bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shortcomings and Inadequacies of Autonomy Argument for Euthanasia
Authors: Malik Mohammad Manzoor
Published: August 2014

Patient autonomy has a critical role in making decisions in medical practice and it is accepted by international conventions on health care and various national medical codes. However, pertaining to terminally ill patients, this right becomes very problematic in regards to end of life decisions. Utilitarian ethicists motivated by materialistic worldview and individualism have made patient autonomy based arguments for the permissibility of active euthanasia. An appraisal of pro-euthanasia arguments that include the best interest, golden rule, and autonomy is made in this paper. The best interest and golden rule arguments are based on subjective moral judgment thus failing the universalization test. The argument from autonomy is unconvincing because of the confounded autonomy of the terminally ill patients. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i2.19620 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5 (2): 61-67
Editorial Vol.5(2)
Authors: Ahmed Tahera
Published: August 2014

The Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics is an open access journal and open to all interested and involved persons in this or related fields. The journal seeks to bring to the forefront current challenges and issues within this important sector. As a result research articles from many different countries depicting current or ongoing research, latest technological break- through, experiences from the field or literature reviews are shared with all. With the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) coming to an end in 2015, the need to assess and evaluate the progress in the 8 goals is being undertaken by different countries. At the same time Global discussions are underway on Sustainable Development beyond 2015. The Journal of Bioethics Society looks forward to submission of articles on these areas and the role played by Bioethics. The current issue presents the following articles:   Zoheb Rafique describes experiences of teaching bioethics in different institutes and degree courses at undergraduate level. Bioethics is being taught to improve the understanding of the ethical issues in the field of medicine.   Bahareh Heydari and Najmeh Razmkhah study the increasing importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) over the area of seed production, is radically transforming agricultural production relations.   Mohammad Manzoor Malik delves into the different problems of patient autonomy to euthanasia. Patient autonomy has a critical role in making decisions in medical practice and it is accepted by international conventions on health care and various national medical codes.   Muhammad Waseem Khan etal studies the different standards of care in clinical research in countries. Standard of care followed in one country may not suit other countries; the reason may involve economic conditions, certain norms, beliefs, tradition and culture of that society. The issues of conducting research in developing countries will remain and one has to try sincerely to sort out the ethical problems while conducting a research study.   Fayemi Ademola Kazeem studies the The Nijmegen Method of Case Deliberation and Clinical Decision in a Multicultural Society. Ethical case deliberation is a method of reflecting, clarifying, evaluating and making decisions about moral problems, conflicts and dilemmas in the clinical settings. The Nijmegen method helps to motivate rational decision and reasoned responsibility in healthcare through consensus building which does not attenuate moral uprightness. The Nijmegen method is part of the healthcare process and aims at improving communication among patient, family and the healthcare team as well as enriching the decision making process.   As the new Editor of this journal , I seek cooperation and involvement of all members to provide state  of the art information on the important topic of Bioethics which has a tremendous impact in all spheres of our lives.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i2.19621 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5 (2): 43
Isolation and Identification of Avibacterium paragallinarum from Layer Chickens in Gazipur, Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Sharmin , Saha Sukumar , Khan Kamrul Ahmed , Amin Md Mansurul , Haque Md Ehsanul
Published: August 2014

An investigation was conducted for isolation, identification and determination of antibiotic sensitivity of Avibacterium paragallinarun, the causal agent of infectious coryza, from layer chickens. A total of 21 samples with characteristic symptoms of the disease were collected from a Hatchery of Gazipur. Tissue specimens obtained aseptically from swollen infra orbital sinus and tracheal swab were processed, of which, 3 were found positive while the rest 18 were negative. Isolation of bacteria was performed by first putting the specimen in Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) enriched phosphate buffer broth, anaerobically incubated for 24 hours followed by culturing loopful of broth on Blood agar (BA) and Chocolate agar (CA) plates enriched with NAD and streaked with feeder organism of Staphylococcus. aureus. On 24 hours of anaerobic incubation (candle jar method), dew drop satellite colonies of A. paragallinarum were visible on the culture plates. Cultural characteristics of bacteria as well as their staining, morphological, motility and biochemical properties such as sugar fermentation, MR and V-P tests, Indole production and catalase tests were recorded for identification. Further, antibiogram study revealed that the isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Chloramphenicol and Gentamicin but resistant to Ampicillin, Amoxycillin, Oxytetracycline, Erythromycin and Sulphamethoxazole. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/mh.v3i1.19769 Microbes and Health, June 2014. 3(1): 9-11
Cycling Charity Challenge Events: Can They Contribute to the Lifestyle Medicine Movement?
Authors: Coghlan Alexandra
Published: August 2014

