bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The shift of microbial communities and their roles in sulfur and iron cycling in a copper ore bioleaching system
Authors: Niu Jiaojiao , Deng Jie , Xiao Yunhua , He Zhili , Zhang Xian , Van Nostrand J. D. , Liang Yili , Deng Ye , Liu Xueduan , Yin Huaqun
Published: October 2016

Bioleaching has been employed commercially to recover metals from low grade ores, but the production efficiency remains to be improved due to limited understanding of the system. This study examined the shift of microbial communities and S&Fe cycling in three subsystems within a copper ore bioleaching system: leaching heap (LH), leaching solution (LS) and sediment under LS. Results showed that both LH and LS had higher relative abundance of S and Fe oxidizing bacteria, while S and Fe reducing bacteria were more abundant in the Sediment. GeoChip analysis showed a stronger functional potential for S0 oxidation in LH microbial communities. These findings were consistent with measured oxidation activities to S0 and Fe2+, which were highest by microbial communities from LH, lower by those from LS and lowest form Sediment. Moreover, phylogenetic molecular ecological network analysis indicated that these differences might be related to interactions among microbial taxa. Last but not the least, a conceptual model was proposed, linking the S&Fe cycling with responsible microbial populations in the bioleaching systems. Collectively, this study revealed the microbial community and functional structures in all three subsystems of the copper ore, and advanced a holistic understanding of the whole bioleaching system.
The ubiquitin ligase TRIM27 functions as a host restriction factor antagonized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis PtpA during mycobacterial infection
Authors: Wang Jing , Teng Jade L. L. , Zhao Dongdong , Ge Pupu , Li Bingxi , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Liu Cui Hua
Published: October 2016

Macrophage-mediated innate immune responses play crucial roles in host defense against pathogens. Recent years have seen an explosion of host proteins that act as restriction factors blocking viral replication in infected cells. However, the essential factors restricting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and their regulatory roles during mycobacterial infection remain largely unknown. We previously reported that Mtb tyrosine phosphatase PtpA, a secreted effector protein required for intracellular survival of Mtb, inhibits innate immunity by co-opting the host ubiquitin system. Here, we identified a new PtpA-interacting host protein TRIM27, which is reported to possess a conserved RING domain and usually acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that interferes with various cellular processes. We further demonstrated that TRIM27 restricts survival of mycobacteria in macrophages by promoting innate immune responses and cell apoptosis. Interestingly, Mtb PtpA could antagonize TRIM27-promoted JNK/p38 MAPK pathway activation and cell apoptosis through competitively binding to the RING domain of TRIM27. TRIM27 probably works as a potential restriction factor for Mtb and its function is counteracted by Mtb effector proteins such as PtpA. Our study suggests a potential tuberculosis treatment via targeting of the TRIM27-PtpA interfaces.
Enhanced sensitivity to drugs of abuse and palatable foods following maternal overnutrition
Authors: Peleg-Raibstein D , Sarker G , Litwan K , Krämer S D , Ametamey S M , Schibli R , Wolfrum C
Published: October 2016

Epidemiological studies have shown an association between maternal overnutrition and increased risk of the progeny for the development of obesity as well as psychiatric disorders. Animal studies have shown results regarding maternal high-fat diet (HFD) and a greater risk of the offspring to develop obesity. However, it still remains unknown whether maternal HFD can program the central reward system in such a way that it will imprint long-term changes that will predispose the offspring to addictive-like behaviors that may lead to obesity. We exposed female dams to either laboratory chow or HFD for a period of 9 weeks: 3 weeks before conception, during gestation and lactation. Offspring born to either control or HFD-exposed dams were examined in behavioral, neurochemical, neuroanatomical, metabolic and positron emission tomography (PET) scan tests. Our results demonstrate that HFD offspring compared with controls consume more alcohol, exhibit increased sensitivity to amphetamine and show greater conditioned place preference to cocaine. In addition, maternal HFD leads to increased preference to sucrose as well as to HFD while leaving the general feeding behavior intact. The hedonic behavioral alterations are accompanied by reduction of striatal dopamine and by increased dopamine 2 receptors in the same brain region as evaluated by post-mortem neurochemical, immunohistochemical as well as PET analyses. Taken together, our data suggest that maternal overnutrition predisposes the offspring to develop hedonic-like behaviors to both drugs of abuse as well as palatable foods and that these types of behaviors may share common neuronal underlying mechanisms that can lead to obesity.
Thermoelectric Oxides
Authors: Norman Colin , Azough Feridoon , Freer Robert
Published: October 2016

Thermoelectric oxides are of increasing interest as they are produced from relatively abundant, low-cost and low-toxicity materials. The production of the precursors and the ceramic fabrication methods are discussed with reference to the effect on final properties. The different oxide systems that are in common use are then described. Finally, some of the future challenges for wide-scale commercialization of these materials are outlined.
Phase transitions and chromium(iii) luminescence in perovskite-type [C2H5NH3][Na0.5CrxAl0.5−x(HCOO)3] (x = 0, 0.025, 0.5), correlated with structural, dielectric and phonon properties
Authors: Ptak Maciej , Mączka Mirosław , Gągor Anna , Sieradzki Adam , Bondzior Bartosz , Dereń Przemysław , Pawlus S.
Published: October 2016

