop with relatively low coercivity. The room‐temperature ferromagnetism in 5 wt% Mn‐doped ZnO nanorods is attributed to the increase in the specific area of grain boundaries, interaction between dopant Mn2+ ions substituted at Zn2+ site and the interaction between Mn2+ ions and Zn2+ ions from the ZnO host lattice.

M–H curve of hydrothermally grown ZnO:Mn (3 wt%) and ZnO:Mn (5 wt%) nanorods at 10 K.
Orthogonal multicarrier modulations in satellite uplinks
Authors: Rosati Stefano , Corazza Giovanni E. , Vanelli‐Coralli Alessandro
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we analyze Orthogonal Frequency‐Division Multiple Access and Single‐Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access as alternative physical layer schemes for the up‐link of a satellite network. Both orthogonal frequency‐division multiple access and single‐carrier frequency division multiple access are orthogonal multicarrier modulations (MCMs). They provide a higher spectral efficiency than the single‐carrier modulations employed today in satellite networks. Unfortunately, MCMs are also more vulnerable to nonlinear distortion, phase noise, and synchronization errors. This has prevented, so far, the use of MCMs in satellite uplinks, where these impairments are very critical. In our analysis, we show that a well‐design MCM system can effectively provide reliable communications in satellite uplinks, even in the presence of nonlinear distortion, phase noise, and synchronization errors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Layer‐by‐Layer Nanoparticles as an Efficient siRNA Delivery Vehicle for SPARC Silencing
Authors: Tan Yang Fei , Mundargi Raghavendra C. , Chen Min Hui Averil , Lessig Jacqueline , Neu Björn , Venkatraman Subbu S. , Wong Tina T.
Published: February 2014

Efficient and safe delivery systems for siRNA therapeutics remain a challenge. Elevated secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine (SPARC) protein expression is associated with tissue scarring and fibrosis. Here we investigate the feasibility of encapsulating SPARC‐siRNA in the bilayers of layer‐by‐layer (LbL) nanoparticles (NPs) with poly(L‐arginine) (ARG) and dextran (DXS) as polyelectrolytes. Cellular binding and uptake of LbL NPs as well as siRNA delivery were studied in FibroGRO cells. siGLO‐siRNA and SPARC‐siRNA were efficiently coated onto hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. The multilayered NPs were characterized with regard to particle size, zeta potential and surface morphology using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The SPARC‐gene silencing and mRNA levels were analyzed using ChemiDOC western blot technique and RT‐PCR. The multilayer SPARC‐siRNA incorporated nanoparticles are about 200 nm in diameter and are efficiently internalized into FibroGRO cells. Their intracellular fate was also followed by tagging with suitable reporter siRNA as well as with lysotracker dye; confocal microscopy clearly indicates endosomal escape of the particles. Significant (60%) SPARC‐gene knock down was achieved by using 0.4 pmole siRNA/μg of LbL NPs in FibroGRO cells and the relative expression of SPARC mRNA reduced significantly (60%) against untreated cells. The cytotoxicity as evaluated by xCelligence real‐time cell proliferation and MTT cell assay, indicated that the SPARC‐siRNA‐loaded LbL NPs are non‐toxic. In conclusion, the LbL NP system described provides a promising, safe and efficient delivery platform as a non‐viral vector for siRNA delivery that uses biopolymers to enhance the gene knock down efficiency for the development of siRNA therapeutics.
Displacement estimation of nonlinear structures using the force analogy method
Authors: Li Gang , Li Hong‐Nan , Zhang Yu
Published: February 2014

