bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Optical Spectroscopic and Computational Binding Mode of Bovine Serum Albumin with 1, 4‐Bis ((4‐((4‐Heptylpiperazin‐1‐yl) Methyl)‐1H‐1, 2, 3‐Triazol‐1‐yl) Methyl) Benzene
Authors: Karthikeyan Subramani , Chinnathambi Shanmugavel , Kannan Ayyavoo , Rajakumar Perumal , Velmurugan Devadasan , Bharanidharan Ganesan , Aruna Prakasarao , Ganesan Singaravelu
Published: April 2015

A newly synthesized 1, 4‐bis ((4‐((4‐heptylpiperazin‐1‐yl) methyl)‐1H‐1, 2, 3‐triazol‐1‐yl) methyl) benzene from the family of piperazine derivative has good anticancer activity, antibacterial and low toxic nature; its binding characteristics are therefore of huge interest for understanding pharmacokinetic mechanism of the drug. The binding of piperazine derivative to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The molecular distance r between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (piperazine derivative) was estimated according to Forster's theory of nonradiative energy transfer. The physicochemical properties of piperazine derivative, which induced structural changes in BSA, have been studied by circular dichroism and those chemical environmental changes were probed using Raman spectroscopic analysis. Further, the binding dynamics was expounded by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling studies explored the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding results, which stabilize the interaction.
Effects of OM‐85 BV in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pan Lei , Jiang Xue‐Ge , Guo Jun , Tian Yuan , Liu Chang‐Ting
Published: April 2015

This study aimed to identify the effects of OM‐85 BV in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The major end point was exacerbation rate, and the minor end points included duration of hospitalization, severity of acute exacerbation, incidence rate of patients using antibiotics, and adverse events. All data were derived with relative risks (RRs) and weighted mean differences. Five RCTs with 1190 patients were enrolled in the meta‐analysis. OM‐85 BV was associated with 20% and 39% reductions in exacerbation rate (RR, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CIs], 0.65–0.97; P = .03) and incidence rate of patients using antibiotics (RR, 0.61; 95%CI, 0.48–0.77; P < .0001) compared with the placebo. However, OM‐85 BV was not significantly associated with duration of hospitalization, severity of acute exacerbation, and total adverse events. Current evidence supporting the benefits of OM‐85 BV to COPD patients is inadequate. Further larger‐scale trials must be conducted to validate our findings and the efficacy of OM‐85 BV in COPD patients.
Associations between responses to interferon therapy and genetic variation in interleukin‐28B and the core region of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a
Authors: Yamada Keiichi , Ishigami Masatoshi , Kuzuya Teiji , Honda Takashi , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Goto Hidemi
Published: April 2015

The single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interleukin‐28B (IL‐28B) and mutations in the core region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b have been associated with response to interferon (IFN) therapy. However, whether this IL‐28B SNP affects responses to INF therapy for HCV genotype 3a is not known. The aim of this study is to investigate whether this IL‐28B SNP (rs8099917) and specific missense mutations in the HCV core region affect the response to IFN therapy for HCV genotype 3a. Patients (n = 19; median age 44.5) infected with HCV genotype 3a who received IFN therapy were studied. Of the 19 patients, 12 (63.1%) achieved sustained virological response. Of those 12 patients, 11 had the TT genotype (11/16; 68.7%), and one had the TG genotype (1/3; 33.3%). The difference in the sustained virological response rate between IL‐28B genotype groups was not significant (P = 0.5232). HCV core region was well conserved; however, polymorphisms at position 72 were identified. Of the 19 HCV samples; 15 carried a glutamic acid at position 72, and these were defined as E type; the others (4/19) were defined as non‐E type. Notably, there was a significant difference in the sustained virological response rate between E type and non‐E‐type; 12 of the 15 patients with E‐type achieved sustained virological response, but none of the four patients with non‐E‐type achieved sustained virological response (P = 0.009). A glutamic acid at position 72 in the core region of HCV genotype 3a was associated with a good response to IFN therapy. J. Med. Virol. 87:1361–1367, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection and characterization of a human G9P[4] rotavirus strain in Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Seiji P. , Kaida Atsushi , Ono Atsushi , Kubo Hideyuki , Iritani Nobuhiro
Published: April 2015

In a surveillance system in Osaka City, Japan, 48 sporadic rotavirus A (RVA) infections were detected during 2008/2009–2011/2012 seasons. The G/P‐genotypes of detected RVAs were G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G9P[4], and G9P[8]. Although G9P[4] is a rare genotype that had not been reported in Japan, it was the second most prevalent genotype, following G1P[8], and accounted for 35.3% of RVA cases in the 2011/2012 season. Further genotyping revealed that the G9P[4] strain had genotype 2 internal protein genes except for NSP3: G9‐P[4]‐I2‐R2‐C2‐M2‐A2‐N2‐T1‐E2‐H2. Among detected RVA strains, G9P[4] and some G9P[8] strains shared high nucleotide identity in VP7 and NSP3 genes. Phylogenetic and BLAST search analyses showed that the G9P[4] strain in Japan shared high nucleotide identity in genotype 2 genes with common G2P[4] strains circulating globally, but was distinct from other G9P[4] strains circulating worldwide. These results suggest that the G9P[4] strain in Japan may have emerged through an independent reassortment between G9P[8] and G2P[4]. Finally, the role of NSP3 protein in the circulating RVA from an amino acid comparison between T1‐ and T2‐type NSP3 is discussed. These findings provide an important insight into less problematic combinations of circulating RVA genes derived from different genotypes. J. Med. Virol. 87:1311–1318, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Implementing Change Through Employee Involvement at the Financial Ombudsman Service
Authors: Busby Nicola
Published: April 2015

