bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial
Authors: Hoffmann-Horochovski Marisete Teresinha
Published: December 2017

Editorial da Guaju.
Local Modalities for Preventing Surgical Site Infections: An Evidence-based Review
Authors: Katarincic Julia A. , Fantry Amanda , DePasse J. Mason , Feller Ross
Published: December 2017

Surgical site infections remain a dreaded complication of orthopaedic surgery, affecting both patient economics and quality of life. It is important to note that infections are multifactorial, involving both surgical and patient factors. To decrease the occurrence of infections, surgeons frequently use local modalities, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening; preoperative bathing; intraoperative povidone-iodine lavage; and application of vancomycin powder, silver-impregnated dressings, and incisional negative-pressure wound therapy. These modalities can be applied individually or in concert to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections. Despite their frequent use, however, these interventions have limited support in the literature.
Learner Views about Cooperative Learning in Social Learning Networks
Authors: Cankaya Serkan , Yunkul Eyup
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to reveal the attitudes and views of university students about the use of Edmodo as a cooperative learning environment. In the research process, the students were divided into groups of 4 or 5 within the scope of a course given in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology. For each group, Edmodo small groups were formed, and the students used these Edmodo small groups to share and communicate with their group friends in relation to the group tasks assigned to them within the scope of the study. This process lasted one academic term. As the data collection tool, an online cooperative learning attitude scale and a semi-structured interview form were used. At the end of the academic term, 15 students were interviewed about their cooperative learning experiences within the scope of the course as well as about how they made use of Edmodo in the process. The results demonstrated that the students had positive attitudes towards online cooperative learning. The findings obtained via the qualitative data analysis were examined under the headings of “social networks used”, “preferences of forming groups”, “communication within group” and “views about the courses executed via Edmodo”.
The Role of Demarketing in Reducing Electricity Demand
Authors: AL-Samydai Mahmood Jasim , Yousif Rudaina Othman
Published: December 2017

The current study aims to examine the influence of demarketing in reducing the demand for electricity in Jordan. According to (Kotler and Levy. 1971) the demarketing is based on three strategies (general demarketing strategy, selective demarketings strategy and ostensible demarketing strategy).  The philosophy of demarketing based on creating better and healthier environment for community and it represents an important tool to determine the consumption of a certain product permanently or temporarily.Demarketing considered an important tool that is used to limit demand or consumption, or rationalize its use, of a certain product or service, permanently or temporarily (fuel electricity, water, etc.) due to the rarity of these resources and their importance, economically, to countries. It is used to limit the use of some products that damage public heath, society, and community (like smoking, alcohol, controlled medication and narcotics, etc.). This paper shows the benefit from the general demarketing to influence the demand of electricity.The researchers depended on secondary resources represented by the available literature. In addition, the researcher depended on designing a questionnaire composed of 27 questions that were implemented on a sample of 592 consumers. The information collected was based on a primary exploration study with the purpose of constructing and designing a study model.Many factors were inserted within study model has been developed according to literatures related to the subject. Thus, this study questionnaire consisted of six dimensions, which are the general demarketing strategy, (advertising, campaigns, perception, price, solar energyand and reference group) and the demand of electricity. The development of six hypotheses was based on the dimensions of the study.All six hypotheses were accepted as well as the seventh hypothesis, concerning the relationship of the link between the components of the study model. The statistical analysis has shown that the positive correlation between components consisted of strong correlation (positive relationship) between each component of demarketing and the reducing the demand for electricity. Researchers faced number of difficulties while conducting this study. Many consumers do not agree with the questionnaire, there is no clear understanding of the concept of reverse marketing, and there are not many studies that deal with this field. The importance of this study is reflected through the effective role of demarketing that can play in influencing the reducing of demand for electricity, and improve them, towards rationalization of electricity consumption.
Determinants of International Competitiveness of SMEs in a Developing Economy: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Siddik Md Nur
Published: December 2017

While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are playing a vital role in the development process of countries, there is lack of studies examining the issue of international competitiveness of SMEs. Therefore this study fills this gap. The objective of this paper is to identify and explain determinants of international competitiveness of SMEs from developing economies, Bangladesh. Primary data from a sample of 130 SMEs in agriculture and agro-processed goods-oriented industries in Bangladesh were analysed using logistic model to empirically identify the determinants of SMEs international competitiveness. Results suggest that the access to finance, entrepreneurial factors, government policies, technological factors and number of countries to export are significant determinants of exports of SMEs. Findings of this study are of greater importance to the SMEs and policymakers of developing economies like Bangladesh, because on the one side, using findings of this study, managers of SMEs can run their organizations in a manner to compete with their counterparts throughout the world. On the hand concerned policy makers can use these findings to undertake conducive polices to foster export business of SMEs which ultimately will lead to the acceleration of the economic growth of the country.
Developments with fixing a Tithonian/Berriasian (J/K) boundary
Authors: WIMBLEDON William A.P.
Published: December 2017

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Investigation of Persistence Value as a Study Protection Factor among Health Care Organizer Students
Authors: Dinyáné Szabó Marianna , Pusztai Gabriella
Published: December 2017