Significant effort has gone toward developing accurate and efficient displacement estimation procedures for the nonlinear multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) system. Although the dynamic nonlinear analysis is capable of providing the high computational precision through the step‐by‐step time integration method, the simplified method is still expected and imperative for seismic design practices. The work presented in this paper focuses on the implementation of using the modal superposition method to estimate displacement responses of the nonlinear MDOF system based on the force analogy method (FAM). The current research demonstrated that the equation of motion for the nonlinear MDOF system can be decoupled, but other two governing equations in the FAM about the internal force, such as the moment and force of structural members, are not decomposable. Thus, the FAM is incorporated with the modal pushover analysis (MPA) method to determine the basic parameters of each mode such that the modal superposition method can be suitable for the solution of the nonlinear MDOF system. The procedure presented here is an approximately estimation method due to the application of MPA method. However, the value and potential for the maximum displacement estimation of the nonlinear MDOF system were demonstrated through the application in a framed structure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of chlorthiophos using micronucleus, chromosome aberration, sister chromatid exchange, and Ames tests
Authors: Akyıl Dilek , Konuk Muhsin
Published: February 2014

Potential mutagenic and genotoxic effects of Chlorthiophos, an organophosphate pesticide, were evaluated using four standard assays. Five different concentrations of the pesticide were tested by an Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102, with and without S9 metabolic activation. No concentrations of Chlorthiophos showed mutagenic activity on the TA97, TA100, and TA102 strains, with and without S9 fraction, but were all mutagenic to the TA98 strain without S9. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA), and micronucleus (MN) tests were used to investigate the genotoxic effects of Chlorthiophos in human peripheral lymphocytes treated with 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL concentrations of Chlorthiophos for 24 and 48 h. The nuclear division index (NDI), replication index (RI), and mitotic index (MI) were also calculated to determine the cytotoxicity of Chlorthiophos. No increase in SCE frequency was seen for any treatment period or concentration, but Chlorthiophos at 200 µg/mL increased the frequency of CAs. Increases in MN formation were only observed at Chlorthiophos concentrations of 200 µg/mL following 24 and 48 h treatments. Chlorthiophos treatment reduced the MI and NDI significantly, but had no effect on the RI. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 937–945, 2015.
The potential of microblogs for the study of public perceptions of climate change
Authors: Auer Matthew R. , Zhang Yuman , Lee Priscilla
Published: February 2014

Microblogs are electronic platforms that convey brief communications posted by users. Keyword searches in popular microblogs, like Twitter, reveal fragments of users' knowledge of and views on issues like climate change. Evaluations of climate change communications in the microblogosphere are rare even compared with the few studies on the impacts of Web sites and blogs on users' perceptions of climate change. However, extant research focuses more often on appraising logic and evidence in microblog discourse than in discovering pathways of influence and impact. The limiting ‘frames’ imposed by strategic users of microblogs and the persuasive power of ‘influencers’ are often depicted as interfering with the open, egalitarian potential of microblogs, and also, as perpetrating bias and misinformation. But oversimplifying or biased framings and pronouncements by celebrities are the stock and trade of microblogs. Good or bad, they are part of a communication medium whose users plunge in to exchange views, to persuade, and to be persuaded. Tweets and posts on any number of issues are fodder for attitudinal analytics and predictive modelling. Tools of the analytical trade should be applied to climate change microblogging, too, considering the sheer number of people who post commentary on this topic, and considering the continuing need to better understand how people view and engage with climate change.

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Perceptions of Climate Change
Generalized fiducial inference
Authors: Iverson Todd
Published: February 2014

Generalized Fiducial Inference provides a recipe for constructing confidence intervals as well as tools for establishing the asymptotically correct coverage of many of these intervals. Confidence intervals based on the generalized fiducial framework have been applied to a wide range of problems, many of which lack exact pivots, and these intervals have exhibited excellent asymptotic and small sample performance. Generalized fiducial inference has also been used for model selection and simultaneous inference. In this article, the generalized fiducial framework is presented along with important results and applications. In the process, simple examples are used to illustrate the intuition behind and the application of the framework and its tools.WIREs Comput Stat2014, 6:132–143. doi: 10.1002/wics.1291

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bayesian Methods and Theory
Deadenylation: enzymes, regulation, and functional implications
Authors: Yan Yong‐Bin
Published: February 2014

