bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using the partial least squares method to model the electrospray ionization response produced by small pharmaceutical molecules in positive mode
Authors: Mandra Varvara J. , Kouskoura Maria G. , Markopoulou Catherine K.
Published: October 2015

Rationale

The signal intensity in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) positive mode is affected by parameters that are related to the physicochemical properties and structural features of a molecule. Accordingly, the combined interactions of an analyte and the mobile phase used is still an area that demands further clarifications since there is no general pattern regarding the nature of a molecule and the mechanism by which vapor‐phase ions are produced.

Methods

A multivariate analysis method, such as Partial Least Squares (PLS), provides the opportunity to correlate the effect of a large number of parameters interpreting this complex procedure with the use of appropriate mathematical algorithms. This work involves the development of models containing up to 84 X variables which characterize the analytes studied (99) focusing on their positive or negative effect on the vapor‐phase ion formation process. These descriptors are correlated with the signal response of the positively charged analyte ions which corresponds to the Y variable.

Results

The results showed that parameters referring or directly related to the ionization percentage of basic or acidic groups of an analyte can be used to determine the signal response on positive ESI‐MS mode. Structural characteristics, polar surface area, lipophilicity, the ability of analytes to acts as hydrogen bond donors or acceptors, water solubility, density of a solid, surface tension of the substance and the number of free rotatable bonds are descriptors which are of secondary importance, still they cannot be considered negligible.

Conclusions

The models derived are proved to be reliable for the investigation of such mechanisms, with a small number of components and good linearity (R2 >83%, Q2 >70%). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of dorsal spine age rings indicate temporal variation in the diet of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in waters around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Authors: Acosta‐Pachón Tatiana A. , Ortega‐García Sofia , Graham Brittany
Published: October 2015

Rationale

Billfishes, such as marlin, are top pelagic predators that play an important role in maintaining the stability of marine food webs. Notwithstanding the importance of these species, there remain gaps in our knowledge on their movements, foraging, and trophic status in the early stage of life.

Methods

We measured the δ13C and δ15N values in each annual growth band deposited in the dorsal spine from striped marlin caught off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to produce retrospective isotopic profiles that would enable us to detect any significant isotopic changes across development. The samples were analyzed using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Results

There was no relationship between the size of striped marlin and the δ15N values. Differences in δ15N mean values across different age classes were not significant and the variation in δ15N values through the marlins' life cycle was less than 2‰. However, the mean δ15N values between individuals varied by up to 6‰. The δ13C values increased as a function of age, and the mean δ13C values varied significantly between age classes.

Conclusions

Fin spines can be used to construct retrospective isotopic histories for the investigation of trophic dynamics and migratory histories in billfishes, for which population dynamics are often poorly known. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidation of Cyclic Ethers by Alkane‐Grown Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5
Authors: Lan Renny S. , Smith Christy A. , Hyman Michael R.
Published: October 2015

In this study we investigated the cometabolic oxidation of six cyclic ethers by alkane‐grown Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5. These ethers include, among others, tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4‐dioxane (14D), 1,3‐dioxolane (13DO), and tetrahydropyran (THP). Cells grown on propane, n‐butane, n‐pentane, isobutane, or isopentane oxidized all six ethers. Ether‐degrading activity was inhibited by acetylene in alkane‐grown cells and was largely absent from cells grown on dextrose‐containing media. Propane competitively inhibited THF oxidation. γ‐Butyrolactone (γBL) accumulated and was also further oxidized during THF oxidation by propane‐grown cells. In contrast, no products were detected during 14D oxidation. Propane‐grown cells also rapidly oxidized 3‐hydroxytertrahydrofuran and exhibited strong hemiacetal‐oxidizing activity in an assay following methyl formate production from mixtures of methanol and formaldehyde. These observations suggest γBL is likely generated during THF oxidation through further oxidation of 2‐hydroxytetrahydrofuran. Limited growth of strain JOB5 was supported by several cyclic ethers and the corresponding lactones and diols potentially derived from these compounds. However, strain JOB5 grew more readily on 4‐hydroxybutyrate, the product of γBL hydrolysis. The ability of strain JOB5 to productively assimilate THF‐derived metabolites during growth on n‐alkanes was examined in carbon‐limited batch cultures. Relative to C‐limited growth on n‐pentane alone, culture growth increased up to twofold in the presence of THF while no stimulation of growth was observed in comparable experiments conducted with n‐pentane and 14D. Our results are discussed in terms of their significance to our understanding of cyclic ether cometabolism and their potential impact on approaches for cyclic ether biodegradation in the environment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Security in DVB‐RCS2
Authors: Bowyer Mark , Erup Lars , Lexow Hans Peter
Published: October 2015

