bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mandibuloacral dysplasia and LMNA A529V mutation in Turkish patients with severe skeletal changes and absent breast development
Authors: Ozer Leyla , Unsal Evrim , Aktuna Suleyman , Baltaci Volkan , Celikkol Pelin , Akyigit Fatma , Sen Askin , Ayvaz Ozge , Balci Sevim
Published: April 2016

Mandibuloacral dysplasia (MAD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by acroosteolysis (resorption of terminal phalanges), skin changes (hyperpigmentation), clavicular hypoplasia, craniofascial anomalies, a hook nose and prominent eyes, delayed closures of the cranial sutures, lipodystrophy, alopecia, and skeletal anomalies. MAD patients are classified according to lipodystrophy patterns: type A and type B. The vast majority of MAD cases are caused by LMNA gene mutations. MAD patients with type A lipodystrophy (MADA) have been reported to have LMNA R527H, A529V, or A529T mutations. In this report, we describe two MADA patients with progressive skeletal changes, absent breast development, and cataract in addition to the classical MAD phenotype. Both patients were found to be homozygous for the Ala529Val mutation of the LMNA gene. Our female patient is the oldest MADA patient (59 years old) who has ever been reported with the LMNA mutation and also the LMNA Ala529Val mutation. This study is the second report on MADA patients with a homozygous Ala529Val mutation.
Effect of Oral Insulin on the Severity and Recovery of Methotrexate‐Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis in the Rat
Authors: Kuiken Nicoline S.S. , Rings Edmond H.H.M. , Havinga Rick , van der Aa Stijn A.J. , Groen Albert K. , Tissing Wim J.E.
Published: April 2016

Objectives:

Gastrointestinal (GI) mucositis is an adverse‐effect of chemo‐ and radiotherapy. Oral insulin has been suggested as possible intestinal growth factor and possible intervention for GI mucositis. We aimed to determine the effect of oral insulin on the severity and recovery of mucositis in a methotrexate (MTX)‐induced GI mucositis rat model.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats (n = 24) received a single injection of 60 mg/kg MTX intravenously at day 0. From day −3 oral insulin was added to the drinking water. Group MTX received normal drinking water, group MTX+INS0.5 received 0.5 U/mL insulin, and group MTX+INS1 received 1 U/mL insulin in drinking water. The severity of mucositis was determined by intake, bodyweight, illness, and plasma citrulline. In the recovery phase, the function of the gut was tested with an oral glucose tolerance test, and villus and crypt length of the small intestine were measured.

Results:

MTX‐induced mucositis in all 3 groups and oral insulin did not cause a change in the severity of mucositis, with comparable bodyweight, food intake, and water intake. Oral insulin did not alter the enterocyte mass, determined with plasma citrulline. The glucose level after bolus was higher in the MTX group than the MTX+INS1 group (P < 0.05). Histology was not significant different between all groups.

Conclusions:

Oral insulin does not alter the severity or the acceleration of recovery of mucositis. Therefore, we conclude that it is not useful to further study oral insulin as possible intervention to prevent or treat chemotherapy‐induced GI mucositis.
Facing Spousal Cancer During Child-Rearing Years
Authors: Senneseth Mette , Hauken May A. , Matthiesen Stig B. , Gjestad Rolf , Laberg Jon C.
Published: April 2016

Background:

Partners of cancer patients report psychological distress and reduced quality of life. However, partners’ mental health status and quality of life during child-rearing years and the influence of social support and hardiness on their well-being have not yet been studied.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe psychological distress, quality of life, social support, and hardiness of the partners facing spousal cancer during child-rearing years and investigate whether social support or hardiness moderated the relationship between psychological distress and quality of life.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data were collected in Norway from December 2013 to July 2015 as part of the Cancer-PEPSONE study.

Results:

Five questionnaires were administered to 14 females and 21 males (n = 35). Participants reported more psychological distress and lower quality-of-life scores than other healthy Norwegian populations. Psychological distress seemed to be associated with their not being in control of their futures. Received social support moderated the effect of psychological distress on quality of life.

Conclusions:

Facing spousal cancer during child-rearing years seemed to have a substantial impact on partners’ mental health and an adverse impact on their quality of life. Accordingly, these partners’ self-care abilities may be reduced. Received social support may reduce the multiple burdens and consequently allow for enhancement of self-care.

Implications for Practice:

Interventions should aim to improve the social support provided to child-rearing partners, which may improve their quality of life. Providing adequate information about their partner’s cancer illness and treatment may enhance their feelings of control, which may be beneficial for their mental health status.
Quantum theory as plausible reasoning applied to data obtained by robust experiments
Authors: De Raedt H. , Katsnelson M. I. , Michielsen K.
Published: April 2016