Introduction: To be successful, serious commitment, willingness of being involved in education and learning (on the part of the students), and (on the part of the education institution) demand for high standard are required. One of the most important determinants of student achievement is persistence, the research of which has now been in the focus of international investigation. Objective: The authors investigated variables affecting students- persistence value (e.g. attendance at lessons, parents- religiousness, use of the Internet, sports, etc.) among students starting their health care studies. Method: The students participating in the survey were - as mentioned - the first year (BSc) students specialising in health care organisation at the Public Health Care Departments of Semmelweis University, the University of Debrecen (and Nyíregyháza) (N = 200 persons). Results: 1. By using GLZ regression (Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square = 115.688, df = 13, p = 0.000), the explanatory variables - that most influence the value of the persistence variance - were filtered. (i) E.g. Attendance at the lessons, Extra rewards, Sports, Parents- Religiousness, Community Membership are of positive effect. (ii) The use of Internet has a negative impact in the model. 2. Cluster analysis was used to produce student groups from the predictor variables. Conclusion: Examining students- persistence values can help university faculties, the teachers to see, who will succeed in their studies, and who need increased help to evolve and develop their mental potentials.
The Relation of Perceived Meaning of Life, Meaning of Illness and Anxious-Depressive Symptoms among Cancer Patients
Authors: Elekes Szende
Published: December 2017

Our research is based on the literature that shows meaningfulness is a correlate of mental health both in the general population and in the case of patients with a serious illness such as cancer. We had two major goals: 1) to identify the meaning-categories patients find in their illness; 2) to test the relationships between perceived meaning of life, meaning of illness and negative indicators of well-being, like automatic thoughts, anxiety, depression in the case of a population of cancer patients from Romania. This study was completed in March-June of 2012. A number of 102 cancer patients, interned in the ‘Ion Chiricuta- Oncology Institute in Romania, completed a battery of scales that measured perceived meaning of life (Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Meaning in Life after Cancer), the intensity of automatic thoughts (Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire), anxiety, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and answered the question whether they found any meaning in their lives. We could identify the following categories of meaning patients found in their illness: character change, greater appreciation of life, change of priorities, spiritual growth, greater appreciation of close relationships, clarification of goals, development of self-knowledge. In accordance with the literature, our results show that perceived meaning of life (measured by MLaC), correlates negatively with automatic thoughts (r = -0.606), anxiety (r = -0.576), and depression (r = -0.542), and these relations are significant (p = 0.000). Patients who found their illness meaningful, found more meaning in their lives as well (t = 3.041, p = 0.003), and they showed lower levels of anxiety and depression, but these correlations are not significant (p = 0.567 and 0.116).
METAFÍSICA, VIOLÊNCIA E CONTEMPORANEIDADE: INTERPELAÇÕES ÉTICAS A PARTIR DA FILOSOFIA DE LÉVINAS
Authors: Ribeiro Junior Nilo
Published: December 2017

O artigo visa refletir sobre a tensão que perpassa a tradição metafísica da filosofia ocidental e as questões que se lhe apresentam a contemporaneidade. Em função disso, trata-se de ir ao âmago do problema filosófico que escolhemos como objeto dessa investigação, a saber, a iteração da violência e metafísica, seja em vista de desvendar os motivos da face belicosa da filosofia greco-romana e suas antinomias diante da cultura e o pensamento atual, seja com a intenção de anunciar uma “outra maneira de uma filosofia da paz” avessa à totalidade da razão e do Ser. Uma filosofia que, sem cair na ingenuidade de imiscuir-se da negatividade do real, permita aproximar-nos de um saber paradoxal contrário à tese dóxica da razão e do ser, e que seja capaz de abrir o pensamento para uma metafísica pós-metafisica da alteridade, concebida segundo a intriga do amor e da justiça e presidida pela interpelação do Rosto do outro e do terceiro da relação.
Writing in Cramped Spaces
Authors: Piotrowski Marcelina
Published: December 2017

This conceptual paper focuses on writing in the cramped spaces of the thousand disciplinary plateaus. It inquires into the cramped conditions that enable the production of a new language through spacing-making. Taking up Deleuze and Guattari’s (1975/1986) use of the phrase ‘cramped spaces’ in their discussion on Franz Kafka’s minor literature, this paper offers ways to think about writing in spatial terms. It suggests that post-qualitative writing that tries to dislocate from disciplinary plateaus, moves beyond drawing on multiple disciplines, towards disciplinary deterritorializations, diagramming, and rummaging. The paper draws on philosophy, literature, medicine, geography, ecology, and art, to draw a series of lines with which to think about writing in cramped spaces.
Encountering Bodies, Prosthetics, and Bleeding: A Rhizomatic Arts-Based Inquiry
Authors: Guyotte Kelly
Published: December 2017