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, dielectric, vibrational and emission spectra of heterometallic MOFs, [C2H5NH3][Na0.5CrxAl0.5−x(HCOO)3] (x = 0, 0.025, 0.5).
Intramolecular Lewis pairs with two acid sites – reactivity differences between P- and N-based systems
Authors: Körte Leif A. , Blomeyer Sebastian , Heidemeyer Shari , Nissen Jan Hendrick , Mix Andreas , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: October 2016

Unlike the aniline PhN[(CH2)3B(C6F5)2]2the doubly hydroborated species (tBu/Ph)P[(CH2)3B(C6F5)2]2show no dynamic exchange of the boron Lewis acid functions in solution and are not catalytically active in terms of H/D-scrambling as well as hydrogenation reactions.
Biofilm-enhanced continuous synthesis and stabilization of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs)
Authors: Zhou Chen , Wang Zhaocheng , Marcus Andrew K. , Rittmann Bruce E.
Published: October 2016

Biosynthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) is considered an efficient and green method for catalytic applications.
DFT studies of Ni cluster on graphene surface: effect of CO2 activation
Authors: Xu He , Chu Wei , Sun Wenjing , Jiang Chengfa , Liu Zhongqing
Published: October 2016

The activation of CO2 can be significantly enhanced by Ni cluster deposited onto monovacancy graphene surface.
Conjugated polymers with defined chemical structure as model carbon catalysts for nitro reduction
Authors: Guo Xiaoling , Qi Wei , Liu Wei , Liang Changhai , Zheng Anmin , Yi Xianfeng , Su Dangsheng
Published: October 2016

Conjugated polymers with designated oxygen functionalities (–CO) are synthesized as model carbon catalysts, and a plausible catalytic mechanism involving the activation of hydrazine is proposed for nitro reduction reaction.
Polyaniline and modified titanate nanowires layer-by-layer plastic electrode for flexible electronic device applications
Authors: Abdel Rehim Mona H. , Youssef Ahmed M. , Al-Said Heba , Turky Gamal , Aboaly Mohamad
Published: October 2016

Flexible transparent conductive electrodes represent the next generation electronics and are considered a vital part of the renewable energy technology.
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethanes bearing carbosilane segments
Authors: Karimata Ayumu , Matsumoto Kozo , Endo Takeshi
Published: October 2016

New polyurethanes bearing carbosilane segment (1a–c) were synthesized and found to exhibit lower glass transition temperature and storage moduli than corresponding reference polyurethanes 2a–c, while thermal stability was retained.
Highly recyclable and magnetic catalyst of a metalloporphyrin-based polymeric composite for cycloaddition of CO2to epoxide
Authors: Chen Aibing , Ju Pengpeng , Zhang Yunzhao , Chen Jinzhu , Gao Hui , Chen Limin , Yu Yifeng
Published: October 2016

A highly recyclable and magnetic catalyst made of a metalloporphyrin-based polymeric composite efficiently promotes chemical fixation of CO2to cyclic carbonate.
A cyanide-selective colorimetric “naked-eye” and fluorescent chemosensor based on a diketopyrrolopyrrole–hydrazone conjugate and its use for the design of a molecular-scale logic device
Authors: Wang Lingyun , Chen Xianggen , Cao Derong
Published: October 2016

A novel diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)–hydrazone based receptor was designed and synthesized as a selective fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for cyanide in aqueous media via deprotonation between the hydrazide moiety of the probe and cyanide.
Splitting-induced surface patterns on the surface of polystyrene thin films
Authors: Lin Ang-Ying , Yang Fuqian , Lee Sanboh
Published: October 2016

An AFM image of the surface gratings formed on the surface of the irradiated PS films with the irradiation dose of 1.548 J cm−2, and variation of the apparent surface stress with the thickness of the irradiated PS films.
Azeotrope enabled polymerization of ethylene oxide
Authors: Bento Jennifer L. , Madugula Drona R. , Hire Chetan C. , Adamson Douglas H.
Published: October 2016

We report a synthetic route for poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) using azeotropic distillation to remove water and drive the equilibrium of an alkyl hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to potassium alkoxide, avoiding the use of pyrophoric organometallics.
Cytotoxicity studies of coumarin analogs: design, synthesis and biological activity
Authors: Venkata Sairam K. , Gurupadayya B. M. , Vishwanathan B. Iyer , Chandan R. S. , Nagesha Dattatri K.
Published: October 2016

In the present study, a series of coumarin derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.
High-performance electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction derived from copolymer networks and iron(ii) acetate
Authors: Yang Mei , Chen Hongbiao , Yang Duanguang , Gao Yong , Li Huaming
Published: October 2016