We review recent work that employs the framework of logical inference to establish a bridge between data gathered through experiments and their objective description in terms of human-made concepts. It is shown that logical inference applied to experiments for which the observed events are independent and for which the frequency distribution of these events is robust with respect to small changes of the conditions under which the experiments are carried out yields, without introducing any concept of quantum theory, the quantum theoretical description in terms of the Schrödinger or the Pauli equation, the Stern–Gerlach or Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen–Bohm experiments. The extraordinary descriptive power of quantum theory then follows from the fact that it is plausible reasoning, that is common sense, applied to reproducible and robust experimental data.
First detection of Zika virus in neotropical primates in Brazil: a possible new reservoir
Authors: Favoretto Silvana , Araújo Danielle , Oliveira Danielle , Duarte Nayle , Mesquita Flavio , Zanotto Paolo , Durigon Edison
Published: April 2016

Samples from sera and oral swabs from fifteen marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and nine capuchin-monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) captured in Ceara State in Brazil were tested for Zika virus. Samples were positive by Real time PCR and sequencing of the amplified product from a capuchin monkey showed 100% similarity to other ZIKV from South America. This is the first report on ZIKV detection among Neotropical primates.
Curvature Analysis of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Under PI3K Inhibition
Authors: Sandhu Romeil , Toska Eneda , Scaltriti Maurizio , Baselga José , Deasy Joseph , Oh Jung Hun , Tannenbaum Sarah , Tannenbaum Allen
Published: April 2016

In this note, we re-examine the work of Boschet al. from a network point of view. In particular, we employ an extended defintion of Ollivier-Ricci curvature that allows us to study graphs with both positive and negative weights. This is done by utilizing a dual formulation of the Wasserstein 1-metric, allowing us to extend the Earth Mover’s Distance to signed measures. The resulting curvature may be applied study the robustness properties of general networks modelled as weighted graphs. In this note, we apply the theory to elucidate the robustness and therefore possible mechanisms of resistance of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer under PI3K inhibition.
Characterization of the shape and line-edge roughness of polymer gratings with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Suh Hyo Seon , Chen Xuanxuan , Rincon-Delgadillo Paulina A. , Jiang Zhang , Strzalka Joseph , Wang Jin , Chen Wei , Gronheid Roel , de Pablo Juan J. , Ferrier Nicola , Doxastakis Manolis , Nealey Paul F.
Published: April 2016

Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) is increasingly used for the metrology of substrate-supported nanoscale features and nanostructured films. In the case of line gratings, where long objects are arranged with a nanoscale periodicity perpendicular to the beam, a series of characteristic spots of high-intensity (grating truncation rods, GTRs) are recorded on a two-dimensional detector. The intensity of the GTRs is modulated by the three-dimensional shape and arrangement of the lines. Previous studies aimed to extract an average cross-sectional profile of the gratings, attributing intensity loss at GTRs to sample imperfections. Such imperfections are just as important as the average shape when employing soft polymer gratings which display significant line-edge roughness. Herein are reported a series of GISAXS measurements of polymer line gratings over a range of incident angles. Both an average shape and fluctuations contributing to the intensity in between the GTRs are extracted. The results are critically compared with atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, and it is found that the two methods are in good agreement if appropriate corrections for scattering from the substrate (GISAXS) and contributions from the probe shape (AFM) are accounted for.
The Scherrer equation and the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction
Authors: Muniz Francisco Tiago Leitão , Miranda Marcus Aurélio Ribeiro , Morilla dos Santos Cássio , Sasaki José Marcos
Published: April 2016

The Scherrer equation is a widely used tool to determine the crystallite size of polycrystalline samples. However, it is not clear if one can apply it to large crystallite sizes because its derivation is based on the kinematical theory of X-ray diffraction. For large and perfect crystals, it is more appropriate to use the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction. Because of the appearance of polycrystalline materials with a high degree of crystalline perfection and large sizes, it is the authors' belief that it is important to establish the crystallite size limit for which the Scherrer equation can be applied. In this work, the diffraction peak profiles are calculated using the dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction for several Bragg reflections and crystallite sizes for Si, LaB6and CeO2. The full width at half-maximum is then extracted and the crystallite size is computed using the Scherrer equation. It is shown that for crystals with linear absorption coefficients below 2117.3 cm−1the Scherrer equation is valid for crystallites with sizes up to 600 nm. It is also shown that as the size increases only the peaks at higher 2θ angles give good results, and if one uses peaks with 2θ > 60° the limit for use of the Scherrer equation would go up to 1 µm.
catena-Poly[[[[bis(pyridin-2-yl-κN)amine]zinc(II)]-μ2-(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienedioato-κ4O1,O1′:O6,O6′] monohydrate]
Authors: Lee Do Nam , Kim Youngmee
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, {[Zn(C6H4O4)(C10H9N3)]·H2O}n, the di(pyridin-2-yl)amine (dpa) ligands chelate the ZnIIions, forming [Zn(dpa)]2+units which are connected by two independent bridging muconate [(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienedioate] ligands to form chains. A crystallographic inversion centre is located at the mid-point of the central C—C bond of each muconate ligand. The carboxylate groups of the muconate ligands bridge the ZnIIions in asymmetric chelating modes. The ZnIIion is coordinated by four O atoms of two chelating carboxylate groups and two pyridyl N atoms in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the crystal, N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds connect chains and solvent water molecules, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (101).
N-Benzylcinnamamide
Authors: Bugenhagen Bernhard , Al Jasem Yosef , Thiemann Thies
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C16H15NO, there is a weak intramolecular C—H...O contact which leads to a planar acrylamide moiety. The phenyl ring forms an angle of 8.30 (2)° with the mean plane of the acrylamide moiety. The benzyl group is tilted against the cinnamamide unit, with the ring forming an angle of 77.11 (2)° with the cinnamamide unit mean plane. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions, forming chains propagating along [001]. The chains are linkedviafurther C—H...π interactions, forming layers parallel to theacplane.
3,5-Di-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile
Authors: Zhao Ningfeng , Akwataghibe Kelechi , Pompilius Arielle , Shelly Everett
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C12H19N3, the cyano group lies in the plane of the pyrazole ring, and has a linear C—C[triple-bond]N bond angle of 179.2 (1)°. The NH H atom of the pyrazole ring is disordered equally over the two ring N atoms. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(6) ring motif.
The standardization model of innovation: case of high-technology enterprises
Authors: Fang Fang , Dickson Keith , Wang Daoping
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the core elements and their constitutive activities of innovation of high-technology enterprises (HTEs) in the context of China to embrace effective management processes for dealing with standards setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic methodology of the empirical investigation is a single case study of ZTE Corporation (ZTE), a leading Chinese manufacturer in the telecommunication industry. Interviews were conducted from November 2008 to July 2009 with ZTE’s managers and senior R&D employees, as well as with R&D personnel from ZTE’s partners. Interviews were carried out face to face or by emails and supplemented by telephone calls and online communications. Secondary data provide complementary information.