Lengths of the eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) poly(A) tails are dynamically changed by the opposing effects of poly(A) polymerases and deadenylases. Modulating poly(A) tail length provides a highly regulated means to control almost every stage of mRNA lifecycle including transcription, processing, quality control, transport, translation, silence, and decay. The existence of diverse deadenylases with distinct properties highlights the importance of regulating poly(A) tail length in cellular functions. The deadenylation activity can be modulated by subcellular locations of the deadenylases, cis‐acting elements in the target mRNAs, trans‐acting RNA‐binding proteins, posttranslational modifications of deadenylase and associated factors, as well as transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the deadenylase genes. Among these regulators, the physiological functions of deadenylases are largely dependent on the interactions with the trans‐acting RNA‐binding proteins, which recruit deadenylases to the target mRNAs. The task of these RNA‐binding proteins is to find and mark the target mRNAs based on their sequence features. Regulation of the regulators can switch on or switch off deadenylation and thereby destabilize or stabilize the targeted mRNAs, respectively. The distinct domain compositions and cofactors provide various deadenylases the structural basis for the recruitments by distinct RNA‐binding protein subsets to meet dissimilar cellular demands. The diverse deadenylases, the numerous types of regulators, and the reversible posttranslational modifications together make up a complicated network to precisely regulate intracellular mRNA homeostasis. This review will focus on the diverse regulators of various deadenylases and will discuss their functional implications, remaining problems, and future challenges.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Splicing factor mutations and cancer
Authors: Yoshida Kenichi , Ogawa Seishi
Published: February 2014

Recent advances in high‐throughput sequencing technologies have unexpectedly revealed that somatic mutations of splicing factor genes frequently occurred in several types of hematological malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes, other myeloid neoplasms, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Splicing factor mutations have also been reported in solid cancers such as breast and pancreatic cancers, uveal melanomas, and lung adenocarcinomas. These mutations were heterozygous and mainly affected U2AF1 (U2AF35), SRSF2 (SC35), SF3B1 (SF3B155 or SAP155), and ZRSR2 (URP), which are engaged in the initial steps of RNA splicing, including 3′ splice‐site recognition, and occur in a large mutually exclusive pattern, suggesting a common impact of these mutations on RNA splicing. In this study, splicing factor mutations in various types of cancers, their functional/biological effects, and their potential as therapeutic targets have been reviewed. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:445–459. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1222

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms
Do digestive contents confound body mass as a measure of relative condition in nestling songbirds?
Authors: Streby Henry M. , Peterson Sean M. , Lehman Justin A. , Kramer Gunnar R. , Vernasco Ben J. , Andersen David E.
Published: February 2014

Relative nestling condition, typically measured as nestling mass or as an index including nestling mass, is commonly purported to correlate with fledgling songbird survival. However, most studies directly investigating fledgling survival have found no such relationship. We weighed feces and stomach contents of nestling golden‐winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) to investigate the potential contribution of variation in digestive contents to differences in nestling mass. We estimated that the mass of a seventh‐day (near fledging) nestling golden‐winged warbler varies by 0.65 g (approx. 9% of mean nestling mass) depending on the contents of the nestling's digestive system at the time of weighing, and that digestive contents are dissimilar among nestlings at any moment the brood is removed from the nest for weighing. Our conservative estimate of within‐individual variation in digestive contents equals 72% and 24% of the mean within‐brood and population‐wide range in nestling mass, respectively. Based on our results, a substantive but typically unknown amount of the variation in body mass among nestlings is confounded by differences in digestive contents. We conclude that short‐term variation in digestive contents likely precludes the use of body mass, and therefore any mass‐dependent index, as a measure of relative nestling condition or as a predictor of survival in golden‐winged warblers and likely in many other songbirds of similar size. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Tetrakis(4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole)platinum(II) Salts: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties
Authors: Carpenter Julia A. , Dshemuchadse Julia , Busato Stephan , Bräunlich Irene , Pöthig Alexander , Caseri Walter
Published: February 2014