Many developed countries, including Australia, are experiencing an increase in lifestyle-related disease such as obesity, heart disease, and mental distress. A new model of health care known as lifestyle medicine encourages individuals to be active partners in their health care and
take responsibility for their long-term health, as well as address causes of lifestyle-related disease and concentrate on prevention. Focusing on a cycling-based charity challenge event designed to raise funds to support cardio health, the Yellow Pages Cardiac Challenge, this article considers
the role of charity challenge events, and more broadly cycle tourism, within lifestyle medicine. Using survey-based primary and secondary data, the study addresses two questions: To what extent do the socio-demographic profiles of charity challenge participants and lifestyle disease "at-risk"
groups overlap and what is the cycling involvement and experience of charity challenge participants? The results suggest that charity challenge events can play a role in introducing individuals to the physical health benefits of cycling, and encourage mental health and well-being through the
creation of new social relationships, development of a sense of achievement, and experiencing positive emotions. Whereas a number of questions remain to be answered, this study's results contribute to existing health policy debates by exploring the role of sports tourism in supporting lifestyle
medicine initiatives.
Assessing Usage of Rural Cycle Ways—Problems and Issues: A Case Study of the Hauraki Cycle Trail, North Island New Zealand
Authors: Ryan Chris , Trinh Thu Thi , Sun Minghui , Li Ping
Published: August 2014

This research note discusses measurement issues involved in an assessment of economic impacts of a cycle trail based on counts of users with reference to the Hauraki Cycle Trail located in North Island, New Zealand. It illustrates the problems of correctly counting cyclists to arrive
at a gross estimate of expenditure. Double counting can occur because cyclists may trigger counts at more than one location due to the distance they cycle, or because they undertake a return trip on the same day, thereby being counted twice. Another practical issue is sensitivity of the counters,
and the mix of users on a trail that can include walkers and animals.
Proton transfers in the Strecker reaction revealed by DFT calculations
Authors: Yamabe Shinichi , Zeng Guixiang , Guan Wei , Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: August 2014

The Strecker reaction of acetaldehyde, NH3, and HCN to afford alanine was studied by DFT calculations for the first time, which involves two reaction stages. In the first reaction stage, the aminonitrile was formed. The rate-determining step is the deprotonation of the NH3+ group in MeCH(OH)-NH3+ to form 1-aminoethanol, which occurs with an activation energy barrier (ΔE≠) of 9.6 kcal/mol. The stereochemistry (R or S) of the aminonitrile product is determined at the NH3 addition step to the carbonyl carbon of the aldehyde. While the addition of CN− to the carbon atom of the protonated imine 7 appears to scramble the stereochemistry, the water cluster above the imine plane reinforces the CN− to attack the imine group below the plane. The enforcement hinders the scrambling. In the second stage, the aminonitrile transforms to alanine, where an amide Me-CH(NH2)-C(=O)-NH2 is the key intermediate. The rate-determining step is the hydrolysis of the cyano group of N(amino)-protonated aminonitrile which occurs with an ΔE≠ value of 34.7 kcal/mol. In the Strecker reaction, the proton transfer along the hydrogen bonds plays a crucial role.
On the Analysis of Global and Local Robust Image Watermarking Using Zernike Moments
Authors: Walia Ekta , Sharma Shailja , Suneja Anu
Published: August 2014

Digital Watermarking allows an individual to add some hidden copyright notices or other verification messages to digital media, where message is a group of bits describing the information pertaining to the signal or its author. For this purpose, two techniques viz. global watermarking and local watermarking can be used. In this paper, the performance of two feature based global and local watermarking techniques using Zernike Moments(ZMs) have been analyzed by evaluating their robustness against geometric, photometric and other signal processing attacks including rotation, cropping and noise. Experimental results have been provided in order to compare ZMs based global and local watermarking techniques for different types of attacks. Recommendations have been made based on the comparison of these techniques with other existing works.
Computational Intelligence in Cross Docking
Authors: Xing Bo
Published: August 2014

Cross docking is a practice in logistics with the main operations of goods flow directly from receiving to the shipping docks without stopping or being put away into storage. It is a simple concept to talk about, but a challenging one to implement. So far, many different approaches have been followed in order to improve the efficiency of a cross docking system. However, as the complexity increases, the use of computational intelligence (CI) in those problems is becoming a unique tool of imperative value. In this paper, different CI methods, such as Tabu search, simulated annealing, genetic algorithm, and fuzzy logic. The key issues in implementing the proposed approaches are discussed, and finally the open questions are highlighted.
Modeling Business and Requirements Relationships to Facilitate the Identification of Architecturally Significant Requirements
Authors: Berrocal Javier , Garcia-Alonso Jose , Murillo Juan Manuel
Published: August 2014

In architectural decision making, the architects have to acquire a complete picture of the system. This picture is obtained analysing the business information and the system requirements. The relationships between business elements or between requirements are particularly important to know the impact of each quality requirement on the system. However, due to the focus of each artefact and notation on documenting specific elements, the relationships between elements of different kind are kept implicit. This requires an in-depth analysis of the models generated on the part of the architect in order to make them explicit. Misunderstandings that take place during this stage can lead to an incorrect design. Here, a set of BPMN and UML profiles to explicitly represent these relationships is presented, together with a model for documenting how each non-functional requirement impacts on the system views. Thus, more information is provided to the architect, thereby decreasing the risk of misinterpretation.
Interruptions in Enteral Nutrition Delivery in Critically Ill Patients and Recommendations for Clinical Practice
Authors: Stewart Melissa L.
Published: August 2014

Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients and is associated with poor outcomes for patients and increased health care spending. Enteral nutrition is the method of choice for nutrition delivery. Enteral nutrition delivery practices vary widely, and underfeeding is widespread in critical care. Interruptions in enteral nutrition due to performance of procedures, positioning, technical issues with feeding accesses, and gastrointestinal intolerance contribute to underfeeding. Strategies such as head-of-bed positioning, use of prokinetic agents, tolerance of higher gastric residual volumes, consideration of postpyloric feeding access, and use of a nutrition support protocol may decrease time spent without nutrition.
Clostridium difficile Infection: Clinical Challenges and Management Strategies
Authors: Walters Pamela R. , Zuckerbraun Brian S.
Published: August 2014

Clostridium difficile has become the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in adults. A substantial increase has occurred in morbidity and mortality associated with disease caused by C difficile and in the identification of new hypervirulent strains, warranting a high clinical index of suspicion for infections due to this organism. Prevention of infection requires a multidisciplinary approach, including early recognition of disease, effective contact isolation precautions, adherence to disinfectant policies, and judicious use of antibiotics. Current treatment approaches are based on the severity of illness. As hypervirulent strains evolve, unsuccessful treatments are more common. Complicated colitis caused by C difficile may benefit from surgical intervention. Subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy have been the procedures of choice, but are associated with a high mortality rate because of late surgical consultation and use of surgery as a salvage therapy. A promising surgical alternative is creation of a diverting loop ileostomy with colonic lavage.
Dendritic Cells and B Cells: Unexpected Partners in Th2 Development
Authors: León Beatriz , Ballesteros-Tato André , Lund Frances E.
Published: August 2014

Although we have known for decades that B cells contribute to immune responses by secreting Ab, it is now clear that they are more than simply factories for Ig production, and they also play key roles as modulators of T cell–dependent immunity. Indeed, the evidence showing that Ag-presenting and cytokine-producing B cells can alter the magnitude and quality of CD4 T cell responses continues to grow. In this article, we review the data showing that B cells, working in partnership with dendritic cells, regulate the development of Th2 cells and the subsequent allergic response.
Survey on the conservation and use of forest genetic resources in Latin America
Authors: Salcedo J. , Baena M. , Scheldeman X. , Vinceti B. , Willemen L.
Published: August 2014

In order to understand the state of conservation and use of forest genetic resources in Latin America, an on-line survey of forestry personnel and organizations was conducted in 2006. Most respondents work on forestry, agroforestry and human-resource development, at national government organizations and universities. Research is local and focuses on developing agroforestry systems and on production and propagation trials. The top problems identified are the lack of funds, policies and recognition of the importance of forest genetic resources. According to the respondents, it is necessary to set priorities for work, define species of common interest, and work collaboratively to optimize resources. Professionals also lack information resources and mechanisms to communicate with peers, and recommended the creation of a regional network of specialists.
Biological invasion of Pinus ponderosa and Pinus contorta: case study of a forest plantation in Northwestern Patagonia
Authors: Dezzotti A. , Sbrancia R. , Mortoro A. , Monte C.
Published: August 2014

In the Southern Hemisphere, Pinus species from plantations can bring about processes of biological invasion that cause significant and permanent changes on the structure and functioning of surrounding natural ecosystems. The invasive character of Pinus ponderosa (P) and Pinus contorta (C) was examined for a 20-year old plantation located in the Alicura Forest Station (40 degrees 40 minutes S and 71 degrees 00 minutes W), through the analysis of abundance, age and spatial structures, and dispersal of natural regeneration. Seedlings and saplings were located largely within the plantation boundaries, and exhibited a density of 6.9 ind/ha (41% for P and 59% for C), a clustered spatial pattern with clumps dispersed not randomly, and a mean dispersal rate of 9.5 m/yr for P. ponderosa and 5.4 m/yr for P. contorta. Both species were invading the adjacent area, according to technical criteria based on ecological responses. However, regeneration niche is strongly hindering tree establishment and dispersal, probably due to high plant cover, presence of vertic soils, and absence of ectomycorrhizal fungi. These results can contribute to predict the capability of P. contorta and P. ponderosa to become invasive, in order to maximize the positive balance of forestry based on these species in northwestern Patagonia.
A Global Obstacle-Avoidance Map for Anthropomorphic Arms
Authors: Fang Cheng , Ding Xilun
Published: August 2014

More and more humanoid robots are used in human society, and they face a wide variety of complicated manipulation tasks, which are mainly to be achieved by their anthropomorphic arms. Obstacle avoidance for the anthropomorphic arm must be a fundamental consideration to guarantee the successful implementation of these tasks. Different from traditional methods searching for feasible or optimal collision-free solutions for the anthropomorphic arm, a global obstacle-avoidance map for the whole arm is proposed to indicate the complete set of feasible solutions. In this map, the motion of the arm can be appropriately planned to intuitively control the configuration of the arm in motion. First, the cubic spline function is adopted to interpolate some well-chosen path points to generate a smooth collision-free path for the wrist of the anthropomorphic arm. Second, based on the path function of the wrist, the time and the self-rotation angle of the arm about the “shoulder-wrist” axis are used to parameterize all possible configurations of the arm so that a global two-dimensional map considering the obstacle avoidance can be established. Subsequently, a collision-free self-rotation angle profile of the arm can be well planned. Finally, the joint trajectories of a specific anthropomorphic arm, which correspond to the planned path of the wrist and self-rotation angle profile of the arm, can be solved on the basis of the general kinematic analysis of the anthropomorphic arm, and the specific structure. Several simulations are conducted to verify that the proposed collision-free motion planning method for anthropomorphic arms has some advantages and can be regarded as a convenient and intuitive tool to control the configuration of the anthropomorphic arm in motion, without collision with obstacles in its surroundings.
Colias: An Autonomous Micro Robot for Swarm Robotic Applications
Authors: Arvin Farshad , Murray John , Zhang Chun , Yue Shigang
Published: August 2014