Findings

The key to innovation for HTEs pursuing dominant positions in high-technology industries is standardization-oriented innovation. To deal with special requirements raised by the peculiarities of standardization for HTEs’ innovation management, HTEs need to emphasize three core elements in innovation, i.e. strategic innovation planning, internal R&D practices and external co-operative innovation, and focus on their key component activities. Moreover, through the case study of ZTE, three enabling factors for standardization-oriented innovation – intellectual property rights (IPR) management, market focus and co-operation along industry chains – are identified.

Originality/value

This paper is an attempt to understand and configure key innovation activities within a standards setting. It proposes a model for innovation management of HTEs in the Chinese economy, with three critical elements and their key constitutive activities being highlighted and three enabling factors being identified.
Small dams revive dry rivers and mitigate local climate change in India’s drylands
Authors: Agoramoorthy Govindasamy , Hsu Minna J
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to assess how small check dams built across rivers in India’s drylands can revitalize rivers during dry season and mitigate local climate change consequences. The surface- and groundwater resources are increasingly under pressure throughout India. The imminent climate change consequences will further aggravate the crisis and this paper has addressed this difficult issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted in India’s dryland districts, namely, Dahod in Gujarat and Jhalawar and Banswara in Rajasthan state, to assess the impacts of small dams. Data on dams, sustainability, groundwater levels and benefits to farmers were systematically collected to analyze advantages offered by check dams with reference to climate change mitigation.

Findings

– The study shows that 356 check dams built during 1990-2012 across the tribal drylands of India, with a cost of USD 17 million, benefited over one million people from farming communities. The dams also increased groundwater levels in villages, revived rivers during dry season and increased forest growth along rivers, ultimately mitigating local climate change-imposed negative consequences.

Research limitations/implications

– Data on small dams are limited in India, as public have no access to such data because the work is done mainly by local contractors.

Practical implications

– The check dams, the role of which is highlighted here, are simple, eco-friendly and cost-effective. If it is adopted across the vast drylands of India and elsewhere, it has the potential to increase agricultural output; guarantee food security; enhance groundwater resources; and, above all, mitigate local climate change consequences.

Social implications

– If check dams are built in large numbers across India, it has the potential to increase agricultural output; guarantee food security; enhance groundwater resources; and, above all, mitigate climate change.

Originality/value

– The highlighted results and discussion will guide scientists, politicians and policymakers to make informed decisions to combat India

’

s future climate change consequences.
The benefits of multiple recollection strategies on adolescents’ testimonies: quality versus within-statement consistency?
Authors: van Can Sanne , Dodier Olivier , Otgaar Henry , Verkampt Fanny
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the beneficial effect of a modified cognitive interview (MCI) on adolescents’ testimonies in case of a negative emotional event. Furthermore, the authors were interested in assessing the impact of a MCI on within-statement consistency.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 37 adolescents (12-15 years) watched a emotionally negative video and were interviewed, seven days later, with a MCI or a structured (control) interview (SI).

Findings

– Results showed that adolescents interviewed with the MCI reported significantly more correct and tended to report more incorrect information than those interviewed with the SI. Nonetheless, this rise in incorrect details did not impair the accuracy of statements gathered with the MCI (vs SI). Moreover, consistent, reminiscent, and forgotten information within a statement was positively linked to overall accuracy. In conclusion, testimonies gathered with the MCI might be perceived as more complete and detailed than the ones gathered with the SI.

Practical implications

– The improvement of interview techniques helps solving criminal cases.