This paper presents security features in the second generation digital video broadcasting with return channel via satellite standard (DVB‐RCS2). The up‐front consideration of security, and in particular transmission security (TRANSEC), started with the development of security requirements introduced in the DVB‐RCS Next Generation (NG) Commercial Requirements and Call for Technologies. It was apparent at an early stage that no single approach or implementation would satisfy the wide range of product and security requirements to span consumer, professional and government market sectors. This led to the introduction and development of two important concepts: TRANSEC profiles, a specialization of DVB‐RCS2 system level profiles concept; and TRANSEC ‘hooks’, extension points that allow TRANSEC functionality to be added as necessary, governed by profile security requirements. The bulk of this paper outlines and describes the three TRANSEC profiles presented in the DVB‐RCS2 Lower Layer Guidelines document. Finally, the various profiles are compared and contrasted. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the Ti, Al Contents on the Inclusion Characteristics in Steels with TiO2 and TiN Particle Additions
Authors: Xuan Changji , Mu Wangzhong , Olano Zuriñe Idoyaga , Jönsson Pär Göran , Nakajima Keiji
Published: October 2015

The effect of the Ti, Al contents on the metamorphic evolution of inclusions of Ti–Al complex oxides including TiN and MnS are investigated in common carbon steels with TiO2 and TiN particle additions. The study is carried out based on both SEM‐EDS analyses and Thermo‐Calc equilibrium calculations. Moreover, the particle size distributions are investigated by using the electrolytic extraction method. Based on the results of this study, the following is suggested: (i) the steel composition is controlled to contain small amount of the Al content (<0.005 mass%) and large amount of the Ti content (>0.035 mass%) in order to obtain a high number of fine particles containing a Ti‐rich oxide phase when adding TiO2 and TiN particles; (ii) this consideration is reasonable from the view point of the agglomeration degree of different inclusion materials, which are estimated from the attractive force (van der Waals force and liquid‐capillary force) and the contact angle.
Appreciative Education
Authors: Bloom Jennifer L. , Hutson Bryant L. , He Ye , Konkle Erin
Published: October 2015

Appreciative education is presented as a framework for leading higher education institutions, delivering truly student‐centered services, and guiding higher education professionals' interactions with students.
Where Is the “T” in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)? An Argument for Formalized Hazardous Materials Transportation Management Systems
Authors: Dillon Brooke M.
Published: October 2015

Awareness of hazmat requirements and risk lags behind EHS awareness
Organizations in Transition: An Updated Annotated Bibliography of Published Literature on Environmental, Health, and Safety Organizations (2004–Present)—Part 2: Decision Making and Corporate Perception
Authors: Epshtein Olga , MacLean Richard
Published: October 2015

Selected articles on the practical aspects of managing EHS/S organizations
When Reading Gets Ruff: Canine‐Assisted Reading Programs
Authors: Lane Holly B. , Zavada Shannon D.W.
Published: October 2015

Canine‐assisted reading programs show promise as an innovative method for engaging reluctant readers and motivating them to practice. In such programs, specially trained dogs visit classrooms and libraries, and children read to them. Children who struggle with reading may be motivated to read more because they find dogs to be calming and non‐judgmental. This paper outlines the research that supports the use of canine‐assisted reading programs and provides examples of successful implementation in schools and public libraries. Steps for implementing a canine‐assisted reading program are provided, along with resources for teachers or others who are interested in starting their own program.
An all‐sputtering process and equipment for CIGS solar cells
Authors: Lindström Sven
Published: October 2015

The Swedish company Midsummer AB has developed an all‐sputtering process and equipment for CIGS solar cells. The company was founded in 2004 by people from the optical disc and flat panel display industry. Most CIGS solar cells are made on large glass substrates, another option is to make the solar cells with a roll‐to‐roll process on a flexible stainless steel substrate. Midsummer has chosen a third approach, by adopting the founders experience from the low cost optical disc industry. Instead of increasing the productivity by increasing the substrate size, they decided to design a machine and process that produces many small substrates with fast pace. Such a machine can be very compact and the productivity is achieved by using 25 small sputter chambers. Large scale production of solar cells can them be achieved by adding many small production systems, exactly as was in the case for optical discs, that eventually lead to an annual production capacity of 35 billion CDs and DVDs.
The macrophage and its role in inflammation and tissue repair: mathematical and systems biology approaches
Authors: Dunster Joanne L.
Published: October 2015

Macrophages are central to the inflammatory response and its ability to resolve effectively. They are complex cells that adopt a range of subtypes depending on the tissue type and stimulus that they find themselves under. This flexibility allows them to play multiple, sometimes opposing, roles in inflammation and tissue repair. Their central role in the inflammatory process is reflected in macrophage dysfunction being implicated in chronic inflammation and poorly healing wounds. In this study, we discuss recent attempts to model mathematically and computationally the macrophage and how it partakes in the complex processes of inflammation and tissue repair. There are increasing data describing the variety of macrophage phenotypes and their underlying transcriptional programs. Dynamic mathematical and computational models are an ideal way to test biological hypotheses against experimental data and could aid in understanding this multi‐functional cell and its potential role as an attractive therapeutic target for inflammatory conditions and tissue repair.WIREs Syst Biol Med2016, 8:87–99. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1320