Once a resolute constructivist, new readings, new theories, new onto-epistemologies nudged me into an unfamiliar and frightening, yet familiar and generative, space during my first years on the tenure track. I found myself in an ambiguous and fluid space between the paradigms of interpretivist and deconstructionist posthuman and ‘new’ materialism theories, and turned to arts-based research to research-create and think-with new scholarship. This paper, artmaking, and video of my artmaking entangle and provide lines of flight through art-text encounters with what became three interconnected concepts that emerged in and, thus, guide this inquiry: bodies, prosthetics, and bleeding. These concepts emerged as generative entanglements of becoming different through artful doing. Inspired by the concept of rhizomatic assemblage, this work seeks to move through various openings, creating various slippages between bodies (of writing, of making, of images) to explore what artistic research-creation might become through post-qualitative inquiry.
Phylogenic study of Lemnoideae (duckweeds) through complete chloroplast genomes for eight accessions
Authors: Ding Yanqiang , Fang Yang , Guo Ling , Li Zhidan , He Kaize , Zhao Yun , Zhao Hai
Published: December 2017

Background

Phylogenetic relationship within different genera of Lemnoideae, a kind of small aquatic monocotyledonous plants, was not well resolved, using either morphological characters or traditional markers. Given that rich genetic information in chloroplast genome makes them particularly useful for phylogenetic studies, we used chloroplast genomes to clarify the phylogeny within Lemnoideae.

Methods

DNAs were sequenced with next-generation sequencing. The duckweeds chloroplast genomes were indirectly filtered from the total DNA data, or directly obtained from chloroplast DNA data. To test the reliability of assembling the chloroplast genome based on the filtration of the total DNA, two methods were used to assemble the chloroplast genome of Landoltia punctata strain ZH0202. A phylogenetic tree was built on the basis of the whole chloroplast genome sequences using MrBayes v.3.2.6 and PhyML 3.0.

Results

Eight complete duckweeds chloroplast genomes were assembled, with lengths ranging from 165,775 bp to 171,152 bp, and each contains 80 protein-coding sequences, four rRNAs, 30 tRNAs and two pseudogenes. The identity of L. punctata strain ZH0202 chloroplast genomes assembled through two methods was 100%, and their sequences and lengths were completely identical. The chloroplast genome comparison demonstrated that the differences in chloroplast genome sizes among the Lemnoideae primarily resulted from variation in non-coding regions, especially from repeat sequence variation. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the different genera of Lemnoideae are derived from each other in the following order: Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, and Wolffia.

Discussion

This study demonstrates potential of whole chloroplast genome DNA as an effective option for phylogenetic studies of Lemnoideae. It also showed the possibility of using chloroplast DNA data to elucidate those phylogenies which were not yet solved well by traditional methods even in plants other than duckweeds.
Expression of schizophrenia biomarkers in extraocular muscles from patients with strabismus: an explanation for the link between exotropia and schizophrenia?
Authors: Agarwal Andrea B. , Christensen Austin J. , Feng Cheng-Yuan , Wen Dan , Johnson L. Alan , von Bartheld Christopher S.
Published: December 2017

Recent studies have implicated exotropia as a risk factor for schizophrenia. We determined whether schizophrenia biomarkers have abnormal levels of expression in extraocular muscles from patients with strabismus and explored whether differences in gene expression between medial and lateral rectus muscles may explain the specific association of schizophrenia with exotropia but not esotropia. Samples from horizontal extraocular muscles were obtained during strabismus surgery and compared with age- and muscle type-matched normal muscles from organ donors. We used PCR arrays to identify differences in gene expression among 417 signaling molecules. We then focused on established schizophrenia-related growth factors, cytokines, and regulators of the extracellular matrix. Among 36 genes with significantly altered gene expression in dysfunctional horizontal rectus muscles, over one third were schizophrenia-related: CTGF, CXCR4, IL1B, IL10RA, MIF, MMP2, NPY1R, NRG1, NTRK2, SERPINA3, TIMP1, TIMP2, and TNF (adjustedpvalue ≤ 0.016667). By PCR array, expression of three of these genes was significantly different in medial rectus muscles, while eleven were significantly altered in lateral rectus muscles. Comparing baseline levels between muscle types, three schizophrenia-related genes (NPY1R, NTRK2, TIMP2) had lower levels of expression in medial rectus muscles. Despite the surprisingly large number of schizophrenia-related genes with altered gene expression levels in dysfunctional muscles, the lack of specificity for medial rectus muscles undermines a model of shared, region-specific gene expression abnormalities between exotropia and schizophrenia, but rather suggests consideration of the alternative model: that exotropia-induced aberrant early visual experiences may enable and/or contribute as a causative factor to the development of schizophrenia.
Observed and Simulated Sensitivities of Spring Greenup to Preseason Climate in Northern Temperate and Boreal Regions
Authors: Xu Xiyan , Riley William J. , Koven Charles D. , Jia Gensuo
Published: December 2017