Originality/value

– The innovative aspect of this work is that the benefits of the cognitive interview (CI) and the absence of an effect of inconsistency on accuracy are now also seen among adolescents.
Personalized femoral component design and its direct manufacturing by selective laser melting
Authors: Song Changhui , Yang Yongqiang , Wang Yunda , Yu Jia-kuo , Wang Di
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve rapid design and manufacturing of personalized total knee femoral component.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of a patient’s bone model, a matching personalized knee femoral component was rapidly designed with the help of computer-aided design method, then manufactured directly and rapidly by selective laser melting (SLM). Considered SLM as manufacturing technology, CoCrMo-alloyed powder that meets ASTM F75 standard is made of femoral component under optimal processing parameters. The feasibility of SLM forming through conducting experimental test of mechanical properties, surface roughness, biological corrosion resistance was analyzed.

Findings

The result showed that the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness and biological corrosion resistance of CoCrMo-alloyed personalized femoral component fulfill knee joint prosthesis standard through post-processing.

Originality/value

Traditional standardized prosthesis implantation manufacturing approach was changed by computer-aided design and personalized SLM direct manufacturing, and provided a new way for personalized implanted prosthesis to response manufacturing rapidly.
Influence of process parameters on bond properties of Al laminated structure produced by ultrasonic consolidation
Authors: He Xiao-Hua , Shi Hui-Ji , Norfolk Mark
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of key parameters on the bond strength and failure modes of laminated structures made of different aluminum alloys (i.e. Al 2024 and Al 7075) via the ultrasonic consolidation (UC) process.

Design/methodology/approach

The UC is used to fabricate laminated structures with various parameters. The push-pin tests were performed on the specimens of different materials and parameters, and the force and displacement were recorded during the tests. The peak punch force was used to represent the bond quality of the laminated structure, and the curves of force versus displacement were used to study the failure modes of the structures.

Findings

It is found that the lower normal force, the larger vibration amplitude and the lower travel speed can result in stronger bonding. Three different failure modes are observed in the tests, due to the different relations between the toughness of interface and raw materials. The process parameters have influence on the interface toughness of a laminated structure, which further leads to different failure modes.

Originality/value

The overall mechanical properties of a laminated structure highly depend on the bond quality between laminated layers. The push-pin test can easily and effectively evaluate the bond quality of the laminated structure. This paper not only focuses on the bond strength evaluation, but also analyzes the different failure modes of laminated structures made of different aluminum alloys, which can give an opportunity to optimize the parameters for different materials.
Assessing biological realism of wildlife population estimates in data‐poor systems
Authors: Popescu Viorel D. , Artelle Kyle A. , Pop Mihai I. , Manolache Steluta , Rozylowicz Laurentiu
Published: April 2016

Large carnivore management is often contentious, particularly in jurisdictions where hunting and conservation efforts collide. Regulated hunting is a common management tool, yet relevant decisions are commonly taken in the absence of reliable population data and are driven by factors other than biological considerations.

We used European large carnivore (brown bear Ursus arctos, wolf Canis lupus and Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx) management to evaluate the biological plausibility of reported population estimates used in hunting decisions. We used Romania as a test case as this region is not only data‐poor, but the public and private game managers are beneficiaries of revenue from hunting activities. We assessed the following: (i) how population growth rates calculated from reported abundances between 2005 and 2012 compared to published growth rates empirically derived from European and North American populations; (ii) whether biological unrealism compounded through time by testing whether reported estimates fell within the bounds of biologically plausible trajectories; and (iii) the relationship between the occurrence of biologically unrealistic estimates and financial incentives (amount of hunting).

For U. arctos, which generates high revenue, estimated annual population growth rates were frequently greater than maximum published growth rates (up to 1·5 for reported versus 1·136 in the literature). Reported estimates were greater than maximum simulated populations in 32% of cases, and the difference was positively correlated with hunting (rs = 0·576).

Population growth rates for C. lupus overshot the maximum published growth rate (1·35) less frequently, reported estimates were within the bounds of biologically plausible estimates (91% of cases), and there was a weak correlation between hunting and biologically unrealistic estimates (rs = 0·182).

L. lynx population growth rates derived from reported estimates were lower than minimum simulated populations (60% of cases), and there was a weak correlation between hunting and biologically unrealistic estimates (rs = 0·164).

Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that comparing population estimates used by management agencies to demographic data obtained through rigorous peer‐reviewed studies is a useful approach for evaluating the biological plausibility of wildlife data in data‐poor systems, especially when management decisions might be influenced by non‐scientific incentives.
Signs of Spiritual Crisis or Evidence of Unexpected Commitment? Attitudes to Compulsory Church Parades in the First AIF
Authors: Reynaud Daniel
Published: April 2016