A novel non-precious-metal electrocatalyst for ORR is prepared by the pyrolysis of copolymer networks (CPN) in the presence of iron(ii) acetate. The as-prepared Fe–NTP/C-900 exhibits excellent ORR activity in both alkaline and acidic media.
Preparation of three-dimensional nanosheet-based molybdenum disulfide nanotubes as anode materials for lithium storage
Authors: Gu Cuiping , Guan Wenmei , Cui Yanwei , Chen Yu , Gao Lvlv , Huang Jiarui
Published: October 2016

MoS2 nanotubes constructed with nanosheets obtained by a facile solvothermal method using the MoO3 nanorod precursor show excellent lithium-ion storage performances.
Core–shell nano-structured carbon composites based on tannic acid for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liao Chenbo , Xu Qingkai , Wu Chaolumen , Fang Daling , Chen Shengyang , Chen Shimou , Luo Jiangshui , Li Lei
Published: October 2016

A versatile, facile method is reported for preparation of core–shell nano-structured carbon composites using tannic acid as the carbon source.
Challenges and prospects of the role of solid electrolytes in the revitalization of lithium metal batteries
Authors: Varzi Alberto , Raccichini Rinaldo , Passerini Stefano , Scrosati Bruno
Published: October 2016

Solid-state electrolytes for high energy lithium metal batteries are reviewed and critically discussed.
A facile modular approach toward multifunctional supramolecular polyplexes for targeting gene delivery
Authors: Liu Jia , Hennink Wim E. , van Steenbergen Mies J. , Zhuo Renxi , Jiang Xulin
Published: October 2016

A convenient modular approach for multifunctional supramolecular self-assembly polyplexes of poly(cyclodextrin) and mono-adamantane-terminated guest polymers displaying targeting cellular uptake and transfection.
Phase-changeable and bubble-releasing implants for highly efficient HIFU-responsive tumor surgery and chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Shige , Zhao Jiulong , Hu Fei , Li Xiang , An Xiao , Zhou Shilin , Chen Yu , Huang Mingxian
Published: October 2016

A multifunctional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based solid implant was constructed within a tumor for highly efficient HIFU-responsive tumor surgery and chemotherapy.
Thermally conductive and optically transparent flexible films with surface-exposed nanocellulose skeletons
Authors: Uetani Kojiro , Okada Takumi , Oyama Hideko T.
Published: October 2016

Thermally conductive and optically transparent flexible films were fabricated using nanocellulose skeletons with acrylic resin.
Characterisation of rollator use using inertial sensors
Authors: Cheng Tsu‐Jui , Kenney Laurence , Amor James David , Thies Sibylle Brunhilde , Costamagna Eleonora , James Christopher , Holloway Catherine
Published: October 2016

The use of walking aids is prevalent among older people and people with mobility impairment. Rollators are designed to support outdoor mobility and require the user to negotiate curbs and slopes in the urban environment. Despite the prevalence of rollators, analysis of their use outside of controlled environments has received relatively little attention. This Letter reports on an initial study to characterise rollator movement. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) was used to measure the motion of the rollator and analytical approaches were developed to extract features characterising the rollator movement, properties of the surface and push events. The analytics were tested in two situations: first, a healthy participant used a rollator in a laboratory using a motion capture system to obtain ground truth. Second, the IMU was used to measure the movement of a rollator being used by a user with multiple sclerosis on a flat surface, cross‐slope, up and down slopes and up and down a step. The results showed that surface inclination and distance travelled measured by the IMU have close approximation to the results from ground truth; therefore, demonstrating the potential for IMU‐derived metrics to characterise rollator movement and user's pushing style in the outdoor environment.
Multi‐carrier radar waveforms for communications and detection
Authors: Ellinger John , Zhang Zhiping , Wicks Michael , Wu Zhiqiang
Published: October 2016

The use of multi‐carrier waveforms, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) as used in radio communication, for radar operations has gained strong interest recently. While the authors have completed research on using multi‐carrier waveforms for simultaneous radar and communications operations, this study focuses on the recent research on using these waveforms for communications. Namely, they demonstrate how to employ OFDM to modulate Multi‐Frequency Complementary Phase Coded sequences for wireless communications.
Performance enhancement of downstream vertical-axis wind turbines
Authors: Brownstein Ian D. , Kinzel Matthias , Dabiri John O.
Published: October 2016

Increased power production is observed in downstream vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) when positioned offset from the wake of upstream turbines. This effect is found to exist in both laboratory and field environments with pairs of co- and counter-rotating turbines, respectively. It is hypothesized that the observed production enhancement is due to flow acceleration adjacent to the upstream turbine due to bluff body blockage, which would increase the incident freestream velocity on appropriately positioned downstream turbines. A low-order model combining potential flow and actuator disk theory captures this effect. Additional laboratory and field experiments further validate the predictive capabilities of the model. Finally, an evolutionary algorithm reveals patterns in optimized VAWT arrays with various numbers of turbines. A “truss-shaped” array is identified as a promising configuration to optimize energy extraction in VAWT wind farms by maximizing the performance enhancement of downstream turbines.
A new kind of spoof surface plasmon polaritons structure with periodic loading of T-shape grooves
Authors: Chen Chongchong
Published: October 2016