Vegetation phenology plays an important role in regulating land‐atmosphere energy, water, and trace‐gas exchanges. Changes in spring greenup (SG) have been documented in the past half‐century in response to ongoing climate change. We use normalized difference vegetation index generated from NOAA's advanced very high resolution radiometer data in the Global Inventory Modeling and Monitoring Study project over the 1982–2005 period, coupled with climate reanalysis (Climate Research Unit‐National Centers for Environmental Prediction) to investigate the SG responses to preseason climate change in northern temperate and boreal regions. We compared these observed responses to the simulated SG responses to preseason climate inferred from the Earth system models (ESMs) participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) over 1982–2005. The observationally inferred SG suggests that there has been an advance of about 1 days per decade between 1982 and 2005 in the northern midlatitude to high latitude, with significant spatial heterogeneity. The spatial heterogeneity of the SG advance results from heterogeneity in the change of the preseason climate as well as varied vegetation responses to the preseason climate across biomes. The SG to preseason temperature sensitivity is highest in forests other than deciduous needleleaf forests, followed by temperate grasslands and woody savannas. The SG in deciduous needleleaf forests, open shrublands, and tundra is relatively insensitive to preseason temperature. Although the extent of regions where the SG is sensitive to preseason precipitation is smaller than the extent of regions where the SG is sensitive to preseason temperature, the biomes that are more sensitive to temperature are also more sensitive to precipitation, suggesting the interactive control of temperature and precipitation. In the mean, the CMIP5 ESMs reproduced the dominant latitudinal preseason climate trends and SG advances. However, large biases in individual ESMs for the preseason period, climate, and SG sensitivity imply needed model improvements to climate prediction and phenological process parameterizations.
N, P Co‐doped Hierarchical Porous Graphene as a Metal‐Free Bifunctional Air Cathode for Zn−Air Batteries
Authors: Zhou Lijun , Zhang Chunyan , Cai Xiaoyi , Qian Yao , Jiang Haifeng , Li Baosheng , Lai Linfei , Shen Zexiang , Huang Wei
Published: December 2017

The development of high‐efficiency Zn−air batteries represents one of the emerging energy storage and conversion technologies. In this work, hierarchically structured N, P co‐doped graphene (NPHG) has been synthesized through the chemical polymerization of aniline and phytic acid in the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles and applied as air cathodes for rechargeable Zn−air batteries, owing to its high bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activities. The P−N bond, rather than P−C or P=N bonds, in NPHG is proposed to be responsible for the high catalytic activity. The rechargeable Zn−air batteries assembled from this NPHG exhibited much higher reversibility and better stability as compared with a benchmark Pt/C catalyst.
How to kill a tree: empirical mortality models for 18 species and their performance in a dynamic forest model
Authors: Hülsmann Lisa , Bugmann Harald , Cailleret Maxime , Brang Peter
Published: December 2017

Dynamic Vegetation Models (DVMs) are designed to be suitable for simulating forest succession and species range dynamics under current and future conditions based on mathematical representations of the three key processes regeneration, growth, and mortality. However, mortality formulations in DVMs are typically coarse and often lack an empirical basis, which increases the uncertainty of projections of future forest dynamics and hinders their use for developing adaptation strategies to climate change. Thus, sound tree mortality models are highly needed. We developed parsimonious, species‐specific mortality models for 18 European tree species using >90,000 records from inventories in Swiss and German strict forest reserves along a considerable environmental gradient. We comprehensively evaluated model performance and incorporated the new mortality functions in the dynamic forest model ForClim. Tree mortality was successfully predicted by tree size and growth. Only a few species required additional covariates in their final model to consider aspects of stand structure or climate. The relationships between mortality and its predictors reflect the indirect influences of resource availability and tree vitality, which are further shaped by species‐specific attributes such as maximum longevity and shade tolerance. Considering that the behavior of the models was biologically meaningful, and that their performance was reasonably high and not impacted by changes in the sampling design, we suggest that the mortality algorithms developed here are suitable for implementation and evaluation in DVMs. In the DVM ForClim, the new mortality functions resulted in simulations of stand basal area and species composition that were generally close to historical observations. However, ForClim performance was poorer than when using the original, coarse mortality formulation. The difficulties of simulating stand structure and species composition, which were most evident for Fagus sylvatica L. and in long‐term simulations, resulted from feedbacks between simulated growth and mortality as well as from extrapolation to very small and very large trees. Growth and mortality processes and their species‐specific differences should thus be revisited jointly, with a particular focus on small and very large trees in relation to their shade tolerance.
The origins of Antarctic rock glaciers: periglacial or glacial features?
Authors: Guglielmin Mauro , Ponti Stefano , Forte Emanuele
Published: December 2017

In extensively glaciarized permafrost areas such as Northern Victoria Land, rock glaciers are quite common and are considered postglacial cryotic landforms. This paper reveals that two rock glaciers in Northern Victoria Land (at Adélie Cove and Strandline) that are located close to the Italian Antarctic Station (Mario Zucchelli Station) should have the same origin, although they were previously mapped as Holocene periglacial landforms and subsequently considered ice‐cored and ice‐cemented rock glaciers, respectively. In fact, by integrating different geophysical investigations and borehole stratigraphy, we show that both landforms have similar internal structures and cores of buried glacier ice. Therefore, this kind of rock glacier is possibly related to the long‐term creep of buried ice rather than to permafrost creep alone. This interpretation can be extended to the larger part of the features mapped as rock glaciers in Antarctica.