Transparent crystals comprising the nitrogen‐rich co­ordination unit [Pt(NH2trz)4]2+ were synthesized with counterions of various sizes but of the same charge (–1), yielding the compounds [Pt(NH2trz)4]Cl2·2H2O, [Pt(NH2trz)4](NO3)2 and [Pt(NH2trz)4](CF3SO3)2, with NH2trz designating 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that NH2trz coordinates with only the nitrogen atom in 1‐position in all compounds. The [Pt(NH2trz)4]2+ units are stacked such that the platinum atoms form linear arrays with Pt–Pt spacings mostly uncorrelated to anion size. The compound with the smallest anion (Cl–) has the smallest Pt–Pt spacing (4.72 Å) and shows a quasi‐one‐dimensional structure. Thermal decomposition of the compounds was observed around 200 °C. Electrical conductivity of [Pt(NH2trz)4]Cl2 and [Pt(NH2trz)4](SO3CF3)2 was investigated and found to be humidity‐dependent. Finally, [Pt(NH2trz)4]2+ ions obtained by dissolution of the chloride salt are shown to be useful for the synthesis of new compounds such as the Magnus' salt derivative [Pt(NH2trz)4][PtCl4].
A Partially Fluorinated Three‐fold Interpenetrated Stable Metal‐Organic Framework with Selective CO2 Uptake
Authors: Santra Atanu , Lah Myoung Soo , Bharadwaj Parimal K.
Published: February 2014

The hydrothermal reaction of Zn(NO3)2·H2O and a linear 2, 2′‐bis‐trifluoromethyl‐biphenyl‐4, 4′‐dicarboxylic acid (H2L) ligand with –CF3 groups at each phenyl moiety of the biphenyl rings leads to the formation of a three‐fold interpenetrated metal‐organic framework (MOF), {[Zn2.66O0.66(L)2]·2H2O}n (1) at 180 °C. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that 1 is constructed from polynuclear clusters [Zn4O(COO)6] as secondary building units (SBU). These SBU are connected through the L2– to generate an overall three‐dimensional structure with a 6‐connected primitive cuboidal (α‐Po) network. Thermogravimetric analyses and variable temperature powder X‐ray diffraction measurements suggested that 1 is thermally stable. The porosity of 1 was estimated by N2, CO2, H2, and CH4 at different temperatures. The framework showed high selectivity of CO2 uptake over N2 and CH4. Furthermore, solid‐state photoluminescence studies were carried out for complex 1 upon excitation at 275 nm at room temperature.
Ba1–xRbxFe2As2 and Generic Phase Behavior of Hole‐doped 122‐Type Superconductors
Authors: Peschke Simon , Stürzer Tobias , Johrendt Dirk
Published: February 2014

The solid solution Ba1–xRbxFe2As2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was synthesized by solid state reactions and characterized by X‐ray powder and single crystal diffraction. The compounds crystallize in the ThCr2Si2‐type structure (space group I4/mmm) and contain layers of edge‐sharing FeAs4/4‐tetrahedra without bonds between the layers. Rubidium substitution decreases the temperature of the structural phase transition in BaFe2As2 (I4/mmm → Fmmm) until the orthorhombic distortion is completely suppressed at x = 0.33. Superconductivity already emerges at x = 0.15, reaches the highest critical temperature of 37.5 K close to x = 0.4 and exists up to x = 1. The Tc(x) phase diagram of Ba1–xRbxFe2As2 is remarkably similar to those of Ba1–xKxFe2As2 and Ba1–xNaxFe2As2 in spite of opposing volume effects. The highest critical temperature coincides with an almost ideal As–Fe–As bond angle (109.5°) in the FeAs4‐tetrahedra. The reduced critical temperatures Tc/Tc, max of the so far known hole‐doped 122‐type superconductors exhibit a generic behavior, where the highest transition temperatures occur near 0.19 holes per iron, which is comparable to the hole‐doped copper‐oxides, where the maximum is near 0.16 holes per copper. Such remarkably similar values in the two classes of high‐Tc superconductors may not be fortuitous, and suggest parallels of both systems concerning the unresolved mechanism of unconventional superconductivity.
Use of ultrasonography in developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Õmeroğlu Hakan
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Ultrasonography has been used as a diagnostic tool in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) during early infancy since the early 1980s. The aim of this review article is to summarise the technique, benefits and shortcomings of four infantile hip ultrasonography methods, focusing mainly on the Graf method, and to assess the effectiveness of ultrasonographic newborn hip screening programmes.

