bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DOT2: Macromolecular docking with improved biophysical models
Authors: Roberts Victoria A. , Thompson Elaine E. , Pique Michael E. , Perez Martin S. , Ten Eyck L. F.
Published: May 2013

Computational docking is a useful tool for predicting macromolecular complexes, which are often difficult to determine experimentally. Here, we present the DOT2 software suite, an updated version of the DOT intermolecular docking program. DOT2 provides straightforward, automated construction of improved biophysical models based on molecular coordinates, offering checkpoints that guide the user to include critical features. DOT has been updated to run more quickly, allow flexibility in grid size and spacing, and generate an infinitive complete list of favorable candidate configurations. Output can be filtered by experimental data and rescored by the sum of electrostatic and atomic desolvation energies. We show that this rescoring method improves the ranking of correct complexes for a wide range of macromolecular interactions and demonstrate that biologically relevant models are essential for biologically relevant results. The flexibility and versatility of DOT2 accommodate realistic models of complex biological systems, improving the likelihood of a successful docking outcome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcriptional mutagenesis and its potential roles in the etiology of cancer and bacterial antibiotic resistance
Authors: Morreall Jordan F. , Petrova Lucy , Doetsch Paul W.
Published: May 2013

Most cells do not undergo continuous cell division and DNA replication, yet they can still acquire novel RNA mutations that can result in the production of mutant proteins and induce a phenotypic change. All cells are frequently subjected to genotoxic insults that give rise to damaged nucleotides which, similarly to DNA replication, can undergo base mispairing during transcription. This mutagenic lesion bypass by RNA polymerase, transcriptional mutagenesis (TM), has been studied in a variety of systems and organisms, and may be involved in diverse pathogenic processes, such as tumorigenesis and the acquisition of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Tumor cells and bacteria within the human body are subject to especially high levels of oxidative stress, which can damage DNA and consequently drive TM. Mutagenesis at the level of transcription may allow cells to escape growth arrest and undergo replication that could permanently establish mutations in DNA in a process called retromutagenesis (RM). Here, we review the broad range of DNA damages which may result in TM including a variety of non‐bulky lesions and some bulky lesions, which recent studies indicate may not completely block transcription, and emerging evidence supporting the RM concept in the context of tumorigenesis and antibiotic resistance. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2257–2261, 2013. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Voices of the People”: Linguistic Research Among Germany's Prisoners of War During World War I
Authors: Kaplan Judith
Published: May 2013

This paper investigates the history of the Royal Prussian Phonographic Commission, a body that collected and archived linguistic, ethnographic, and anthropological data from prisoners‐of‐war (POWs) in Germany during World War I. Recent literature has analyzed the significance of this research for the rise of conservative physical anthropology. Taking a complementary approach, the essay charts new territory in seeking to understand how the prison‐camp studies informed philology and linguistics specifically. I argue that recognizing philological commitments of the Phonographic Commission is essential to comprehending the project contextually. My approach reveals that linguists accommodated material and contemporary evidence to older text‐based research models, sustaining dynamic theories of language. Through a case study based on the Iranian philologist F. C. Andreas (1846–1930), the paper ultimately argues that linguistics merits greater recognition in the historiography of the behavioral sciences.
Variability properties of daily and monthly observed near‐surface temperatures in Uganda: 1960–2008
Authors: Nsubuga Francis Wasswa , Olwoch Jane Mukarugwiza , Rautenbach Hannes
Published: May 2013

Variability and trends in daily and monthly near‐surface temperatures in Uganda, collected over the period 1960–2008 (49 years), are analysed. For this purpose, daily observational maximum and minimum temperature records from eight selected stations in Uganda were acquired from the Uganda Meteorological Department (UMD). Data collected by the UMD are quality controlled through a rigorous process before being archived. The data received were tested for homogeneity, gaps were filled and correlation analyses were used for validation of area average series. Statistical techniques (e.g. Mann–Kendall and Linear Regression) were employed to analyse temperature variability and to obtain temperature trends. Findings indicate that intra‐annual temperature shows reduced variability over recent decades, but which is not statistically significant. Results also demonstrated that maximum temperatures are more variable compared to minimum temperatures in Uganda. An increasing trend in hot days, hot nights, warm nights and warm spells were also detected. At seven of the stations, annual temperature range and diurnal temperature range trends were found to be negative. The finding that intra‐annual and intra‐monthly variance is declining suggests that fewer anomalously extreme temperature episodes occur. The gap between maximum and minimum extremes is reducing, which supports the observation that minimum temperatures are on the increase.
Influence of tidal‐range change and sediment compaction on Holocene relative sea‐level change in New Jersey, USA
Authors: HORTON BENJAMIN P. , ENGELHART SIMON E. , HILL DAVID F. , KEMP ANDREW C. , NIKITINA DARIA , MILLER KENNETH G. , PELTIER W. RICHARD
Published: May 2013