In addition, a high‐reflective horizon sub‐parallel to the topographic surface was detected in Ground Probing Radar (GPR) data over a large part of the study area. Combining all the available information, we conclude that it cannot be straightforwardly interpreted as the base of the active layer but rather represents the top of a cryo‐lithological unit characterized by ice lenses within sediments that could be interpreted as the transition zone between the active layer and the long‐term permafrost table. More generally, knowledge of the subsurface ice content and, in particular, the occurrence of massive ice and its depth is crucial to make realistic and affordable forecasts regarding thermokarst development and related feedbacks involving GHG emissions, especially in the case of cryosoils rich in carbon content. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Evaluation of the circulating MicroRNA‐495 and Stat3 as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis
Authors: Li Nai‐Xuan , Sun Jing‐Wu , Yu La‐Mei
Published: December 2017

This study aims to elucidate the prognostic and predictive biomarker of miR‐495 and Stat3 in peripheral blood in relation to lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Patients with lower limb fractures were assigned into case and control groups. Rats were allocated into blank (normal rats), sham (normal rats), DVT, miR‐495 mimic, miR‐495 inhibitor, over‐Stat3, and si‐Stat3 groups. ELISA was used to detect levels of prothrombin time (PT), endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), Human Fibrinogen (FIB), D‐Dimer, blood coagulation factors V and VIII, tissue type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), platelet activating factor (PAF), protein C and Stat3. qRT‐PCR was employed for the evaluation of the expressions of miR‐495 and Stat3, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the predictive value of miR‐495 and Stat3 as well as the treatment outcomes of patients with lower limb fractures. Logistic regression analyses were conducted in order to correlate indexes and lower extremity DVT. miR‐495 overexpression, t‐PA, PAF, and protein C were confirmed to be protective factors, while Stat3 overexpression, PT, ET‐1, FIB, D‐Dimer, blood coagulation factor V, and VIII were all ultimately considered to be risk factors of lower extremity DVT. Stat3 was confirmed to be the target gene of miR‐495. Compared with the blank group, the length and weight of the thrombus as well as the ratio between length and weight, mRNA and protein expression of Stat3 were reduced in the miR‐495 mimic and si‐Stat3 groups. Our findings suggest that through the suppression of Stat3 expression, miR‐495 prohibits lower extremity DVT in peripheral blood.
Rediscovery of NF‐κB signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: How genetic defects of NF‐κB pathway interplay with EBV in driving oncogenesis?
Authors: Yi Mei , Cai Jing , Li Junjun , Chen Shengnan , Zeng Zhaoyang , Peng Qian , Ban Yuanyuan , Zhou Ying , Li Xiaoling , Xiong Wei , Li Guiyuan , Xiang Bo
Published: December 2017

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a unique EBV‐associated subtype of head and neck cancer, which has the highest incidence in Southern China and eastern South Asia. The interaction between genetic risk factors and environmental challenge, have been considered to contribute to the development of nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. Constitutive activation of NF‐κB signaling has been seen in NPC tissues and is associated with unfavorable prognosis. Recently, several whole exome sequencing study consistently revealed that high frequency mutations of NF‐κB pathway negative regulators is common in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which reinforce the importance of NF‐κB driving oncogenesis. This review focuses on the current state of research in role of NF‐κB in NPC carcinogenesis. We summarized the newly identified loss of function (LOF) mutations on NF‐κB negative regulators leading to it's activation bypass LMP‐1 stimulation. We discussed the critical role of NF‐κB activation in immortalization and transformation of nasopharygeal epithelium. We also depicted how NF‐κB signaling mediated chronic inflammation contribute to persistent EBV infection, immune evasion of EBV infected cells, metabolic reprogramming, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) formation in NPC. Lastly, we discussed the clinical resonance of targeting NF‐κB for NPC precise therapy.
Cell-free one-pot conversion of (+)-valencene to (+)-nootkatone by a unique dye-decolorizing peroxidase combined with a laccase from Funalia trogii
Authors: Kolwek Julia , Behrens Christoph , Linke Diana , Krings Ulrich , Berger Ralf G
Published: December 2017

A combined system of a unique dye-decolorizing peroxidase (Ftr-DyP) and a laccase obtained from the basidiomycete Funalia trogii converted the precursor (+)-valencene completely to the high-value grapefruit flavour constituent (+)-nootkatone, reaching a concentration maximum of 1100 mg/L. In the presence of 1 mM Mn2+ and 2.5 mM p-coumaric acid, (+)-nootkatone was the predominating volatile product, and only traces of substrate and the nootkatols were detectable after 24 h. Hence, the two-enzyme-system reproduced the oxidizing activity observed before for the crude culture supernatant. The newly discovered Ftr-DyP was purified, sequenced and further characterized as a thermostable, non-glycosylated protein with a pH-optimum in the acidic range and a calculated mass of 52.3 kDa. Besides the typical activity of DyPs towards anthraquinone dyes, Ftr-DyP also oxidized Mn2+ and showed activity in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. Neither the DyP from Mycetinis scorodonius nor the manganese peroxidase from Nematoloma frowardii were able to replace Ftr-DyP in this reaction. A hypothetical reaction mechanism is presented.
Gender and party cohesion in the Italian parliament: a spatial analysis
Authors: Papavero Licia C. , Zucchini Francesco
Published: December 2017

