bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytokine profile and clinical correlates in HIV-exposed infants with severe (hypoxic) pneumonia
Authors: Green Robin , Terclanche A , Becker P , Rheeder P , Wittenberg D F , Anderson R , Masekela R
Published: March 2016

Introduction. Severe pneumonia in infants who are HIV-infected is a common problem in many parts of the developing world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. What has been missing from previous studies of severe pneumonia in HIV-infected infants, however, is a description of the host inflammatory response and cytokine/chemokine profile that accompanies this disease.

Objective. To describe the cytokine profiles associated with severe hypoxic pneumonia in HIV-infected infants

Methods. In a cohort of HIV-infected children diagnosed clinically with severe hypoxic pneumonia, paired serum and sputum cytokines were tested. A control group of HIV-infected children with bronchiectasis contributed matching controls.

Results. A total of 100 infants (mean age 2.8 months) with a clinical diagnosis of severe hypoxic pneumonia were included in this study. IP-10 was markedly elevated in both sputum (mean 560.77pg/ml) and serum (mean 9091.14pg/ml), while IP-10 was elevated in serum (mean 39.55 pg/ml), with both these cytokines being significantly higher than in stable children with HIV-related bronchiectasis.

Conclusion. This study of HIV-infected infants with severe hypoxic pneumonia suggests that IL-10 and IP-10 are associated with more severe lung disease. However, further investigation of this association is required.
Design Studies in Canada?
Authors: McLean Knapp Sarah
Published: March 2016

Dans ce bref article, nous traçons l’histoire de l’enseignement du design au Canada pendant les quarante dernières années et la comparons avec celle au Royaume-Uni, où l’on a assisté à une croissance significative des études du design et des programmes d’histoire du design. Nous soutenons qu’il est impératif de créer de nouveaux programmes d’études du design au Canada afin, d’une part, de renforcer l’éducation pratique en design et, de l’autre, de retenir les jeunes chercheurs et chercheures.
Hazen Edward Sise and the History of Modern Architecture at McGill, 1949–1957
Authors: Valen Dustin
Published: March 2016

Engagé en 1949 par l’Université McGill pour donner le cours sur l’histoire de l’architecture moderne, l’architecte natif de Montréal Hazen Edward Sise (1906–1974) prôna à ses étudiants et étudiantes les vertus du modernisme et leur décria le retard de l’architecture canadienne. Formé dans l’atelier de Le Corbusier et engagé dans la guerre d’Espagne, son expérience immédiate du mouvement moderne et ses opinions politiques influèrent grandement sur son enseignement. Faisant écho à une poignée d’historiens modernes novateurs dont la représentation tautologique du passé cherchait à revitaliser l’architecture du XXe siècle, Sise enseigna l’histoire comme une forme d’instruction pratique, ambitionnant ainsi la transformation de l’architecture canadienne au travers de ses futurs praticiens.
Transglutaminase 2 contributes to a TP53-induced autophagy program to prevent oncogenic transformation
Authors: Yeo Shi Yun , Itahana Yoko , Guo Alvin Kunyao , Han Rachel , Iwamoto Kozue , Nguyen Hung Thanh , Bao Yi , Kleiber Kai , Wu Ya Jun , Bay Boon Huat , Voorhoeve Mathijs , Itahana Koji
Published: March 2016

Genetic alterations which impair the function of the TP53 signaling pathway in TP53 wild-type human tumors remain elusive. To identify new components of this pathway, we performed a screen for genes whose loss-of-function debilitated TP53 signaling and enabled oncogenic transformation of human mammary epithelial cells. We identified transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) as a putative tumor suppressor in the TP53 pathway. TGM2 suppressed colony formation in soft agar and tumor formation in a xenograft mouse model. The depletion of growth supplements induced both TGM2 expression and autophagy in a TP53-dependent manner, and TGM2 promoted autophagic flux by enhancing autophagic protein degradation and autolysosome clearance. Reduced expression of both CDKN1A, which regulates the cell cycle downstream of TP53, and TGM2 synergized to promote oncogenic transformation. Our findings suggest that TGM2-mediated autophagy and CDKN1A-mediated cell cycle arrest are two important barriers in the TP53 pathway that prevent oncogenic transformation.
Epigenomic landscapes of retinal rods and cones
Authors: Mo Alisa , Luo Chongyuan , Davis Fred P , Mukamel Eran A , Henry Gilbert L , Nery Joseph R , Urich Mark A , Picard Serge , Lister Ryan , Eddy Sean R , Beer Michael A , Ecker Joseph R , Nathans Jeremy
Published: March 2016

Rod and cone photoreceptors are highly similar in many respects but they have important functional and molecular differences. Here, we investigate genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility in mouse rods and cones and correlate differences in these features with gene expression, histone marks, transcription factor binding, and DNA sequence motifs. Loss of NR2E3 in rods shifts their epigenomes to a more cone-like state. The data further reveal wide differences in DNA methylation between retinal photoreceptors and brain neurons. Surprisingly, we also find a substantial fraction of DNA hypo-methylated regions in adult rods that are not in active chromatin. Many of these regions exhibit hallmarks of regulatory regions that were active earlier in neuronal development, suggesting that these regions could remain undermethylated due to the highly compact chromatin in mature rods. This work defines the epigenomic landscapes of rods and cones, revealing features relevant to photoreceptor development and function.
The ROCKs on which tumour cells thrive
Authors: Wilkinson Simon , Frame Margaret C
Published: March 2016

