bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demostrando a priori: matemáticas y realismo en el Mysterium Cosmographicum de Johannes Kepler
Authors: Luna Leal Francisco Javier
Published: December 2017

En su libro Mysterium Cosmographicum, Johannes Kepler estableció dos cuestiones estrechamente vinculadas: la existencia de un patrón de organización del espacio que da razón de la proporción entre las distancias planetarias, y que dichas distancias con respecto al cuerpo físico del Sol se vinculan con los periodos de cada planeta. Debido a lo anterior, Kepler creía que se podía demostrar a priori la correcta ordenación de los cielos y en consecuencia demostrar finalmente la hipótesis de Copérnico. El presente artículo busca comprender la importancia que Kepler le daba a esa prueba a priori, así como el papel que jugó para su programa de investigación astronómica.
El pensamiento musical pitagórico, platónico y aristoxénico de Arístides Quintiliano. Parte I: Fundamentos pitagóricos y platónicos
Authors: Diago Jiménez José María
Published: December 2017

Este artículo constituye la primera parte de un estudio formado por dos artículos en el que se desglosa y analiza pormenorizadamente el pensamiento musical de Arístides Quintiliano, autor de uno de los principales tratados musicales de la Antigüedad. A través de dicho estudio se analizarán cuáles son las influencias y orientaciones filosóficas en cada uno de los puntos clave de su obra, demostrando cómo su estética se articula principalmente sobre las influencias pitagóricas, platónicas y aristoxénicas, corrientes aparentemente contradictorias.
Reseña: Garrido Domené, Fuensanta, Los teóricos menores de la Música Griega. Euclides el Geómetra, Nicómaco de Gerasa y Gaudencio el Filósofo
Authors: Durán Laura Carolina
Published: December 2017

Reseña de GARRIDO DOMENÉ, FUENSANTA,Los teóricos menores de la Música Griega. Euclides el Geómetra, Nicómaco de Gerasa y Gaudencio el Filósofo, Barcelona, Cerix, 2016, 516 páginas.
On the Biological Term “Gene” in the History of Science
Authors: Plischke Kurt , Labisch Alfons
Published: December 2017

Contemporary philosophy of science sets the origins of the predominant attributes of the term “gene” in the year 1900 when Gregor Mendel’s work was rediscovered. Yet it was the speculative biology of the second half of the 19th century that opened up the epistemic sphere for a new conception of heredity: heredity as the transmission of particulate, hereditable material units with a tendency for self-preservation. The then young discipline of biology dissociated its terminology from the preconceptions of natural philosophy. In the early 20th century the postulated hereditary particles were associated with the chromosome and at least, in the 1940s, with nucleic acid: being stable and, at the same time, mutable as well as capable of self-reproduction, self-selectivity and memory. DNA epitomizes the perfect biological principle. But the most recent conception of the gene is not free from anthropomorphisms
Antilogía y relativismo en Dissoì Lógoi §§ 1-3
Authors: Gardella Mariana
Published: December 2017

El propósito de este artículo es determinar con qué objetivo el autor anónimo de los Dissoì Lógoi utiliza la antilogía y cuál es la posición filosófica que defiende. Centraré mi análisis en DL §§ 1-3, a fin de mostrar que allí la antilogía se emplea no solo para contrastar dos tesis opuestas sobre la naturaleza de los valores éticos, el relativismo y el objetivismo, sino también para confirmar la solidez de la posición relativista, al poner en evidencia que la crítica que los defensores del objetivismo formulan al relativismo se apoya en la falacia a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter.
Reformbevægelsen: Liberal salafiyya i Marokko
Authors: Ainouz Mounir
Published: December 2017

Formålet med denne artikel er at diskutere det marokkanske hybridfænomen, liberal salafiyya, sådan som det kom til udtryk i perioden 1930-1960. Fænomenet blev begrebsliggjort af den marokkanske tænker Muhammad ’Ābed al-Jābirī og blev deref ter defineret og afgrænset som en ideologisk skole, der opstod i Marokko i 1930’erne og fortsatte efter Marokko opnåede uafhængighed fra Frankrig i 1956. Al-Jābirī argumenterede for, at den liberale salafiyya voksede ud af en sammensmeltning af vestlig liberalisme og traditionel marokkansk salafisme under det franske protektorat (1912-1956). I Marokko kom den liberale salafiyya til at stå langt stærkere end i resten af den arabiske verden. Det blev et nationalt projekt understøttet af reformister som Allāl al-Fāsī and Muhammad al-Wazzānī, men også af Sultan Muhammad V og det konservative religiøse etablissement. De unge reformister fremlagde en “Plan de Réformes”, som krævede, at marokkanerne skulle indgå i en moderniseringsproces, men det franske protektorat afviste deres krav. Denne beslutning tilskyndede al-Fāsī og al-Wazzānī til at definere deres eget politiske projekt med henblik på at erstatte det traditionelle politiske system med et konstitutionelt monarki. Men efter en mere end fireårtier lang, sej kamp for indførelsen af et parlamentarisk system og moderne politiske institutioner, indså al-Fāsī og al-Wazzānī, at Marokko i den postkoloniale periode ikke var klar til at implementere deres politiske tanker. This article explores the Moroccan concept of liberal salafiyya between the 1930s and 1960s. The concept was defined by the Moroccan thinker Muhammad ‘Ābed al-Jābirī, who expounded the concept of an ideological school that originated in the 1930s and continued after Morocco regained its independence from France in 1956. Al-Jābirī argued that liberal salafiyya in Morocco arose from the merging of Western liberalism and Islamic traditional Salafism during the French colonial period (1912-1956). However, the ideologies of liberalism and Salafism had a different approach and adaptation in Morocco than the rest of the Arabic-Islamic world. This distinguishes Moroccan liberal Salafiyya from other expressions of Salafism in the Arabic world because it accepted liberalism as compatible with the fundamental principles of Salafiyya. Liberal Salafiyya was not only embraced by the Moroccan reformists Allāl al-Fāsī and Muhammad al-Wazzānī, but also by the Moroccan Sultan Muhammad V and the religious conservative establishment. The young reformists presented a “Plan de Réformes”, where they demanded that the Moroccans should be part of the modernization process. The colonial power rejected their demands. This decision encouraged al-Fāsī and al-Wazzānī to define their own political projects in order to substitute the traditional political system with constitutional monarchy. After more than four decades of activism and struggle for incorporating a parliamentary system and modern political institutions, al-Fāsī and al-Wazzānī realised, that postcolonial Morocco was not ready to incorporate their political views.
Luther et Lacan
Authors: Antier Guilhen
Published: December 2017