Studies on female legislative behavior suggest that women parliamentarians may challenge party cohesion by allying across party lines. In this paper we analyze a specific parliamentary activity – bill co-sponsorship – in the Italian lower Chamber, between 1979 and 2016, as a source of information about MPs’ original preferences to study how gender affects party cohesion. Do women form a separated group in the Italian parliament? On average, are they more or less distant from the center of their parties than men? Does gender affect systematically party cohesion? A principal component analysis of co-sponsorship data allows us to identify the ideal points of all MPs in a multidimensional space for each legislature. Based on these data we estimate the impact of gender on party cohesion at the individual level while controlling for the impact of several other variables of different kind (individual, partisan, and institutional). We find that: (1) on average, women show lower cohesion as a group inside different parties and higher party cohesion than men; (2) the influence of gender on party cohesion is not conditional upon individual characteristics, upon the size and organization of parliamentary parties, and upon the share of women in their parliamentary groups; (3) the different behavior of women MPs may depend on the different patterns of recruitment in the parties.
Effect of the dietary delivery matrix on vitamin D3 bioavailability and bone mineralisation in vitamin-D3-deficient growing male rats
Authors: Hodgkinson Alison J. , Wallace Olivia A. M. , Kruger Marlena C. , Prosser Colin G.
Published: December 2017

This study assessed bioavailability and utilisation of vitamin D3 in two feeding trials using young, growing Sprague–Dawley male rats. Trial one fed animals standard AIN-93G diet (casein protein) containing no vitamin D3 and goat or cow skimmed milk supplemented with vitamin D3. Trial two fed animals modified dairy-free AIN-93G diet (egg albumin) containing no vitamin D3 and goat or cow skimmed or full-fat milk supplemented with vitamin D3. Control groups received AIN-93G diets with or without vitamin D, and water. At 8 weeks of age, blood samples were collected for vitamin and mineral analysis, and femurs and spines were collected for assessment of bone mineralisation and strength. In both trials, analyses showed differences in bioavailability of vitamin D3, with ratios of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to vitamin D3 intake more than 2-fold higher in groups drinking supplemented milk compared with groups fed supplemented solid food. Bone mineralisation was higher in groups drinking supplemented milk compared with groups fed supplemented solid food, for both trials (P<0·05). There was no difference in the parameters tested between skimmed milk and full-fat milk or between cow milk and goat milk. Comparison of the two trials suggested that dietary protein source promoted bone mineralisation in a growing rat model: modified AIN-93G with egg albumin produced lower bone mineralisation compared with standard AIN-93G with casein. Overall, this study showed that effects of vitamin D3 deficiency in solid diets were reversed by offering milk supplemented with vitamin D3, and suggests that using milk as a vehicle to deliver vitamin D is advantageous.
Condensed tannin-amended cassava silage: fermentation characteristics, degradation kinetics andin-vitrogas production with rumen liquor
Authors: Nascimento T. V. C. , Bezerra L. R. , Menezes D. R. , Lucena A. R. F. , Queiroz M. A. Á. , Trajano J. S. , Oliveira R. L.
Published: December 2017

The objective of the current research was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics of silage made with the upper third section of cassava (Manihot esculenta) plants with added condensed tannin levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg dry matter (DM). The experimental design was a complete randomized design, with treatments arranged in a 4 × 7 factorial (tannin addition levels × days of ensiling). The loss of gas and the presence of moulds observed in the opening days had increased linearly. Fermentative characteristics were decreased by the addition of tannin. Acetic acid content showed a linear increase. Tannin levels had a quadratic effect on gas production at 28 days of ensiling. After 56 days, however, tannin levels had no significant effect on silage gas production. After 28 days of ensiling, the degradability of potentially degradable fraction ‘b’ demonstrated quadratic effect. The same occurred with the fractions ‘a’, ‘b’ which were undegradable after 56 days of ensiling. The addition of condensed tannin lengthened the fermentative stage and caused the silage to stabilize after 56 days of ensiling.
Norovirus transmission dynamics: a modelling review
Authors: GAYTHORPE K. A. M. , TROTTER C. L. , LOPMAN B. , STEELE M. , CONLAN A. J. K.
Published: December 2017