We investigated the effect of tidal‐range change and sediment compaction on reconstructions of Holocene relative sea level (RSL) in New Jersey, USA. We updated a published sea‐level database to generate 50 sea‐level index points and ten limiting dates that define continuously rising RSL in New Jersey during the Holocene. There is scatter among the index points, particularly those older than 7 ka. A numerical model estimated that paleotidal range was relatively constant during the mid and late Holocene, but rapidly increased between 9 and 8 ka, leading to an underestimation of RSL by ∼0.5 m. We adjusted the sea‐level index points using the paleotidal model prior to assessing the influence of compaction on organic samples with clastic deposits above and below (an intercalated sea‐level index point). We found a significant relationship (p = 0.01) with the thickness of the overburden (r = 0.85). We altered the altitude of intercalated index points using this simple stratigraphic relationship, which reduced vertical scatter in sea‐level reconstructions. We conclude that RSL rose at an average rate of 4 mm a−1 from 10 ka to 6 ka, 2 mm a−1 from 6 ka to 2 ka, and 1.3 mm a−1 from 2 ka to AD 1900. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fjord stratigraphy and processes – evidence from the NE Atlantic Fensfjorden system
Authors: HJELSTUEN BERIT OLINE , KJENNBAKKEN HEIDI , BLEIKLI VEGARD , ERSLAND REMI ANTHONI , KVILHAUG SIGURD , EULER CHRISTINE , ALVHEIM SVANHILD
Published: May 2013

Fjords commonly hold sediment basins with high temporal resolution that mirror land‐ and marine‐based processes and depositional environments during a glacial–interglacial cycle. Here, we present TOPAS seismic profiles, with a vertical resolution of <30 cm, bathymetric records and a gravity core from Fensfjorden, west Norway, which allow a detailed study of sedimentary processes and depositional environments in a NE Atlantic fjord system. Fensfjorden hosts a sediment volume of 0.70 km3 and the sediment basins evolved reach a maximum thickness of 100 m. The basins are characterized by a lower acoustically well‐laminated glacimarine unit, of Allerød and Younger Dryas age. This unit is overlain by several acoustically transparent lenses, interpreted to be slide debrites. We suggest these slide debrites to be a result of recurrent mass failures that occurred between 11 500 and 2100 cal a BP. A thin late Holocene hemipelagic unit drapes the slide debrites. During the late Holocene the sedimentation rates in Fensfjorden decreased from 0.110 to 0.040 cm a−1 and two turbidity currents occurred in the 2040–1190 cal a BP time period. This ability to map fjord processes in more detail has, furthermore, made it possible to revise the established stratigraphical framework for NE Atlantic fjords. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative analysis of salt‐tolerant gene HOG1 in a Zygosaccharomyces rouxii mutant strain and its parent strain
Authors: Wei Yonghua , Wang Cong , Wang Meng , Cao Xiaohong , Hou Lihua
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

A higher‐salt‐tolerant mutant strain Zygosaccharomyces rouxii 3–2 (strain S3‐2) that could be used for improving the flavour of high‐salt liquid state soy sauce was previously constructed from parent strain Z. rouxii (strain S) by genome shuffling. However, whether the mutations in this strain affect HOG1 encoding MAPK Hog1p and improve intracellular glycerol production remains to be elucidated.

RESULTS

Although two mutations in the ORF and one in the promoter of the HOG1 gene sequence of strain S3‐2 occurred compared with that of strain S, there was no significant difference in secondary and tertiary structures between S3‐2Hog1p and SHog1p. It was found that the expression level of S3‐2HOG1 was higher than that of SHOG1 in YPDN medium with high salt concentration. Furthermore, overexpression of S3‐2HOG1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae W303‐1A could improve the salt tolerance and osmotolerance of engineered yeast compared with that of SHOG1.

CONCLUSION

Enhancement of the transcription level of HOG1 induced by mutation in the promoter region may be one of the main reasons for the improved salt tolerance of strain S3‐2 compared with that of strain S. Considering food security, the conservation of S3‐2HOG1 would be beneficial for application of strain S3‐2 in the fermentation of soy sauce. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Stability to weakly dissipative Timoshenko systems
Authors: Almeida Júnior D.S. , Santos M.L. , Muñoz Rivera J.E.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we consider the Timoshenko systems with frictional dissipation working only on the vertical displacement. We prove that the system is exponentially stable if and only if the wave speeds are the same. On the contrary, we show that the Timoshenko systems is polynomially stable giving the optimal decay rate. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Actigraphy to Measure Sleep Patterns in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study in Patients Taking Night‐Time Prednisone
Authors: Clarke Lynsey L. , Wilson Sue , Kirwan John R.
Published: May 2013

Objective

Poor sleep quality is a commonly reported but under‐investigated consequence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Actigraphy is a non‐invasive way of measuring sleep, estimated from the frequency and intensity of physical movement at the wrist. We used actigraphy to measure sleep parameters compared with sleep questionnaire data, and assessed the practicality of actigraph use in patients with RA.

Methods

In a pilot study of actigraphy conducted within an investigation of night‐time prednisone treatment and circadian interleukin‐6 concentrations in ten patients with active RA, we compared actigraphy with the St Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire and assessed whether night‐time administration of prednisone resulted in increased sleep disturbance.