Implementing change in organizations where interests conflict and powerful groups of stakeholders influence decisions is a risky proposition. Involving stakeholders in all aspects of planning, implementing, and embedding the change can significantly help overcome resistance but is not enough. Leaders of a project to establish an electronic case file system at the United Kingdom's Financial Ombudsman Service learned that stakeholder misgivings can continue to surface postimplementation. Their experiences highlight the need to make the required investments in time and other resources; broadly communicate intentions, policies, and program steps; pay particular attention to the key stakeholder groups that have the most influence on buy‐in; listen to employees’ concerns; and take concrete steps to swiftly address employees fears and complaints—before, during, and after implementation. The key to success, they found, is to contain resistance long enough for stakeholders to become accustomed to and grow to appreciate the change. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From Corporate Social Responsibility to Global Conscious Innovation With Mandalah
Authors: Castillo Maria
Published: April 2015

Traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts have often been criticized for a lack of integration into core business processes, leading some organizations to seek CSR strategies that align profitability with social value. According to Mandalah, a global social consulting firm based in São Paulo, Brazil, introducing systems thinking with a focus on CSR into business models can drive economic success. The firm's experiences with leading multinational enterprises demonstrate that reengineering business models to consider the societal impact of operating decisions can enhance profitability while benefiting the surrounding community. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heterologous strategy enhancing the sensitivity of the fluorescence polarization immunoassay of clinafloxacin in goat milk
Authors: Chen Jiahong , Shanin Ilya A , Lv Shuwei , Wang Qiang , Mao Chuanbin , Xu Zhenlin , Sun Yuanming , Wu Qing , Eremin Sergei A , Lei Hongtao
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Clinafloxacin is used for the treatment of disease in food‐producing animals, e.g. Brucella melitensis, which often occurs in goats; however, the clinafloxacin residue in goat milk may harm human health and result in the development of drug‐resistant bacterial strains or allergies. Despite this, there is not a rapid, sensitive and accurate analytical method in goat milk for rapid screening or monitoring purposes.

RESULTS

One homologous and five heterologous tracers were designed and compared for fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) optimization. Based on the combination of a heterologous tracer (PAZ‐FITC, synthesized with pazufloxacin and FITC) and the antibody against clinafloxacin, a highly sensitive FPIA was established for the detection of clinafloxacin residue in goat milk for the first time. The IC50 value was 29.3 µg L−1 for clinafloxacin in the heterologous format – six times lower than that of the combination of the homologous tracers and the antibody. The recoveries ranged from 86.8% to 104.5%, with the relative standard deviation ranging from 4.1% to 7.2%. Validation by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that the results obtained from the proposed FPIA were in agreement with those of HPLC.

CONCLUSION

This proposed heterologous strategy for enhanced FPIA is sensitive and rapid enough for the high‐throughput detection of clinafloxacin residue in goat milk. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro functional properties of crude extracts and isolated compounds from banana pseudostem and rhizome
Authors: Kandasamy Saravanan , Ramu Sasikala , Aradhya Somaradhya Mallikarjuna
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Pseudostem and rhizome are the significant bio‐waste generated (43.48%) from the banana plant post fruit harvest, which are usually left in the plantation or incinerated and wasted. Amounts used in production for consumption are negligible. However, the material has an important part to play in indigenous systems of medicine. Based on the huge volume of bio‐waste generated and its traditional medicinal use, it is worth exploiting it as a source of natural bioactive compounds. In the current study, sequential extracts from banana pseudostem (BPS) and rhizome (BR), and isolated compounds including chlorogenic acid, 4‐epicyclomusalenone and cycloeucalenol acetate, were tested for their antimicrobial activity, antiplatelet aggregation and cytotoxicity.

RESULTS

Isolated compounds and crude extracts exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial and fungal strains, platelet aggregation induced by collagen and cytotoxicity towards human liver cancer (HepG2) cells.

CONCLUSION

Banana plant bio‐waste, pseudostem and rhizome may serve as a potential source of multifunctional bioactive compounds and functional ingredient in food and other allied industries. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Provitamin A retention and sensory acceptability of amahewu, a non‐alcoholic cereal‐based beverage made with provitamin A‐biofortified maize
Authors: Awobusuyi Temitope D , Siwela Muthulisi , Kolanisi Unathi , Amonsou Eric O
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa. Amahewu is a popular southern African lactic acid fermented non‐alcoholic maize‐based beverage, which is deficient in vitamin A. In this study, provitamin A retention and sensory acceptability of amahewu processed using provitamin A‐biofortified maize and three types of inoculums during fermentation (malted maize, wheat bran and Lactobacillus starter culture) were investigated.