A new study reveals that the ROCK proteins play key roles in the formation of tumours in mice.
ON current enhancement of nanowire Schottky barrier tunnel field effect transistors
Authors: Takei Kohei , Hashimoto Shuichiro , Sun Jing , Zhang Xu , Asada Shuhei , Xu Taiyu , Matsukawa Takashi , Masahara Meishoku , Watanabe Takanobu
Published: March 2016

Silicon nanowire Schottky barrier tunnel field effect transistors (NW-SBTFETs) are promising structures for high performance devices. In this study, we fabricated NW-SBTFETs to investigate the effect of nanowire structure on the device characteristics. The NW-SBTFETs were operated with a backgate bias, and the experimental results demonstrate that the ON current density is enhanced by narrowing the width of the nanowire. We confirmed using the Fowler–Nordheim plot that the drain current in the ON state mainly comprises the quantum tunneling component through the Schottky barrier. Comparison with a technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation revealed that the enhancement is attributed to the electric field concentration at the corners of cross-section of the NW. The study findings suggest an effective approach to securing the ON current by Schottky barrier width modulation.
Low-voltage operation of Si-based ferroelectric field effect transistors using organic ferroelectrics, poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene), as a gate dielectric
Authors: Miyata Yusuke , Yoshimura Takeshi , Ashida Atsushi , Fujimura Norifumi
Published: March 2016

Si-based metal–ferroelectric–semiconductor (MFS) capacitors have been fabricated using poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF–TrFE)] as a ferroelectric gate. The pinhole-free P(VDF–TrFE) thin films with high resistivity were able to be prepared by spin-coating directly onto hydrogen-terminated Si. The capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics of the ferroelectric gate field effect transistor (FeFET) using this MFS structure clearly show butterfly-shaped hysteresis originating from the ferroelectricity, indicating carrier modulation on the Si surface at gate voltages below 2 V. The drain current–gate voltage (I
D–V
G) characteristics also show counterclockwise hysteresis at gate voltages below 5 V. This is the first report on the low-voltage operation of a Si-based FeFET using P(VDF–TrFE) as a gate dielectric. This organic gate FeFET without any insulator layer at the ferroelectric/Si interface should be one of the promising devices for overcoming the critical issues of the FeFET, such as depolarization field and a decrease in the gate voltage.
Special features of Fowler–Nordheim stress degradation of SiC-MOSFETs
Authors: Murakami Eiichi , Oda Kazuhiro , Takeshita Tatsuya
Published: March 2016

SiC-MOSFETs have been markedly developed, and the main issues remaining are high-temperature stability and gate-oxide integrity. In this paper, we report special features of I
ds–V
gs and I
g–V
gs characteristics of commercially available SiC-MOSFETs during high-gate-voltage and high-temperature stress. Moreover, we introduce simple analytical models that reveal the effects of the trapped charges on the characteristics. Interface states around the conduction-band edge are suggested to be the key mechanisms of Fowler–Nordheim stress degradation (FN degradation) as well as negative bias temperature instability (NBTI), which affects both mobility and carrier density. Hole trapping is also important in FN degradation as well as NBTI. Near-interfacial electron trapping and detrapping found in positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) is also observed in FN degradation. A continuous I
g increase during FN stress, which is the most specific to SiC-MOSFETs, is related to the observation that near-interfacial electron trapping has little effect on FN tunneling.
Investigation of the optical absorption in Si/SiO2 superlattice for the application to solar cells
Authors: Yamada Shigeru , Konagai Makoto , Miyajima Shinsuke
Published: March 2016

The optical properties of the Si/SiO2 superlattice were investigated on the basis of the optical absorption coefficient. We found that the optical bandgap can be tuned from 1.2 to 2.1 eV by adjusting the annealing temperature and Si layer thickness. Careful structural analyses revealed that the change in optical bandgap is due to the quantum confinement effect.
Diuron tolerance and potential degradation by pelagic microbiomes in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon
Authors: Angly Florent E. , Pantos Olga , Morgan Thomas C. , Rich Virginia , Tonin Hemerson , Bourne David G. , Mercurio Philip , Negri Andrew P. , Tyson Gene W.
Published: March 2016

Diuron is a herbicide commonly used in agricultural areas where excess application causes it to leach into rivers, reach sensitive marine environments like the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon and pose risks to marine life. To investigate the impact of diuron on whole prokaryotic communities that underpin the marine food web and are integral to coral reef health, GBR lagoon water was incubated with diuron at environmentally-relevant concentration (8 µg/L), and sequenced at specific time points over the following year. 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling revealed no significant short- or long-term effect of diuron on microbiome structure. The relative abundance of prokaryotic phototrophs was not significantly altered by diuron, which suggests that they were largely tolerant at this concentration. Assembly of a metagenome derived from waters sampled at a similar location in the GBR lagoon did not reveal the presence of mutations in the cyanobacterial photosystem that could explain diuron tolerance. However, resident phages displayed several variants of this gene and could potentially play a role in tolerance acquisition. Slow biodegradation of diuron was reported in the incubation flasks, but no correlation with the relative abundance of heterotrophs was evident. Analysis of metagenomic reads supports the hypothesis that previously uncharacterized hydrolases carried by low-abundance species may mediate herbicide degradation in the GBR lagoon. Overall, this study offers evidence that pelagic phototrophs of the GBR lagoon may be more tolerant of diuron than other tropical organisms, and that heterotrophs in the microbial seed bank may have the potential to degrade diuron and alleviate local anthropogenic stresses to inshore GBR ecosystems.
Return stroke current reflections in rocket‐triggered lightning
Authors: Caicedo J. A. , Biagi C. , Uman M. A. , Jordan D. M. , Hare B.
Published: March 2016