A new kind of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) structure with periodic loading of T-shape grooves is introduced in this paper. Dispersion property of this proposed structure is investigated in detail, and comparisons of dispersion property of the proposed structure and that of the traditional SSPPs structures, including structure with rectangular grooves and structure with trapezoidal grooves, are also made. The SSPPs field confinement along the orthogonal directions of the proposed structure is studied. Also, some researches on the transmission loss and propagation length of the SSPPs on the proposed structure are made. All the simulation and calculations show that the proposed structure have a great improvement of SSPPs field confinement and the transmission loss is low.
Synthesis of a Tetraphenylethene-Substituted Tetrapyridinium Salt with Multifunctionality: Mechanochromism, Cancer Cell Imaging, and DNA Marking
Authors: Rananaware Anushri , Abraham Amanda N. , La Duong Duc , Mistry Vishal , Shukla Ravi , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: October 2016

The development of functional materials is a crucial step in the development of newer and better technologies. The development of efficient luminescent materials, whose potential lie in applications in fields such as electronics, optics, data storage, and biological sciences, through simple synthetic procedures is therefore of interest. Herein, we report the synthesis of a tetrapyridinium-tetraphenylethylene (TPy-TPE) luminogen with multiple functionalities. TPy-TPE displayed characteristic features of an aggregation-induced emission material being weakly emissive in solution, but strongly emissive when aggregated and in the solid state. The solid-state emission of TPy-TPE can be reversibly switched between green and yellow by grinding–fuming/heating processes with a high contrast due to a transformation from a crystalline to an amorphous state and vice versa. TPy-TPE also works as a good fluorescent visualiser for specific staining for cellular imaging and as a DNA marker.
Circulating anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in relation to age and season in male and female beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Montano Gisele A. , Robeck Todd R. , Steinman Karen J. , O'Brien Justine K.
Published: October 2016

The present study aimed to describe serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) patterns of ex situ male and female beluga to examine the influence of age (divided into 5-year categories) or sexual maturation and reproductive season. In males aged 5–9 years, AMH concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in all age categories exceeding 15 years and were not influenced by season (P = 0.57). AMH concentrations in females peaked in the 5–9-year age category during the breeding season and decreased (P < 0.05) after 9 years of age. Aged females displayed lower (P < 0.05) AMH concentrations than immature and mature animals and immature females secreted higher concentrations than mature animals (P = 0.03). For mature females, seasonal differences (P = 0.02) in AMH concentrations were detected, with females in the breeding season displaying higher AMH concentrations than in the non-breeding season. This is the first time AMH has been characterised in a cetacean species and the first potential hormonal evidence of reproductive senescence in beluga. Further research is required to determine if this hormone can be used as a predictor of fertility for the species.
A combination of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and FSH promotes proliferation of prepubertal bovine Sertoli cells isolated and cultured in vitro
Authors: Dance A. , Kastelic J. , Thundathil J.
Published: October 2016

Beef and dairy bull calves fed a low-nutrition diet during early life had decreased concentrations of circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), delayed increases in testosterone, smaller testes and delayed puberty compared with those fed high-nutrition diets. Although IGF-1 has important roles in Sertoli cell function in rats and mice, this has not been well documented in bulls. The objectives of this study were to: (1) isolate Sertoli cells from bull calves at 8 weeks of age, (2) culture them in vitro and (3) determine the effects of IGF-I, FSH and a combination of both hormones on cell proliferation. For Sertoli cell isolation, minced testicular tissues were treated with collagenase followed by trypsin and hyaluronidase to digest seminiferous tubules and release Sertoli cells. In this study, Sertoli cells were successfully isolated from 8-week-old Holstein bull calves (n = 4) and these cells were cultured for up to 8 days. A combination of IGF-I and FSH increased proliferation (~18%) and therefore cell number (1.5-fold) of prepubertal bovine Sertoli cells in culture, providing clear evidence that IGF-I has a similar role in bovine Sertoli cells as reported in rodents.
Genetic mapping of male pheromone response in the European corn borer identifies candidate genes regulating neurogenesis
Authors: Koutroumpa Fotini A. , Groot Astrid T. , Dekker Teun , Heckel David G.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Most male moths find their mates by following species-specific pheromones released by females. Despite the importance of pheromone communication in reproductive isolation, much is still unknown about its genetic basis. We investigated male responses in the two pheromone races of the European corn borer. A reasonable hypothesis, that males of the two races differ in the genes encoding the receptor proteins that respond to the two pheromone components, was previously rejected without a convincing alternative. We found that instead male choice was correlated with genes affecting growth and differentiation of the nerve cells that may contain these receptors. This unexpected finding resolves the dilemma and points to another layer of complexity in the evolution of sexual pheromone communication systems.
Increasing vertical resolution in US models to improve track forecasts of Hurricane Joaquin with HWRF as an example
Authors: Zhang Banglin , Lindzen Richard S. , Tallapragada Vijay , Weng Fuzhong , Liu Qingfu , Sippel Jason A. , Ma Zaizhong , Bender Morris A.
Published: October 2016