This article is categorized under:

Biological Mechanisms > Cell Fates

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models
Vital Statistics: Estimating Injury Mortality in Kigali, Rwanda
Authors: Kim Woon Cho , Byiringiro Jean Claude , Ntakiyiruta Georges , Kyamanywa Patrick , Irakiza Jean Jacques , Mvukiyehe Jean Paul , Mutabazi Zeta , Vizir Jean Paul , de la Croix Allen Ingabire Jean , Nshuti Steven , Riviello Robert , Rogers Selwyn O. , Jayaraman Sudha P.
Published: October 2015

Background

Globally, injury deaths largely occur in low‐ and middle‐income countries. No estimates of injury‐associated mortality exist in Rwanda. This study aimed to describe the patterns of injury‐related deaths in Kigali, Rwanda using existing data sources.

Methods

We created a database of all deaths reported by the main institutions providing emergency care in Kigali—four major hospitals, two divisions of the Rwanda National Police, and the National Emergency Medical Service—during 12 months (Jan–Dec 2012) and analyzed it for demographics, diagnoses, mechanism and type of injury, causes of death, and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality rates.

Results

There were 2682 deaths, 57 % in men, 67 % in adults >18 year, and 16 % in children <5 year. All‐cause mortality rate was 236/100,000; 35 % (927) were due to probable surgical causes. Injury‐related deaths occurred in 22 % (593/2682). The most common injury mechanism was road traffic crash (cause‐specific mortality rate of 20/100,000). Nearly half of all injury deaths occurred in the prehospital setting (47 %, n = 276) and 49 % of injury deaths at the university hospital occurred within 24 h of arrival. Being injured increased the odds of dying in the prehospital setting by 2.7 times (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Injuries account for 22 % of deaths in Kigali with road traffic crashes being the most common cause. Injury deaths occurred largely in the prehospital setting and within the first 24 h of hospital arrival suggesting the need for investment in emergency infrastructure. Accurate documentation of the cause of death would help policy‐makers make data‐driven resource allocation decisions.
Adaptation of Continuous Intraoperative Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Monitoring of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy
Authors: Tsang Raymond K. , Law Simon
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Esophagectomy has risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. Conventional nerve monitoring has been used to help identify and protect the RLN. A new concept of continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring (CIONM) by stimulation of the ipsilateral vagus nerve has been used in thyroidectomy. The current report describes adapting the CIONM method for use in video‐assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) esophagectomy.

Materials and methods

The nerve monitor employed is NIM 3.0 with automatic periodic stimulation (Medtronics Inc., USA). Patient is intubated with NIM contact‐reinforced EMG endotracheal tube (Medtronics Inc., USA). The operation starts with a left lower neck incision, and the stimulating electrode is secured around the left vagus nerve. The patient is then turned to the left lateral position for VATS esophagectomy. CIONM of the left RLN is achieved by regular stimulation of the left vagus nerve, and intact nerve conduction is detected by the electromyography (EMG) of the left vocalis muscle. The alarm is set to activate when EMG amplitude reduces by 50 % or latency prolongs by 10 %.

Results

Initial experience of ten cases showed that a mean time of 35 min was required to complete the electrode insertion in the neck. There was one event in which there was more than 50 % reduction of EMG amplitude that persisted but the patient had no vocal cord paralysis after operation. In another patient, the EMG reduced by 75 % and persisted. The patient had temporary vocal cord paralysis.

Conclusion

CIONM is feasible during VATS esophagectomy and can alert the surgeon of imminent injury to the RLNs, thereby preventing permanent injury.
The use of free online educational resources by Canadian emergency medicine residents and program directors
Authors: Purdy Eve , Thoma Brent , Bednarczyk Joseph , Migneault David , Sherbino Jonathan
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Online educational resources (OERs) are increasingly available for emergency medicine (EM) education. This study describes and compares the use of free OERs by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) EM residents and program directors (PDs) and investigates the relationship between the use of OERs and peer-reviewed literature.

Methods

A bilingual, online survey was distributed to RCPSC-EM residents and PDs using a modified Dillman method. The chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the responses of residents and PDs.

Results

The survey was completed by 214/350 (61%) residents and 11/14 (79%) PDs. Free OERs were used by residents most frequently for general EM education (99.5%), procedural skills training (96%), and learning to interpret diagnostic tests (92%). OER modalities used most frequently included wikis (95%), file-sharing websites (95%), e-textbooks (94%), and podcasts (91%). Residents used wikis, podcasts, vodcasts, and file-sharing websites significantly more frequently than PDs. Relative to PDs, residents found entertainment value to be more important for choosing OERs (p<0.01). Some residents (23%) did not feel that literature references were important, whereas all PDs did. Both groups reported that OERs increased the amount of peer-reviewed literature (75% and 60%, respectively) that they read.