Robotic swarms that take inspiration from nature are becoming a fascinating topic for multi-robot researchers. The aim is to control a large number of simple robots in order to solve common complex tasks. Due to the hardware complexities and cost of robot platforms, current research in swarm robotics is mostly performed by simulation software. The simulation of large numbers of these robots in robotic swarm applications is extremely complex and often inaccurate due to the poor modelling of external conditions. In this paper, we present the design of a low-cost, open-platform, autonomous micro-robot (Colias) for robotic swarm applications. Colias employs a circular platform with a diameter of 4 cm. It has a maximum speed of 35 cm/s which enables it to be used in swarm scenarios very quickly over large arenas. Long-range infrared modules with an adjustable output power allow the robot to communicate with its direct neighbours at a range of 0.5 cm to 2 m. Colias has been designed as a complete platform with supporting software development tools for robotics education and research. It has been tested in both individual and swarm scenarios, and the observed results demonstrate its feasibility for use as a micro-sized mobile robot and as a low-cost platform for robot swarm applications.
zePPeLIN: Distributed Path Planning Using an Overhead Camera Network
Authors: Reina Andreagiovanni , Gambardella Luca Maria , Dorigo Marco , Di Caro Gianni A.
Published: August 2014

We introduce zePPeLIN, a distributed system designed to address the challenges of path planning in large, cluttered, dynamic environments. The objective is to define a sequence of instructions to precisely move a ground object (e.g., a mobile robot) from an initial to a final configuration in an environment. zePPeLIN is based on a set of wirelessly networked overhead cameras. While each camera only covers a limited environment portion, the camera set fully covers the environment through the union of its fields of view. Path planning is performed in a fully distributed and cooperative way, based on potential diffusion over local Voronoi skeletons and local message exchanging. Additionally, the control of the moving object is fully distributed: it receives movement instructions from each camera when it enters that camera's field of view. The overall task is made particularly challenging by intrinsic errors in the overlap in cameras' fields of view. We study the performance of the system as a function of these errors, as well as its scalability for the size and density of the camera network. We also propose a few heuristics to improve performance and computational and communication efficiency. The reported results include both extensive simulation experiments and validation using a real camera network planning for a two-robot system.
A Taxonomy of Vision Systems for Ground Mobile Robots
Authors: Martinez-Gomez Jesus , Fernandez-Caballero Antonio , Garcia-Varea Ismael , Rodriguez Luis , Romero-Gonzalez Cristina
Published: August 2014

This paper introduces a taxonomy of vision systems for ground mobile robots. In the last five years, a significant number of relevant papers have contributed to this subject. Firstly, a thorough review of the papers is proposed to discuss and classify both past and the most current approaches in the field. As a result, a global picture of the state of the art of the last five years is obtained. Moreover, the study of the articles is used to put forward a comprehensive taxonomy based on the most up-to-date research in ground mobile robotics. In this sense, the paper aims at being especially helpful to both budding and experienced researchers in the areas of vision systems and mobile ground robots. The taxonomy described is devised from a novel perspective, namely in order to respond to the main questions posed when designing robotic vision systems: why?, what for?, what with?, how?, and where? The answers are derived from the most relevant techniques described in the recent literature, leading in a natural way to a series of classifications that are discussed and contextualized. The article offers a global picture of the state of the art in the area and discovers some promising research lines.
Effect of stress on the ecophysiological response of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus from northwestern Mexico
Authors: Olivares-Bañuelos Tatiana , Figueroa-Flores Salvador , Carpizo-Ituarte Eugenio
Published: August 2014

In the Mexican Pacific, Dendraster excentricus, a common estuarine echinoderm, is subject to daily environmental variations in tidal fluxes. Little is known about its ecophysiological response when individuals are exposed to temperature and oxygen changes. This study evaluates their thermal stress response under normal and reduced oxygen conditions using the RNA/DNA ratio and hsp70 gene expression. We exposed sand dollars to different temperature and oxygen conditions. Three experimental temperatures were similar to the ones that organisms experience during one annual cycle and two were considered extreme. Reduced oxygen conditions were considered when levels dropped below 4 mg L–1. To estimate variations in the stress-induced RNA/DNA ratio, we determined the value for males and females during a daily cycle. We also analyzed the hsp70 expression. Under stress conditions, a significant decrease was observed in the RNA/DNA ratios. The lowest values were detected after 6 h under normoxic conditions and high temperatures seemed to induce a major effect on the RNA/DNA ratios during the first hour of stress. Analysis of the hsp70 expression showed significant differences. According to our results, thermal and reduced oxygen stress induces a reduction in the general metabolism of the organisms. These metabolic changes were observed by the decrease in the RNA/DNA ratios and expression levels of hsp70 (at high temperatures). We conclude that RNA/DNA ratios are a useful ecophysiological tool to evaluate the effect of particular stressors on the physiology of D. excentricus, and seem to be more sensitive to oxygen levels than to thermal stress, in contrast to the hsp70 expression, which was more sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time‐of‐Flight Mass Analysis of Peptides
Authors: Sandoval Wendy
Published: August 2014