RESULTS

The total provitamin A content of amahewu samples, estimated as β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin and α‐carotene content, ranged from 3.3 to 3.8 g kg−1 (dry weight). Provitamin A was substantially retained (79– 90% β‐carotene equivalent) in amahewu after fermentation. Amahewu samples prepared with added starter cultures had the lowest retention of provitamin A. Consumers (approx. 69%) liked provitamin A‐biofortified amahewu either moderately or very much. Principal component analysis of amahewu sensory data showed that 71% of variation was due to maize types and 18% of variation could be due to the inoculum used during fermentation. Amahewu samples prepared using provitamin A‐biofortified maize were slightly more liked (mean score: 7.0 ± 1.2) compared to those of white maize reference samples. The use of starter culture combined with either malted maize or wheat bran as inoculum during fermentation improved the taste and aroma of amahewu and hence its acceptability.

CONCLUSION

Provitamin A is substantially retained in amahewu after fermentation. The slightly high acceptability of amahewu prepared using provitamin A‐biofortified maize compared to that of white maize thus suggests that fermented product like amahewu can potentially be used to deliver provitamin A to vulnerable individuals. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Age and gender differences in the influence of extrinsic product information on acceptability for RTD green tea beverages
Authors: Bae Ye‐Won , Lee Soh Min , Kim Kwang‐Ok
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The introduction of ready‐to‐drink (RTD) green tea beverage has allowed diverse consumers to consume green teas and related products. Green tea that has been traditionally consumed for its delicate flavor characteristics is also widely consumed for its recognition as a healthy product. Because it is reported that age difference exists in consideration of health‐related information, the objective of the study was to investigate how sensory and non‐sensory factors, in particular health‐related information, price and packaging, would affect the flavor acceptability of green tea beverages, depending on consumers' age and gender.

RESULTS

Regardless of the product information, old consumers preferred products that provided an indication of health beneficial effect. On the other hand, young consumers tended to be influenced by extrinsic product information such as packaging, brand/manufacturer and/or price, though these consumers were not so much influenced by health beneficial information as were the old consumers.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study implied that the influence of non‐sensory information such as health beneficial information in flavor liking differed depending mostly on consumers' age, and little on gender, for RTD green tea beverages. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Online search stopping behaviors: An investigation of query abandonment and task stopping
Authors: Wu Wan‐Ching , Kelly Diane
Published: April 2015

The goal of the study is to understand the factors that influence people's search stopping behaviors during online information search. Past research on search stopping behavior has primarily focused on the stopping behavior that takes place at the conclusion of an information‐seeking task. However, in this study we focus on two types of stopping behaviors that take place during information search tasks: query abandonment, or the point at which a person decides to stop his/her current query and enter a new one, and task stopping, or the point at which a person decides to stop the search task. A laboratory study was conducted with 48 participants who were asked to complete a set of six assigned search tasks and were interviewed about their experiences and search strategies after search. Results show that participants made query abandonment decisions based on the properties of search results, of queries and of search tasks. Their decisions to stop a task were influenced by the content they had examined, the goal they wished to achieve, the subjective perceptions they felt, and the study constraints they faced.
Changing communication on researchgate through interface updates
Authors: Goodwin Spencer , Jeng Wei , He Daqing
Published: April 2015

Informal scholarly communication across the Web is a growing component of the scholarly communication infrastructure. This study describes the effects of three different interfaces on these informal channels. Interface design has a widely studied effect on user behavior, and new users often encounter barriers during accessing social media tools. Using a mixed methods approach, we collected and grouped 413 posts across three distinct interfaces of ResearchGate's communication platform. Our results show that scholars were more polite in the initial group discussion interface but that user interface design did not change the core communication patterns of sharing information and opinions among scholars. The site also transitioned from one‐to‐many discussions to one‐to‐one posts, but new users were generally welcomed to the scholarly communications.
Can mycophenolate mofetil be tapered safely in myasthenia gravis? A retrospective, multicenter analysis
Authors: Hobson‐Webb Lisa D. , Hehir Michael , Crum Brian , Visser Amy , Sanders Donald , Burns Ted M.
Published: April 2015

Introduction: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is frequently used to treat myasthenia gravis, but there is little information to guide clinicians on the safety of reducing the dose in well‐controlled patients. Methods: This retrospective chart review at 3 institutions identified 92 patients who had undergone MMF taper after achieving either pharmacologic remission or minimal manifestations status. Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences in patient characteristics between patients who had successfully tapered MMF and those who relapsed. Results: Of 92 patients undergoing a taper, 30 relapsed. The relapses were mild, transient, and usually responded to increased MMF dose. MG crisis did not occur. The mean dose at time of relapse was 888 mg/day. Patients with relapses were tapered more quickly (8.4 vs. 62.4 months). Conclusions: Tapering MMF appears safe after years of disease stability. Reducing the dose at a dose of only 500 mg/day every 12 months is recommended. Muscle Nerve 52: 211–215, 2015
Containment capability of 2D triaxial braided tape wound composite casing for aero‐engine
Authors: Liu Lulu , Xuan Haijun , He Zekan , Niu Dandan , Xing Jun , Hong Weirong
Published: April 2015