Results

The actigraph watch was well tolerated by our patients, producing adequate data for analysis for 128 out of 133 test days (96.2%). The results indicated reasonable concordance between actigraph and sleep questionnaire data in the present sample. Patient satisfaction with sleep (question 11) strongly correlated with sleep efficiency measured by the actigraph (r = 0.71, p = 0.22) and showed a trend for inverse correlation with the fragmentation index (r = −0.60, p = 0.067). Quality of sleep (question 9) correlated non‐significantly with the fragmentation index (r = −0.59, p = 0.072). We were unable to identify any significant correlations between clinical measures of disease and sleep parameters in this sample. There were no apparent detrimental consequences of the night‐time dose of prednisone on the measures of sleep quality and quantity.

Conclusion

In spite of the physical disability imposed by RA, the actigraph was well tolerated and gave a useful measure of sleep in patients with active disease. It has the potential for use in larger controlled trials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute and sustained inflammation and metabolic dysfunction induced by high refined carbohydrate‐containing diet in mice
Authors: Oliveira Marina C. , Menezes‐Garcia Zélia , Henriques Milene C. C. , Soriani Frederico M. , Pinho Vanessa , Faria Ana M. C. , Santiago Andrezza F. , Cara Denise C. , Souza Danielle G. , Teixeira Mauro M. , Ferreira Adaliene V. M.
Published: May 2013

Objective

The effects of high‐refined carbohydrate‐containing diet (HC) on inflammatory parameters and metabolic disarrangement of adipose tissue are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the timing and progression of metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction induced by HC diet in mice.

Design and Methods

BALB/c mice were fed chow or HC diet for 1 and 3 days, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks.

Results

Animals given HC diet exhibited acute and sustained increase in visceral adiposity, glucose intolerance, low insulin sensitivity, hyperlipemia, acute increase in mRNA expression of ACC, LPL, PPARγ, SREBP‐1, and ChREBP and altered circulating levels of adiponectin, resistin, and leptin. There was leucocyte rolling and adhesion on adipose tissue microvessels already at 3 days and until 8 weeks of HC diet. Adipose tissue of mice had increased number of macrophages (M1 and M2), lymphocytes (CD8+ and CD4+Foxp3+), and neutrophils (GR1+) already at 3 days after initiation of HC diet. Overall, concentration of cytokines and chemokines, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10, TGF‐β1, CCL2, and CXCL1, in adipose tissue was elevated throughout the experimental period. Levels of IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 tended to reach baseline levels at 12 weeks of HC diet.

Conclusions

We describe a novel murine model of fat pad expansion induced by HC diet that is characterized by early onset and sustained adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic disarrangement. The acute inflammatory response in adipose tissue occurs very early and is sustained, suggesting that adipose tissue inflammation is a homeostatic mechanism to regulate nutrient overload and adipose expansion.
Use of QT‐prolonging medications in US emergency departments, 1995–2009
Authors: Tay Khoon‐Yen , Ewald Michele Burns , Bourgeois Florence T.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Emergency department (ED) patients receive medications that place them at risk for adverse events, including drug‐induced prolongation of the QT interval, which can lead to Torsade de Pointes and sudden cardiac death. We report the frequency of prescription and co‐prescription of QT‐prolonging medications in US EDs and factors associated with high‐risk prescribing practices.

Methods

We analyzed the ED component of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1995 through 2009. Yearly rates of visits involving the prescription of QT‐prolonging medications were determined. Multivariate regression analyses identified factors associated with the prescription of two or more QT‐prolonging medications.

Results

Approximately 16.5 million visits annually (15.0%) involved prescription of a QT‐prolonging drug, with 1.7 million (1.6%) involving multiple prescriptions. Visits associated with QT‐prolonging drugs more than doubled over the study period (10.4% to 22.2%). Diphenhydramine, azithromycin, and ondansetron were most frequently implicated (46.1% of cases). The most commonly prescribed combination was diphenhydramine and famotidine, both QT‐prolonging medications available over‐the‐counter. Female gender and older age were associated with co‐prescription of QT‐prolonging medications. The rate of EKG screening among visits associated with QT‐prolonging drug combinations was low (20.9%), but more common than among visits without a QT‐prolonging drug (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2–1.5).

Conclusion

Use of QT‐prolonging medications is increasing in EDs nationally. A small number of agents account for a large proportion of these visits and may represent an area for targeted screening or monitoring interventions in the ED. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Completeness of prescription information in US commercial claims databases
Authors: Lauffenburger Julie C. , Balasubramanian Akhila , Farley Joel F. , Critchlow Cathy W. , O'Malley Cynthia D. , Roth Mary T. , Pate Virginia , Brookhart M. Alan
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Pharmacy commercial claims databases are widely used for pharmacoepidemiologic research. However, concerns have been raised that these databases may not fully capture claims for generic medications as a result of patients filling outside the context of their insurance. This has implications for many research activities and quality improvement programs. We sought to estimate the percentage of missing prescriptions in US commercial claims data using a novel design.

Methods

Using a large US commercial insurance database, we examined the completeness of warfarin prescription claims among patients with atrial fibrillation receiving regular medical follow‐up and testing to manage warfarin dosing. We examined 14 different 6‐month cross sections. Each cross section was treated independently to identify patients with at least two outpatient diagnoses of atrial fibrillation, two international normalized ratio tests, and one pharmacy claim. Trends in the percentage of patients with prescription claims for generic and branded warfarin were compared by year and 6‐month periods using chi‐square tests and generalized linear models adjusting for patient characteristics.