Lacan décèle en Luther un artisan de la modernité sans laquelle l’invention freudienne n’aurait pas eu lieu. Une articulation des thématiques luthériennes de la déréliction, de la prédestination et de la mort de Dieu avec la relecture lacanienne du mythe freudien du meurtre du Père au moyen des concepts de loi, désir et jouissance, permet d’explorer et de redéployer différentes facettes d’un héritage théologique dont la psychanalyse est tributaire et qu’elle revisite pour en mettre à jour des aspects insoupçonnés. En retour, expliciter la référence de Lacan à Luther en remontant à la source luthérienne en tant que telle ouvre la voie à un dialogue entre les perspectives théologique et psychanalytique en vue de proposer une compréhension renouvelée de la foi, au nouage de la croyance et de la confiance.
Des relations entre les doctrines dominicaine et jésuite au XVIe siècle
Authors: Demelemestre Gaëlle
Published: December 2017

Les controverses opposant les dominicains et les jésuites après le concile de Trente renvoient l’image d’une scission qui se serait produite à ce moment au sein de la seconde scolastique, à partir de laquelle deux traditions doctrinales se seraient constituées. Existe-t-il cependant une réelle césure interprétative entre les deux ordres ? Peut-on réellement trouver une différence de traitement des données ou de raisonnement permettant de distinguer deux traditions de pensée ? Ce sont les questions auxquelles cet article entend apporter des éléments de réponse en comparant la doctrine de deux illustres représentants de ces ordres, Domingo de Soto et Luis de Molina, sur les questions cruciales de la nature et de la fonction du droit et du pouvoir politique. Soto est le premier à proposer un exposé systématique du droit et de la loi, et Molina prolonge ses analyses en reprenant le même projet. Si leurs contemporains ne semblent pas distinguer leurs théorisations du droit, certaines différences définitionnelles préfigurent pourtant des divergences qui se creuseront chez leurs successeurs.
Nécessité, certitude et illumination selon saint Bonaventure
Authors: Valdivia Fuenzalida José Antonio
Published: December 2017

Pendant le xiiie siècle, plusieurs auteurs scolastiques ont adopté des théories aristotéliciennes pour expliquer la connaissance humaine. Ces théories supposent que l’homme est capable d’acquérir la science en se servant de ses forces naturelles. Notre âme est capable de saisir l’essence des choses en obtenant une connaissance certaine à leur propos. Pourtant, un bon nombre de ces auteurs estimaient que, même en admettant les théories mentionnées, on ne saurait se passer de l’assistance de Dieu afin d’expliquer l’acquisition des connaissances scientifiques. Cet article s’interroge sur les raisons qui ont conduit lesdits auteurs à adopter une telle position. L’analyse de certains textes de saint Bonaventure permet de comprendre ce que la doctrine de l’illumination divine veut expliquer, à savoir : que nous pouvons obtenir de la certitude malgré le fait que les choses créées ne possèdent qu’une « nécessité conditionnelle ». En effet, même l’essence des choses créées n’aurait pas le degré minimum de nécessité qui est requis pour fonder la certitude absolue présupposée dans le concept médiéval de scientia.
Shark-diving tourism as a financing mechanism for shark conservation strategies in Malaysia
Authors: Vianna Gabriel MS , Meekan Mark G , Rogers Abbie A , Kragt Marit E , Alin James M , Zimmerhackel Johanna S
Published: December 2017

This study estimated the economic value of the shark-diving industry in Semporna, the most popular diving destination of Malaysia, by surveying the expenditures of diving tourists and dive operators through the region. A willingness-to-pay survey was also used to estimate the potential of the industry as a financing mechanism for enforcement and management of a hypothetical shark sanctuary. The study showed that in 2012, shark-diving tourism provided direct revenues in excess of USD 9.8 million to the Semporna district. These economic benefits had a flow-on effect, generating more than USD 2 million in direct taxes to the government and USD 1.4 million in salaries to the community. A contingent valuation analysis indicated that implementation of a fee paid by divers could generate over USD 2 million for management and enforcement of a shark sanctuary each year. These findings suggest that shark diving is an important contributor to the economy of the Semporna region that could be used as a mechanism to assist financial resourcing for management and conservation strategies.
Acquired melanocytic naevus phenotypes andMC1Rgenotypes in Han Chinese: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Lee Katie J. , Duffy David L. , Xu Dandan , Basude Madhur Eshwar Rao , Hu Ying , Zhang Hang , Jagirdar Kasturee , Soyer H. Peter , Dong Huiting , Sturm Richard A.
Published: December 2017

Background

Early detection and treatment are the most important elements in reducing the incidence of melanoma deaths. Acquired melanocytic naevi (AMN) are well-known precursors of melanoma but most of our knowledge on the clinico-dermoscopic phenotypes of AMN is based on studies in European-background populations, particularly American and Australian populations. There has been little research in Chinese Han populations on clinico-dermoscopic variability of naevi or how naevi are affected by melanoma-linked variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene.