Conclusions

EM residents make extensive use of OERs and differ from their PDs in the importance that they place on their entertainment value and incorporation of peer-reviewed references. OERs may increase the use of peer-reviewed literature in both groups. Given the prevalence of OER use for core educational goals among RCPSC-EM trainees, future efforts to facilitate critical appraisal and appropriate resource selection are warranted.
NONCOMMUTATIVE DE LEEUW THEOREMS
Authors: CASPERS MARTIJN , PARCET JAVIER , PERRIN MATHILDE , RICARD ÉRIC
Published: October 2015

Let $\text{H}$ be a subgroup of some locally compact group $\text{G}$. Assume that $\text{H}$ is approximable by discrete subgroups and that $\text{G}$ admits neighborhood bases which are almost invariant under conjugation by finite subsets of $\text{H}$. Let $m:\text{G}\rightarrow \mathbb{C}$ be a bounded continuous symbol giving rise to an $L_{p}$-bounded Fourier multiplier (not necessarily completely bounded) on the group von Neumann algebra of $\text{G}$ for some $1\leqslant p\leqslant \infty$. Then, $m_{\mid _{\text{H}}}$ yields an $L_{p}$-bounded Fourier multiplier on the group von Neumann algebra of $\text{H}$ provided that the modular function ${\rm\Delta}_{\text{G}}$ is equal to 1 over $\text{H}$. This is a noncommutative form of de Leeuw’s restriction theorem for a large class of pairs $(\text{G},\text{H})$. Our assumptions on $\text{H}$ are quite natural, and they recover the classical result. The main difference with de Leeuw’s original proof is that we replace dilations of Gaussians by other approximations of the identity for which certain new estimates on almost-multiplicative maps are crucial. Compactification via lattice approximation and periodization theorems are also investigated.
Optimal dynamo action by steady flows confined to a cube
Authors: Chen L. , Herreman W. , Jackson A.
Published: October 2015

Many flows of electrically conducting fluids can spontaneously generate magnetic fields through the process of dynamo action, but when does a flow produce a better dynamo than another one or when is it simply the most efficient dynamo? Using a variational approach close to that of Willis (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 109, 2012, 251101), we find optimal kinematic dynamos within a huge class of stationary and incompressible flows that are confined in a cube. We demand that the magnetic field satisfies either superconducting (T) or pseudovacuum (N) boundary conditions on opposite pairs of walls of the cube, which results in four different combinations. For each of these set-ups, we find the optimal flow and its corresponding magnetic eigenmodes. Numerically, it is observed that swapping the magnetic boundary from T to N leaves the magnetic energy growth nearly unchanged, and both $+\boldsymbol{U}$ and $-\boldsymbol{U}$ are optimal flows for these different but complementary set-ups. This can be related to work by Favier & Proctor (Phys. Rev. E, vol. 88, 2013, 031001). We provide minimal lower bounds for dynamo action and find that no dynamo is possible below an enstrophy (or shear) based magnetic Reynolds number $Rm_{c,min}=7.52{\rm\pi}^{2}$, which is a factor of $16$ above the Proctor/Backus bound.
Archaeological Draughtsmanship: Principles and Practice Part I: Principles and Retrospect
Authors: Piggott Stuart
Published: October 2015

All technical and scientific illustration is at once symbol and communication, a pictorial language addressing the author's audience side by side with his written text. It transmits information according to an agreed code of conventions which translates actuality into forms and outlines in one or more colours, usually black on white, in a manner which will convey to the observer the features of the original which the illustrator wishes to present. As Winston Churchill wrote of painting, ‘the canvas receives a message despatched a few seconds before from the natural object. But it has also come through a post office en route. It has been transmitted in code . . . it reaches the canvas a cryptogram’. Archaeological draughtsmanship involves the construction of technical cryptograms, and as in all ciphers these must be made according to rules carefully observed by both transmitter and recipient.
A ground-radar view of Japanese burial mounds
Authors: Goodman Dean , Nishimura Yasushi
Published: October 2015

Ground radar investigates shallow archaeological features in burial mounds of the Kofun Period (300-700 AD) in Japan. A variety of analytical methods – time slices, synthetic radargrams simulated from model structures, and 3-D depth constructions – are used to interpret the profiles, to reveal the location, depth and shapes of buried features.
Use of contraception among married women in New South Wales, Austrlia
Authors: Yusuf Farhat
Published: October 2015

This paper examines the current use of contraception among a sample of 6646 married women of reproductive age interviewed during 1972–73 in metropolitan and country areas of the state of New South Wales, Australia. The analysis shows that contraception is widely practised in all segments of the population, though to a lesser extent among the Catholic women and those born is southern Europe. In conjunction with now easily available induced abortion, this has resulted in a precipitous drop in the annual number of marital births.
From the Moral Limits of Markets to the Moral Limits of Welfare
Authors: CURCHIN KATHERINE
Published: October 2015