Results

Out of 111 170 patients, the percentage of patients with any warfarin drug decreased slightly from 91.7% (95% CI: 91.0, 92.4) in early 2003 to 87.1% (95% CI: 86.7–87.6) in late 2009 (χ2 = 93.8, p < 0.0001). Over the same interval, the proportion of patients with generic warfarin exposure appearing increased significantly, whereas the proportion of patients with branded warfarin exposure decreased significantly.

Conclusions

Our study supports the possibility that some prescriptions may not be captured in US commercial insurance databases. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amplification of Solar Energy Conversion in Quantum‐Confined CdSe‐Sensitized TiO2 Photonic Crystals by Trapping Light
Authors: Bayram Serene , Halaoui Lara
Published: May 2013

Photonic effects amplifying solar energy conversion are reported in titania inverse opals sensitized with quantum‐confined CdSe films. TiO2 inverse opals (i‐TiO2‐o) and unstructured nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc‐TiO2) films are sensitized with CdSe deposited via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) by generating Se2− in situ under inert atmosphere, and the film absorbance is tuned by the number of SILAR cycles. Photonic effects are investigated while varying the i‐TiO2‐o stop band position relative to CdSe films’ absorbance. i‐TiO2‐o films with stop band at 700 and 560 nm are sensitized with CdSe having absorption edges at 600 and 650 nm thus tuning absorbance to the red and the blue of the stop band. Significant amplification in photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency is measured when CdSe films prepared via two cycles are adsorbed on i‐TiO2‐o with a stop band at 700 nm, with a maximum average enhancement factor equal to 6.7 ± 1.6 at 640 nm, 60 nm to the blue of the stop band center, relative to nc‐TiO2 sensitized with comparable CdSe amounts. The gain is observed over a wide frequency range to the blue of the stop band and is greatest when film absorbance was low. The photocurrent gain is not a result of differences in the rates of charge separation or charge transport, and occurs in the same frequency range where absorbance amplification is measured to the blue of the 700‐i‐TiO2‐o stop band, and is thus attributed to slow light effects enhancing absorbance in the photonic crystal environment.
Reciprocal Response of Human Oral Epithelial Cells to Internalized Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Tay Chor Yong , Fang Wanru , Setyawati Magdiel Inggrid , Sum Chee Peng , Xie Jianping , Ng Kee Woei , Chen Xiaodong , Hong Catherine Hsu Ling , Leong David Tai
Published: May 2013

Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) are one of the most widely used engineered nanoparticles and can been found in a wide range of consumer products. Despite their massive global production scale, little is known about their potential effects in the context of unintended exposure or ingestion. Using TR146 cells as an in vitro model of the human oral buccal mucosa, the uptake, spatial intracellular distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory response, and cytotoxic effects of commercial SiO2 NPs are examined. SiO2 NPs are shown to dock and cross the cellular membrane barrier in a dose–time‐dependent manner. Confocal sectioning reveals translocation of SiO2 NPs into the cell nucleus after 12 h of exposure. A concentration threshold of more than 500 × 10−6 m is observed, above which SiO2 NPs are shown to exert significant oxidative stress with concomitant upregulation of inflammatory genes IL6 and TNFA. Further analysis of the p53 pathway and a series of apoptotic and cell cycle biomarkers reveals intracellular accumulation of SiO2 NPs exert marginal nanotoxicity. Collectively, this study provides important information regarding the uptake, intracellular distribution, and potential adverse cellular effects of SiO2 NPs commonly found in consumer products in the human oral epithelium.
Mass spectrometric immunoassay and MRM as targeted MS‐based quantitative approaches in biomarker development: Potential applications to cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Authors: Yassine Hussein , Borges Chad R. , Schaab Matthew R. , Billheimer Dean , Stump Craig , Reaven Peter , Lau Serrine S. , Nelson Randall
Published: May 2013

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD)—the leading cause of death in the United States. Yet not all subjects with T2DM are at equal risk for CVD complications; the challenge lies in identifying those at greatest risk. Therapies directed toward treating conventional risk factors have failed to significantly reduce this residual risk in T2DM patients. Thus newer targets and markers are needed for the development and testing of novel therapies. Herein we review two complementary MS‐based approaches—mass spectrometric immunoassay (MSIA) and MS/MS as MRM—for the analysis of plasma proteins and PTMs of relevance to T2DM and CVD. Together, these complementary approaches allow for high‐throughput monitoring of many PTMs and the absolute quantification of proteins near the low picomolar range. In this review article, we discuss the clinical relevance of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) proteome and Apolipoprotein A‐I PTMs to T2DM and CVD as well as provide illustrative MSIA and MRM data on HDL proteins from T2DM patients to provide examples of how these MS approaches can be applied to gain new insight regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Also discussed are the reproducibility, interpretation, and limitations of each technique with an emphasis on their capacities to facilitate the translation of new biomarkers into clinical practice.
Selective oxidation of ethanol in the liquid phase over Au/TiO2
Authors: Heeskens Denise , Aghaei Pedram , Kaluza Stefan , Strunk Jennifer , Muhler Martin
Published: May 2013