Significance

For forecasts of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting model consistently and correctly predicted a track away from the US mainland, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System (GFS) and Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast (HWRF) models made erroneous track forecasts with landfall on the US East Coast. Our investigation found that inadequate vertical resolution in HWRF likely contributed to the track error. A number of HWRF forecasting experiments, carried out at different vertical resolutions, show that the track forecasts of Hurricane Joaquin (2015) were greatly improved by increasing the vertical resolution of the forecast model. These results suggest that hurricane tracks in GFS could also be improved by increasing vertical resolution in that model.
Distinguishing rhetorical from ironical questions
Authors: Raeber Thierry
Published: October 2016

This chapter seeks to differentiate ironical questions from rhetorical questions, as they are often thought to share apparent similarities. Ironical questions are often taken as types of rhetorical questions because they orient towards an obvious answer and have some persuasive power. A relevance-theoretic account, however, shows that ironical questions result in different interpretive effects from those rhetorical questions yield. While rhetorical questions intentionally assert an implicit proposition bearing relevance, in ironical questions such a proposition is not relevant in itself, though it is still communicated. Ironical questions are contextually inaccurate and do not satisfy expectations of optimal relevance. The contextual absurdity of pragmatic expectations gives rise to specific attitudinal and non-propositonal effects.
Relevance theory, epistemic vigilance and pragmatic competence
Authors: Ifantidou Elly
Published: October 2016

The study evaluates pragmatic competence in an academic context under different conditions of treatment. Control and experimental groups are used to assess the effects of intervention and language proficiency on developing pragmatic competence. Using the relevance-theoretic framework (Sperber and Wilson 1986/1995), it will be argued that EFL learners rely on relevance-theoretic mechanisms for comprehension and search for relevance, and on epistemic vigilance for acceptance of communicated information. Editorials are used as test-beds for examining how epistemic vigilance may be exercised against the risk run by humans to be ‘accidentally or intentionally misinformed’ (Sperber et al. 2010; Wilson 2010). It is concluded that epistemic vigilance is a key mechanism to developing pragmatic competence in L2.
Perlocutionary effects and relevance theory
Authors: Piskorska Agnieszka
Published: October 2016

The paper adopts and modifies Austin’s (1962) notion of perlocutionary effects and argues for recognizing the significance of such effects in communication. I draw a parallel between persuasion, which has received much attention in RT and is believed to be intrinsically linked to comprehension, and other effects, such as amusement or taking offence. I hypothesise that the latter occur not merely as consequences of interpretations consisting in an explicature and a set of implicatures, but that they may also have some impact on the inferential path and ultimately on the outcome of the comprehension process. To support this view, I refer to selected psychological findings on the inseparability of cognition and affect in stimuli processing.
Displaying Recipiency
Authors: Xu Jun
Published: October 2016

This book is intended to address students, researchers and teachers of spoken language. It presents an empirical study of task-oriented language data in which coparticipants display levels of recipiency through reactive tokens. An in-depth investigation of displaying recipiency is of interest primarily to conversation analysts and pragmaticians involved in the research on talk-in-interaction in general and Mandarin Chinese conversations in particular. The communicative aspect makes this book relevant to the areas of language use. While previous research has shown that one single reactive token has different discourse functions in different conversational environments, this study shows that participants’ collaborative orientation to each other’s status of displayed recipiency seems decisive for the selection of reactive tokens, rather than one specific reactive token being employed for specific conversational purposes in varying interactional contexts. This book also contributes to fields in linguistics, pragmatics, and sociology which specialize in the investigation of spontaneous human communication.
Switch reference systems in the Barbacoan languages and their neighbors
Authors: Floyd Simeon , Norcliffe Elisabeth
Published: October 2016

This chapter surveys the available data on Barbacoan languages and their neighbors to explore a case study of switch reference within a single language family and in a situation of areal contact. To the extent possible given the available data, we weigh accounts appealing to common inheritance and areal convergence to ask what combination of factors led to the current state of these languages. We discuss the areal distribution of switch reference systems in the northwest Andean region, the different types of systems and degrees of complexity observed, and scenarios of contact and convergence, particularly in the case of Barbacoan and Ecuadorian Quechua. We then covers each of the Barbacoan languages’ systems (with the exception of Totoró, represented by its close relative Guambiano), identifying limited formal cognates, primarily between closely-related Tsafiki and Cha’palaa, as well as broader functional similarities, particularly in terms of interactions with topic/focus markers. n accounts for the current state of affairs with a complex scenario of areal prevalence of switch reference combined with deep structural family inheritance and formal re-structuring of the systems over time.
Typologically relevant peculiarities of the switch reference system in Yukaghir
Authors: Schmalz Mark
Published: October 2016

The switch reference (SR) system in Yukaghir exhibits certain characteristics that supplement and partly correct some of the typological generalizations formulated in Haiman and Munro (1983: ix–xv). The central observation made here is that SR in Yukaghir is not primarily a syntactic but a semantic phenomenon which interacts with syntactic and pragmatic factors. It is assumed that this finding is cross-linguistically valid. This analysis is based on a number of published primary and secondary sources as well as on unpublished fieldwork data.
Ėven converbs and the syntax of switch-reference
Authors: Matić Dejan
Published: October 2016