Ten upward propagating return stroke currents in eight triggered lightning flashes have been observed to reflect downward from 140 to 300 m altitude by way of measurements of the channel base current, close electric field and electric field derivative, and high‐speed video. The current reflections appear as dips in the measured channel base current and in the electric fields and as bipolar pulses in the electric field derivative waveforms. The current dips occur 2.7 to 13.9 μs after the initiation of the return stroke current at ground. The observed phenomenon results from a portion of the upward propagating return stroke current wave being reflected from a channel impedance discontinuity apparently associated with an isolated section of unexploded triggering wire, as inferred from high‐speed video records. A transmission line model is used to model the close electric field and electric field derivative of the postulated initial and reflected current waves, starting with the measured channel base current, and the results are compared favorably with measurements made at 92 to 326 m. From the measured time between the return stroke current initiation at the ground and the time the current reflection reaches the channel base and produces the current dip, along with the reflection height inferred from the video records, we find the average of the upward and downward reflected return stroke current speed for each of the 10 strokes to be between 0.81 and 2.06 × 108 m s−1.
Horizontal distributions of sprites derived from the JEM‐GLIMS nadir observations
Authors: Sato M. , Mihara M. , Adachi T. , Ushio T. , Morimoto T. , Kikuchi M. , Kikuchi H. , Suzuki M. , Yamazaki A. , Takahashi Y. , Inan U. , Linscott I. , Ishida R. , Sakamoto Y. , Yoshida K. , Hobara Y.
Published: March 2016

Global Lightning and Sprite Measurements on Japanese Experiment Module (JEM‐GLIMS) started the nadir observations of lightning discharges and transient luminous events (TLEs) from the International Space Station (ISS) since November 2012. In the nadir observations, JEM‐GLIMS optical instruments have to simultaneously detect incomparably intense lightning emissions and weak TLE emissions. To distinguish TLEs, especially sprite events, from lightning events, combined data analytical methods are adopted: (1) a subtraction of the wideband camera image from the narrowband camera image, (2) a calculation of the intensity ratio between different photometer channels, and (3) an estimation of the polarization and charge moment changes for the TLE‐producing lightning discharges. We succeeded in identifying numbers of sprite events using the combined analytical methods, and here we report three sprite events detected by JEM‐GLIMS as a case study. In the subtracted images, sprite emissions are located over the area of the sprite‐producing lightning emissions. However, these sprites and sprite‐producing lightning discharges did not occur at the nadir point of the ISS. For this reason, the geometry conversion of the sprite and sprite‐producing lightning emissions as observed from the point just over the sprite‐producing lightning discharges is performed. In the geometry‐converted images, the locations of the sprite emissions are clearly displaced by 8–20 km from the peak positions of the sprite‐producing lightning emissions. Thus, the first quantitative spatial distributions of sprites and sprite‐producing lightning discharges from the JEM‐GLIMS nadir observations are revealed.
Ethnoscapes
Authors: Chun Allen
Published: March 2016

Ethnoscape is a term coined by Arjun Appadurai in his essay “Disjuncture and difference in the global cultural economy” (1990). One of five such terms, ethnoscape is defined as “the landscape of persons who constitute the shifting world in which we live: tourists, immigrants, refugees, exiles, guest workers, and other moving groups and individuals constitute an essential feature of the world and appear to affect the politics of (and between) nations to a hitherto unprecedented degree.” As Appadurai continues to explain, “This is not to say that there are no relatively stable communities and networks of kinship, friendship, work, and leisure, as well as of birth, residence, and other filial terms. But it is to say that the warp of these stabilities is everywhere shot through with the woof of human motion, as more persons and groups deal with the realities of having to move or the fantasies of wanting to move …. And as international capital shifts its needs, as production and technology generate different needs, as nation‐states shift their policies on refugee populations, these moving groups can never afford to let their imaginations rest too long, even if they wish to.” Ethnoscapes by nature refer to people in flux.
Informal labor markets
Authors: Paz Lourenco
Published: March 2016

Labor markets can be decomposed into informal and formal labor markets. An informal labor market is the nominal market in which workers looking for a job and employers offering informal jobs meet each other. The workers holding an informal job are called informal workers and are part of the informal labor force. The formal labor market is made of the remaining jobs in the economy, which are called formal jobs.
International surveys, educational
Authors: Rutkowski Leslie , Rutkowski David
Published: March 2016

International large‐scale assessments (ILSAs) are educational tests and auxiliary questionnaires that measure educational achievement and its context in select content domains for prespecified samples of students enrolled in educational systems around the world. In addition to ILSAs, international educational surveys are administered that collect information on contexts, experiences, attitudes, and beliefs but do not measure achievement. The results of both types of studies are used to compare educational systems and to inform policy, practice, and educational research both nationally and internationally.
A Microfluidic Device with Continuous Ligand Gradients in Supported Lipid Bilayers to Probe Effects of Ligand Surface Density and Solution Shear Stress on Pathogen Adhesion
Authors: van Weerd Jasper , Sankaran Shrikrishnan , Roling Oliver , Sukas Sertan , Krabbenborg Sven , Huskens Jurriaan , le Gac Séverine , Ravoo Bart Jan , Karperien Marcel , Jonkheijm Pascal
Published: March 2016