The selective oxidation of aqueous ethanol solutions with air over two commercial 1.5 and 1 wt% Au/TiO2 catalysts was investigated in six stirred mini‐autoclaves operated in parallel. The catalysts were characterised by various techniques including elemental analysis, N2 physisorption, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Temperature, pressure, ethanol concentration, catalyst concentration and reaction time were varied in the batch experiments to study the reaction kinetics. It was possible to confirm the generally accepted mechanism of primary alcohol oxidation, in which acetaldehyde is a primary product of the oxidation that quickly undergoes further transformation to acetic acid. In presence of both acetic acid and ethanol the formation of ethyl acetate takes place until equilibrium conditions are reached. The high yields of acetic acid can be rationalised by the inhibited total oxidation of acetic acid under the applied reaction conditions. Improper storage of the gold catalysts in air exposed to light was found to lead to an irreversible change of the performance, which cannot be restored by means of recalcination. Sintering and blocking of surface sites by deposits were ruled out as possible causes for the deactivation.
The thermally induced interaction of Cu and Au with ZnO single crystal surfaces
Authors: Köhler Ulrich , Kroll Martin , Löber Thomas , Birkner Alexander , Schott Vadim , Wöll Christof
Published: May 2013

The reaction of Cu‐clusters with a polar and a mixed terminated single crystalline ZnO‐substrate upon thermal treatment in UHV is studied in comparison with Au‐films. Scanning tunneling microcopy and spectroscopy in combination with photoemission experiments reveal the geometrical and chemical changes in the Cu‐cluster system on ZnO(0001)‐Zn and ZnO(10$\overline {1} $0) upon annealing up to 770 K. On ZnO($10\overline {1} 0$) the Cu‐clusters show a roof like outline with Cu(111) side facets. The data points to a Cu(110) interface with the ZnO‐substrate. The interface of the Cu‐clusters and the ZnO‐substrate was investigated by the controlled removal of clusters using STM‐tip manipulation exposing the “footprints” of the clusters. On both investigated ZnO surfaces an entrenching of the Cu‐clusters during annealing was found which partly explains the observed decrease of the amount of Cu visible above the ZnO‐substrate level upon annealing. Even at higher annealing temperature the main body of the cluster surface is still pure copper. No large scale oxidation or brass formation was found. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy shows an increased density of occupied states at the cluster perimeter which is possibly relevant as an active site in catalysis.
Detection of protein coatings on nanoparticles surfaces by ToF‐SIMS and advanced electron microscopy
Authors: Neunzehn Jörg , Draude Felix , Golla‐Schindler Ute , Arlinghaus Heinrich F. , Wiesmann Hans‐Peter
Published: May 2013

In this study, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) and advanced electron microscopy (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) were applied to detect and analyse different nano‐scaled protein coatings on gold nanoparticles (NP). The NP were coated with collagen type I and fibronectin as well as different combinations of these proteins. These two main proteins in human cell organization and tissue formation were identified with the aid of ToF‐SIMS by typical amino acid mass peak detection. In addition, the protein‐coated particles were investigated by TEM and SEM to get information about the protein structure, the protein layer thickness on the particle surfaces and the reaction of NP in different protein solutions. In this study, a differentiation of diverse protein induced particle agglomeration was proven. The investigations of this study were part of the Specific Targeted Research Project CellNanoTox (project no. NMP4‐CT‐2006‐032731) funded by the European Commission under the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From autonomous strategic behavior to emergent strategy
Authors: Mirabeau Laurent , Maguire Steve
Published: May 2013

This study develops a model of emergent strategy formation at a large telecommunications firm. It integrates prominent traditions in strategy process research—strategy as patterned action, as iterated resource allocation and as practice—to show how emergent strategy originates as a project through autonomous strategic behavior, then subsequently becomes realized as a consequence of mobilizing wider support to provide impetus, manipulating strategic context to legitimate the project by constructing it as consonant with the prevailing concept of strategy, and altering structural context to embed it within organizational units, routines, and objectives. The study theorizes the role of “practices of strategy articulation” in emergent strategy formation, and explains why some autonomous strategic behavior becomes “ephemeral” and disappears rather than enduring to become emergent strategy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Translating and Revising as Opportunities for ESP Teacher Development
Authors: Tatzl Dietmar
Published: May 2013

This microethnographic case study discusses the effects of translating and revising documents for an English‐medium master of science in engineering programme in terms of workload and value for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teacher development, integration, and enculturation. During the changeover from the diploma to bachelor–master curricula, the author translated course descriptions, administrative documents, and internal regulations as required by the new educational setting. This article argues that, although the translation increased workload, there was a significant gain in value created through translating and revising for both the department and the instructor–translator. This contribution suggests that translation‐induced workload is an opportunity for ESP teacher development, enculturation, and integration into content departments. The close cooperation between ESP instructors and content departments this process entails may result in mutual benefits for all stakeholders and raise the recognition of ESP among content faculty. Translating and revising, the author proposes, represent promising practices for professional development, and forge ties within workplace communities.
Wikis: A Knowledge Platform for Collaborative Learning in ESL Reading
Authors: Wiseman Cynthia S. , Belknap Joshua P.
Published: May 2013