Two‐dimensional (2D) triaxial braided composites have been successfully used in aero‐engine fan containment system for weight reduction. In the current study, blade containment tests were conducted on high‐speed rotor spin tester to investigate the containment process and failure mechanisms of the composite casing. The composite casing was fabricated by winding 2D carbon fiber triaxial braided tape on a capstan into predetermined thickness and then infused with epoxy resin. Test results indicate that the damages to the containment casing increase significantly with the increase in blade released speed. In contained case, two damaged areas can be observed on the inner wall of the casing due to continued impacts of the released blade. However in uncontained case, a perforated hole was found in the casing. Finite element method was used to study this high‐speed impact process using LS‐DYNA. The influence of blade release speed and case thickness was also analyzed and found that the failure modes turns from tension to shear as the blade speed increases and casing is able to absorb more energy with increase in casing areal density. An empirical equation was derived for the triaxial braided composite casing, which can help in the design of the composite fan casing for aero‐engine. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2227–2242, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Development and mechanical characterization of eugenol–cetalkonium chloride sustained release mucoadhesive oral film
Authors: Zulfakar Mohd Hanif , Goh Jing Yi , Rehman Khurram
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize sustained release mucoadhesive films containing eugenol and cetalkonium chloride (HEC) for oral applications. A solvent casting method was used with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as a film‐forming polymer. Physical and mechanical characterization, mucoadhesion, content uniformity, dissolution, and drug permeation were studied on blank film (HB), film containing eugenol (HE), film containing cetalkonium chloride (HC), and films containing eugenol and cetalkonium chloride (HEC) of different casting weight. The tensile strength, viscosity, and pH of HEC films were found to be significantly lower than those of HB films. HEC films with 30 g of casting weight were thicker than HEC films with 25 g of casting weight and drugs were less uniformly distributed in them. It was observed that 30 g casting weight was preferred for film preparation because of higher drug flux and more sustainable drug availability after a period of dissolution. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3200–3209, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Bh3 induced conformational changes in Bcl‐Xl revealed by crystal structure and comparative analysis
Authors: Rajan Sreekanth , Choi Minjoo , Baek Kwanghee , Yoon Ho Sup
Published: April 2015

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a regulatory process in cells in response to stimuli perturbing physiological conditions. The Bcl‐2 family of proteins plays an important role in regulating homeostasis during apoptosis. In the process, the molecular interactions among the three members of this family, the pro‐apoptotic, anti‐apoptotic and BH3‐only proteins at the mitochondrial outer membrane define the fate of a cell. Here, we report the crystal structures of the human anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐XL in complex with BH3‐only BIDBH3 and BIMBH3 peptides determined at 2.0 Å and 1.5 Å resolution, respectively. The BH3 peptides bind to the canonical hydrophobic pocket in Bcl‐XL and adopt an alpha helical conformation in the bound form. Despite a similar structural fold, a comparison with other BH3 complexes revealed structural differences due to their sequence variations. In the Bcl‐XL‐BIDBH3 complex we observed a large pocket, in comparison with other BH3 complexes, lined by residues from helices α1, α2, α3, and α5 located adjacent to the canonical hydrophobic pocket. These results suggest that there are differences in the mode of interactions by the BH3 peptides that may translate into functional differences in apoptotic regulation. Proteins 2015; 83:1262–1272. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Back Cover: Forming‐free resistive switching characteristics and improved reliability in sub‐stoichiometric NbNx films (Phys. Status Solidi RRL 4/2015)
Authors: Kim Hee‐Dong , Yun Min Ju , Kim Tae Geun
Published: April 2015

No abstract is available for this article.
Characterization of a non‐approved selective androgen receptor modulator drug candidate sold via the Internet and identification of in vitro generated phase‐I metabolites for human sports drug testing
Authors: Thevis Mario , Lagojda Andreas , Kuehne Dirk , Thomas Andreas , Dib Josef , Hansson Annelie , Hedeland Mikael , Bondesson Ulf , Wigger Tina , Karst Uwe , Schänzer Wilhelm
Published: April 2015

Rationale

Potentially performance‐enhancing agents, particularly anabolic agents, are advertised and distributed by Internet‐based suppliers to a substantial extent. Among these anabolic agents, a substance referred to as LGD‐4033 has been made available, comprising the core structure of a class of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs).

Methods

In order to provide comprehensive analytical data for doping controls, the substance was obtained and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high resolution/high accuracy tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐HRMS). Following the identification of 4‐(2‐(2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile, the substance was subjected to in vitro metabolism studies employing human liver microsomes and Cunninghamella elegans (C. elegans) preparations as well as electrochemical metabolism simulations.