Studying binding interactions involving living cells requires a platform that carefully mimics the physiological parameters that govern these phenomena. Very often the amount of ligands that receptors can bind affect overall binding strength as is the case in cell adhesion. In addition, the physical environment can strongly influence these processes. This is exemplified by the effect of shear stress in catch‐bond‐mediated binding of bacteria. Traditional analysis techniques do not allow to probe these factors simultaneously. To this end, continuous ligand gradients in locked‐in supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are prepared in a microfluidic device to control fluid flow. This platform allows for one‐pot characterization of cell surface binding events and 1) the effect of ligand density and 2) shear stress, simultaneously. The model interaction between the FimH receptor found on Escherichia coli and mannose found on the mammalian cell membrane is used to evaluate the platform. Using a single chip, specific E. coli ORN 178 adhesion (K
d of 0.9 × 10−21 m), detachment and displacement are shown to depend on the mannose‐density and shear stress. For the first time, these effects are studied in a single chip device with high quality. This chip provides entry to further our understanding of other cell–cell interactions.
Growth trajectories in wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada)
Authors: Lu Amy , Bergman Thore J. , McCann Colleen , Stinespring‐Harris Ashley , Beehner Jacinta C.
Published: March 2016

Life history and socioecological factors have been linked to species‐specific patterns of growth across female vertebrates. For example, greater maternal investment in offspring has been associated with more discrete periods of growth and reproduction. However, in primates it has been difficult to test such hypotheses because very few studies have obtained growth measurements from wild populations. Here we utilize a promising noninvasive photogrammetric method—parallel lasers—to examine shoulder‐rump (SR) growth in a wild primate, the gelada (Theropithecus gelada, Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia). In this species, a graminivorous diet coupled with high extrinsic infant mortality risk suggests that maternal investment in neonates is low. Therefore, in contrast with other closely related papionins, we expected female geladas to exhibit less discrete periods of growth and reproduction. For both sexes, we compared size‐for‐age patterns (N = 154 females; N = 110 males) and changes in growth velocity relative to major life history milestones. Female geladas finished 88.5% of SR growth by first sexual swelling, and 97.2% by first reproduction, reaching adult body size by 7.72 years of age. Compared to closely related papionins, gelada females finished more growth by first reproduction, despite producing relatively small, and presumably “cheap,” neonates. Male geladas finished 85.4% of growth at dispersal, and 96.0% at estimated first birth. Contrary to other polygynous primates, males are larger than females because they grow for a longer period of time (not because they grow faster), surpassing females around 6 years of age when female growth slows. Our results demonstrate that parallel lasers are an easy and promising new method that can be used to construct comprehensive life history perspectives that were once out of reach for wild populations. Am. J. Primatol. 78:707–719, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(phenylen) und m‐Terphenyl als starke Schutzgruppen zur Herstellung von stabilen organischen Hydroxiden
Authors: Wright Andrew G. , Weissbach Thomas , Holdcroft Steven
Published: March 2016

Vier Benzimidazoliumhydroxide mit einem C2‐Phenylsubstituenten, der an seinen ortho‐Positionen Wasserstoff‐ oder Bromatome sowie Methyl‐ oder Phenylgruppen trägt, wurden hergestellt, und ihre Hydroxidstabilität wurde quantitativ analysiert. Die Unterschiede der Schutzgruppen hinsichtlich ihrer Stabilität in alkalischen Lösungen wurden mit Kristallstrukturen und Dichtefunktionalrechnungen erklärt. Die höchste Stabilität wurde für m‐Terphenyl‐geschütztes Benzimidazolium ermittelt, das eine Halbwertszeit von 3240 h in 3 m NaOD/CD3OD/D2O bei 80 °C aufwies. Ein Polymeranalog dieser Verbindung mit hohem Molekulargewicht wurde hergestellt, das exzellente mechanische Eigenschaften, eine hohe Ionenaustauschkapazität sowie eine bemerkenswerte Hydroxidstabilität in alkalischen Lösungen aufweist: Nach 168 h in 2 m KOH bei 80 °C wurde nur 5 % Zersetzung ermittelt. Dies ist das bis jetzt stabilste hydroxidleitende Benzimidazoliumpolymer.
A Facile Method for the Synthesis of Binary Tungsten Iodides
Authors: Ströbele Markus , Castro Cristina , Fink Reinhold F. , Meyer H.‐Jürgen
Published: March 2016

The preparation of tungsten iodides in large quantities is a challenge because these compounds are not accessible using an easy synthesis method. A new, remarkably efficient route is based on a halide exchange reaction between WCl6 and SiI4. The reaction proceeds at moderate temperatures in a closed glass vessel. The new compounds W3I12 (W3I8⋅2 I2) and W3I9 (W3I8⋅
 I2) containing the novel [W3I8] cluster are formed at 120 and 150 °C, and remain stable in air. W3I12 is an excellent starting material for the synthesis of other metal‐rich tungsten iodides. At increasing temperature these trinuclear clusters undergo self‐reduction until an octahedral tungsten cluster is formed in W6I12. The synthesis, structure, and an analysis of the bonding of compounds containing this new trinuclear tungsten cluster are presented.
Poly(phenylene) and m‐Terphenyl as Powerful Protecting Groups for the Preparation of Stable Organic Hydroxides
Authors: Wright Andrew G. , Weissbach Thomas , Holdcroft Steven
Published: March 2016