This study explores the attitude of Anzac soldiers to the compulsory Church Parades, drawing evidence from a reading of the diaries and letters of over a thousand soldiers. It examines the complex reactions to Church Parade and draw conclusions about the varied attitudes of soldiers who recorded attending Church Parades in their letters and diaries. Far from producing definitive evidence for the irrelevance of religion to Australian soldiers during the Great War, the study highlights the range of religious attitudes, including the surprising number of soldiers who recorded positive responses to these parades. Even negative attitudes to Church Parades could stem not just from the secular soldiers, but also from the disappointment which religiously committed soldiers felt during times of forced religious activity. Responses to compulsory religious activities in the army do not uniformly support the irreligious nature of the Anzacs. Rather they show that a significant minority — larger and more expressive than generally imagined, and not all of them devout — valued religion and recorded their sentiments about it in their personal writings.
The Potential of the Incorporation of Essential Oils and Their Individual Constituents to Improve Microbial Safety in Juices: A Review
Authors: de Souza Evandro Leite , da Cruz Almeida Erika Tayse , de Sousa Guedes Jossana Pereira
Published: April 2016

The juice sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry. Although juices are important because of their nutritional value and convenience, their composition and physicochemical properties affect their microbiological safety and overall quality during their shelf‐life. Furthermore, the thermal process classically applied in juices partially reduces the occurring microflora, and the use of chemical additives is perceived negatively by consumers. For these reasons, researchers have proposed the use of nonthermal technologies as antimicrobial preservatives in juices. This paper covers the recent literature on the use of essential oils (EOs) and the individual constituents (ICs) found therein, used alone or in combination with other emerging technologies, for the preservation of juices. From this perspective, this paper discusses the growing importance of the use of EOs and their ICs, either alone or in association with other emerging technologies, in juices and their effects on the safety and physicochemical and sensory quality attributes of these products. The results of papers currently available in the literature reveal that EOs and their ICs are promising alternatives to achieve microbial safety and stability in juices. However, extensive studies considering the effects of each EO or IC on sensory characteristics, primarily taste and aroma, are still needed to establish each of these substances/compounds as feasible preservatives for use in juices. Finally, further studies could focus on the combination of low amounts of EOs or ICs with other nonthermal technologies to achieve a balance between the microbial safety and sensory acceptability of juices.
DNA data and morphology reveal the existence of Kentrochrysalis streckeri Staudinger, 1880 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) instead of K. consimilis in South Korea
Authors: Kim Min Jee , Kim Sung‐Soo , Choi Sei‐Woong , Cho Youngho , Kim Iksoo
Published: April 2016

In the present study, we determined that specimens of Kentrochrysalis consimilis collected from South Korea were K. streckeri, rather than K. consimilis, based on morphology, DNA barcodes and nuclear elongation factor 1 alpha (EF‐1α) sequences. The major morphological differences between K. streckeri and K. consimilis include the shape of forewing and hind‐wing pattern elements and male and female genitalia. The DNA barcode analysis of the South Korean specimens and the Russia‐originated K. streckeri showed a maximum sequence divergence of only 0.659% (4 bp), whereas that of the South Korean specimens and Japan‐originated K. consimilis showed a minimum sequence divergence of 2.965% (18 bp), indicating that the Korean specimens are, in fact, K. streckeri and not K. consimilis. Phylogenetic analyses both by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods strongly clustered the South Korean specimens and Russian K. streckeri into one group, excluding K. consimilis. The EF‐1α‐based sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the two species also supported data from the DNA barcode, indicating the distribution of K. streckeri in South Korea, instead of K. consimilis.
Properties of Cassava Starch Modified by Amylomaltase from Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Suriyakul Na Ayudhaya Pitcha , Pongsawasdi Piamsook , Laohasongkram Kalaya , Chaiwanichsiri Saiwarun
Published: April 2016

Amylomaltase (α‐1,4‐glucanotransferase, AM; EC 2.4.1.25) from Corynebacterium glutamicum expressed in Escherichia coli was used to prepare the enzyme‐modified cassava starch for food application. About 5% to 15% (w/v) of cassava starch slurries were incubated with 1, 3, or 5 units of amylomaltase/g starch. Apparent amylose, amylopectin chain length distribution, thermal properties, freeze–thaw stability, thermo‐reversibility, and gel strength of the obtained modified starches were measured. The apparent amylose content and retrogradation enthalpy were lower, whereas the retrogradation temperatures, freeze–thaw stability, and thermo‐reversibility were higher than those of the native cassava starch. However, when amylomaltase content was increased to 20 units of amylomaltase/g starch and for 24 h, the modified starch showed an improvement in the thermo‐reversibility property. When used in panna cotta, the gel strength of the sample using the 20 units/24 h modified cassava starch was similar to that of using gelatin.
Study and evaluation the impact of vitamin D receptor variants on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han Chinese
Authors: Yu Fei , Wang ChongJian , Wang Ling , Jiang HongLin , Ba Yue , Cui LingLing , Wang Yan , Yu SongCheng , Li WenJie
Published: April 2016

Background

Vitamin D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of the present study was to screen more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of VDR and assess their effects on the risk of T2DM in Han Chinese.

Method

Four SNPs were genotyped in 1191 individuals (397 cases, 794 controls). Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were analyzed. Effects were investigated by evaluating genotype distribution with regard to phenotypes, insulin resistance, and β‐cell function. Haplotype analysis and gene risk score (GRS) were used to evaluate the combined and additive roles of VDR SNPs on T2DM pathogenesis.