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) is a simple, effective, and widely used technique for determining the mass of biomolecules, with exceptional capabilities for mass analysis of peptides. Relative to other ionization techniques, MALDI‐MS offers a high tolerance of salts and other common buffer components. MALDI‐MS ionization of peptides results in predominantly singly charged, protonated ion species (M+H+), rendering analysis relatively straightforward. MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS instruments enable true tandem MS/MS fragmentation of peptide ions, facilitating peptide sequencing and identity. Routine detection limits for peptides are in the low parts per million range. This unit will focus on the application of MALDI‐MS to the analysis of peptides on time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometers. Instrument configuration and calibration, matrix options, and sample preparation are discussed. Finally, this unit describes methods for obtaining sequence information on peptides by tandem mass spectrometry. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 77:16.2.1‐16.2.11. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Post‐Translational Modification Profiling—a High‐Content Assay for Identifying Protein Modifications in Mammalian Cellular Systems
Authors: Merbl Yifat , Kirschner Marc W.
Published: August 2014

Protein microarrays are extremely useful for detecting substrates of phosphorylation, substrates of ubiquitylation, or other post‐translational modifications. The ability to screen binding interactions as well as post‐translational modifications of thousands of proteins at once has improved our ability to identify their targets. Utilizing such systems in combination with functional mammalian cell extracts that preserve enzymatic activity offers advantages in identifying semi‐quantitative changes of these interactions in the context of specific cellular conditions. This unit provides a detailed procedure for setting up an extract‐based activity assay for high content detection of protein post‐translation modifications. It also provides basic guidelines for data analysis. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 77:27.8.1‐27.8.13 © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mantle transition zone discontinuities beneath the contiguous United States
Authors: Gao Stephen S. , Liu Kelly H.
Published: August 2014

Using over 310,000 high‐quality radial receiver functions recorded by the USArray and other seismic stations in the contiguous United States, the depths of the 410 km and 660 km discontinuities (d410 and d660) are mapped in over 1,000 consecutive overlapping circles with a radius of 1°. The average mantle transition zone (MTZ) thickness for both the western and central/eastern U.S. is within 3 km from the global average of 250 km, suggesting an overall normal MTZ temperature beneath both areas. The Pacific Coast Ranges and the southern Basin and Range Province are underlain by a depressed d410, indicating higher‐than‐normal temperature in the upper MTZ. The proposed Yellowstone and Raton hot spots are not associated with clear undulations of the MTZ discontinuities, but d410 beneath another proposed hot spot, Bermuda, is depressed significantly and d660 has a normal depth. Low‐temperature regions are found in the upper MTZ associated with the subducted Juan de Fuca slab beneath the northern Rocky Mountains and in two circular areas beneath the northern Basin and Range Province and the southern Colorado Plateau. Part of the Great Plains is characterized by a depressed d660. This observation, when combined with results from seismic tomography, suggests the existence of a cold region in the lower MTZ, probably associated with subducted Farallon slab segments.
Characterization of Meiothermus taiwanensis Galactokinase and its Use in the One‐Pot Enzymatic Synthesis of Uridine Diphosphate‐Galactose and the Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of the Carbohydrate Antigen Stage Specific Embryonic Antigen‐3
Authors: Li Si‐Peng , Hsiao Wei‐Chen , Yu Ching‐Ching , Chien Wei‐Ting , Lin Hong‐Jyune , Huang Li‐De , Lin Chien‐Hung , Wu Wan‐Ling , Wu Shih‐Hsiung , Lin Chun‐Cheng
Published: August 2014

Herein, we report the first characterization of a novel galactokinase from Meiothermus taiwanensis sp. nov. WR‐220 (MtGalK), which is overexpressed in E. coli and exhibits a kcat/Km value of 168.47 mM−1 s−1 toward Gal at 75 °C. The thermophilic MtGalK shows specific substrate recognition toward the Gal configuration with limited tolerance for modifications at the C‐2 position to form products such as GalN‐1‐P, GalN3‐1‐P, and GalNAc‐1‐P. Due to its unique thermostability toward elevated reaction temperatures, MtGalK served as an ideal biocatalyst in the synthesis of useful sugar‐1‐phosphates and was further combined with glucose‐1‐phosphate thymidylyltransferase (RmlA) and α‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase (LgtC) to achieve the efficient preparative‐scale synthesis of globotriose analogs (Gb3) using a one‐pot three‐enzyme system. In combination with a chemical synthetic strategy, a carbohydrate antigen from breast cancer stem cells, stage specific embryonic antigen‐3 (SSEA‐3) pentasaccharide, was synthesized from Gb3 in ten steps with a 23% overall yield. This flexible chemoenzymatic strategy for the synthesis of SSEA‐3 also allowed us to further expand the inventory of valuable natural and non‐natural glycans.