Methods

Clinical and dermoscopic features of 448 AMN in 115 patients from the Han ethnic group in mainland China were described. Germline polymorphisms inMC1Rwere determined for 98 of these patients.

Results

AMN were predominantly found on the head and neck. Dermoscopic patterns observed were nonspecific, reticular, globular, and parallel furrow, with most AMN having a nonspecific pattern. There were no associations betweenMC1Rpolymorphisms and clinical or dermoscopic features of AMN.

Discussion

Our results provide evidence that AMN in the Han population in China have similar dermoscopic patterns to those in European populations, but are present in much lower numbers. As there were no associations between clinical or dermoscopic features of AMN andMC1Rpolymorphisms, further studies should focus on candidate gene associations with AMN features and the risk of melanoma, with larger sample sizes and comparisons to AMN in other populations.
Controle em pré semeadura da cultura de soja de algodão voluntário tolerante ao glyphosate e amônio glufosinate e de Eleusine indica
Authors: Minozzi Guilherme Barbosa , Christoffoleti Pedro Jacob , Monquero Patricia Andrea , Zobiole Luiz Henrique Saes , Pereira Gabriel Roher , Duck Lucas
Published: December 2017

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência, em diferentes doses e épocas, antes da semeadura de soja sob condição de déficit hídrico, para o controle de plantas voluntárias de algodão, tolerante aos herbicidas glyphosate e amônio glufosinate, e Eleusine indica. O ensaio foi conduzido no município de Formosa do Rio Preto/BA, durante a safra 2015/16, utilizando o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e dez tratamentos, sendo: glyphosate + diclosulam (960 + 25,2 g ha-1 e.a./i.a.) e glyphosate + diclosulam (960 + 35 g ha-1 e.a./i.a.), aplicados aos 50, 20 e 0 dias antes da semeadura (DAS), glyphosate + flumioxazin (960 + 50 g ha-1 e.a./i.a.), glyphosate + sulfentrazone (960 + 150 g ha-1 e.a./i.a.) e glyphosate + sulfentrazone (960 + 200 g ha-1 e.a./i.a.) aplicados 0 DAS, além de um tratamento controle. Avaliações visuais de controle foram efetuadas aos 7 e 0 DAS, aos 14 e 45 dias depois da semeadura (DDS) e a produtividade da soja estimada. A aplicação do herbicida diclosulam é eficaz no controle de algodão voluntário, quando aplicado 50, 20 e 0 DAS, nas doses de 25,2 e 35 g ha-1 i.a. O tratamento sulfentrazone é eficaz, quando aplicado 0 DAS nas doses de 150 e 200 g ha-1 i.a., enquanto o herbicida flumioxazin não é eficaz. No controle de Eleusine indica o diclosulam foi o melhor tratamento quando aplicado 0 DAS a 25,2 e 35 g ha-1 i.a. A produtividade foi considerada igual entre tratamentos.
AID recruits the RNA exosome to degrade HIV‐1 nascent transcripts through interaction with the Tat‐P‐TEFb‐TAR RNP complex
Authors: Wang Ruixuan , Zhang Xiaowei , Ding Haibo , Qiao Ying , Han Xiaoxu , Geng Wenqing , Guan Gefei , Cui Hualu , Zhao Bin , Wu Yuntao , Liang Guoxin , Shang Hong
Published: December 2017

Activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a member of the APOBEC family that induces antibody diversification, has been shown to inhibit the replication of hepatitis B virus, Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus, and retro‐transposons. However, whether AID can inhibit human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) replication remains unclear. Here, we report that AID impairs the synthesis of HIV‐1 components by interacting with the complex of Tat. This interaction recruits the RNA exosome to degrade the nascent HIV‐1 transcript. AID also targets the HIV‐1‐integrated genome via the Tat‐P‐TEFb‐TAR complex. Thus, we propose a novel function for AID as an adaptor protein that represses viral transcription. Our findings provide insights into developing anti‐HIV therapeutics and understanding how host cells restrict integrated virus replication.
Adaptive Local Iterative Filtering: A Promising Technique for the Analysis of Nonstationary Signals
Authors: Piersanti M. , Materassi M. , Cicone A. , Spogli L. , Zhou H. , Ezquer R. G.
Published: December 2017