Four benzimidazolium hydroxide compounds, in which the C2‐position is attached to a phenyl group possessing hydrogen, bromine, methyl groups, or phenyl groups at the ortho positions, are prepared and investigated for stability in a quantitative alkaline stability test. The differences between the stability of the various protecting groups in caustic solutions are rationalized on the basis of their crystal structures and DFT calculations. The highest stability was observed for the m‐terphenyl‐protected benzimidazolium, showing a half‐life in 3 m NaOD/CD3OD/D2O at 80 °C of 3240 h. A high‐molecular‐weight polymer analogue of this model compound is prepared that exhibits excellent mechanical properties, high ionic conductivity and ion‐exchange capacity, as well as remarkable hydroxide stability in alkaline solutions: only 5 % degradation after 168 h in 2 m KOH at 80 °C. This is the most stable hydroxide‐conducting benzimidazolium polymer to date.
Dienamine Activation of Diazoenals: Application to the Direct Synthesis of Functionalized 1,4‐Oxazines
Authors: Kalepu Jagadeesh , Katukojvala Sreenivas
Published: March 2016

A novel rhodium‐catalyzed dienamine activation of diazoenals resulted in a new class of γ‐functionalized donor–acceptor dienamines. The synthetic utility of these dienamines has been demonstrated in a cooperative rhodium(II)/Brønsted acid and gold(I)‐catalyzed direct [3+3] annulation of enaldiazo ketones with N‐propargyl anilines, thus leading to highly substituted enal‐functionalized 1,4‐oxazines. The reaction is proposed to involve dienamine activation through the diacceptor rhodium enalcarbenoid NH‐insertion and a gold‐catalyzed intramolecular site‐selective 6‐exo‐dig heterocyclization. The methodology was applied to the efficient synthesis of structurally complex [1,4]oxazino[4,3‐a]quinolone, which is present in the antibacterial agent PNU‐286607.
Immobilized palladium on modified magnetic nanoparticles and study of its catalytic activity in suzuki–miyaura C–C coupling reaction
Authors: Azadi Gouhar , Ghorbani‐Choghamarani Arash
Published: March 2016

A new magnetically reusable nanosolid, Fe3O4@PPCA@Pd(0) (PPCA = piperidine‐4‐carboxylic acid), as a versatile and highly effective catalyst was fabricated and characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and energy‐dispersive spectroscopies and vibrating sample magnetometry. This nanosolid shows great catalytic activity for the synthesis of biphenyl compounds in short reaction times and with high yields. The magnetic character of this catalyst allows retrieval and multiple uses without appreciable loss of its catalytic activity. Our system not only solves the basic problems of catalyst separation and recovery, but also the reactions can be performed in green media. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of Cranial Development in Larval Rana macrocnemis: Chondrocranial Size and Shape Relationship With Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae)
Authors: Yildirim Elıf , Kaya Uğur
Published: March 2016

Notwithstanding the abundance of amphibians, there are few descriptions about ranid cranial development. Herein, larval chondrocranial development of Uludağ frog, Rana macrocnemis (Boulenger, 1885), is described on cleared and double‐stained specimens. Descriptions are related with the ontogeny of the chondrocranium and osteogenesis of the cranial skeleton. The larval chondrocranial development of R. macrocnemis is compared to those of Rana and Pelophylax larvae (Pelophylax bedriagae, Rana pipiens, R. palustris, R. sphenocephala, R. catesbeiana, R. clamitans and R. sylvatica). In R. macrocnemis, the first bones to ossify are the parasphenoid and exoccipital (Stage 33), followed by the frontoparietal and prootic (stages 35 and 40, respectively). The major reconstruction of the chondrocranium begins at Stage 41. The ossification sequence of R. macrocnemis is distinguished from other ranids. Adult cranial osteology of R. macrocnemis is compared to that of P. bedriagae. Osteologically, R. macrocnemis is different from P. bedriagae by the shape and size of the vomer and number of teeth. Additionally, geometric morphometric methods are used to analyze chondrocranial size and shape changes of ranid larva of R. macrocnemis and P. bedriagae. Anat Rec, 299:711–721, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Techno‐economic analysis of biodiesel and ethanol co‐production from lipid‐producing sugarcane
Authors: Huang Haibo , Long Stephen , Singh Vijay
Published: March 2016