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Highly ortho‐Selective Trifluoromethylthiolation Reactions using a Ligand Exchange Strategy
Authors: Yin Weiyu , Wang Zhaofeng , Huang Yong
Published: August 2014

The trifluoromethylthio group (SCF3) is a highly privileged modifier for drug molecules. Direct CH trifluoromethylthiolation reactions are highly valuable synthetic tools for the late‐stage modification of drug candidates, which have so far been underexplored. We report a palladium‐catalyzed ortho‐selective mono‐trifluoromethylthiolation reaction of arenes. The reaction proceeds through a key ligand exchange pathway using readily available silver trifluoromethylthiolate (AgSCF3). Acetic acid was found to be crucial to minimize oxidative dimerization of the starting materials and to facilitate the “SCF3−” transfer. We expect this strategy to have broad applications in CH functionalization reactions using a stand‐alone oxidant and various anions.

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Time‐Resolved Assembly of Cluster‐in‐Cluster {Ag12}‐in‐{W76} Polyoxometalates under Supramolecular Control
Authors: Zhan Caihong , Cameron Jamie M. , Gao Jing , Purcell Jamie W. , Long De‐Liang , Cronin Leroy
Published: August 2014

We report the time‐resolved supramolecular assembly of a series of nanoscale polyoxometalate clusters (from the same one‐pot reaction) of the form: [H(10+m)Ag18Cl(Te3W38O134)2]n, where n=1 and m=0 for compound 1 (after 4 days), n=2 and m=3 for compound 2 (after 10 days), and n=∞ and m=5 for compound 3 (after 14 days). The reaction is based upon the self‐organization of two {Te3W38} units around a single chloride template and the formation of a {Ag12} cluster, giving a {Ag12}‐in‐{W76} cluster‐in‐cluster in compound 1, which further aggregates to cluster compounds 2 and 3 by supramolecular Ag‐POM interactions. The proposed mechanism for the formation of the clusters has been studied by ESI‐MS. Further, control experiments demonstrate the crucial role that TeO32−, Cl−, and Ag+ play in the self‐assembly of compounds 1–3.
Multilayer‐coated NPK compound fertilizer hydrogel with controlled nutrient release and water absorbency
Authors: Noppakundilograt Supaporn , Pheatcharat Natthaya , Kiatkamjornwong Suda
Published: August 2014

A novel trilayered controlled‐release nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer hydrogel was prepared by dipping the NPK fertilizer granules sequentially in 7% w v−1 poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and 2% w v−1 chitosan (CS) solutions and then cross‐linking the CS layer (cross‐CS) via glutaraldehyde vapor deposition. Different NPK fertilizer hydrogels were then synthesized by inverse suspension polymerization of the dried PVA/cross‐CS bilayer‐coated fertilizer granules in various molar ratios of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) monomers, and polymerization with varying molar ratios of ammonium persulfate, N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (N‐MBA). The water dissolution time of the obtained PVA/cross‐CS/poly (AA‐co‐AM) trilayer‐coated NPK fertilizer hydrogel granules was prolonged, while the water absorbency increased with increasing AA contents, and decreased with increasing N‐MBA contents in the outer poly(AA‐co‐AM) coating. The optimal trilayer‐coated NPK fertilizer hydrogel obtained released 84 ± 18, 63 ± 12, and 36 ± 15% of the N, P, and K nutrients, respectively, after a 30‐day immersion in water. The release phenomena of the N, P, and K nutrients of the fertilizer hydrogel obeyed both the Korsmeyer‐Peppas and Ritger‐Peppas models with a pseudo‐Fickian diffusion mechanism. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41249.
Ausführungstechnische Einflüsse auf Aspekte der Tragsicherheit von Grouted Joints
Authors: Lohaus Ludger , Werner Michael
Published: August 2014

Grouted Joints sind Rohr‐in‐Rohr‐Steckverbindungen, die typischerweise beim Bau von Offshore‐Windenergieanlagen verwendet werden. Sie verbinden beispielsweise die gerammten Gründungspfähle mit dem aufgehenden Teil der Unterstruktur bei allen bislang in Deutschland verwendeten Bauarten vom Monopile bis zum Jacket. Der Ringspalt zwischen den Rohren unterschiedlichen Durchmessers, der zum Ausgleich von Exzentrizitäten und Schiefstellungen aus dem Rammprozess erforderlich ist, wird auf hoher See mit einem hochfesten Feinkornbeton (Grout) verfüllt, um eine kraft‐ und formschlüssige Verbindung herzustellen.

In diesem Fachaufsatz wird auf den Stand der Normung, auf die ausführungsbedingten Besonderheiten und den Verfüllvorgang selbst eingegangen. Aufgezeigt werden die Anforderungen an die Materialeigenschaften zur Sicherstellung eines störimgsfreien Verfüllvorgangs. Weiterhin wird der Ausführungsprozess analysiert, um mögliche Fehlerfaktoren ausfindig zu machen. Es werden zwei Ansätze zur experimentellen Simulation von Verfüllvorgängen im Labor‐ und im Großmaßstab vorgestellt. Daraus können Erkenntnisse bezgl. der Fließwege des Materials im Ringspalt hergeleitet werden. Weiterhin werden Ergebnisse zur Materialdruckfestigkeit, die aus Proben aus solchen Verfüllversuchen gewonnen wurden, diskutiert.