Results

By means of LC/ESI‐HRMS, five main phase‐I metabolites were identified as products of liver microsomal preparations including three monohydroxylated and two bishydroxylated species. The two most abundant metabolites (one mono‐ and one bishydroxylated product) were structurally confirmed by LC/ESI‐HRMS and NMR. Comparing the metabolic conversion of 4‐(2‐(2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile observed in human liver microsomes with C. elegans and electrochemically derived metabolites, one monohydroxylated product was found to be predominantly formed in all three methodologies.

Conclusions

The implementation of the intact SARM‐like compound and its presumed urinary phase‐I metabolites into routine doping controls is suggested to expand and complement existing sports drug testing methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and study of an atmospheric pressure ion funnel by computer simulations
Authors: Yu Quan , Diao Zhaoliang , Ni Kai , Qian Xiang , Tang Fei , Wang Xiaohao
Published: April 2015

Rationale

An atmospheric pressure ion funnel (APIF) has been developed to transfer and focus ions at atmospheric pressure. This ion funnel can be used as an interface connecting the ion source and the mass spectrometer detector.

Methods

The APIF designs were studied mainly by using computer simulations. Different APIF configurations with various geometrical and electrical parameters were analyzed. Investigation of the electrical field and ion transmission characteristics of the APIF was carried out using SIMION 8.0.

Results

The APIF exhibits good ion‐guiding performance with transmission efficiency of >90%. An approximate formula for determining the optimal parameters of the APIF has been derived by theoretical calculation.

Conclusions

When both the geometrical and the electrical parameters are optimized, the APIF can provide high ion transmission efficiency. In addition, the proposed empirical formula is helpful in guiding the design of APIFs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chrysin–organogermanium (IV) complex induced Colo205 cell apoptosis‐associated mitochondrial function and anti‐angiogenesis
Authors: Yang Fen , Gong Longcai , Jin Hua , Pi Jiang , Bai Haihua , Wang Hong , Cai Huaihong , Yang Peihui , Cai Jiye
Published: April 2015

Colorectal cancer, a kind of malignant cancer, has more than 1 million new patients and results in 0.5 million deaths every year globally based on the estimation of Globocan in 2008. One of the most important issues against colon cancer is tumor metastasis. Anti‐angiogenesis, a form of targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to prevent the new blood vessel formation, which is critical for tumor metastasis. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated a simple method to synthesize Chry–Ge complex through the reaction between chrysin and triphenylgermanium bromide. In this work, we investigated the mechanism of Chry–Ge induced Colo205 cell apoptosis. We found that Chry–Ge could induce apoptosis in Colo205 cells in mitochondrial‐dependent pathway, cause the reorganization of cytoskeleton and induce the damage of nucleus in Colo205 cells. Besides, Chry–Ge was also found to induce membrane ultrastructural changes in Colo205 cells by AFM. Further, we found that Chry–Ge can inhibit tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cell in vitro. Chry–Ge was also tested in vivo in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and found to inhibit bFGF‐treated CAMs development. These results suggested that Chry–Ge could induce Colo205 cell apoptosis by mitochondrial pathway and anti‐angiogenesis, highlighting the use of organic germanium agents for the treatment of colorectal cancer. SCANNING 37:246–257, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An assessment of shear bond strength between ceramic repair systems and different ceramic infrastructures
Authors: Kocaağaoğlu Hasan Hüseyin , Gürbulak Ayşegül
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate of shear bond strengths between two ceramic repair systems and different ceramic infrastructure materials. One hundred cylindrical specimens of ceramic infrastructure were fabricated with non precious metal alloy, zirconia, alumina, galvano, and glass ceramic: 20 non precious metal alloy (NP), 20 zirconia (Z), 20 alumina (A), 20 galvano (G), and 20 glass ceramic (GC). Specimens were divided into 2 subgroups. One half of the specimens were applied by Clearfil™ (CR) repair system and, another half of that were applied by Cimara&Cimara® Zircon (CZ) repair system. Bonded specimens were stored in 37°C distilled water for 24 h and were thermocycled at 5–55°C for 1,200 cycles with a 30‐sec dwell time and 5‐sec transfer time. Shear bond strengths were determined with a mechanical testing device. And mode of failure was recorded. Mann Whitney‐U and Kruskal Wallis tests were applied to the data at 95% confidence interval level. Infrastructure groups displayed the following values in megapascals: NP = 10.70 ± 1.88; Z = 9.15 ± 0.80; A = 11.65 ± 0.70; GC = 10.95 ± 0.80; and G = 6.88 ± 0.88. The Mann Whitney‐U test results showed no significant difference between the repair systems. The Kruskal Wallis test results demonstrated significant difference between the infrastructures. The lowest bond strength values were observed in G group. In conclusion, average bond strength values were in accordance with previously reported values, therefore it can be suggested that intraoral repair of ceramic restorations can be temporary, but a satisfying alternative for patients. SCANNING 37:300–305, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SEM‐Evaluation of enamel surfaces after orthodontic debonding: a 6 and 12‐month follow‐up in vivo study
Authors: Gracco Antonio , Lattuca Monica , Marchionni Silvia , Siciliani Giuseppe , Alessandri Bonetti Giulio
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this in vivo study was to compare the morphology of the enamel surfaces before bracket bonding and 6 and 12 months after debonding. Replicas of thirty‐two maxillary second premolars of 16 volunteers were made before bracket bonding (T0), after debonding (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) later. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the labial enamel surfaces were taken at T0, T1, T2, and T3 at increasing magnifications and analyzed according to the enamel damage index EDI. Data evaluation by using Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon signed ranks test with Bonferroni adjustment did not reveal statistically significant differences in the mean EDI at T0, T2, and T3, whereas the mean EDI at T1 was significantly higher than at T0, T2, and T3 (p < 0.05). The debonding procedure tested in this study produces no clinically relevant enamel damage. These alterations are reversible indeed, as a progressive restoration to pretreatment condition is evident after 6 months already and even more after 12 months. SCANNING 37:322–326, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Appearance of fetal posterior fossa at 11–14 weeks in fetuses with Dandy–Walker malformation or chromosomal anomalies
Authors: Volpe P. , Contro E. , Fanelli T. , Muto B. , Pilu G. , Gentile M.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To describe the sonographic appearance of fetal posterior fossa anatomy at 11–14 weeks of pregnancy and to assess the outcome of fetuses with increased intracranial translucency (IT) and/or brainstem‐to‐occipital bone (BSOB) diameter.