Norovirus is one of the leading causes of viral gastroenteritis worldwide and responsible for substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. To further understanding of the epidemiology and control of norovirus, there has been much recent interest in describing the transmission dynamics of norovirus through mathematical models. In this study, we review the current modelling approaches for norovirus transmission. We examine the data and methods used to estimate these models that vary structurally and parametrically between different epidemiological contexts. Many of the existing studies at population level have focused on the same case notification dataset, whereas models from outbreak settings are highly specific and difficult to generalise. In this review, we explore the consistency in the description of norovirus transmission dynamics and the robustness of parameter estimates between studies. In particular, we find that there is considerable variability in estimates of key parameters such as the basic reproduction number, which may mean that the effort required to control norovirus at the population level may currently be underestimated.
Diagnostic accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot (IB) for the detection of antibodies againstNeospora caninumin milk from dairy cows
Authors: Chatziprodromidou I. P. , Apostolou T.
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot (IB) for detecting antibodies ofNeospora caninumin dairy cows, in the absence of a gold standard. The study complies with STRADAS-paratuberculosis guidelines for reporting the accuracy of the test. We tried to apply Bayesian models that do not require conditional independence of the tests under evaluation, but as convergence problems appeared, we used Bayesian methodology, that does not assume conditional dependence of the tests. Informative prior probability distributions were constructed, based on scientific inputs regarding sensitivity and specificity of the IB test and the prevalence of disease in the studied populations. IB sensitivity and specificity were estimated to be 98.8% and 91.3%, respectively, while the respective estimates for ELISA were 60% and 96.7%. A sensitivity analysis, where modified prior probability distributions concerning IB diagnostic accuracy applied, showed a limited effect in posterior assessments. We concluded that ELISA can be used to screen the bulk milk and secondly, IB can be used whenever needed.
Variety of unsymmetric multibranched logarithmic vortex spirals
Authors: ELLING V. , GNANN M. V.
Published: December 2017

Building on work of Prandtl and Alexander, we study logarithmic vortex spiral solutions of the two-dimensional incompressible Euler equations. We consider multi-branched spirals that are not symmetric, including mixtures of sheets and continuum vorticity. We find that non-trivial solutions allow only sheets, that there is a large variety of such solutions, but that only the Alexander spirals with three or more symmetric branches appear to yield convergent Biot–Savart integral.
Double aortic arch presenting as neonatal respiratory failure in the delivery room
Authors: Lee Marc , Kumar T. K. Susheel , Paudel Govinda
Published: December 2017

Respiratory symptoms are prevalent in vascular ring anomalies, including double aortic arch, which is considered the most common type of vascular ring. However, respiratory failure owing to critical airway obstruction in the neonatal period is rare with few reported cases in the literature. We report a case of a newborn patient who required emergent intubation within the first few hours of life and was later discovered to have a double aortic arch.
Four Key Concepts for Studying Context-based Compositions
Authors: Vandsø Anette
Published: December 2017