Results

There was a significant association between rs739837 and T2DM in two models and allele frequency distribution. The novel locus rs2239179 differed significantly between cases and controls, especially in males and those aged >55 years, in three models and allele frequency distribution. The TT genotype of rs739837 was associated with higher triglyceride than GG and TG genotypes, and higher total cholesterol levels than the GG genotype. Compared with the GTGA haplotype, the GCGG haplotype reduced the risk of T2DM. Trend Chi‐squared tests showed that there was significant association between the weighted GRS and the risk of T2DM (Ptrend = 0.034).

Conclusion

This study provides novel evidence that rs739837 is associated with lipid metabolism in T2DM patients. The rs739837 and rs2239179 SNPs were associated with the risk of T2DM in Han Chinese. The VDR SNPs had combined and additive effects on the risk of T2DM.
Dawazisaurus Brevis, A New Eosauropterygian From the Middle Triassic of Yunnan, China
Authors: Yen‐nien CHENG , Xiao‐chun WU , SATO TAMAKI , His‐yin SHAN
Published: April 2016

Dawazisaurus brevis (gen. et sp. nov.) is a newly discovered Triassic marine reptile, represented by a complete skeleton from Member II of the Guanling Formation of Luoping, Yunnan Province, China. This paper aims to (1) present a thorough description of the species, (2) make a detailed comparison to demonstrate if the species can be referred to any known sauropterygian taxa, and (3) conduct phylogenetic analyses to establish the internal relationships of the species with other sauropterygians. In addition, the discovery of Dawazisaurus provides a chance not only to test the phylogenetic patterns of the Sauropterygia obtained by previous studies but also to evaluate the previous hypotheses on the origin of the sauropterygian groups at different levels. D. brevis is an eosauropterygian, characterized by a unique combination of derived features such as a pair of large nasals joining in the formation of the internarial septum, a short trunk with 16 dorsal vertebrae; the zygapophyses of the trunk vertebrae very small or weakly developed; the posterior margin of the skull roof deeply V‐shaped, and an ossified distal carpal 5. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that D. brevis appears to be more closely related to the Nothosauroidea than the Pistosauroidea within the Eosauropterygia.
Diamonds and Other Exotic Minerals Recovered from Peridotites of the Dangqiong Ophiolite, Western Yarlung‐Zangbo Suture Zone, Tibet
Authors: Fahui XIONG , Jingsui YANG , Paul T. ROBINSON , Xiangzhen XU , Dengzhu BA , Yuan LI , Zhongming ZHANG , He RONG
Published: April 2016

Various combinations of diamond, moissanite, zircon, quartz, corundum, rutile, titanite, almandine garnet, kyanite, and andalusite have been recovered from the Dangqiong peridotites. More than 80 grains of diamond have been recovered, most of which are pale yellow to reddish‐orange to colorless. The grains are all 100–200 µm in size and mostly anhedral, but with a range of morphologies including elongated, octahedral and subhedral varieties. Their identification was confirmed by a characteristic shift in the Raman spectra between 1325 cm−1 and 1333 cm−1, mostly at 1331.51 cm−1 or 1326.96 cm−1. Integration of the mineralogical, petrological and geochemical data for the Dongqiong peridotites suggests a multi‐stage formation for this body and similar ophiolites in the Yarlung‐Zangbo suture zone. Chromian spinel grains and perhaps small bodies of chromitite crystallized at various depths in the upper mantle, and encapsulated the UHP, highly reduced and crustal minerals. Some oceanic crustal slabs containing the chromian spinel and their inclusion were later trapped in suprasubduction zones (SSZ), where they were modified by island arc tholeiitic and boninitic magmas, thus changing the chromian spinel compositions and depositing chromitite ores in melt channels.
Late Quaternary Slip‐rates and Slip Partitioning on the Southeastern Xianshuihe Fault System, Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Guihua CHEN , Xiwei XU , Xueze WEN , Yue‐Gau CHEN
Published: April 2016

Quantitative analysis of the kinematics of the active faults distributed around the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau is critical to understand current tectonic processes of the plateau. Chronological analysis, based on the comparison among regional climate and geomorphology, digital photogrammetry, offset landforms, and the tectonics were adopted in this study on the Xianshuihe fault in the eastern Tibetan plateau. Two or more offset‐age data were obtained for each segment of the Xianshuihe and the Yunongxi faults. The offset landforms, including river terrace, alluvial fan and glacial moraine, provide constraints for the late Quaternary slip rate of the Xianshuihe fault. The left‐lateral strike slip rate of the Xianshuihe fault decreases from 17 mm/a on the northwest segment to 9.3 mm/a on the southeast segment. Regarding the Xianshuihe fault zone and its adjacent blocks as a regional tectonic system, vector analysis was used to quantitatively analyze the longitudinal kinematical transformation and transversal slip partitioning on the fault zone in terms of the kinematical parameters of the main faults within the zone. The results show that there is a distributed vertical uplift at a rate of 6.1 mm/yr caused by shortening across the Gongga Mountains region. Based on these results, we established a model of the slip partitioning for the southeastern segment of the Xianshuihe fault zone.
Ages, Sources and Tectonic Settings of the Triassic Igneous Rocks in the Easternmost Segment of the East Kunlun Orogen, central China
Authors: Haidong REN , Tao WANG , Lei ZHANG , Xiaoxia WANG , He HUANG , Chengyou FENG , Claudia TESCHNER , Peng SONG
Published: April 2016