Many real‐life signals and, in particular, in the space physics domain, exhibit variations across different temporal scales. Hence, their statistical momenta may depend on the time scale at which the signal is studied. To identify and quantify such variations, a time‐frequency analysis has to be performed on these signals. The dependence of the statistical properties of a signal fluctuation on the space and time scales is the distinctive character of systems with nonlinear couplings among different modes. Hence, assessing how the statistics of signal fluctuations vary with scale will be of help in understanding the corresponding multiscale statistics of such dynamics. This paper presents a new multiscale data analysis technique, the adaptive local iterative filtering (ALIF), which allows to describe the multiscale nature of the geophysical signal studied better than via Fourier transform, and improves scale resolution with respect to discrete wavelet transform. The example of geophysical signal, to which ALIF has been applied, is ionospheric radio power scintillation on L band. ALIF appears to be a promising technique to study the small‐scale structures of radio scintillation due to ionospheric turbulence.
Effect of curcumin on amyloid‐like aggregates generated from methionine‐oxidized apolipoprotein A‐I
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Aparna , Tavoosi Narjes , Chan Gary K. L. , Liu Jianfang , Ren Gang , Cavigiolio Giorgio , Ryan Robert O.
Published: December 2017

Curcumin is a polyphenolic phytonutrient that has antineurodegenerative properties. In this study, we investigated the anti‐amyloidogenic properties of curcumin. Following incubation with curcumin, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence emission of apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I was strongly quenched. At the same time, curcumin fluorescence emission was enhanced. The fluorescence emission spectra of curcumin in the presence of amyloid‐like aggregates formed by methionine‐oxidized (ox) apoA‐I varied, depending on whether curcumin was added before, or after, aggregate formation. The impact of curcumin on the structure of the aggregating material was revealed by the lower amount of β‐structure in ox‐apoA‐I amyloid‐like aggregates formed in the presence of curcumin, compared to aggregates formed without curcumin. However, the kinetics of ox‐apoA‐I amyloid‐like aggregate formation was not altered by the presence of curcumin. Moreover, electron microscopy analysis detected no discernable differences in amyloid morphology when ox‐apoA‐I amyloid‐like aggregates were formed in the presence or absence of curcumin. In conclusion, curcumin interacts with apoA‐I and alters the structure of ox‐apoA‐I amyloid‐like aggregates yet does not diminish the propensity of ox‐apoA‐I to form aggregates.
Assessment of quantification accuracy and image quality of a full‐body dual‐layer spectral CT system
Authors: Ehn Sebastian , Sellerer Thorsten , Muenzel Daniela , Fingerle Alexander A. , Kopp Felix , Duda Manuela , Mei Kai , Renger Bernhard , Herzen Julia , Dangelmaier Julia , Schwaiger Benedikt J. , Sauter Andreas , Riederer Isabelle , Renz Martin , Braren Rickmer , Rummeny Ernst J. , Pfeiffer Franz , Noël Peter B.
Published: December 2017

The performance of a recently introduced spectral computed tomography system based on a dual‐layer detector has been investigated. A semi‐anthropomorphic abdomen phantom for CT performance evaluation was imaged on the dual‐layer spectral CT at different radiation exposure levels (CTDIvol of 10 mGy, 20 mGy and 30 mGy). The phantom was equipped with specific low‐contrast and tissue‐equivalent inserts including water‐, adipose‐, muscle‐, liver‐, bone‐like materials and a variation in iodine concentrations. Additionally, the phantom size was varied using different extension rings to simulate different patient sizes. Contrast‐to‐noise (CNR) ratio over the range of available virtual mono‐energetic images (VMI) and the quantitative accuracy of VMI Hounsfield Units (HU), effective‐Z maps and iodine concentrations have been evaluated. Central and peripheral locations in the field‐of‐view have been examined. For all evaluated imaging tasks the results are within the calculated theoretical range of the tissue‐equivalent inserts. Especially at low energies, the CNR in VMIs could be boosted by up to 330% with respect to conventional images using iDose/spectral reconstructions at level 0. The mean bias found in effective‐Z maps and iodine concentrations averaged over all exposure levels and phantom sizes was 1.9% (eff. Z) and 3.4% (iodine). Only small variations were observed with increasing phantom size (+3%) while the bias was nearly independent of the exposure level (±0.2%). Therefore, dual‐layer detector based CT offers high quantitative accuracy of spectral images over the complete field‐of‐view without any compromise in radiation dose or diagnostic image quality.
Inkjet Printed Wiring Boards with Vertical Interconnect Access on Flexible, Fully Compostable Cellulose Substrates
Authors: Samusjew Aleksandra , Lassnig Alice , Cordill Megan J. , Krawczyk Krzysztof K. , Griesser Thomas
Published: December 2017

Cellulose foil is a biodegradable and carbon neutral material that is a poor substrate for most conductive silver inks. Herein, it is reported that a simple solution of silver acetate in 1‐methylimidazole can be used to produce conductive patterns on a commercial packaging foil that is composed almost exclusively from cellulose. The reduction can be carried out thermally or by irradiation with UV light. In the latter case, the printed pattern may become conductive on both sides of the substrate and also exhibits conductivity across the cellulose foil, giving rise to fully printed vertical interconnect access. Control experiments confirm that the cellulose plays a crucial role in completing the reduction of the silver salt, obtaining conductive patterns.
Boys in a famous choir: Singing and ticcing
Authors: Tunc Sinem , Münchau Alexander
Published: December 2017

This informal observational study on the tic prevalence in 40 young singers was carried out during a public concert of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Tics were highly prevalent (present in 35% = 14 boys). Given the possibility of an overrepresentation of perioral tics in this group of highly achieving young vocal artists, one might speculate that there is a relationship between the ability of the motor system to produce a surplus of movements (tics) and high performance (exquisite singing). Despite the unusual study design, with all its limitations, our observations strengthen the view that tics may be related to motor learning. However, alternative explanations, for example, that repetitive motor performance or personality traits in singers drive tic development, could also be true. In light of the boys choir's enchantment, the sole perception of tics as a disorder falls short of the properties of the motor system. Ann Neurol 2017;82:1029–1031
Characterization of CYP154F1 from Thermobifida fusca YX and Extension of Its Substrate Spectrum by Site‐Directed Mutagenesis
Authors: Rühlmann Ansgar , Groth Georg , Urlacher Vlada B.
Published: December 2017