Biodiesel production from vegetable oils has progressively increased over the past two decades. However, due to the low amounts of oil produced per hectare from temperate oilseed crops (e.g. soybean), the opportunities for further increasing biodiesel production are limited. Genetically modified lipid‐producing sugarcane (lipid‐cane) possesses great potential for producing biodiesel as an alternative feedstock because of sugarcane's much higher productivity compared with soybean. In this study, techno‐economic models were developed for biodiesel and ethanol coproduction from lipid‐cane, assuming 2, 5, 10, or 20% lipid concentration in the harvested stem (dry mass basis). The models were compared with a conventional soybean biodiesel process model to assess lipid‐cane's competiveness. In the lipid‐cane process model, the extracted lipids were used to produce biodiesel by transesterification, and the remaining sugar was used to produce ethanol by fermentation. The results showed that the biodiesel production cost from lipid‐cane decreased from $0.89/L to $0.59 /L as the lipid content increased from 2 to 20%; this cost was lower than that obtained for soybeans ($1.08/L). The ethanol production costs from lipid‐cane were between $0.40/L and $0.46/L. The internal rate of return (IRR) for the soybean biodiesel process was 15.0%, and the IRR for the lipid‐cane process went from 13.7 to 24.0% as the lipid content increased from 2 to 20%. Because of its high productivity, lipid‐cane with 20% lipid content can produce 6700 L of biodiesel from each hectare of land, whereas soybean can only produce approximately 500 L of biodiesel from each hectare of land. This would indicate that continued efforts to achieve lipid‐producing sugarcane could make large‐scale replacement of fossil‐fuel‐derived diesel without unrealistic demands on land area. © 2016 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Individual Differences in Delay Discounting: Differences are Quantitative with Gains, but Qualitative with Losses
Authors: Myerson Joel , Baumann Ana A. , Green Leonard
Published: March 2016

Research on delay discounting and inter‐temporal choice has yielded significant insights into decision making. Although research has focused on delayed gains, the discounting of losses is potentially important in precisely those areas where the discounting of gains has proved informative (e.g., substance use and abuse). Participants in the current study completed both a questionnaire consisting of choices between immediate and delayed gains and an analogous questionnaire consisting of choices between immediate and delayed losses. For almost all participants, the likelihood of choosing the delayed gain decreased with increases in the wait until it would be received. In contrast, when losses (i.e., payments) were involved, different participants showed quite different patterns of choices. More specifically, although the majority of the participants became increasingly likely to choose to pay later as the delay was increased, some participants appeared to be debt averse, in that they were more likely to choose the immediate payment option when the delay was long than when it was brief. These debt‐averse participants also were more likely to choose to wait for a larger delayed gain than other participants and scored lower on Impulsiveness than those who showed the typical pattern of discounting delayed losses. Taken together, these results suggest that in the case of delayed gains, people differ only quantitatively (i.e., in how steeply they discount), whereas in the case of delayed losses, people differ qualitatively as well as quantitatively, contrary to the common assumption that a single impulsivity trait underlies choices between immediate and delayed outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chimeric spider silk proteins mediated by intein result in artificial hybrid silks
Authors: Lin Senzhu , Chen Gefei , Liu Xiangqin , Meng Qing
Published: March 2016

Hybrid silks hold a great potential as specific biomaterials due to its controlled mechanical properties. To produce fibers with tunable properties, here we firstly made chimeric proteins in vitro, called W2C4CT and W2C8CT, with ligation of MaSp repetitive modules (C) with AcSp modules (W) by intein trans splicing technology from smaller precursors without final yield reduction. Intein mediated chimeric proteins form fibers at a low concentration of 0.4 mg/mL in 50 mM K3PO4 pH 7.5 just drawn by hand. Hybrid fibers show smoother surface, and also have stronger chemical resistance as compared with fibers from W2CT (W fibers) and mixture of W2CT/C8CT (MHF8 fibers). Fibers from chimeric protein W2C4CT (HFH4) have improved mechanical properties than W fibers; however, with more C modules W2C8CT fibers (HFH8) properties decreased, indicates the length proportion of various modules is very important and should be optimized for fibers with specific properties. Generally, hybrid silks generated via chimeric proteins, which can be simplified by intein trans splicing, has greater potential to produce fibers with tunable properties. Our research shows that intein mediated directional protein ligation is a novel way to make large chimeric spider silk proteins and hybrid silks. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 385–392, 2016.
Antioxidant Properties and Flavonoid Profile in Leaves of Calabrian Lavandula multifida L., an Autochthon Plant of Mediterranean Southern Regions
Authors: Panuccio Maria Rosaria , Fazio Angela , Papalia Teresa , Barreca Davide
Published: March 2016

Lavandula multifida is a rare short‐lived plant characteristic of Mediterranean basin able to survive in hot and arid climatic conditions on poorly evolved limestone soils. In this work, we characterize the enzymatic antioxidant system and phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant properties of L. multifida fresh leaves. Enzymatic patterns show high level of peroxidases, ascorbate peroxidase, and dehydroascorbate reductase activities, when compared with L. angustifolia. The same trend is evident in total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and reduced glutathione, and in the total antioxidant capacity assay. Moreover, RP‐DAD‐HPLC analyses of EtOH extract, obtained from fresh leaves, reveal main components, carvacrol, vitexin, and 7‐ or 8‐glucoside derivatives of hypolaetin, scutellarein, luteolin, isoscutellarein, apigenin, and chrysoeriol. The analysis of this autochthon plant depicted a series of strategies adopted by L. multifida to survive in its stressful natural habitat and richness in health‐promoting compounds that can be a resource for the preservation of this variety in dangerous of extinction.
Second vs. First generation drug eluting stents in multiple vessel disease and left main stenosis: Two‐year follow‐up of the observational, prospective, controlled, and multicenter ERACI IV registry
Authors: Haiek Carlos , Fernández‐Pereira Carlos , Santaera Omar , Mieres Juan , Rifourcat Ignacio , Lloberas Juan , Larribau Miguel , Pocoví Antonio , Rodriguez‐Granillo Alfredo M. , Sarmiento Ricardo A. , Antoniucci David , Rodriguez Alfredo E.
Published: March 2016

Objective

To compare second generation drug eluting stents (2DES) with first generation (1DES) for the treatment of patients (pts) with multiple coronary vessel disease (MVD).