Wikis provide an effective technological tool to meet the pedagogical goals outlined in the new TESOL Technology Standards (Healey et al., ). A wiki, a cross between a website and a word document, is an interactive webpage that allows students to read, generate, and publish content online in an environment of collaboration. The flexibility and simplicity of wikis thus provides an open, user‐friendly, and efficient interface for student interaction and collaboration, particularly through virtual English as a second language (ESL) reading groups. This article presents the pedagogical rationale for wikis as a technological tool to foster second language (L2) reading proficiency through communities of practice in virtual ESL reading groups. It includes suggested activities and a consideration of challenges associated with wikis as a pedagogical tool.
Conformational Study of an Artificial Metal‐Dependent Regulation Site for Use in Designer Proteins
Authors: Oheix Emmanuel , Spencer Neil , Gethings Lee A. , Peacock Anna F. A.
Published: May 2013

This report describes the dimerisation of glutathione, and by extension, other cysteine‐containing peptides or protein fragments, with a 5, 5'‐disubstituted‐2, 2'‐bipyridine or 6, 6''‐disubstituted‐2, 2':6',2''‐terpyridine unit. The resulting bipy‐GS2 and terpy‐GS2 were investigated as potential metal ion dependent switches in aqueous solution, and were found to predominantly adopt the transoïd conformation at physiological pH. Metal complexation with CuII and ZnII at this pH has been studied by UV/Vis, CD, NMR and ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. ZnII titrations are consistent with the formation of a 1:1 ZnII:terpy‐GS2 complex at pH 7.4, but bipy‐GS2 was shown to form both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with the former being predominant under dilute micromolar conditions. Formation constants for the resulting 1:1 complexes were determined to be log KM 6.86 (bipy‐GS2) and 6.22 (terpy‐GS2), consistent with a higher affinity for the unconstrained bipyridine, compared to the strained terpyridine. CuII coordination involves the initial formation of 1:1 complexes, followed by 1.5Cu:1bipy‐GS2 and 2Cu:1terpy‐GS2 complexes at micromolar concentrations. Binding constants for formation of the 1:1 complexes (log KM 12.5 (bipy‐GS2); 8.04 and 7.14 (terpy‐GS2)) indicate a higher affinity for CuII than ZnII. Finally, ion‐mobility MS studies detected the free ligands in their protonated form, and were consistent with the formation of two different Cu adducts with different conformations in the gas‐phase. We illustrate that the bipyridine and terpyridine dimerisation units can behave like conformational switches in response to Cu/Zn complexation, and propose that in future these can be employed in synthetic biology with larger peptide or protein fragments, to control large scale folding and related biological function.
Preparation, Crystal Structure, and Thermal Decomposition of the Four‐coordinated Zinc Compound Based on 1,5‐Diaminotetrazole
Authors: Wu Bi‐Dong , Li Fu‐Gang , Zhang Tong‐Lai , Yang Li , Zhou Zun‐Ning , Zhang Jian‐Guo
Published: May 2013

The environmental friendly energetic coordination compound Zn(DAT)2(Ac)2 (1) (Ac = acetic) was synthesized from 1,5‐diaminotetrazole (DAT), and characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure was determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. The crystallographic data showed that compound 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group Cc, with cell parameters: a = 17.595(5) Å, b = 7.3060(18) Å, c = 14.076(4) Å, β = 123.449(4)°, V = 1509.7(7) Å3, Z = 4, Dc = 1.688 g·cm–3. In 1, the zinc cation is four‐coordinated with two oxygen atoms from the two acetic carboxyl groups and two 4‐nitrogen atoms of DAT molecules, and exhibits a distorted‐tetrahedron configuration. Thermal decomposition mechanism was determined based on differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetry‐derivative thermogravimetry (TG‐DTG) analysis. Kinetic parameters of the first exothermic process were studied by using Kissinger's method and Ozawa's method, respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion, entropy of activation (ΔS≠), enthalpy of activation (ΔH≠), and free energy of activation (ΔG≠) were calculated and obtained as 519.71 K, –144.04 J·(K·mol)–1, 152.20 kJ·mol–1 and 224.99 kJ·mol–1, respectively. The constant‐volume energy of combustion (9.78 MJ·kg–1) was measured by oxygen bomb calorimetry, which was equal to that of RDX. In the end, the sensitivities properties were also determined with standard method.
A Panoptic View of Western Margin of Sundaland: Causes of Seismic Vulnerability of Sumatra
Authors: Deonath Abhijit , Mukhopadhyay Basab
Published: May 2013

The western margin of Sundaland is affected by two major tectonic events, the India-Eurasia collision and subduction along the Burmese-Andaman-Sunda Arc. Geotectonic analysis of the Burmese-Andaman-Sunda Arc areas reveals that it represents an arc setting exposed both in land and sea environment. Within this broad arc setting, there are individual segments that illustrate discernible trends in terms of structural, seismic and geological characteristics. The Equatorial Region around Sumatra has some peculiar geological/geophysical characteristics that make it a tectonic hotspot. Here a relationship between the active volcanism and the development of forearc basins is established. It is also proposed that the downgoing oceanic plate is more strongly coupled to the overlying plate where it is youngest (~ 40 Ma), has the highest temperature and is topographically most elevated with highest seismic activity. In particular, an increase in convergence rate and presence of youngest oceanic crust appear to be the main controlling factor underpinning the tectonics and surge of recent seismic activity in Sumatra.
Clay Mineralogy of the Pleistocene Soil Horizon in Barind Tract, Bangladesh
Authors: Aftabuzzaman MD. , Kabir Sohail , Islam MD. Khairul , Alam M. Shafiqul
Published: May 2013