Methods

Reference ranges for brainstem (BS), IT and cisterna magna (CM) measurements, BSOB diameter and the BS : BSOB ratio were obtained from the first‐trimester ultrasound examination of 233 fetuses with normal postnatal outcome (control group). The intraobserver and interobserver variability of measurements were investigated using 73 stored ultrasound images. In addition, a study group of 17 fetuses with increased IT and/or BSOB diameter was selected to assess outcome.

Results

No significant intraobserver or interobserver variability was found for any measurement in the control group. In the study group, IT was increased in all cases and BSOB diameter was above the 95th centile of the calculated normal range in all but two (88%) cases. In 13/17 study cases, only two of the three posterior brain spaces were recognized on ultrasound. These 13 fetuses had a larger BSOB diameter than did the four cases that showed all three posterior brain spaces, and had severe associated anomalies including Dandy–Walker malformation (DWM) and/or chromosomal anomalies.

Conclusions

Visualization of the fetal posterior fossa anatomy at 11–14 weeks' gestation is feasible. Increased fluid in the posterior brain at 11–14 weeks, particularly in the case of non‐visibility of the septation that divides the future fourth ventricle from the CM, is an important risk factor for cystic posterior fossa malformations, in particular DWM, and/or chromosomal aberrations. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bisvinylated [R–Ge9–Ge9–R]4– Cluster Dimers
Authors: Benda Christian B. , He Haiyan , Klein Wilhelm , Somer Mehmet , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: April 2015

The syntheses, crystal structures, and NMR and Raman spectroscopic characterization of two compounds with a new member of the organically functionalized dimeric Ge9–Ge9 polyanion [R–Ge9–Ge9–R]4– with R = CH=CH2 are presented. [K([2.2.2]crypt)]4[(CH2=CH)–Ge9–Ge9–(CH=CH2)]·1.76 en (1) was synthesized either at elevated temperature by the reaction of K4Ge9 and bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene in ethylenediamine or at ambient temperature in the presence of Pt(PPh3)4. [K(18crown‐6)]4[(CH2=CH)–Ge9–Ge9–(CH=CH2)]·4 en (2) was obtained from the prefabricated monomeric bisvinylated Ge9 cluster [Ge9(CH=CH2)2]2– and an ethylenediamine solution of the intermetallic compound K4.79Co0.79Sn9. The reductive cleavage of one or two vinyl groups from [Ge9(CH=CH2)2]2– – a prerequisite for the latter reaction – could be shown by reacting a solution of the divinylated [Ge9(CH=CH2)2]2– anion in liquid ammonia with elemental potassium, which resulted in the formation of the ligand‐free Ge94– cluster in the new compound [K5(OH)]Ge9(NH3)11 (3).
Cytological and molecular analysis of Nsa CMS in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Liu Jia , Xiang Ruiyong , Wang Weiming , Mei Desheng , Li Yunchang , Mason Annaliese S. , Fu Li , Hu Qiong
Published: April 2015