U‐Pb analysis of zircons from igneous rocks in the Elashan Mountain, easternmost segment of the East Kunlun Orogen yielded 252–232 Ma. Geochemically, these rocks are mainly high in SiO2, K2O and K2O+Na2O contents, low in P2O5and TiO2contents, depleted in Ba, Sr, P, Ti and enriched in U, Hf, Zr, showing features of I‐type granite. The zircon εHf(t) values of the Early Triassic Jiamuge'er rhyolite porphyry (252±3 Ma) are positive (+1.6 to +12.1), suggesting a juvenile crustal source mixing with little old crustal component, and the zircon εHf(t) values of the Middle Triassic Manzhang'gang granodiorite (244±3 Ma) and Dehailong diorite (237+3 Ma) are predominately negative (−8.4 to +1.0), indicating an older crustal source. In comparison, the zircon εHf(t) values of the Late Triassic syenogranites from Suigen'ergang (234±2Ma), Ge'ermugang (233±2 Ma) and Yue'ergen (232±3 Ma) plutons vary from −3.8 to +5.0, suggesting a crust‐mantle mixing source. From Early–Middle Triassic (252–237 Ma) to Late Triassic (234–232 Ma), the geochemical characteristics of these rocks show the change from a subduction–collision setting to a post‐collision or within‐plate setting. By comparing of these new age data with 77 zircon U–Pb ages of igneous rocks of the eastern part of East Kunlun orogen from published literatures, we conclude that the igneous rocks of Elashan Mountain and these of the eastern part of East Kunlun Orogen belong to one magmatic belt. All these data indicate that the Triassic magmatic events of the eastern part of East Kunlun Orogen can be divided into three stages: 252–238 Ma, 238–226 Ma and 226–212 Ma. Statistically, the average εHf(t) values of the three‐stage igneous rocks show a tendency, from the old to young, from –0.75±0.25 to lower –2.65±0.52 and then to –1.22±0.25, respectively, which reveal the change of their sources. These characteristics can be explained as a crust‐mantle mixing source generated in a subductional stage, mainly crust source in a syn–collisional stage and a crust‐mantle mixing source (lower crust with mantle‐derived underplating magma) in a post‐collisional stage. The identification of these three magmatic events in the Elashan Mountain, including all the eastern part of East Kunlun Orogen, provides new evidence for better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northward subduction and closure of the Paleo‐Tethyan (252–238 Ma), the collision of the Songpan–Ganzi block with the southern margin of Qaidam block (238–226 Ma), and the post‐collisional setting (226–212 Ma) during the Early Mesozoic period.
Geochemical and Geochronological Constraints on the Origin of the Meta‐basic Volcanic Rocks in the Tengtiaohe Zone, Southeast Yunnan
Authors: Xin QIAN , Qinglai FENG , Yuejun WANG , Zhibin ZHANG
Published: April 2016

The meta‐basic volcanic rocks in the Tengtiaohe Zone yield zircon U‐Pb ages of 258.8±2.5 Ma and 259.2±1.8 Ma, respectively which agree with the ages of flood basalts of ELIP and are similar to the basaltic rocks and komatiites from the Song Da Zone in northern Vietnam. The results suggest that the age of meta‐basic volcanic rocks is Late Permian, rather than the Early Permian or Early Carboniferous ages as previously inferred. Most meta‐basic volcanic rocks are strongly enriched in LREEs relative to HREEs and display trace element patterns similar to the ELIP high‐Ti basalts, and are enriched in LILEs with negative Sr anomalies. Their initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.705974 to 0.706188 and εNd(t) from –0.82 to –2.11. Their magmas were derived from an enriched and deep mantle source without significant crustal contamination. These meta‐basic volcanic rocks formed in ELIP. Therefore, the Tengtiaohe Zone is not an ophiolite zone and can link to the Song Da Zone in northern Vietnam.
Normal Alkane Distributions in Soil Samples along a Lhasa‐Bharatpur Transect
Authors: Qiuhuan JIA , Qing SUN , Mamnan XIE , Yabing SHAN , Yuan LING , Qingzeng ZHU , Mingzhong TIAN
Published: April 2016