Previous studies on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) from family 154 reported their substrate promiscuity and high activity. Hence, herein, the uncharacterized family member CYP154F1 is described. Screening of more than 100 organic compounds revealed that CYP154F1 preferably accepts small linear molecules with a carbon chain length of 8–10 atoms. In contrast to thoroughly characterized CYP154E1, CYP154F1 has a much narrower substrate spectrum and lower activity. A structural alignment of homology models of CYP154F1 and CYP154E1 revealed few differences in the active sites of both family members. By gradual mutagenesis of the CYP154F1 active site towards those of CYP154E1, a key residue accounting for the different activities of both enzymes was identified at position 234. Substitution of T234 for large hydrophobic amino acids led to up to tenfold higher conversion rates of small substrates, such as geraniol. Replacement of T234 by small hydrophobic amino acids, valine or alanine, resulted in mutants with extended substrate spectra. These mutants are able to convert some of the larger substrates of CYP154E1, such as (E)‐stilbene and (+)‐nootkatone.
From Carboxytelomerization of 1,3‐Butadiene to Linear α,ω‐C10‐Diester Combinatoric Approaches for an Efficient Synthetic Route
Authors: Vogelsang Dennis , Raumann Björn A. , Hares Kevin , Vorholt Andreas J.
Published: December 2017

Two novel reaction pathways were tested to synthesize the linear α,ω‐C10‐diester exclusively from three basic reagents: 1,3‐butadiene, carbon monoxide and methanol. Therefore, carboxytelomerization of 1,3‐butadiene and methanol was merged with methoxycarbonylation in two different ways to obtain highly linear C10‐diester. Through a palladium‐based and ‐assisted tandem catalytic system, 22 % yield of the desired C10‐diester was obtained without isolating the intermediates. Subsequently, the limitations of the novel assisted tandem catalytic concept were uncovered and based on that, a two‐step reaction regime was established. By optimization of the carboxytelomerization, the C9‐monoester as intermediate could be formed in nearly quantitative yields and excellent linearity. In a second reaction step, the isolated monoester was successfully converted by methoxycarbonylation into the desired linear C10‐diester in overall yields up to 84 %.
Monomeric Dihydroanthraquinones: A Chemoenzymatic Approach and its (Bio)synthetic Implications for Bisanthraquinones
Authors: Saha Nirmal , Mondal Amit , Witte Karina , Singh Shailesh Kumar , Müller Michael , Husain Syed Masood
Published: December 2017

Modified bisanthraquinones are complex dimeric natural products containing a cage‐like structural motif. For their biosynthesis, monomeric dihydroanthraquinones have been proposed as key intermediates despite not being isolated from natural sources or synthesized as of yet. Here, isolation and characterization of dihydroemodin, as well as dihydrolunatin, synthesized by a biomimetic and chemoenzymatic approach using NADPH‐dependent polyhydroxyanthracence reductase (PHAR) from Cochliobolus lunatus followed by Pb(OAc)4 oxidation is reported. Subsequent dimerization through a hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of the dihydroemodin and dihydrolunatin resulted in (−)‐flavoskyrin (68 %) and (−)‐lunaskyrin (62 %), respectively. Pyridine treatment of (−)‐flavoskyrin and (−)‐lunaskyrin gave (−)‐rugulosin and (−)‐2,2′‐epi‐cytoskyrin A in 64 % and 60 % yield, respectively, through a cascade that involves two dimeric intermediates. Implications of the described synthesis for the biosynthesis of bisanthraquinones by a combination of enzymatic and spontaneous steps are discussed.
Binding Mode and Structure–Activity Relationships of ITE as an Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Agonist
Authors: Dolciami Daniela , Gargaro Marco , Cerra Bruno , Scalisi Giulia , Bagnoli Luana , Servillo Giuseppe , Della Fazia Maria Agnese , Puccetti Paolo , Quintana Francisco J. , Fallarino Francesca , Macchiarulo Antonio
Published: December 2017

Discovered as a modulator of the toxic response to environmental pollutants, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has recently gained attention for its involvement in various physiological and pathological pathways. AhR is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor activated by a large array of chemical compounds, which include metabolites of l‐tryptophan (l‐Trp) catabolism as endogenous ligands of the receptor. Among these, 2‐(1′H‐indole‐3′‐carbonyl)thiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) has attracted interest in the scientific community, being endowed with nontoxic, immunomodulatory, and anticancer AhR‐mediated functions. So far, no information about the binding mode and interactions of ITE with AhR is available. In this study, we used docking and molecular dynamics to propose a putative binding mode of ITE into the ligand binding pocket of AhR. Mutagenesis studies were then instrumental in validating the proposed binding mode, identifying His 285 and Tyr 316 as important key residues for ligand‐dependent receptor activation. Finally, a set of ITE analogues was synthesized and tested to further probe molecular interactions of ITE to AhR and characterize the relevance of specific functional groups in the chemical structure for receptor activity.
Fine Structure in Electronic Spectra of Cyanine Dyes: Are Sub‐Bands Largely Determined by a Dominant Vibration or a Collection of Singly Excited Vibrations?
Authors: Mustroph Heinz , Towns Andrew
Published: December 2017