Nsa cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a novel Brassica napus male sterility system derived from Sinapis arvensis cytoplasm. Nsa CMS results in defective pollen production due to S. arvensis mitochondrial gene failure/incompatibility in the anthers, requiring nuclear genes to restore fertility. From ultramicroscopic observation of anther sections, we concluded that the induction of sterility begins at the pollen (microspore) mother cell stage. Most pollen mother cells do not undergo the first meiotic division and dissociate before the tetrad stage. At the tetrad stage, abortion was observed for all uninucleate pollen. Dysfunction of mitchondrial gene(s) leads to cell vacuolization in the anther tapetum and middle layer cells. Early programmed cell death (PCD) of the tapetum and anther middle layer cells is the main reason for pollen mother cell abortion. Due to this early pollen abortion, the sterility of Nsa CMS is stable and complete. Southern blotting of DNA from the Nsa male-sterile line, its maintainer and restorer lines, as well as the two parental lines (B. napus cv. Zhongshuang 4 and S. arvensis var. Yeyou 18) involved in the somatic hybridization, suggested that the cytoplasm of the Nsa CMS line was from S. arvensis and that of the restorer line was a rearrangement of both parental lines. Nsa CMS shows great potential for hybrid seed production in rapeseed. Our results provide clues to identify novel male-sterility (S) and restorer (R) genes as well as elucidate the mechanism underlying interactions between the S and R genes.
The role of obstetrics and gynecology national societies during natural disasters
Authors: Lalonde André , Adrien Lauré
Published: April 2015

When a natural disaster occurs, such as an earthquake, floods, or a tsunami, the international response is quick. However, there is no organized strategy in place to address obstetric and gynecological (ob/gyn) emergencies. International organizations and national ob/gyn societies do not have an organized plan and rely on the good will of volunteers. Too often, local specialists are ignored and are not involved in the response. The massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010 exemplifies the lack of coordinated response involving national organizations following the disaster. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) engaged rapidly with Haitian colleagues in response to the obstetric and gynecological emergencies. An active strategy is proposed.
Effective strategic narratives? Italian public opinion and military operations in Iraq, Libya, and Lebanon
Authors: Coticchia Fabrizio
Published: April 2015

Public attitudes are greatly shaped by the cohesiveness of the strategic narratives crafted by policy-makers in framing the national involvement in war. The literature has recently devoted growing attention toward the features that define successful strategic narratives, such as a consistent set of objectives, convincing cause–effect chains, as well as credible promises of success. This paper provides an original framework for ‘effective strategic narratives’ for the case of Italy. The military operations undertaken by Italian armed forces in Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya represent the cases through which the framework is assessed. Drawing on content and discourse analysis of political debates and data provided by public opinion surveys, this paper explores the nature of the strategic narratives and their effectiveness.
Learning from Debate: Institutions and Information
Authors: Dickson Eric S. , Hafer Catherine , Landa Dimitri
Published: April 2015

We present a model and a laboratory experiment on the informativeness of debate, varying both informational and institutional variables. The informational variable we focus on is a novel factor affecting the extent to which audience members can learn from exposure to unpersuasive arguments. The more easily a listener can learn from an argument she finds unpersuasive, the greater the risk that the speaker will alienate this listener when she fails to persuade her. We find a strong interaction between speakers’ responsiveness to that risk and the institutions of debate. When listeners can learn from unpersuasive arguments, many speakers are discouraged from attempting persuasion, irrespective of the debate rules we consider. In contrast, when listeners cannot learn from unpersuasive arguments, debate rules affect speakers’ willingness to engage in persuasion.
The Paradox of “Just War” in Rousseau's Theory of Interstate Relations
Authors: BACHOFEN BLAISE
Published: April 2015

In theSocial Contract, Rousseau declares that he has given up the idea of discussing the “external relations” of states. Yet numerous texts—including a recently reconstituted work about the law of war—show that he thought very seriously about the question of the nature and origin of war and of the possibility of making war subject to the rule of law. Rousseau, in contrast to Hobbes, links war's appearance to that of the sovereign states; the state of war is therefore the necessary result of international relations. Moreover, he considers the international law as chimerical. How can he then conceive a non-utopian theory of “just war”? My hypothesis is that his conception of the law of war is deduced from principles of internal political law and arises from pragmatic necessity. The state that discredits itself in its manner of waging war weakens itself while believing that it is reinforcing itself.
Territorial Autonomy in the Shadow of Conflict: Too Little, Too Late?
Authors: CEDERMAN LARS-ERIK , HUG SIMON , SCHÄDEL ANDREAS , WUCHERPFENNIG JULIAN
Published: April 2015

This article evaluates the effect of territorial autonomy on the outbreak of internal conflict by analyzing ethnic groups around the world since WWII. Shedding new light on an ongoing debate, we argue that the critics have overstated the case against autonomy policies. Our evidence indicates that decentralization has a significant conflict-preventing effect where there is no prior conflict history. In postconflict settings, however, granting autonomy can still be helpful in combination with central power sharing arrangements. Yet, on its own, postconflict autonomy concessions may be too little, too late. Accounting for endogeneity, we also instrument for autonomy in postcolonial states by exploiting that French, as opposed to British, colonial rule rarely relied on decentralized governance. This identification strategy suggests that naïve analysis tends to underestimate the pacifying influence of decentralization.
Islamists and Nationalists: Rebel Motivation and Counterinsurgency in Russia's North Caucasus
Authors: TOFT MONICA DUFFY , ZHUKOV YURI M.
Published: April 2015