We present n‐alkane distributions in the soil samples along a transect from Lhasa on the Tibetan Plateau to Bharatpur in Nepal, which covers a large geographical area and a wide range of climatic conditions. These data allow us to assess the significance of n‐alkane distributions in different vegetation types and their relationships to temperature and precipitation. In the tropical rainforest and broadleaved forest zones, n‐alkanes exhibit a bimodal distribution pattern with dominant homologues around n‐C31 and n‐C23. The bimodal distribution of tropical rainforest n‐alkanes may be a general pattern because of the presence of many lianas, epiphytic plants, algae and the strong microbial activity and degradation involved in the postdepositional process. In the warm‐temperate mixed forest and needle‐leaved forest zones, the long‐chain alkanes have a pattern of n‐C31 > n‐C33 » n‐C27. In the alpine shrub and grassland zone, although the most abundant homologue is n‐C31, relatively high n‐C23 concentrations have also been observed in some samples. The statistical results show a good correlation between n‐alkane proxies and climatic factors. The average chain length (ACL) values are positively correlated with precipitation and temperature across the transect. The carbon preference index (CPI) values show a negative correlation with temperature and precipitation along a Lhasa–Bharatpur transect. Although there is a positive relationship between ACL and temperature, it is difficult to separate the two climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) because they are well coupled in the monsoon region.
An empirical study of observational learning
Authors: Newberry Peter W.
Published: April 2016

This article provides an empirical examination of observational learning. Using data from an online market for music, I find that observational learning benefits consumers, producers of high‐quality music, and the online platform. I also study the role of pricing as a friction to the learning process by comparing outcomes under demand‐based pricing to counterfactual pricing schemes. I find that employing a fixed price (the industry standard) can hamper learning by reducing the incentive to experiment, resulting in less consumer surplus, but more expected revenue for the platform.
The road not taken: competition and the R&D portfolio
Authors: Letina Igor
Published: April 2016

This article examines the effects of market structure on the variety of research projects undertaken and the amount of duplication of research. A characterization of the equilibrium market portfolio of R&D projects and the socially optimal portfolio is provided. It is shown that a merger decreases the variety of developed projects and decreases the amount of duplication of research. An increase in the intensity of competition among firms leads to an increase in the variety of developed projects and a decrease in the amount of duplication of research.
The WTO in Nairobi: The Demise of the Doha Development Agenda and the Future of the Multilateral Trading System
Authors: Wilkinson Rorden , Hannah Erin , Scott James
Published: April 2016

This article offers a full‐length evaluation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) decisive December 2015 Nairobi ministerial conference. It examines the dynamics of the meeting, the emergence of a new negotiating mode, and the contestations between key developing and developed members; it explores the substance of the deal negotiated; and it reflects on the future capacity of the WTO to serve as a means of securing trade gains for developing and least developed countries. Three arguments are advanced. First, the use of a new mode of negotiating brought participation and consensus into the core of the Nairobi talks, but it also resulted in an agreement that moves away from the pursuit of universal agreements to one wherein more narrowly focused piecemeal deals can be brokered. Second, the package of trade measures agreed continues an established pattern of asymmetrical trade deals that favour developed members over their developing and least developed counterparts. Third, Nairobi alters fundamentally the likely shape of future WTO deals with significant consequences for developing country trade gains. The likely result is that while Nairobi will energise the multilateral system it will do so in a way that is of questionable value to developing and least developed countries.
Symbols of Dilmun's royal house – a primitive system of communication adopted from the late Indus world?
Authors: Laursen Steffen Terp
Published: April 2016

This article presents evidence of a system of symbolic markings, which developed in Dilmun between c.1950 and 1500 BC. The symbols predominantly appear on pottery, tokens and seals and may originally have been inspired by similar systems in the post‐Indus script period of the Harappan culture. There was a development over time from single symbols on pottery and tokens to more complex sequences on seals that ultimately formed irregular logograms. The system was developed as a means of communication in an illiterate society. Based on the shape of the symbols and related evidence it is argued that they all represent variations on the theme of palm branches, palm trees and altars and that they are connected to the cult of Inzak. From the contexts in which the symbols appear it is demonstrated that the symbols were exclusive to Dilmun's royal house and temple institutions.
Politically connected boards, value or cost: evidence from a natural experiment in China
Authors: Han Jianlei , Zhang Guangli
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the net effect of a politically connected board for a firm. Using a natural experiment in China – a regulatory change to forbid bureaucrats from sitting on the board of public firms – we address the causality of the net effect of a politically connected board by testing the market reaction of the shares of firm targeted by the regulatory change to the policy announcement. The stocks of firms with politically connected directors who are targeted by the regulatory change show on average a significantly positive abnormal return, which suggests that the agency cost effect of a politically connected director dominates the value effect. The result is robust to various model settings and to a matched sample using the propensity score methodology. Additionally, the announcement effect of the resignation of a politically connected director is significantly positive, and significantly higher than that of a non‐connected director. Overall, our results suggest that the agency cost effect of a politically connected director dominates the value effect.
Bion, Alpha‐Function and the Unconscious Mind
Authors: Abel‐Hirsch Nicola
Published: April 2016

This paper will identify why and how Bion's ideas about dream‐work and alpha‐function evolved, and the profound implications of this development for what he calls ‘practical psychoanalysis’. Andre Green interestingly comments that for Bion the ‘model of the dream’ was unusually more important than the ‘model of the baby’; and I will consider in particular the question of ‘models’, and their relation to the making of the accurate observations of unconscious functioning we need to underpin our analytic work. It is hoped the paper will contribute to the clinically relevant question of whether there is an important link between Bion's ‘alpha‐function’ and mentalization theory.