Background

Although 2DES improved safety and efficacy compared to 1DES, MVD remains a challenge for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Methods

ERACI IV was a prospective, observational, and controlled study in pts with MVD including left main and treated with 2DES (Firebird 2, Microport). We included 225 pts in 15 sites from Argentina. Primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE) defined as death, myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and unplanned revascularization; and to compare with 225 pts from ERACI III study (1DES). PCI strategy was planned to treat lesions ≥70% in vessels ≥ 2.00 mm, introducing a modified Syntax score (SS) where severe lesions in vessels < 2.0 mm and intermediate lesions were not scored.

Results

Baseline characteristics showed that compared to ERACI III, ERACI IV pts had higher number of diabetics (P = 0.02), previous revascularization (P = 0.007), unstable angina IIb/IIIc (P < 0.001) and three vessels/left main disease (P = 0.003). Modified SS was 22.2 ± 11. At 2 years of follow‐up ERACI IV group had significantly lower incidence of death+ MI + CVA, (P = 0.01) and MACCE (P = 0.001). MACCE rate was similar in diabetics, (5.8%) and nondiabetics (7.0%). After performing a matched propensity score, MACCE remain significantly lower in ERACI IV (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

This registry showed that 2DES in MVD has a remarkable low incidence of MACCE in unadjusted and adjusted analysis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Late breaking trials of 2015 in structural heart disease and peripheral artery disease: Commentary covering ACC, EuroPCR, SCAI, TCT, VIVA, ESC, and AHA
Authors: Armstrong Ehrin J. , Chhatriwalla Adnan K. , Szerlip Molly , Swaminathan Rajesh V. , Patel Rajan A.G.
Published: March 2016

With the large number of late breaking clinical trials presented at major meetings, it is often difficult to stay current with advances in interventional cardiology. Therefore, the SCAI Publications Committee summarizes and provides editorial commentary on the most important structural heart and peripheral artery disease late‐breaking trials from 2015. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A case of mantle cell lymphoma presenting with ascites
Authors: Al‐Nabulsi Majdi , Basnet Alina , Salerno Vincent , Cholankeril Michelle
Published: March 2016

Key Clinical Message

Ascites with the finding of peritoneal carcinomatosis is considered an unusual presentation for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and has been rarely described in literature. This case reflects the importance of cytological analysis of peritoneal fluid in a patient with intractable ascites not contributing from other comorbidities. In the event a bone marrow (BM) analysis cannot be made, this may serve as an alternative method for diagnosing MCL taking into consideration the good concordance between peritoneal fluid and BM cytological markers.
Use of Mesoporous Molecular Sieves in the Production of Fine Chemicals: Preparation of Dihydroquinolinones of Pharmaceutical Interest From 2′‐Aminochalcones
Authors: Climent María J. , Corma Avelino , Iborra Sara , Martí Laura
Published: March 2016

Solid catalysts can be an alternative to homogeneous mineral Brønsted and Lewis acids for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals provided that the diffusional and adsorption properties of the reactants and products can be controlled. Structured micro and especially monolayered zeolites and mesoporous materials can be active and selective for intramolecular cyclization reactions and, more specifically, for intramolecular aza‐Michael cyclizations of 2′‐aminochalcones to yield aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4(1 H)‐quinolinones of pharmaceutical interest. However, the catalyst deactivates by strong adsorption of the basic quinolinone product. Product desorption has been controlled by optimizing catalyst pore structure and surface composition, together with a proper selection of solvent and reaction temperature. Process intensification for the synthesis of aryl‐2,3‐4(1 H)‐quinolinones of pharmaceutical interest has been achieved by preparing catalysts that allow the one‐pot synthesis of the dihydroquinolinones starting from 2′‐nitrochalcones with excellent yields.
Therapeutic radiation and the potential risk of second malignancies
Authors: Kamran Sophia C. , Berrington de Gonzalez Amy , Ng Andrea , Haas‐Kogan Daphne , Viswanathan Akila N.
Published: March 2016

Radiation has long been associated with carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, it is an important part of multimodality therapy for many malignancies. It is critical to assess the risk of secondary malignant neoplasms (SMNs) after radiation treatment. The authors reviewed the literature with a focus on radiation and associated SMNs for primary hematologic, breast, gynecologic, and pediatric tumors. Radiation appeared to increase the risk of SMN in all of these; however, this risk was found to be associated with age, hormonal influences, chemotherapy use, environmental influences, genetic predisposition, infection, and immunosuppression. The risk also appears to be altered with modern radiotherapy techniques. Practitioners of all specialties who treat cancer survivors in follow‐up should be aware of this potential risk. Cancer 2016;122:1809–21. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Rising population of survivors of oral squamous cell cancer in the United States
Authors: Patel Mira A. , Blackford Amanda L. , Rettig Eleni M. , Richmon Jeremy D. , Eisele David W. , Fakhry Carole
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and a subset of oral cavity cancer (OCC) is increasing in the United States. To the authors' knowledge, the presumed growing prevalence of survivors of OPC and OCC has not been investigated to date.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data (1975‐2012) estimated changes in incidence, 5‐year cause‐specific survival, and prevalence for OPC and OCC. Changes in incidence, cause‐specific survival and prevalence were estimated by linear regression and expressed as the percentage change (B). Differences in incidence trends over time were determined by joinpoint analysis.