This article offers the first disaggregated, quantitative comparison of Islamist and nationalist violence, using new data from Russia's North Caucasus. We find that violence by Islamist groups is less sensitive to government coercion than violence by nationalist groups. Selective counterinsurgency tactics outperform indiscriminate force in suppressing attacks by nationalists, but not Islamists. We attribute this finding to rebels’ support structure. Because Islamist insurgents rely less on local support than nationalists, they are able to maintain operations even where it is relatively costly for the local population to support them. These findings have potentially significant implications for other contemporary conflicts in which governments face both types of challenges to their authority and existing political order.
Preverbal subjects, information structure, and object clitic position in Old Occitan
Authors: DONALDSON BRYAN
Published: April 2015

The position of object and adverbial clitics remains problematic in Old Occitan syntax (Wanner 2010). This paper analyzes clitic position specifically in affirmative main declaratives with overt preverbal subjects, in which clitics are either preverbal or postverbal with no apparent semantic distinction. Thus, the phrasesEn Constantiss’enanetandEn Constantis anet s’enare semantically equivalent, each meaning ‘Sir Constantine left’, whether the cliticss’en‘himself.from-there’ appear before or after the verbanet‘went’. Previous analyses have concluded that this variation is random (Mériz 1978) or due to regional or dialectal variation (Hinzelin 2007). Neither approach satisfactorily addresses the underlying grammar or the principles underlying the distribution of the variants. The present analysis draws on claims about the left periphery in medieval Romance (Benincà 2006) and reports empirical data from the troubadour biographies (vidasandrazos) and thevidaof Saint Douceline. Results from 470 subject–verb declaratives establish that the subject in subject–verb–clitic sequences is left-dislocated, albeit covertly so. This sequence is one of several instantiations of subject left dislocation in Old Occitan and usually signals topic shift.
Introduction: Heteroglossia, performance, power, and participation
Authors: Jaffe Alexandra , Koven Michèle , Perrino Sabina , Vigouroux Cécile B.
Published: April 2015

In this special issue, we build on Bauman's seminal observation about performance, that ‘the act of expression is put on display, objectified, marked out to a degree from its discursive surrounding and opened up to interpretive scrutiny and evaluation by an audience’ (2000:1). More recently, scholars have moved to examining the performative role of heteroglossia, that is, the use of multiply sourced, semiotic (verbal and nonverbal) forms. In particular, this line of research has shown how attention to heteroglossic performances and their local interpretations can illuminate the subtle politics of dominant and nondominant identities in different ethnographic contexts. This is particularly true of what Coupland (2007) calls ‘high performances’, which, as Bell & Gibson (2011:558) write, are privileged sites for allowing participants to indexically associate expressive forms with social personae. Thus, while all performances are inherently reflexive, heteroglossic performances particularly amplify that reflexivity with respect to their multiple frames, voices, and stances that they presuppose and establish.
Humor (re)positioning ethnolinguistic ideologies: “You tink is funny?”
Authors: Da Silva Emanuel
Published: April 2015

This article examines how essentializing ideologies of language and identity in Toronto's Portuguese ethnic market, constructed as monolingual and monocultural within the larger mainstream market of English-speaking Canada, provide the background for humorous sociolinguistic performances that playfully acknowledge, reproduce, and challenge ethnolinguistic stratification. After more than sixty years, the dominant spaces of the local Portuguese market continue to exclude most Portuguese-Canadian youth by rarely legitimizing the use of English, bilingual code-switching, or ‘broken’ or ‘Azorean’ Portuguese. By choosing YouTube as a space in which to engage audiences in ideologies of language and identity through performances of sociolinguistic caricatures, three young Portuguese-Canadian amateur comedians negotiate sociolinguistic boundaries with an ambivalent agency. The mocking performances are legitimized by the performers' in-group status and reveal, among other things, how a stigmatized variety of Azorean Portuguese and certain ethnolinguistic stereotypes can be reappropriated and reinforced relative to sociolinguistic hierarchies. (Language ideologies, ethnic humor, performativity, heteroglossia)*
Experiments in international administration: The forgotten functionalism of James Arthur Salter
Authors: HOLTHAUS LEONIE , STEFFEK JENS
Published: April 2015

In this article, we reintroduce the political thought of James Arthur Salter (1881–1975), a British diplomat, politician, and university professor, who made a seminal contribution to the emergence of International Relations theory in the interwar years. His academic writings were informed by his professional engagement with the Allied Maritime Transport Council (AMTC) during the First World War and the technical branches of the League of Nations. Salter promoted a distinctly transgovernmental form of expert cooperation in international advisory bodies connected to national ministries. His vision of a depoliticised transnational expertocracy inspired various IR functionalists, not least David Mitrany. Salter suggested such forms of governance also for British national politics, drawing what we call here an ‘international analogy’. His work illustrates very well how the emergence of IR theory was connected to broader trends in political theory, in particular in efforts at adapting democracy to the increasing complexities of industrial modernity.