This work critically examines attempts to model the fine structure apparent in electronic spectra of cyanine dyes and their analogues. Numerous computational studies reported over the past decade attribute the origin of sub‐bands and their relative intensities to vibronic transitions in which the relevant electronic transition is coupled, irrespective of symmetry, with a collection of vibrations. It is contended that this type of approach is not supported by experimental evidence. An argument is reiterated for a more appropriate model that adheres closely to fundamental principles and fits the data. It stipulates that essentially just one symmetric vibration, carbon–carbon bond stretching of the cyanine polymethine chain, dominates the coupling and is responsible for the observed fine structure. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the intensities of the sub‐bands are readily explained by means of the Franck–Condon principle.
Efficient hybrid watermarking schemes for robust and secure 3D‐MVC communication
Authors: El‐Shafai W. , El‐Rabaie S. , El‐Halawany M.M. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: December 2017

Digital watermarking is a promising and efficient methodology for protecting the copyright of the transmitted multimedia data. Three‐dimensional videos (3DVs) are transmitted and stored in the form of compressed information. Thus, there is a great need for compressed 3DV watermarking. This paper presents 2 proposed hybrid watermarking schemes for securing the 3DV transmission. The first watermarking scheme is the homomorphic transform–based singular value decomposition in discrete wavelet transform domain. The second scheme is the 3‐level discrete stationary wavelet transform in discrete cosine transform domain. The objective of the 2 proposed hybrid watermarking schemes is to increase the immunity of the watermarked 3DV to attacks and achieve adequate perceptual quality. The performances of the 2 proposed hybrid watermarking schemes are compared with those of the state‐of‐the‐art watermarking schemes. The comparisons depend on both of the subjective visual results and the objective results; the peak signal‐to‐noise ratios of the watermarked frames and the normalized correlation of the extracted watermark frames. Extensive simulation results on standard 3DV sequences have been conducted in the presence of attacks. The obtained results confirm that the 2 suggested hybrid watermarking schemes are robust in the presence of attacks. They achieve not only very good perceptual quality with appreciated peak signal‐to‐noise ratio values but also high correlation coefficient values in the presence of attacks.
Recent Advances in Iodosobenzene‐Mediated Construction of Heterocyclic Scaffolds: Transition‐Metal‐Free Approaches and Scope
Authors: Gayen Krishnanka Shekhar , Chatterjee Nirbhik , Khamarui Saikat , Tarafdar Pradip Kumar
Published: December 2017

Iodosobenzene (PhIO) is a well‐known hypervalent iodine reagent for its Lewis acidic oxidizing capability. In recent times it has been repeatedly proven to be a powerful tool for the development of toxic, costly transition‐metal‐free advanced and impressive methodologies to construct diverse array of different heterocycles. In this review some selected viable and innovative strategies from 2007 to 2016 have been contemplated. Sometimes mechanistic proposals were also taken as prime consideration since synthetic organic chemists are providing fresh stimuli to reinforce the theoretical predictions to grasp the unique nature of PhIO in dissimilar conditions. Convenient and environmentally friendly cyclization and cycloaddition protocols were delineated adequately to integrate the practical findings and mechanistic points of view.
Synthesis of Carba‐Cyclophellitols: a New Class of Carbohydrate Mimetics
Authors: Beenakker Thomas J. M. , Wander Dennis P. A. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , Aerts Johannes M. F. G. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Overkleeft Herman S.
Published: December 2017

Cyclophellitol and cyclophellitol aziridine are potent and irreversible inhibitors of retaining β‐glucosidases. They preferentially adopt a 4H3 half‐chair conformation, thereby mimicking the substrate‐transition‐state conformation characteristic of retaining β‐glucosidases. As a consequence, both compounds bind tightly to the enzyme active site, and attack of the catalytic nucleophile onto the epoxide/aziridine results in enzyme deactivation. Replacement of the epoxide oxygen in cyclophellitol by a (substituted) carbon yielded carba‐cyclophellitols, a conceptually new class of inhibitors of retaining β‐glucosidases, as we demonstrated in a recent communication. In this paper, in‐depth synthetic studies of this class of compounds are described, and the preparation of a comprehensive set of structurally and configurationally new carba‐cyclophellitols is presented.
Binuclear Metal Phthalocyanines Catalysis for Li/SOCl2 Batteries: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Ronglan , Yang Fei , Zhao Jianshe
Published: December 2017

Four kinds of binuclear metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) complexes M2(PcTN)2Nap and M2(PcTA)2Nap (M=NiII, ZnII) are synthesized and used in Li/SOCl2 battery as electrocatalysts to enhance capacity and discharge voltage. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out to investigate the improvement in electrochemical performance by carefully observing the shape of the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs). It is confirmed that a close relationship exists between MOs and catalytic performance of MPcs. The variation in reduction potentials of electrolyte SOCl2 are also related to the MOs. Based on cyclic voltammetry measurements and the energy gap of MOs, a reaction mechanism that involves an irreversible two‐step electron transfer process can be deduced, and a better strategy for the selection of catalysts is obtained.
Psychogenic non‐epileptic seizures among patients with functional neurological disorder: A case series from a Tanzanian referral hospital and literature review
Authors: Dekker Marieke C. J. , Urasa Sarah J. , Kellogg Marissa , Howlett William P.
Published: December 2017

Objective

Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are likely as common in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) as in the rest of the world, but there is a dearth of literature on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of these disorders in Africa. The purpose of this paper is to describe a case series of FNDs presenting to a referral hospital in SSA. In addition, we review the existing literature on FNDs in Africa.