The political philosopher Michael Sandel (2012) has recently argued compellingly for more attention to the moral limits of markets, arguing that market values can crowd out other values we should care about. Meanwhile, conservative advocates for welfare reform, such as the Australian Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson, have raised concerns about the impact of long-term welfare receipt on community values. Pearson's argument about welfare can be articulated in similar terms to Sandel's argument about markets. Pearson maintains that in heavily disadvantaged communities – such as the Aboriginal communities of Cape York Peninsula – the state's provision of non-contributory welfare can crowd out important values such as trust, respect, care for the weak and mutual help as well as self-reliance and hard work. Though Sandel's and Pearson's arguments find receptive audiences on different ends of the political spectrum, the parallels between their arguments are striking. The article seeks to promote greater scholarly engagement with Pearson's moral critique of welfare while expressing scepticism about one of the key correctives he proposes.
IV. Some Observations on the Paintings in the Window of Brereton Church. By the Rev. Samuel Pegge, in a Letter to Owen Salusbury Brereton, Esq. Vice President
Authors: Pegge Samuel
Published: October 2015

The beautiful coloured drawing which you were pleased to exhibit at the Society, is so very curious, in regard to the many singularities which attend it, at least in my eye, that I request your favourable acceptance of a few additional observations upon it.
Radiation effects in biological systems
Authors: Symons Martyn C. R.
Published: October 2015

Synopsis

This paper presents a chemist's view of the action of ionising radiation on matter with a range of simple examples. Attention is given to the ways in which electron spin resonance spectroscopy (which is described briefly) can be harnessed to give useful information about the initial stages of radiation damage. The effects of radiation are generally indiscriminate and hence damage to water is of special importance in biological systems. Water-derived free radicals will attack biomolecules (the indirect effect) and this mechanism is compared with direct damage events. Also, examples are given of some remarkably discriminate radiation-induced reactions.

Specific attention is given to radiation-induced damage to proteins, and especially to aqueous DNA and DNA in chromatin and in cells. The importance of DNA strand-breaks is discussed in relation to both the production of mutations and cell death.
On the Number of Dust Particles in the Atmosphere of certain Places in Great Britain and on the Continent, with Remarks on the Relation between the Amount of Dust and Meteorological Phenomena
Authors: Aitken John
Published: October 2015

The portable dust-counting apparatus described in a previous communication to this Society was designed with a view of making observations on the air at situations where it would be inconvenient to work with the larger laboratory apparatus; and also to enable these observations to be made under conditions more favourable for avoiding local impurities than is possible when working in a house. As the construction of this portable apparatus was completed just as I was about to start for the Continent, the opportunity seemed a favourable one for continuing the investigation into the number of dust particles in the atmosphere, and extending our knowledge on the subject in other countries. The portable apparatus is reduced to such dimensions that it adds but little to one's personal luggage, and can be easily carried to’ the place where the observations are to be made.
Cape Hunting Dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Gardens of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland
Authors: Cunningham D. J.
Published: October 2015

In October 1894 a pair of Cape hunting dogs were acquired by the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland and added to their collection in Phœnix Park. They were purchased from Hagen-beck, in Hamburg, and at the time they came to Dublin they were not quite full grown. Although still existing in considerable numbers over a very wide area in Africa, the Lycaon is by no means a common specimen in Zoological Gardens, and it is rare to meet with it on the lists that are periodically issued by dealers in wild animals.
Ruminations on Worry: Issues Related to the Study of an Elusive Construct
Authors: Davis Maryanne , Montgomery Iain
Published: October 2015

This review outlines the main theoretical and methodological issues relating to worry. The relationship of worry to anxiety and problem solving is discussed. Three models of worry are described: attention bias (Mathews, 1990), fear avoidance (Borkovec, Shadick, & Hopkins, 1991), and Tallis and Eysenck's (1994) stage model. Worry's proposed role in inhibiting emotional processing is discussed, and unresolved methodological and theoretical issues are considered. It is concluded that worry is elusive and difficult to study but greater understanding of worry is necessary.
Measuring the Intensity of Competition in the Japanese Beef Market
Authors: Reed Michael R. , Saghaian Sayed H.
Published: October 2015

A residual demand model for beef exports to Japan is specified and estimated. The objective is to estimate the extent of market power. It is assumed that each exporting country faces a downward-sloping residual demand curve, which reflects the market demand minus the supplies of competitors, and that exporters maximize profit through their output decisions. The analysis is disaggregated by beef cut and form to capture the variation by beef market segments. The results indicate that the highest markup of price over marginal cost belongs to U.S. frozen ribs, the only indication of market power by U.S. exporters. Canada is found to have limited market power, whereas Australia and New Zealand enjoy some market power, including five chilled beef categories.
Neuropeptides in Eating Disorders
Authors: Jimerson David C. , Wolfe Barbara E.
Published: October 2015