Pleistocene red soil horizons were exposed in different areas of the Barind Tract in north-west Bangladesh. X-ray diffractions of twenty seven samples from different depths of these soil horizons revealed that the soil horizons consisted of kaolinite, illite and chrysotile with significant amount of opal-CT. Samples from Maddhapara, Bogra, and Nachole contain kaolinite, illite, quartz and opal-CT, and the samples from Kantabari contain chrysotile instead of kaolinite.

Clay mineral compositions of different soil horizons indicated two different types of clay assemblages, viz. (a) illite-kaolinite and (b) illite-chrysotile. In the village of Kantabari, illite-chrysotile clay mineral assemblage indicate that soil horizons were formed under low temperatures with alkaline and reducing conditions. However, other soil horizons of illite-kaolinite clay mineral assemblage indicate that soils were possibly formed under humid, temperate and well-drained conditions. These two soil horizons were formed under different geochemical, geomorphological and climatic conditions from different parent materials.

Scanning Electron Microscopy photographs showing the presence of glass shards and no opal-A were found using XRD, suggesting that the opal-A might not be a precursor to opal-CT in the red soil horizon of the study area. This opal-CT along with the general lack of fossils and presence of glass shards was indicative of a volcanogenic rather than biogenic origin for the Opal-CT in the study area, and X-ray fluorescence data reveals higher percentages of silica which is comparable to the Toba Ash of Toba Caldera, Indonesia of about 75,000 B.P.
Spatial Variations of Groundwater Vulnerability using Cluster Analysis
Authors: Rao N. Subba , Rao P. Surya , Varma D. Deva
Published: May 2013

An investigation on quality of groundwater has been carried out in the river basin of Varaha located in Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh to find out the factors that are responsible for spatial variations of water vulnerability. The study area is underlain by the Precambrian rocks of Eastern Ghats over which the Recent Formations occur. Groundwater is a prime source for drinking and irrigation. The quality of groundwater is fresh and brackish with dominance of the latter. Groundwater samples are categorized into two major clusters A and B, using the dendrogram of cluster analyses. Out of these two major clusters, five sub-clusters I to V in the pre-monsoon season and six sub-clusters I to VI in the post-monsoon season are identified. The sub-clusters I to IV of pre-monsoon and I to V of post-monsoon seasons of the cluster A are characterized by less mineralized groundwater compared to those of V of pre-monsoon and VI of post-monsoon seasons of the cluster B, which represent highly mineralized groundwater. The low to high mineral content follows gradually from upstream to the downstream area, being higher in post-monsoon season in both the clusters A and B, depending upon the source, mineral dissolution, and precipitation, solubility and leaching of ions, ion exchange and adsorption processes. Spatial distributions of the sub-clusters give clues to understand the factors that cause variations of groundwater vulnerability at a specific site, vis-a-vis local and regional lithological and non-lithological influences. As a result, the quality of groundwater on a regional scale changes from Na+>Mg2+>Ca2+>K+:HCO3−>Cl−>SO42−>NO3−>F− in the cluster in the cluster B, following the topography. The classification of the area into the zones of relative groundwater vulnerability with respect to drinking water quality of the chemical composition of the sub-clusters helps the planners to identify the specific locations, where the inferior quality of groundwater can occur, for taking the remedial measures.
High-K Calc-alkaline Plutonism in Zouzan, NE of Lut Block, Eastern Iran: An Evidence for Arc Related Magmatism in Cenozoic
Authors: Mazhari S. A. , Safari M.
Published: May 2013

The Zouzan pluton is one of the intrusive bodies in the NE of Lut block enclosed by Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks. It consists of two distinct mafic and felsic magmas which are genetically unrelated. All studied rocks are calc-alkaline in nature, with LILE/REE and HFSE/REE ratios compatible with arc related magmatism. Mafic phase has dioritic composition emplaced as small stocks in felsic rocks. Geochemical characteristics in dioritic rocks (relatively high contents of incompatible elements, low Na2O and Mg#>44) suggest they were derived from partial melting of metabasalt sources in a subduction settings. Felsic phase composed of granodiorite to granite rocks with high-K calc-alkaline metaluminous to slightly peraluminous signature. Major and trace element data exclude high pressure melting and metasedimentary parental in the formation of Zouzan felsic rocks. They have been formed by partial melting of mantle-derived mafic rocks. Field relation, petrographical evidences and chemical composition show that partial melting of a mantle wedge in conjunction with magma mixing and crystal fractionation would have led to generation of Zouzan pluton.
Petro-chemical Investigation of some Perhydrous Indian Coals
Authors: Baruah Bimala P. , Sharma Arpita , Saikia Binoy K
Published: May 2013