Methods

A hospital‐based retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical phenotype of FNDs and PNES in a referral hospital in Northern Tanzania over a 6‐year period (2007–2013).

Results

Of 2,040 patients presenting with neurological complaints, 44 (2.2%) were diagnosed with FNDs. Half (n = 22) had the clinical presentation of PNES. Age of presentation for FNDs and PNES peaked in the teen years 12–19 (n = 21 48%; and n = 14, 63%, respectively), and the majority were female (n = 30, 68%; and n = 14, 63%, respectively). The majority presented acutely with short‐lived and self‐limiting symptoms (only 2 recurrent cases). Literature review revealed multiple reports of “mass hysteria” in SSA often meeting the clinical criteria of epidemic FNDs.

Significance

FNDs and PNES occur in Africa with age and gender distribution comparable to that found elsewhere. Although the percentage of FND cases overall was relatively low (2.2%), it is likely to be an underestimate because not all cases were recorded, and cases may be appropriately managed locally before patients are referred to a hospital. PNES was the most common phenotype of FNDs reported, and the African phenotype may be short‐lived and self‐limiting rather than chronic and recurrent, as reported elsewhere in the world. PNES presentations may also occur in clusters, which may have cultural significance in Africa. FNDs in Africa appear to be underreported, particularly over the last 30 years.
Diet quality affects chemical tolerance in the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Fidder Bridgette N. , Reátegui-Zirena Evelyn G. , Salice Christopher J.
Published: December 2017

Organisms generally select high-quality diets to obtain maximal energy while devoting the least amount of time and energy. Diets, however, can vary in natural systems. In ecotoxicological testing, the effect of diet type on organismal responses to toxicants has not been explored despite the potential for dietary effects to influence toxicological endpoints. We first evaluated diet quality using growth rate and sensitivity to the fungicide pyraclostrobin of Lymnaea stagnalis fed lettuce (common laboratory diet), turtle pellets (high nutrient composition), and a combination diet of both food items. We also measured the macronutrient content of snails raised on the multiple diets to determine how diet may have impacted energy allocation patterns. Finally, we evaluated whether snails discernibly preferred a particular diet. Snails fed high-nutrient and combination diets grew larger overall than snails fed a lettuce-only diet. Snails fed the high-nutrient and combination diets, both juvenile and adult, were significantly more tolerant to pyraclostrobin than snails fed lettuce. When measured for macronutrient content, snails raised on high-nutrient and combination diets had significantly higher carbohydrate content than snails fed lettuce. Despite the strong effects of diet type, snails did not exhibit a clear diet choice in preference trials. Dietary composition clearly influences growth rate, sensitivity, and macronutrient content of Lymnaea stagnalis. These results suggest that the nutritional environment has potentially strong impacts on toxicant sensitivity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1158–1167. © 2017 SETAC
Effect of Boiling and roasting on lipid quality, proximate composition, and mineral content of walnut seeds (Tetracarpidium conophorum) produced and commercialized in Kumba, South‐West Region Cameroon
Authors: Tonfack Djikeng Fabrice , Selle Edem , Morfor Azia Theresia , Tiencheu Bernard , Hako Touko Blaise Arnaud , Teboukeu Boungo Gires , Ndomou Houketchang Serges , Karuna Mallampalli Sri Lakshmi , Linder Michel , Ngoufack François Zambou , Womeni Hilaire Macaire
Published: December 2017

The effect of boiling and roasting on the lipid quality, proximate composition, and mineral content of African walnut seeds (Tetracarpidium conophorum) was assessed. Results indicated that the quality of walnut oil significantly (p < .05) reduces with the treatments. Oils extracted from DBWN 60 min (Dried and boiled walnuts 60 min) and FBWN 60 min (Boiled fresh walnuts 60 min) were the most altered. The proximate composition and mineral content of walnut seeds was also significantly affected (p < .05) by the treatments. This study reveals that, thermal processing has significant effects on the nutrients and quality of lipids of walnut oil. DTRWN 60 min (Dried and traditionally roasted walnuts 60 min), DORWN 60 min (Dried and oven roasted walnuts 60 min), and TRFWN 30 min (traditionally roasted fresh nuts 30 min) are the best methods for cooking walnut because they preserve the quality of its lipids and some of the nutrients.
Determination of the chemical and functional properties of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) flour for food systems
Authors: Buckman Evelyn S. , Oduro Ibok , Plahar Wisdom A. , Tortoe Charles
Published: December 2017

Many plant species that are suitable for food across the world are neglected and underutilized. In order to increase their diversified food uses and thus help enhance food and nutrition security, we studied the chemical and functional properties of Pachyrhizus erosus (yam bean), which is a neglected and underutilized legume species. The chemical properties of flour produced from the yam bean include 5.8% moisture content, 5.7% crude fat, 6.2% crude fiber, and 85% available carbohydrate, indicating appropriate shelf‐stable flour, low fat, and abundant energy. The results also showed a reducing sugar content of 2.0% and 21.0% starch. Pasting temperature was 70.6°C with peak viscosity of 14.5 BU, which supports ease of cooking of the flour. The swelling power obtained was 752.9 g/100 g at 85°C with a solubility index of 54%. Water holding capacity (WHC) obtained for the flour was 363.88%, whereas swelling volume was 14.0 ml and makes the flour appropriate for the production of infant foods. The P. erosus flour therefore exhibits good functional and chemical properties that would make the flour quite suitable as a substitute for other flours in food systems.
Migratory potential of transplanted glial progenitors as critical factor for successful translation of glia replacement therapy: The gap between mice and men
Authors: Srivastava Rohit K. , Bulte Jeff W. M. , Walczak Piotr , Janowski Miroslaw
Published: December 2017