This paper provides a description of the switch-reference system based on converbs in the North Tungusic language Ėven. It is argued that Ėven converbal clauses are adjunct clauses and that their properties are derived from the ways in which adjunct subordinate clauses are structured and interpreted in this language. Similar to other adjuncts, converbs can be adjoined at clausal and predicate levels, and they can be attached to different elements of the clause. This accounts for their syntactic peculiarities. At a different level of description, switch-reference in Ėven is shown to be a part of the broader system of reference tracking based on the contrast between reflexive and non-reflexive elements. This explains the interpretive and semantic idiosyncrasies of converbal clauses.
Switch-reference and case-marking in Aguaruna (Jivaroan) and beyond
Authors: Overall Simon E.
Published: October 2016

The paper describes the switch-reference system of Aguaruna, a Jivaroan language spoken in north Peru. This language has two formally distinct subsystems, one marking canonical same/different subject, the other marking coreference relations involving both subjects and non-subjects. Historical evidence is presented to show that the development of these two systems involved oblique (locative) and core (nominative and accusative) case marking respectively, and cross-linguistic parallels involving the grammaticalization of case markers into switch-reference are discussed.
Towards assessing the space of English in Uganda’s linguistic ecology
Authors: Namyalo Saudah , Isingoma Bebwa , Meierkord Christiane
Published: October 2016

This chapter analyses the present-day language situation in Uganda with the
aim of providing a description of the diversity of Uganda’s languages, and the
space of English therein. It examines the degrees of development and vitality,
as expressed through speaker numbers and the availability of orthographies,
and the geographical and social spaces occupied by the individual languages.
Against this background, the chapter discusses how this correlates with the
languages’ functions and statuses in present-day Uganda. It demonstrates that
whilst English is the de facto sole official language, various indigenous languages,
most prominently Luganda and Kiswahili, occupy increasingly stable
positions in several domains.
Tensions between English medium and mother tongue education in rural Ugandan primary schools
Authors: Ssentanda Medadi
Published: October 2016

This chapter focuses on how teachers understand and manage the transition
from mother tongue education to English medium education in Uganda. It
seeks to investigate how teachers employ English and the mother tongue in the
teaching and learning process. The findings reveal that government and private
schools in Uganda implement the current language policy in different ways,
creating different environments for the exposure of the learners to the English
language. Moreover, teachers in the two sets of schools hold different views and
engage in varying practices in the teaching and learning of English.
Speech acts in Ugandan English social letters
Authors: Meierkord Christiane
Published: October 2016

This chapter investigates speech acts in Ugandan English social letters to
uncover how English is being adapted to meet the cultural conventions of its
Ugandan users. To this end, directive speech acts, particularly requests, will be
analysed and compared to other second language varieties of English, using a
combination of Postcolonial Pragmatics theory and Contrastive Pragmatics and
corpus linguistic methods to discuss both socio-pragmatic as well as pragmalinguistic
aspects.
Agreement of Bioreactance Cardiac Output Monitoring With Thermodilution During Hemorrhagic Shock and Resuscitation in Adult Swine
Authors: Berlin David A. , Peprah-Mensah Harrison , Manoach Seth , Heerdt Paul M.
Published: October 2016

Objective:

The study tests the hypothesis that noninvasive cardiac output monitoring based upon bioreactance (Cheetah Medical, Portland, OR) has acceptable agreement with intermittent bolus thermodilution over a wide range of cardiac output in an adult porcine model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation.

Design:

Prospective laboratory animal investigation.

Setting:

Preclinical university laboratory.

Subjects:

Eight ~ 50 kg Yorkshire swine with a femoral artery catheter for blood pressure measurement and a pulmonary artery catheter for bolus thermodilution.

Interventions:

With the pigs anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, 40 mL/kg of blood was removed yielding marked hypotension and a rise in plasma lactate. After 60 minutes, pigs were resuscitated with shed blood and crystalloid. Noninvasive cardiac output monitoring and intermittent thermodilution cardiac output were simultaneously measured at nine time points spanning baseline, hemorrhage, and resuscitation.

Measurements and Main Results:

Simultaneous noninvasive cardiac output monitoring and thermodilution measurements of cardiac output were compared by Bland-Altman analysis. A plot was constructed using the difference of each paired measurement expressed as a percentage of the mean of the pair plotted against the mean of the pair. Percent bias was used to scale the differences in the measurements for the magnitude of the cardiac output. Method concordance was assessed from a four-quadrant plot with a 15% zone of exclusion. Overall, noninvasive cardiac output monitoring percent bias was 1.47% (95% CI, −2.5 to 5.4) with limits of agreement of upper equal to 33.4% (95% CI, 26.5−40.2) and lower equal to −30.4% (95% CI, −37.3 to −23.6). Trending analysis demonstrated a 97% concordance between noninvasive cardiac output monitoring and thermodilution cardiac output.