The past decade has witnessed a dramatic acceleration in research on the role of the neuropeptides in the regulation of eating behavior and body weight homeostasis. This expanding research focus has been driven in part by increasing public health concerns related to obesity and the eating disorders anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Preclinical advances have been facilitated by the development of new molecular and behavioral research methodologies. With a focus on clinical investigations in AN and BN, this article reviews research on selected hypothalamic and gut-related peptide systems with prominent effects on eating behavior. Studies of the orexigenic peptides neuropeptide Y and the opioid peptides have shown state-related abnormalities in patients with eating disorders. With respect to gut-related peptides, there appears to be substantial evidence for blunting in the meal-related release of the satiety promoting peptide cholecystokinin in BN. Fasting plasma levels of the orexigenic peptide ghrelin have been found to be elevated in patients with AN. As discussed in this review, additional studies will be needed to assess the role of nutritional and body weight changes in neuropeptide alterations observed in symptomatic eating disorder patients, and to identify stable trait-related abnormalities in neuropeptide regulation that persist in individuals who have recovered from an eating disorder.
Efficacy Comparison of Escitalopram and Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Pooled Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials
Authors: Gorman Jack M. , Korotzer Andrew , Su Guojin
Published: October 2015

Background:Citalopram is a racemic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of depression. Citalopram is a racemate and its serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity resides primarily in the single S-isomer, escitalopram, which is now being evaluated for its potential usefulness in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Results from placebo-controlled studies that also included Citalopram as an active control have shown that escitalopram is effective in treating depression and associated symptoms of anxiety. However, none of these studies was powered sufficiently to detect differences between active treatment groups. The goal of the present analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of escitalopram compared with Citalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder.

Method:Data were pooled from three similarly designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of escitalopram (10–20 mg/day) and Citalopram (20–40 mg/day). Patients were male or female, ≥18 years of age, who met criteria for a major depressive episode with a Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score ≥22 at baseline. Efficacy measures included change from baseline in MADRS score and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Improvement in associated symptoms of anxiety was measured using the change from baseline in the MADRS inner tension item.

Results:Both escitalopram and Citalopram significantly improved depression and anxiety symptoms compared with placebo, and there were significantly more MADRS responders (defined as ≥50% improvement in MADRS scores at end point) in the escitalopram and Citalopram treatment groups. Escitalopram treatment was associated with statistically significant improvements in all efficacy measures relative to placebo after 1 week of treatment, whereas Citalopram treatment statistically separated from placebo at the end of week 4 (CGI-I and MADRS inner tension) or week 6 (MADRS). Escitalopram treatment also was statistically significantly superior to Citalopram treatment at a number of time points.

Conclusion:These data support the effectiveness of escitalopram and Citalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder, and suggest escitalopram may have a faster onset and greater overall magnitude of effect than citalopram in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with major depressive disorder.
“The trouble with QALYs…”
Authors: Knapp Martin , Mangalore Roshni
Published: October 2015

This paper summarises the use of QALYs in evaluating changes in mental health states, highlighting the benefits and challenges of their use in this field. The general principles underlying the QALY measure and the most common methods of measuring QALYs are discussed briefly. Evidence of the usefulness and problems of using this generic measure of health-related quality of life are provided from a sample of recent studies relating to depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dementia. In each case, attempts were made to use QALYs to measure changes in health states. While in principle, the QALY is enormously attractive, its suitability for measuring changes in many mental health conditions remains open to doubt as existing tools for generating QALY scores such as the EQ-5D have tended not to perform sufficiently well in reflecting changes in many mental health states. New developmental work is needed to construct better QALY-measuring tools for use in the mental health field. Both the conceptualisation and measurement of QALYs need to be built on a valid, comprehensive model of quality of life specific to a mental health disorder, to ensure that the resultant tool is sensitive enough to pick up changes that would be expected and seen as relevant in the course of the illness.
Correction [to “Major earthquake strikes Japan”]
Authors: Anonymous
Published: October 2015

In the 24 July 2007 issue (Eos, 88 (30), 2007), the name of the nuclear power plant was incorrectly printed as "Kariha" in the news item titled "Major Earthquake Strikes Japan." The facility is actually called the Kashiwazaki‐Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. Eos regrets this error.
Industry disputes administration report on oil and gas leasing
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2015

Despite the Obama administration's efforts to make millions of acres of public lands available for oil and gas development, most of the acreage onshore and offshore of the contiguous United States remains idle, according to “Oil and gas lease utilization, onshore and offshore,” a 15 May report issued by the Department of the Interior (DOI). The report, which is being disputed by industry representatives, notes that 72% of the nearly 36 million leased offshore acres currently are inactive and that 50.6% of onshore leased acres (about 20.8 million acres) also are idle. “As part of the Obama administration's all‐of‐ the‐above energy strategy, we continue to make millions of acres of public lands available for safe and responsible domestic energy production on public lands and in federal waters,” said DOI secretary Ken Salazar. “These lands and waters belong to the American people, and they expect those energy supplies to be developed in a timely and responsible manner and with a fair return to taxpayers. We will continue to encourage companies to diligently bring production online quickly and safely on public lands already under lease.”
Measuring the human contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: October 2015