An attempt has been made to study the petro-chemical characteristics of some high sulphur sub-bituminous coal samples from Makum coalfield, Assam, India. The proximate and ultimate analyes were carried out and forms of sulphur were determined and their relationships with the Maceral constituents (vitrinite, liptinite, and inertinite) were investigated. The macerals (vitrinite+liptinite+inertinite) have significant relationships (R2>0.500) with volatile matter and carbon, whereas weak correlations were seen with rest of the physico-chemical characteristics of the coals. The study reveals that these coals are rich in vitrinites and sulphur and are aromatic in nature. These coals have good hydrocarbon potential.
Pregnancy outcome after loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Frega Antonio , Sesti Francesco , De Sanctis Luana , Pacchiarotti Arianna , Votano Sergio , Biamonti Alberto , Sopracordevole Francesco , Scirpa Paolo , Catalano Angelica , Caserta Donatella , Gentile Marco , Schimberni Mauro , Moscarini Massimo
Published: May 2013

Objective

To determine pregnancy outcomes among women who underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Methods

In a case–control study in Italy, 475 pregnant women who underwent LEEP and 441 untreated pregnant women were enrolled between January 2003 and January 2007. Outcome measures were spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, and at‐term delivery rates. Continuous and discrete variables were analyzed via t, χ2, and Fisher exact tests. Groups were compared by analysis of variance and Tukey HSD test.

Results

The spontaneous abortion rate was 14.5% and 14.1% in the LEEP and untreated groups, respectively. The preterm delivery rate was 6.4% and 5.0% in the LEEP and untreated groups, respectively. The number of women with a cervical length of less than 30 mm was higher in the LEEP group, but this did not influence preterm delivery rate (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–1.95). Among women with a cervical length of less than 15 mm, those treated with a wider removal of cervical tissue showed increased risk of preterm delivery (OR, 5.31; 95% CI, 1.01–28.07).

Conclusion

The preterm delivery rate was not higher among women who underwent LEEP than among untreated women. Preterm delivery was associated with cone size and cervical length in the second trimester.
The ε4 genotype of apolipoprotein E and white matter integrity in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kljajevic Vanja , Meyer Peter , Holzmann Carsten , Dyrba Martin , Kasper Elisabeth , Bokde Arun L.W. , Fellgiebel Andreas , Meindl Thomas , Hampel Harald , Teipel Stefan ,   EDSD study group
Published: May 2013

Background

In this multicenter study, we investigated a possible association between the APOE ε4 allele and white matter (WM) integrity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods

We analyzed fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) as indices of WM integrity in 70 AD patients (35 APOE ε4 carriers, 35 noncarriers) and 56 healthy control (HC) subjects (28 APOE ε4 carriers, 28 noncarriers). APOE ε4 carriers and noncarriers were matched for age and gender within each diagnostic group.

Results

We found significant effects of diagnosis (Pcorrected < .05 [FWE]; i.e., smaller FA values and larger MD values in AD patients compared with HCs) and significant effects (P < .001) of APOE ε4 carrier status on MD in HCs but not in AD subjects.

Conclusions

The results indicate that APOE ε4 has a moderate effect on WM integrity in HCs, but no effect on WM integrity in manifest AD.
Emerging Techniques in the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory
Authors: Nandedkar Sanjeev D.
Published: May 2013

Electrodiagnostic techniques have been used for many decades to study neuromuscular diseases. In recent years, we have seen the extension of these methods to study disease progression, complemented by other technologies, for example, ultrasonography. There also is a growing interest in using surface electromyography, which is generally better accepted by patients than needle insertions. This article will discuss these trends and give examples of a few new and emerging methods that have the potential for use in an electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Niels-Henrik Abel
Authors: Bjerknes Carl Anton
Published: May 2013

Few men in modern mathematics have had as great an impact as the Norwegian Niels Henrik Abel (1802–29), whose discoveries paved the way for several new branches of nineteenth-century mathematics. Tragically, Abel's short life was dominated by poverty and his scientific achievements were not fully recognised until after his death. This work, written by Carl Anton Bjerknes (1825–1903), was the first full biography of Abel. Originally published in 1880 and translated into French in 1885, it became a valuable resource for later Abel biographers and scholars of the history of mathematics. With insight and understanding, Bjerknes charts the progress of the talented young mathematician and gives a detailed account of Abel's work and his correspondence with other contemporary mathematicians. In particular, he examines in depth (from Abel's point of view) the dispute between Abel and his rival Jacobi relating to their discoveries of elliptic functions in the 1820s.
Island Life
Authors: Wallace Alfred Russel
Published: May 2013

First published in 1880, this study of the biology and geography of islands investigates some of the most pressing questions of nineteenth-century natural science. Why do countries as far-flung as Britain and Japan share similar flora and fauna when those of neighbouring islands in Malaysia are utterly unalike? What is the origin of life in New Zealand? And why do the geological formations of Scotland and Wales appear to be the result of glaciers when those countries lie in the temperate zone? Dismissing popular theories of submerged continents and 'special creation', Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) presents extensive evidence of the mass migration of species, and of drastic and repeated climatic changes across the globe. Drawing on a vast range of sources and the newest ocean soundings to support his theories, Wallace wrote the text for the intelligent general reader. It remains a fascinating introduction to the subject matter today.