Influences of in situ production of grouted joints on aspects of structural safety

Grouted joints represent tube‐in‐tube connections which are typically used for the construction of offshore wind turbines. These connections connect, for example, the driven pile to the topside of the substructure of all constructions used in Germany up to now, from monopiles to jacket substructures. The gap between the tubes of different sizes is later filled with a high‐performance grout to secure a force‐ and form‐fitting connection. These connections compensate the tolerances caused by the pile‐driving process.

This scientific paper shows the regulations used for grouted joints and the special characteristics of the filling process itself. The requirements of the material behavior of grout to secure an undisturbed filling process are also shown. Furthermore, the erection process and possible failures during this process are analyzed. Two approaches for the experimental simulation of the filling process are shown in laboratory scale and in real scale. Hence, new results considering the flow behaviour of grout materials in the gap of grouted joints can be derived. Finally, results of these filling tests considering the compressive strength are shown and discussed.
Bidimensional sustainability analysis of lignocellulosic ethanol production processes. Method and case study
Authors: Sanchez Arturo , Magaña Gabriela , Gomez Diego , Solís Mario , Banares‐Alcantara Rene
Published: August 2014

A method is proposed to analyze the environmental and economic sustainability of biorefineries producing lignocellulosic ethanol. The bidimensional method builds on the conceptual design of the production facility (mathematical models of mass and energy balances of each process stage, equipment sizing, and capital costing models) thus enabling the analysis of prospective technologies. The conceptual design articulates the relations among process stages as impact generators (IIG), stakeholders (and their concerns) as impact receivers (EIR), and indicators to measure the environmental and economic impacts of the process facility. Indicators are formulated as functions of process variables and parameters. Overall impacts for each domain are calculated by weighting the indicators using appropriate dimensional functions and scaling factors. Using the proposed method, the conceptual design of a standard biochemical biorefinery provides the basis for building a sustainability framework comprising 15 indicators. While some of the obtained indicators are ubiquitous in the literature, other less common yet important are identified. A case study illustrates the use of the sustainability framework. A single‐product biorefinery is compared against a multi‐product scheme, showing that single‐product schemes may prove, under certain conditions, more sustainable than their multi‐product counterparts. The sustainability framework provides the rationale to clearly identify the causality from IIG to metric values. This information may be used to support the decisions regarding possible improvements of IIG or modifications of weighting parameters in the dimensional functions in order improve the sustainability of the processes under consideration. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Neuentwicklung eines Ladungsrückhaltesystems aus textilbewehrten Betonfertigteilen
Authors: Thorn Kay‐Uwe , Graubner Carl‐Alexander
Published: August 2014

Die beiden weltweit bisher bekannten Ladungsrückhaltesysteme werden in Stahlbauweise ausgeführt. Bei diesen stählernen Systemen wird die Anprallenergie des Ladungsgegenstands ausschließlich durch Deformationsenergie der Rückhaltekonstruktion verzehrt werden. Dies führt bereits bei einem vergleichsweise geringen Ladungsanprall zu nennenswerten Reparatur‐ bzw. Erneuerungsarbeiten der deformierten Schutzeinrichtung mit den damit verbundenen Beeinträchtigungen des Straßenverkehrs und den daraus resultierenden Unterhaltungskosten.

Bisher ist noch keine Schutzeinrichtung in Massivbauweise bekannt, deren Funktion ausschließlich darin besteht, im Bedarfsfall die transportierte Ladung eines abkommenden Fahrzeugs zurückzuhalten. Daher wurde ein Ladungsrückhaltesystem aus textilbewehrten Betonfertigteilen entwickelt, bei dem die kinetische Energie des Ladungsgegenstands durch reversible Konstruktionsverformungen unter Nutzung der Massenträgheit des Betons und, ab einem möglichen höheren Energieniveau der anprallenden Ladung, durch irreversible Verformungen einer speziellen Deformationsschicht dissipiert wird.

Der Beitrag beschreibt den Aufbau und die Funktionsweise des entwickelten Ladungsrückhaltesystems. Weiterhin wird ein Bemessungsvorschlag zu dem als Koppelelement wirkenden textilbewehrten Betondübel mit Kreisquerschnitt vorgestellt, dessen Querkrafttragfähigkeit aus statischen und dynamischen Versuchen abgeleitet wurde.

New development of a load restraint system of textile reinforced precast concrete units: design proposal to the textile reinforced concrete anchor with circular cross‐section that is acting as a coupling element

The two load restraint systems that are globally known so far are produced in steel construction. For those steel systems the impact energy of the load object will be consumed exclusively by deformation energy of the restraint system. This already leads at a comparatively low load impact to considerable repair or replace works of the deformed safety barrier with the connected reductions of the road traffic and the maintenance costs resulting from it.

Up to now there is no safety barrier known in solid construction whose function consists exclusively in holding back the transported load of a vehicle running off the road, if necessary. Therefore a load restraint system of textile reinforced precast concrete units has been developed, where the kinetic energy of the load object is converted in reversible construction deformations under the use of concrete mass inertia and, from a possible higher energy level of the load object, in irreversible deformations of a special deformation layer.