Although it is well established that humans are responsible for the modern increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, the precise emission rates of carbon dioxide and other environmentally important gases are less well known. Traditionally, the reported usages of coal, oil, and other commodities are used to estimate emission rates. Though this economics‐based approach is thought to work well at global and national scales, uncertainties increase for smaller regional scales or time scales shorter than a year. Drawing on 6 years of gas concentration measurements taken every 2 weeks from an airplane at two sites over the northeastern United States, Miller et al. developed a system to measure the anthropogenic contribution to atmospheric gas concentrations that is independent of accounting‐based approaches.
Inpatient Treatment of Rumination Syndrome: Outcomes and Lessons Learned
Authors: Alioto Anthony , Yacob Desale , Yardley Heather L. , Di Lorenzo Carlo
Published: October 2015

This retrospective analysis describes adolescent patients seeking treatment for rumination syndrome (RS) in an inpatient medical setting. It is the first study to examine clinical outcomes of patients involved in such an intensive multidisciplinary program. The analysis also explores factors that may be related to patients’ progress in the program. A chart review was conducted of 55 adolescents admitted to our program with RS over the course of 5 years. At admission, none of the patients was able to keep down enough caloric content by mouth to maintain weight. Variables examined included demographics, aspects of their illness (e.g., somatic symptoms, duration of illness), and progress with regard to rumination and ability to retain oral intake. By the end of treatment ( Mdn length of stay = 9.0 days), 87% of patients were able to successfully retain at least 80% of their daily caloric requirement by mouth. Patients who were not able to achieve this goal were more likely to have a comorbid mental health disorder. Anxiety disorder and depression were the 2 most common diagnoses. This analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of an multidisciplinary inpatient approach in the treatment of RS in what is likely a group of patients with challenging clinical presentations. It also highlights the importance of evaluating mental health concerns and conceptualizing the disorder in terms of a biopsychosocial framework.
Correction: Corrigendum: Manipulating the banana rhizosphere microbiome for biological control of Panama disease
Authors: Xue Chao , Ryan Penton C. , Shen Zongzhuan , Zhang Ruifu , Huang Qiwei , Li Rong , Ruan Yunze , Shen Qirong
Published: October 2015

Panama disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense infection on banana is devastating banana plantations worldwide. Biological control has been proposed to suppress Panama disease, though the stability and survival of bio-control microorganisms in field setting is largely unknown. In order to develop a bio-control strategy for this disease, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to assess the microbial community of a disease-suppressive soil. Bacillus was identified as the dominant bacterial group in the suppressive soil. For this reason, B. amyloliquefaciens NJN-6 isolated from the suppressive soil was selected as a potential bio-control agent. A bioorganic fertilizer (BIO), formulated by combining this isolate with compost, was applied in nursery pots to assess the bio-control of Panama disease. Results showed that BIO significantly decreased disease incidence by 68.5%, resulting in a doubled yield. Moreover, bacterial community structure was significantly correlated to disease incidence and yield and Bacillus colonization was negatively correlated with pathogen abundance and disease incidence, but positively correlated to yield. In total, the application of BIO altered the rhizo-bacterial community by establishing beneficial strains that dominated the microbial community and decreased pathogen colonization in the banana rhizosphere, which plays an important role in the management of Panama disease.
Drought susceptibility of modern rice varieties: an effect of linkage of drought tolerance with undesirable traits
Authors: Vikram Prashant , Swamy B. P. Mallikarjuna , Dixit Shalabh , Singh Renu , Singh Bikram P. , Miro Berta , Kohli Ajay , Henry Amelia , Singh N. K. , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2015

Green Revolution (GR) rice varieties are high yielding but typically drought sensitive. This is partly due to the tight linkage between the loci governing plant height and drought tolerance. This linkage is illustrated here through characterization of qDTY1.1, a QTL for grain yield under drought that co-segregates with the GR gene sd1 for semi-dwarf plant height. We report that the loss of the qDTY1.1 allele during the GR was due to its tight linkage in repulsion with the sd1 allele. Other drought-yield QTLs (qDTY) also showed tight linkage with traits rejected in GR varieties. Genetic diversity analysis for 11 different qDTY regions grouped GR varieties separately from traditional drought-tolerant varieties and showed lower frequency of drought tolerance alleles. The increased understanding and breaking of the linkage between drought tolerance and undesirable traits has led to the development of high-yielding drought-tolerant dwarf lines with positive qDTY alleles and provides new hope for extending the benefits of the GR to drought-prone rice-growing regions.
Characterization of plasma protein binding dissociation with online SPE-HPLC
Authors: Li Ping , Fan Yiran , Wang Yunlong , Lu Yaxin , Yin Zheng
Published: October 2015