Conclusions:

Over the wide range of cardiac output produced by hemorrhage and resuscitation in large pigs, noninvasive cardiac output monitoring has acceptable agreement with thermodilution cardiac output.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Lopinavir in HIV-Infected Children on Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Asia
Authors: Aurpibul Linda , Teerananchai Sirinya , Prasitsuebsai Wasana , Sudjaritruk Tavitiya , Kosalaraksa Pope , Kurniati Nia , Truong Khanh Huu , Do Viet Chau , Nguyen Lam Van , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya , Singtoroj Thida , Kerr Stephen J. ,   on behalf of the TASER-Pediatrics Study Group
Published: October 2016

Background:

Failure rates of second-line boosted protease inhibitor antiretroviral therapy regimens in children rise over time. Therapeutic drug monitoring can contribute to assessments of adherence. The authors assessed the performance characteristics of the US DHHS-recommended lopinavir (LPV) concentration of 1.0 mg/L for predicting virologic failure (VF) and intermediate- to high-level LPV resistance in Asian children.

Methods:

LPV concentration, HIV RNA level, and adherence data from study participants in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia receiving second-line LPV-based ART and followed for ≥24 weeks were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 223 children at a median age of 10.4 (interquartile range, 7.9–13.4) years were enrolled, and 61% of them were male. Their mean CD4 was 842 ± 438 cells per cubic millimeter, and the median LPV duration was 2.5 (interquartile range, 1.3–4.2) years. Five of 84 (6%) and 18 of 139 (13%) children had LPV trough and random concentrations <1.0 mg/L at study week 24. Using either of these trough or random LPV concentrations, a cutoff at 1.0 mg/L gave an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.69 in predicting VF with sensitivity of 44% (95% CI 23–66) and specificity of 94% (95% CI 89–97). Seven of 21 with VF and resistance results available had ≥1 major protease inhibitor mutation. Multivariate logistic regression found LPV concentrations <1.0 mg/L (odds ratio, 6.47; 95% CI 2.15–19.50, P = 0.001) and CD4 ≤20% (odds ratio, 2.83; 95% CI 1.01–7.89, P = 0.05) were independently associated with HIV RNA >1000 copies per milliliter. No factors predicted major LPV resistance mutations.

Conclusions:

The authors support that the DHHS target LPV concentration of <1.0 mg/L is predictive of VF, but not of the presence of major LPV mutations.
Physician Adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Sexually Active Adolescents in the Pediatric Emergency Setting
Authors: Pickett Michelle L. , Melzer-Lange Marlene D. , Miller Melissa K. , Menon Seema , Vistocky Alexis M. , Drendel Amy L.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

There is limited literature about physicians' adherence to 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines specific to specimen collection testing methods in adolescent females in the emergency setting is limited. The objectives are to (1) determine physician adherence to CDC guidelines for specimen collection/testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, (2) determine physician characteristics associated with guideline adherence, and (3) describe physicians' knowledge of expedited partner therapy (EPT) laws.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, anonymous, Internet-based survey of physician members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section of Emergency Medicine. Questions addressed practice patterns and knowledge through clinical scenarios of adolescent girls. Descriptive statistics are used to report frequency. Fisher exact and χ2 analyses are used to compare physician subgroups: gender, years in practice, practice setting, and geographical region.

Results

Overall, 257 physicians responded and 231 were analyzed; 62.4% females; 46.0% in practice for ≤ 7 years; 86.2% in academic medicine. Specimen collection/testing in an asymptomatic patient were consistent with guidelines for 85.6% of respondents, but decreased to 37.4% for a symptomatic patient. Guideline adherence was not different between physician subgroups. Only 30.4% of physicians reported state EPT law knowledge.

Conclusions

Adherence with the CDC guidelines for chlamydia/gonorrhea specimen collection/testing for adolescents in the emergency setting is inadequate, and EPT knowledge is poor. With increased emergency department use by adolescents, it is critical that physicians know and implement the current recommendations to improve adolescent health outcomes.
Intravenous and Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate for Treating Acute Asthma in Children
Authors: Su Zhantao , Li Rui , Gai Zhongtao
Published: October 2016

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous (IV) and nebulized magnesium sulfate in acute asthma in children.

Methods

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials of IV and nebulized magnesium sulfate in pediatric acute asthma were included. The outcomes subject to meta-analysis were pulmonary function, hospitalization, and further treatment. If statistical heterogeneity was significant, random-effects models were used for meta-analysis, otherwise, fixed-effects models were applied.

Results

Ten randomized and quasi-randomized trials (6 IV, 4 nebulized) were identified. Intravenous magnesium sulfate treatment is associated with significant effects on respiratory function (standardized mean difference, 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-3.08; P = 0.0008) and hospital admission (risk ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.95; P = 0.03). But nebulized magnesium sulfate treatment shows no significant effect on respiratory function (standardized mean difference, 0.19; 95% CI, −0.01–0.40; P = 0.07) or hospital admission (risk ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.86–1.44; P = 0.42).