The contribution discusses the construction and the function of the developed load restraint system. Furthermore a design proposal is presented to the textile reinforced concrete anchor with circular cross‐section that is acting as a coupling element and whose shear force capacity was derived from static and dynamic tests.
Development of a novel affinity chromatography resin for platform purification of lambda fabs
Authors: Eifler Nora , Medaglia Giovanni , Anderka Oliver , Laurin Linus , Hermans Pim
Published: August 2014

Antigen‐binding fragments (Fabs) are novel formats in the growing pipeline of biotherapeutics. Sharing similar features to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with regard to expression, Fabs are considered as unchallenging for upstream development. Yet for downstream processing, the mature mAb downstream purification platform is not directly applicable. New approaches need to be found to achieve a lean purification process that maintains quality, productivity, and timelines while being generically applicable independent of the expression system. In a successful collaboration, BAC BV, GE Healthcare, and Novartis Pharma AG have developed a new affinity chromatography medium (resin) suitable to support cGMP manufacturing of lambda Fabs. We show that using this novel chromatography medium for the capture step, a purification platform for lambda Fabs can be established. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1311–1318, 2014
Functional relationship between matrix metalloproteinase‐11 and matrix metalloproteinase‐14
Authors: Buache Emilie , Thai Robert , Wendling Corinne , Alpy Fabien , Page Adeline , Chenard Marie‐Pierre , Dive Vincent , Ruff Marc , Dejaegere Annick , Tomasetto Catherine , Rio Marie‐Christine
Published: August 2014

MMP‐11 is a key factor in physiopathological tissue remodeling. As an active form is secreted, its activity must be tightly regulated to avoid detrimental effects. Although TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 reversibly inhibit MMP‐11, another more drastic scenario, presumably via hydrolysis, could be hypothesized. In this context, we have investigated the possible implication of MMP‐14, since it exhibits a spatiotemporal localization similar to MMP‐11. Using native HFL1‐produced MMP‐11 and HT‐1080‐produced MMP‐14 as well as recombinant proteins, we show that MMP‐11 is a MMP‐14 substrate. MMP‐14 cleaves MMP‐11 catalytic domain at the PGG(P1)‐I(P1′)LA and V/IQH(P1)‐L(P1′)YG scissile bonds, two new cleavage sites. Interestingly, a functional test showed a dramatical reduction in MMP‐11 enzymatic activity when incubated with active MMP‐14, whereas inactive point‐mutated MMP‐14 had no effect. This function is conserved between human and mouse. Thus, in addition to the canonical reversible TIMP‐dependent inhibitory system, irreversible MMP proteolytic inactivation might occur by cleavage of the catalytic domain in a MMP‐dependent manner. Since MMP‐14 is produced by HT‐1080 cancer cells, whereas MMP‐11 is secreted by HFL1 stromal cells, our findings support the emerging importance of tumor‐stroma interaction/cross‐talk. Moreover, they highlight a Janus‐faced MMP‐14 function in the MMP cascade, favoring activation of several pro‐MMPs, but limiting MMP‐11 activity. Finally, both MMPs are active at the cell periphery. Since MMP‐14 is present at the cell membrane, whereas MMP‐11 is soluble into the cellular microenvironment, this MMP‐14 function might represent one critical regulatory mechanism to control the extent of pericellular MMP‐11 bioavailability and protect cells from excessive/inappropriate MMP‐11 function.
A prospective trial comparing FDG‐PET/CT and CT to assess tumor response to cetuximab in patients with incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Adkins Douglas , Ley Jessica , Dehdashti Farrokh , Siegel Marilyn J. , Wildes Tanya M. , Michel Loren , Trinkaus Kathryn , Siegel Barry A.
Published: August 2014

Computed tomography (CT), the standard method to assess tumor response to cetuximab in incurable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), performs poorly as judged by the disparity between high disease control rate (46%) and short time to progression (TTP) (70 days). F‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET)/CT is an alternative method to assess tumor response. The primary objective of this prospective trial was to evaluate the metabolic response of target lesions, assessed as the change in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG‐PET/CT before and after 8 weeks (cycle 1) of cetuximab. Secondary objectives were to compare tumor response by CT (RECIST 1.0) and FDG‐PET/CT (EORTC criteria) following cycle 1, and determine TTP with continued cetuximab administration in patients with disease control by CT after cycle 1 but stratified for disease control or progression by FDG‐PET/CT. Among 27 patients, the mean percent change of SUVmax of target lesions after cycle 1 was −21% (range: +72% to −81%); by FDG‐PET/CT, partial response (PR)/stable disease (SD) occurred in 15 patients (56%) and progression in 12 (44%), whereas by CT, PR/SD occurred in 20 (74%) and progression in 7 (26%). FDG‐PET/CT and CT assessments were discordant in 14 patients (P = 0.0029) and had low agreement (κ = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12, 0.48). With disease control by CT after cycle 1, median TTP was 166 days (CI: 86, 217) if the FDG‐PET/CT showed disease control and 105 days (CI: 66, 159) if the FDG‐PET/CT showed progression (P < 0.0001). Median TTP of the seven patients whose post cycle 1 CT showed progression compared to the 12 whose FDG‐PET/CT showed progression were similar (53 [CI: 49, 56] vs. 61 [CI: 50, 105] days, respectively). FDG‐PET/CT may be better than CT in assessing benefit of cetuximab in incurable SCCHN.