Neurological disorders are a major threat to public health. Stem cell‐based regenerative medicine is now a promising experimental paradigm for its treatment, as shown in pre‐clinical animal studies. Initial attempts have been on the replacement of neuronal cells only, but glial progenitors (GPs) are now becoming strong alternative cellular therapeutic candidates to replace oligodendrocytes and astrocytes as knowledge accumulates about their important emerging role in various disease processes. There are many examples of successful therapeutic outcomes for transplanted GPs in small animal models, but clinical translation has proved to be challenging due to the 1,000‐fold larger volume of the human brain compared to mice. Human GPs transplanted into the mouse brain migrate extensively and can induce global cell replacement, but a similar extent of migration in the human brain would only allow for local rather than global cell replacement. We review here the mechanisms that govern cell migration, which could potentially be exploited to enhance the migratory properties of GPs through cell engineering pre‐transplantation. We furthermore discuss the (dis)advantages of the various cell delivery routes that are available, with particular emphasis on intra‐arterial injection as the most suitable route for achieving global cell distribution in the larger brain. Now that therapeutic success has proven to be feasible in small animal models, future efforts will need to be directed to enhance global cell delivery and migration to make bench‐to‐bedside translation a reality.
TOP‐DOWN AND BOTTOM‐UP: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND MINDFULNESS AS PREDICTORS IN MATERNAL–INFANT INTERACTION
Authors: Pickard Judy A. , Townsend Michelle L. , Caputi Peter , Grenyer Brin F.S.
Published: December 2017

The cross‐generational transmission of attachment appears to reflect a complex interplay of factors, which have been challenging to identify. The current longitudinal study explored the maternal cognitive model of relationships through language use, maternal mindfulness, and attachment style assessed prenatally, as predictors of maternal response to distress and infant behavior at 6 months’ postpartum. Infant behavior to the mother also was examined to provide an understanding of the evolving relationship. Thirty‐two females were interviewed prenatally regarding social and family experiences. At 6 months’ postpartum, each mother participated in a video‐recorded session where she was asked to teach her infant a developmentally appropriate task. Videos were analyzed using the NCAST Teaching Protocol. Language use prenatally as well as the mindfulness facets (acting with awareness and describing) predicted the mothers’ ability to respond to infant distress, indicating greater attunement. Infant's response to mother and clarity of cues also were predicted by maternal pronoun use. The study highlights the role of internal working models reflective of interpersonal beliefs, cognitive models, and current‐moment awareness in maternal behavior. The effect of maternal language on infant behavior arguably indicates the infant's integration of maternal internal working models.
Hydoxyapatite/beta‐tricalcium phosphate biphasic ceramics as regenerative material for the repair of complex bone defects
Authors: Rh. Owen Gethin , Dard Michel , Larjava Hannu
Published: December 2017

Bone is a composite material composed of collagen and calcium phosphate (CaP) mineral. The collagen gives bone its flexibility while the inorganic material gives bone its resilience. The CaP in bone is similar in composition and structure to the mineral hydroxyapatite (HA) and is bioactive, osteoinductive and osteoconductive. Therefore synthetic versions of bone apatite (BA) have been developed to address the demand for autologous bone graft substitutes. Synthetic HA (s‐HA) are stiff and strong, but brittle. These lack of physical attributes limit the use of synthetic apatites in situations where no physical loading of the apatite occurs. s‐HA chemical properties differ from BA and thus change the physical and mechanical properties of the material. Consequently, s‐HA is more chemically stable than BA and thus its resorption rate is slower than the rate of bone regeneration. One solution to this problem is to introduce a faster resorbing CaP, such as β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), when synthesizing the material creating a biphasic (s‐HA and β‐TCP) formulation of calcium phosphate (BCP). The focus of this review is to introduce the major differences between BCP and biological apatites and how material scientists have overcome the inadequacies of the synthetic counterparts. Examples of BCP performancein vitroandin vivofollowing structural and chemical modifications are provided as well as novel ultrastructural data. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2493–2512, 2018.
Reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP), a light for mammalian transcript analysis in low‐input laboratories
Authors: Pandey Mamta , Singh Dheer , Onteru Suneel K.
Published: December 2017

Transcript analysis is usually performed by costly, time‐consuming, and expertise intensive methods, like real time‐PCR, microarray, etc. However, they are not much feasible in low‐input laboratories. Therefore, we implemented the reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) as a means of mammalian transcript analysis. Particularly, RT‐LAMP was developed for buffalo aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) transcript, to study its expression in 3D‐cultured buffalo granulosa cells, which were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The CYP19‐RT‐LAMP assay rapidly identified the LPS‐induced downregulation of the CYP19 gene within 30 min at 63°C in a water bath. The assay was visualized via unaided eye by observing the change in turbidity and fluorescence, which were decreased by increasing the LPS exposure time to granulosa cells. Overall, the developed CYP19‐RT‐LAMP assay provided a hope on the application of RT‐LAMP for mammalian transcript analysis in low‐input laboratories.