Conclusions

The meta-analysis revealed that IV magnesium sulfate is an effective treatment in children, with the pulmonary function significantly improved and hospitalization and further treatment decreased. But nebulized magnesium sulfate treatment showed no significant effect on respiratory function or hospital admission and further treatment.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in an Incarcerated Adolescent Presents as Acute Psychosis
Authors: Neeki Michael M. , Au Christine , Richard Aurora , Peace Carlos , Jaques Sharon , Johansson Jens
Published: October 2016

Objective

We aimed to describe a case of an incarcerated adolescent with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) presenting as acute psychosis.

Methods

This was a retrospective case report followed with chart and literature review.

Main Findings

An adolescent with ADEM presented with drastic behavior and personality changes that led to her incarceration for serious charges. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis leads to neuropsychiatric effects and can be seen with magnetic resonance imaging as a large mass effect that may result in a poor prognosis. This adolescent made a full recovery from her left facial droop, slurred speech, and left-sided hemiplegia, and her personality changes were reverted.

Conclusions

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can present as acute psychosis; therefore, clinical suspicion is important when treating patients who have a history of past infectious brain diseases, especially encephalitis. Given the rapid onset of disease, physicians must be knowledgeable of the diagnosis and treatment of ADEM and be vigilant in finding organic causes of acute psychosis.
Magnetic Foreign Body Ingestions
Authors: Alfonzo Michael J. , Baum Carl R.
Published: October 2016

Magnets are inherently attractive to young children, but present a risk when ingested. If consumed alone, small, smooth magnetic foreign bodies are likely to pass without significant event; however, ingestion of multiple magnets may have catastrophic consequences, including bowel perforation, obstruction, peritonitis, and death. Increasing reports of morbidity and mortality in recent years from the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System has led to numerous safety statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as several product recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This article presents the background and mechanism of injury of magnet ingestion, as well as recommended management and potential complications. We also review current legislation and opportunities for further patient advocacy regarding this polarizing problem.
Horizontal Gaze Palsy and Progressive Scoliosis With ROBO 3 Mutations in Patients From Cape Verde
Authors: Mendes Marques Nadine B. P. S. , Barros Sandra R. , Miranda Ana F. , Nobre Cardoso João , Parreira Sónia , Fonseca Teresa , Donaire Nelvia M. , Campos Nuno
Published: October 2016

Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS) is a rare and autosomal recessive syndrome. We describe 2 cases of HGPPS which are the first documented in patients of African ancestry from an isolated population in Cape Verde. They demonstrated typical findings on neuro-ophthalmic examination and brain magnetic resonance imaging. One patient had novel heterozymous mutations of the ROB0 3 gene.
Treatment Effects on Neonatal EEG
Authors: Obeid Rawad , Tsuchida Tammy N.
Published: October 2016

Conventional EEG and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography are used in neonates to assess prognosis and significant changes in brain activity. Neuroactive medications and hypothermia can influence brain activity and therefore alter EEG interpretation. There are limited studies on the effect of these therapies on neonatal EEG background activity. Medication effects on the EEG or amplitude-integrated electroencephalography include increased interburst interval duration, voltage suppression, and sleep disruption. The effect is transient in term newborns but can be persistent in premature newborns. Although therapeutic hypothermia does not produce significant changes in EEG activity, it does change the time point at which EEG can accurately predict neurodevelopmental outcome. It is important to account for these effects on the EEG to avoid inaccurate interpretation that may affect prognostication.
Towards the virtual artery: a multiscale model for vascular physiology at the physics–chemistry–biology interface
Authors: Hoekstra Alfons G. , Alowayyed Saad , Lorenz Eric , Melnikova Natalia , Mountrakis Lampros , van Rooij Britt , Svitenkov Andrew , Závodszky Gábor , Zun Pavel
Published: October 2016

This discussion paper introduces the concept of the
Virtual Artery
as a multiscale model for arterial physiology and pathologies at the physics–chemistry–biology (PCB) interface. The cellular level is identified as the mesoscopic level, and we argue that by coupling cell-based models with other relevant models on the macro- and microscale, a versatile model of arterial health and disease can be composed. We review the necessary ingredients, both models of arteries at many different scales, as well as generic methods to compose multiscale models. Next, we discuss how this can be combined into the virtual artery. Finally, we argue that the concept of models at the PCB interface could or perhaps should become a powerful paradigm, not only as in our case for studying physiology, but also for many other systems that have such PCB interfaces.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Multiscale modelling at the physics–chemistry–biology interface’.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of living copolymerization processes
Authors: Gaspard Pierre
Published: October 2016

Theoretical advances are reported on the kinetics and thermodynamics of free and template-directed living copolymerizations. Until recently, the kinetic theory of these processes had only been established in the fully irreversible regime, in which the attachment rates are only considered. However, the entropy production is infinite in this regime and the approach to thermodynamic equilibrium cannot be investigated. For this purpose, the detachment rates should also be included. Inspite of this complication, the kinetics can be exactly solved in the regimes of steady growth and depolymerization. In this way, analytical expressions are obtained for the mean growth velocity, the statistical properties of the copolymer sequences, as well as the thermodynamic entropy production. The results apply to DNA replication, transcription and translation, allowing us to understand important aspects of molecular evolution.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Multiscale modelling at the physics–chemistry–biology interface’.