This theoretical article investigates context-based compositions where we cannot identify the real-world context from the sounds alone. Examples include Stephen Vitiello’sWorld Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurricane Floyd, Jana Winderen’sThe Noisiest Guys on the Planet, Jacob Kirkegaard’s4 Rooms, Christina Kubisch’s compositions based on observations of the Ruhr district, Anne Niemetz and Andrew Pelling’sThe Dark Side of the Cell(2004) as well as Andrea Polli’sHeat and Heartbeat of the City(2004) based on weather data from New York. The article asks how these compositions establish their relation to a specific context. How do they invite the listener to include his or her knowledge of specific contexts? The article suggests four relevant terms that are useful when studying this relation between text and context:paratext,intermediality,enunciationandmediality.
Kardiovaskuläres Risiko
Authors: Quitt Jonas , Fassl Jens
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Perioperative kardiovaskuläre Komplikationen sind häufig und haben eine hohe Mortalität. Die präoperative hausärztliche und anästhesiologische Beurteilung des kardiovaskulären Risikos eines Patienten ist wichtig für die Risiko-Nutzen Analyse einer Operation und kann zur risikomindernden Massnahmen führen. Die Basis der Risikobeurteilung ist die Anamnese mit Erfragen von relevanten kardiovaskulären Vorerkrankungen sowie der körperlichen Leistungsfähigkeit. Je nach dieser Einschätzung und dem Operationsrisiko des jeweiligen Eingriffs (niedrig / mittel / hoch) wird dann entschieden, welche zusätzlichen Abklärungen nötig und sinnvoll sind. Dabei gilt als Grundregel, dass nur Abklärungen durchgeführt werden, welche bei dem entsprechenden Patienten auch ohne die anstehende Operation indiziert sind. Ausserdem wird aufgrund der präoperativen Risikobeurteilung, das anästhesiologische Management und das Level der postoperativen Überwachung festgelegt. Bei erhöhtem Risiko muss der Patient präoperativ medikamentös optimal eingestellt werden. Durch ein perioperatives Troponinscreening bei gefährdeten Patienten können die Detektionsrate von häufig asymptomatischen perioperativen Myokardinfarkten erhöht- und therapeutische Massnahmen frühzeitig eingeleitet werden.
Periphere Regionalanästhesie zur perioperativen Analgesie
Authors: Kaviani Reza , Eichenberger Urs
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die periphere Regionalanästhesie führt zu einer verbesserten perioperativen Analgesie, reduziert opiatbedingte Nebenwirkungen und kann die Patientenzufriedenheit positiv beeinflussen. Komplikationen sind insgesamt sehr selten und führen nur in Ausnahmefällen zu dauerhaften Beeinträchtigungen. Im Gegensatz zu den neuroaxialen Verfahren fehlt bisher die Evidenz für einen Einfluss der peripheren Regionalanästhesie auf die postoperative Mortalität. Die Einführung des Ultraschalls in der Regionalanästhesie hat das Potential, die Sicherheit und die Akzeptanz des Verfahrens bei Patienten und Anwendern zu erhöhen. Verfügbare Daten für die Anwendung des Ultraschalls belegen eine Verkürzung der Anschlagszeit, eine Verlängerung der Wirkdauer, höhere Erfolgsraten und eine geringere Inzidenz für intravaskuläre Injektionen.
Transiente und permanente kognitive Defizite nach chirurgischen Operationen
Authors: Steiner Luzius A. , Monsch Raphael , Thomann Alessandra , Monsch Andreas U. , Goettel Nicolai
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Eine von Ärzten oft unterschätze Befürchtung von älteren Patienten ist das Auftreten von vorübergehenden, oder sogar bleibenden, kognitiven Einbussen als Folge einer Operation. Als Anästhesist wird man mit dieser Frage oft konfrontiert, da im Allgemeinen davon ausgegangen wird, dass solche kognitive Defizite eine direkte Folge der Narkose sind. In diesem Artikel werden die möglichen kognitiven Folgen einer Operation und ihr zeitlicher Verlauf dargestellt. Zusätzlich werden die Risikofaktoren und die Pathophysiologie, soweit bekannt, diskutiert. Im Rahmen dieser Übersicht sprechen wir von transienten Störungen bei kognitiven Problemen, die in den ersten drei bis maximal sechs Monaten nach einer Operation auftreten. Die beiden Formen der transienten postoperativen kognitiven Störungen, die in der Praxis unterschieden werden, sind das postoperative Delir und die postoperative kognitive Dysfunktion. Störungen, welche 12 bis 24 Monate nach Operationen persistieren, werden als permanent definiert.
Strukturierte klinische Interviews zur Erfassung psychischer Störungen über die Lebensspanne
Authors: Margraf Jürgen , Cwik Jan Christopher , Pflug Verena , Schneider Silvia
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Psychische Störungen können über die ganze Lebensspanne auftreten. Strukturierte klinische Interviews sind zentrale Hilfsmittel für ihre rasche, zuverlässige und umfassende Diagnostik. Im deutschsprachigen Raum stehen mit den Verfahren der DIPS-Familie Interviews zur Diagnostik psychischer Störungen über die gesamte Lebensspanne zur Verfügung, die seit den 90er Jahren regelmäßig aktualisiert wurden. Ihre Reliabilität, Validität und Akzeptanz wurde wiederholt in großen Stichproben aus ambulanten, stationären und Forschungssettings überprüft. Die Einführung des DSM-5 erforderte eine umfassende Überarbeitung der DIPS-Interviews, deren wesentliche Merkmale dargestellt werden. Um die breitere Verwendung von strukturierten klinischen Interviews zu fördern, werden die Verfahren der DIPS-Familie neu als „Open Access-Dokumente“ zur Verfügung gestellt. Abschließend werden weitere Entwicklungen zu Training, Dissemination und Computerisierung im Ausblick angesprochen.
Modulating inflammation in a cutaneous chronic wound model by IL-10 released from collagen–silica nanocompositesviagene delivery
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Coradin Thibaud , Hélary Christophe
Published: December 2017

Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 produced and released from collagen–silica nanocomposites is capable of modulating macrophage phenotype in a 3D inflammation model.
The influence of chemical degradation during dietary exposures to fish on biomagnification factors and bioaccumulation factors
Authors: Arnot Jon A. , Mackay Donald
Published: December 2017

The chemical dietary absorption efficiency (ED) quantifies the amount of chemical absorbed by an organism relative to the amount of chemical an organism is exposed to following ingestion.
Open storm: a complete framework for sensing and control of urban watersheds
Authors: Bartos Matthew , Wong Brandon , Kerkez Branko
Published: December 2017

Leveraging recent advances in technologies surrounding the Internet of Things, “smart” water systems are poised to transform water resources management by enabling ubiquitous real-time sensing and control.
Visible-light-induced iminyl radical formation via electron-donor–acceptor complexes: a photocatalyst-free approach to phenanthridines and quinolines
Authors: Sun Jingjing , He Yanyan , An Xiao-De , Zhang Xu , Yu Lei , Yu Shouyun
Published: December 2017

A visible light-induced synthesis of nitrogen-containing arenes from O-2,4-dinitrophenyl oximes has been reported. This photochemical strategy is photocatalyst-free and enabled by electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl oximes and Et3N.
Cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric reactions of heterobicyclic alkenes with in situ generated organozinc halides
Authors: Li Yun , Chen Jingchao , He Zhenxiu , Qin Hongyu , Zhou Yongyun , Khan Ruhima , Fan Baomin
Published: December 2017

A general strategy for the asymmetric allylation and benzylation of heterobicyclic alkenes is described by employing in situ generated organozinc halides.
The application of ZIF-67 and its derivatives: adsorption, separation, electrochemistry and catalysts
Authors: Zhong Guihao , Liu Dingxin , Zhang Jianyong
Published: December 2017

This review explores the features and corresponding application of ZIF-67 and its derivatives.