A novel parameter of relative recovery (Rre) was defined and determined by online SPE-HPLC to characterize plasma protein binding (PPB) kinetics of highly plasma binding drugs. The proportional relationship of Rre with koff of PPB has been established with a new SPE model. A rapid, easy to use method could potentially be used to categorize PK properties of the drug candidates in the decision process of drug discovery and development.
SPP2 Mutations Cause Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Liu Yuan , Chen Xue , Xu Qihua , Gao Xiang , Tam Pancy O. S. , Zhao Kanxing , Zhang Xiumei , Chen Li Jia , Jia Wenshuang , Zhao Qingshun , Vollrath Douglas , Pang Chi Pui , Zhao Chen
Published: October 2015

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) shows progressive loss of photoreceptors involved with heterogeneous genetic background. Here, by exome sequencing and linkage analysis on a Chinese family with autosomal dominant RP, we identified a putative pathogenic variant, p.Gly97Arg, in the gene SPP2, of which expression was detected in multiple tissues including retina. The p.Gly97Arg was absent in 800 ethnically matched chromosomes and 1400 in-house exome dataset and was located in the first of the two highly conserved disulfide bonded loop of secreted phosphoprotein 2 (Spp-24) encoded by SPP2. Overexpression of p.Gly97Arg and another signal peptide mutation, p.Gly29Asp, caused cellular retention of both endogenous wild type and exogenous mutants in vitro and primarily affected rod photoreceptors in zebrafish mimicking cardinal feature of RP. Taken together, our data indicate that the two mutations of SPP2 have dominant negative effects and cellular accumulation of Spp-24 might be particularly toxic to photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium. SPP2 has a new role in retinal degeneration.
Sequence-specific RNA Photocleavage by Single-stranded DNA in Presence of Riboflavin
Authors: Zhao Yongyun , Chen Gangyi , Yuan Yi , Li Na , Dong Juan , Huang Xin , Cui Xin , Tang Zhuo
Published: October 2015

Constant efforts have been made to develop new method to realize sequence-specific RNA degradation, which could cause inhibition of the expression of targeted gene. Herein, by using an unmodified short DNA oligonucleotide for sequence recognition and endogenic small molecue, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) as photosensitizer, we report a simple strategy to realize the sequence-specific photocleavage of targeted RNA. The DNA strand is complimentary to the target sequence to form DNA/RNA duplex containing a G•U wobble in the middle. The cleavage reaction goes through oxidative elimination mechanism at the nucleoside downstream of U of the G•U wobble in duplex to obtain unnatural RNA terminal and the whole process is under tight control by using light as switch, which means the cleavage could be carried out according to specific spatial and temporal requirements. The biocompatibility of this method makes the DNA strand in combination with riboflavin a promising molecular tool for RNA manipulation.
Mechanically Flexible and High-Performance CMOS Logic Circuits
Authors: Honda Wataru , Arie Takayuki , Akita Seiji , Takei Kuniharu
Published: October 2015

Low-power flexible logic circuits are key components required by the next generation of flexible electronic devices. For stable device operation, such components require a high degree of mechanical flexibility and reliability. Here, the mechanical properties of low-power flexible complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits including inverter, NAND and NOR are investigated. To fabricate CMOS circuits on flexible polyimide substrates, carbon nanotube (CNT) network films are used for p-type transistors, whereas amorphous InGaZnO films are used for the n-type transistors. The power consumption and voltage gain of CMOS inverters are <500 pW/mm at Vin = 0 V (<7.5 nW/mm at Vin = 5 V) and >45, respectively. Importantly, bending of the substrate is not found to cause significant changes in the device characteristics. This is also observed to be the case for more complex flexible NAND and NOR logic circuits for bending states with a curvature radius of 2.6 mm. The mechanical stability of these CMOS logic circuits makes them ideal candidates for use in flexible integrated devices.
Photothermally driven fast responding photo-actuators fabricated with comb-type hydrogels and magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Eunsu , Kim Dowan , Kim Haneul , Yoon Jinhwan
Published: October 2015

To overcome the slow kinetics of the volume phase transition of stimuli-responsive hydrogels as platforms for soft actuators, thermally responsive comb-type hydrogels were prepared using synthesized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) macromonomers bearing graft chains. Fast responding light-responsive hydrogels were fabricated by combining a comb-type hydrogel matrix with photothermal magnetite nanoparticles (MNP). The MNPs dispersed in the matrix provide heat to stimulate the volume change of the hydrogel matrix by converting absorbed visible light to thermal energy. In this process, the comb-type hydrogel matrix exhibited a rapid response due to the free, mobile grafted chains. The comb-type hydrogel exhibited significantly enhanced light-induced volume shrinkage and rapid recovery. The comb-type hydrogels containing MNP were successfully used to fabricate a bilayer-type photo-actuator with fast bending motion.