Methods

Several infantile hip ultrasonography methods have been defined to assess the relationship between the femoral head and acetabulum. The Graf, Harcke, Terjesen and Suzuki methods are the universally known ones. The Graf method is composed of a quantitative classification system, while the Harcke and Suzuki methods have qualitative definitions and the Terjesen method contains both quantitative and qualitative descriptions.

Results

Although the results of several studies assessing the sensitivity and consistency of the ultrasonography methods have still not proven a clear dominance of one of these techniques, the primary advantage of the Graf method is that it has a standardised examination technique, as well as a very well defined numeric hip typing system. The importance of newborn hip screening has been universally accepted, but there is still no strong evidence regarding the superiority of either universal (screening of all newborns) or selective (screening of high-risk newborns) ultrasonographic newborn hip screening programmes.

Conclusions

An effective ultrasonographic method should include simple, precise, quantitative and consistent definitions for a proper examination and diagnosis. Both universal and selective ultrasonographic newborn hip screening programmes have significantly decreased the rate of late detected DDH and lessened the need for surgical treatment.
Lessons from a BACE1 inhibitor trial: Off‐site but not off base
Authors: Lahiri Debomoy K. , Maloney Bryan , Long Justin M. , Greig Nigel H.
Published: February 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by formation of neuritic plaque primarily composed of a small filamentous protein called amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ). The rate‐limiting step in the production of Aβ is the processing of Aβ precursor protein (APP) by β‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme (BACE1). Hence, BACE1 activity plausibly plays a rate‐limiting role in the generation of potentially toxic Aβ within brain and the development of AD, thereby making it an interesting drug target. A phase II trial of the promising LY2886721 inhibitor of BACE1 was suspended in June 2013 by Eli Lilly and Co., due to possible liver toxicity. This outcome was apparently a surprise to the study's team, particularly since BACE1 knockout mice and mice treated with the drug did not show such liver toxicity. Lilly proposed that the problem was not due to LY2886721 anti‐BACE1 activity. We offer an alternative hypothesis, whereby anti‐BACE1 activity may induce apparent hepatotoxicity through inhibiting BACE1's processing of β‐galactoside α‐2,6‐sialyltransferase I (STGal6 I). In knockout mice, paralogues, such as BACE2 or cathepsin D, could partially compensate. Furthermore, the short duration of animal studies and short lifespan of study animals could mask effects that would require several decades to accumulate in humans. Inhibition of hepatic BACE1 activity in middle‐aged humans would produce effects not detectable in mice. We present a testable model to explain the off‐target effects of LY2886721 and highlight more broadly that so‐called off‐target drug effects might actually represent off‐site effects that are not necessarily off‐target. Consideration of this concept in forthcoming drug design, screening, and testing programs may prevent such failures in the future.
Value Creation and Sport Management
Authors: Gómez Sandalio , Kase Kimio , Urrutia Ignacio
Published: February 2014

The sports business has become one of the fastest-growing industries in recent years. Sports organizations now have the potential to generate massive amounts of revenue through a variety of different channels, including broadcasting rights, advertising and branding. However, the rise of sports-related business has so far received relatively little attention from management scholars and social scientists. This book argues that we can no longer afford to ignore this important economic and social phenomenon. It presents a conceptual framework based on the concept of value creation to show how we can understand and explain the success and failure of sports organizations. Key concepts are illustrated with case studies of sporting organizations, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and the Americas Cup. Written by a team of authors from one of Spain's leading business schools, it provides a unique set of theoretical and practical insights for researchers and sports organization managers.
Clairvoyance
Authors: Leadbeater Charles Webster
Published: February 2014

Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854–1934), ordained an Anglican priest in 1879, developed interests in spiritualism and occultism (then highly fashionable), and by the mid-1880s was a leading figure in the recently-founded Theosophical Society. He travelled to India, North America and eventually Australia on the Society's business, his influence only temporarily dented by a furore in 1906–8 involving allegations of child abuse. Leadbeater believed he was clairvoyant, and his many writings include this book, first published in 1899 and reissued here in a fifth edition marking the Theosophical Society's Diamond Jubilee in 1935. Leadbeater primarily addresses readers convinced of the existence of clairvoyance and familiar with theosophical terms. He argues that the 'power to see what is hidden from ordinary physical sight' is an extension of normal perception, and describes a wide range of phenomena including intentional and unintentional clairvoyance, premonitions, telepathy, and 'seeing' the past and the future.
Theoderic and the Roman Imperial Restoration
Authors: Arnold Jonathan J.
Published: February 2014

This book provides a new interpretation of the fall of the Roman Empire and the 'barbarian' kingdom known conventionally as Ostrogothic Italy. Relying primarily on Italian textual and material evidence, and in particular the works of Cassiodorus and Ennodius, Jonathan J. Arnold argues that contemporary Italo-Romans viewed the Ostrogothic kingdom as the Western Roman Empire and its 'barbarian' king, Theoderic (r.489/93–526), as its emperor. Investigating conceptions of Romanness, Arnold explains how the Roman past, both immediate and distant, allowed Theoderic and his Goths to find acceptance in Italy as Romans, with roles essential to the Empire's perceived recovery. Theoderic and the Roman Imperial Restoration demonstrates how Theoderic's careful attention to imperial traditions, good governance, and reconquest followed by the re-Romanization of lost imperial territories contributed to contemporary sentiments of imperial resurgence and a golden age. There was no need for Justinian to restore the Western Empire: Theoderic had already done so.
Bibliotheca Anglo-Judaica
Authors: Jacobs Joseph , Wolf Lucien
Published: February 2014

The pogroms in Russia following the assassination of Alexander II led many Jewish scholars in Europe to examine closely the history and culture of their people. In England, journalist and historian Lucien Wolf (1857–1930) and writer and folklorist Joseph Jacobs (1854–1916) were among those to write articles on the situation in Russia, and also on the wider history of European Judaism. In particular, they were both interested in the chequered history of the Jews in England, and following the successful Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition of 1887 (whose catalogue is also reissued in this series) they jointly compiled this important bibliography. Published in 1888, it was an attempt to list for the first time published works concerned with Judaism in England. Also including entries on manuscripts dating back to the reign of Henry III, this remains an essential resource for students of Anglo-Jewish history.
De l'histoire considérée comme science
Authors: Lacombe Paul
Published: February 2014

Paul Lacombe (1834–1919) had a varied career as a historian, senior official and general inspector of libraries and archives. He was one of the most brilliant minds of his day: in 1859 he graduated as first in his class from the elite École Nationale des Chartes, and he was made Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1887. In 1894, Lacombe published this groundbreaking work, which put him at the heart of the debate about l'histoire science - history served by scientific inquiry - at a time of intense controversy among historians and sociologists. Lacombe insisted on the need for the historian to make strict selections of evidence and to establish a hierarchy among facts. He also laid the foundations of a history which brings social and economic factors to the forefront of investigation. The book remains important and relevant to historians, sociologists and ethnologists.
Byzantine Art and Diplomacy in an Age of Decline
Authors: Hilsdale Cecily J.
Published: February 2014

The Late Byzantine period (1261–1453) is marked by a paradoxical discrepancy between economic weakness and cultural strength. The apparent enigma can be resolved by recognizing that later Byzantine diplomatic strategies, despite or because of diminishing political advantage, relied on an increasingly desirable cultural and artistic heritage. This book reassesses the role of the visual arts in this era by examining the imperial image and the gift as reconceived in the final two centuries of the Byzantine Empire. In particular it traces a series of luxury objects created specifically for diplomatic exchange with such courts as Genoa, Paris and Moscow alongside key examples of imperial imagery and ritual. By questioning how political decline refigured the visual culture of empire, Dr Hilsdale offers a more nuanced and dynamic account of medieval cultural exchange that considers the temporal dimensions of power and the changing fates of empires.