RESULTS

The incidence of OPC increased by 62.6% from 1975 through 2012. Notable increases in OPC incidence were observed among men, white individuals, and those of younger ages. The 5‐year survival for OPC increased significantly for all sexes, races, and individuals aged >30 years, with white individuals and males experiencing the largest increase in survival. By contrast, the incidence of OCC declined by 22.3% during the same time period. OCC incidence decreased across all groups but increased among individuals aged 30 to 39 years. Significant increases in survival were observed for OCC, except for those who were female, black, and aged <40 years. The prevalence of survivors of OPC increased from 2000 to 2012 (B, 115.1 per 100,000 individuals per year; P<.0001), whereas the prevalence of survivors of OCC significantly decreased (B, −15.8 per 100,000 individuals per year; P<.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of survivors of OPC is increasing, whereas the prevalence of survivors of OCC is declining. These data portend significant implications for long‐term care planning for survivors of OPC and OCC. Cancer 2016;122:1380–1387. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
A phase 1/2a study to test the safety and immunogenicity of a p16INK4a peptide vaccine in patients with advanced human papillomavirus‐associated cancers
Authors: Reuschenbach Miriam , Pauligk Claudia , Karbach Julia , Rafiyan Mohammad‐Reza , Kloor Matthias , Prigge Elena‐Sophie , Sauer Madeleine , Al‐Batran Salah‐Eddin , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Schneider Achim , Jäger Elke , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a is strongly and consistently overexpressed in all human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated cancers. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that p16INK4a may be a vaccine target antigen for HPV‐associated cancers. To test this hypothesis, the authors performed a phase 1/2a first‐in‐human trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a p16INK4a‐based peptide vaccine.

METHODS

A total of 26 patients with different, advanced, p16INK4a‐overexpressing, HPV DNA‐positive cancers were included after the completion of standard treatment. According to protocol, 12 subcutaneous injections of a p16INK4 peptide (P16_37‐63) mixed in a water‐in‐oil emulsion with immunoadjuvant activity (Montanide ISA‐51 VG) were administered over a 6‐month period.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients received at least 4 injections and were evaluable for immune responses against P16_37‐63. Clusters of differentiation (CD) 4 T cells were detected in 14 of 20 patients (3 of whom had preexisting CD4 T cells before vaccination), CD8 T cells were detected in 5 of 20 patients, and antibodies were detected in 14 of 20 patients (1 of whom had preexisting antibodies). No suspected unexpected serious adverse reaction or serious adverse drug reaction was documented. All reported serious adverse events were expected and not considered to be related to study therapy. None of the patients discontinued trial participation due to unacceptable toxicities and no dose‐limiting toxicities occurred. Tumor response could be assessed in 14 patients. Of these, 9 patients (64%) had stable disease as their best overall response and 5 patients (36%) developed progressive disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination with the p16INK4a‐derived peptide P16_37‐63 appears to induce cellular and humoral immune responses and does not cause severe toxicities. The results of the current study pave the way for the further clinical development of p16INK4a‐based cancer immunotherapeutics. Cancer 2016;122:1425–1433. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Diffusion of Oligonucleotides from within Iron‐Cross‐Linked, Polyelectrolyte‐Modified Alginate Beads: A Model System for Drug Release
Authors: Privman Vladimir , Domanskyi Sergii , Luz Roberto A. S. , Guz Nataliia , Glasser M. Lawrence , Katz Evgeny
Published: March 2016

The front cover artwork is provided by the groups of Profs. E. Katz and V. Privman (Clarkson University, USA). The image shows the system used to model diffusion of oligonucleotides from within stable alginate beads. Read the full text of the Full Paper at 10.1002/cphc.201501186
Highly Loaded Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Non‐Covalently Modified with a Bis‐Imidazolium Salt and their Use as Catalyst Supports
Authors: Salvo Anna Maria Pia , La Parola Valeria , Liotta Leonarda F. , Giacalone Francesco , Gruttadauria Michelangelo
Published: March 2016

The surfaces of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were non‐covalently modified using two bis‐imidazolium dibromide derivatives having phenyl or pyrene groups. Due to the presence of the two pyrene groups the bis(pyren‐1‐ylmethylimidazolium) dibromide derivative was immobilised at a loading of about 15–16 wt %, whereas only <3 wt % of the phenyl derivative was immobilised. The presence of the two imidazolium cations helped the immobilisation of tetrachloropalladate ions after exchange with bromide ions. Tetrachloropalladate was used as pre‐catalyst in several Suzuki–Miyaura carbon–carbon cross‐coupling reactions in water or water/ethanol at 50 °C in only 0.1 mol % and compared with the non‐supported pre‐catalyst. The MWCNT‐supported material was used in five consecutive cycles of the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction. Recycling using phenylboronic acid and 4‐bromobenzaldehyde in water/ethanol was achieved with only a minor loss in activity. HRTEM images clearly showed the presence of the bis(pyren‐1‐ylmethylimidazolium) derivative on the sidewalls of MWCNTs.