bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of 5‐aminolevulinic acid and ferrous ion reduces plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels in Zucker diabetic fatty rats
Authors: Hara Takeshi , Koda Aya , Nozawa Naoko , Ota Urara , Kondo Hikaru , Nakagawa Hitoshi , Kamiya Atsuko , Miyashita Kazutoshi , Itoh Hiroshi , Nakajima Motowo , Tanaka Tohru
Published: March 2016

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 5‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a natural amino acid produced only in the mitochondria, is a precursor of heme. Cytochromes that contain heme play an important role in aerobic energy metabolism. Thus, ALA may help reduce T2DM‐associated hyperglycemia. In this study, we investigated the effect of ALA combined with sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) on hyperglycemia in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. We found that the gavage administration of ALA combined with SFC (ALA/SFC) for 6 weeks reduced plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in rats without affecting plasma insulin levels. The glucose‐lowering effect depended on the amount of ALA/SFC administered per day. Furthermore, the glucose tolerance was also significantly improved by ALA/SFC administration. Although food intake was slightly reduced in the rats administered ALA/SFC, there was no effect on their body weight. Importantly, ALA/SFC administration induced heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression in white adipose tissue and liver, and the induced expression levels of HO‐1 correlated with the glucose‐lowering effects of ALA/SFC. Taken together, these results suggest that ALA combined with ferrous ion is effective in reducing hyperglycemia of T2DM without affecting plasma insulin levels. HO‐1 induction may be involved in the mechanisms underlying the glucose‐lowering effect of ALA/SFC.
Cardiovascular Imaging in Mice
Authors: Phoon Colin K.L. , Turnbull Daniel H.
Published: March 2016

The mouse is the mammalian model of choice for investigating cardiovascular biology, given our ability to manipulate it by genetic, pharmacologic, mechanical, and environmental means. Imaging is an important approach to phenotyping both function and structure of cardiac and vascular components. This review details commonly used imaging approaches, with a focus on echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging and brief overviews of other imaging modalities. We also briefly outline emerging imaging approaches but caution that reliability and validity data may be lacking. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hydrohydrazination of Arylalkynes Catalyzed by an Expanded Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (er‐NHC) Gold Complex Under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Morozov Oleg S. , Gribanov Pavel S. , Asachenko Andrey F. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Rybakov Viktor B. , Nechaev Mikhail S.
Published: March 2016

[(THD‐Dipp)AuOTf], supported by the strongly electron donating, sterically bulky THD‐Dipp (1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)hexahydro‐2H‐1,3‐diazepine‐2‐ylidene) seven‐membered N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand, efficiently promotes intermolecular addition of Ts‐ and Boc‐hydrazine to arylalkynes under solvent‐free conditions.

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Li3N as a Cathode Additive for High‐Energy‐Density Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Park Kyusung , Yu Byeong‐Chul , Goodenough John B.
Published: March 2016

The formation of a solid‐electrolyte interphase on the anode surface of an Li‐ion battery using an organic liquid electrolyte robs Li+ irreversibly form the cathode on the initial charge if the cells are fabricated in the discharged state. In order to increase the cathode capacity, the use of Li3N as a sacrificial source of Li+ on the initial charge has been evaluated chemically and electrochemically as an additive to an LiCoO2 cathode. Li3N is shown to be chemically stable in a dry atmosphere as small particles with fresh surfaces and can increase the reversible capacities of a full cell without compromising the rate capability of the cells.
Technical Efficiency in Agribusiness: A Meta‐Analysis on Ghana
Authors: Djokoto Justice G. , Gidiglo Korbla F.
Published: March 2016

The few meta‐analyses published on efficiency in agriculture focused on traditional agriculture to the neglect of agribusiness. This article presents a meta‐analysis on agribusiness using Ghana as a case. Databases including AgEconsearch, Google scholar, EBSCOHost, EmeraldInsight, and Wiley online Library among others were searched in order to identify published studies relating to the subsectors of agribusiness. The selected loglog fractional regression model revealed that mean technical efficiency (MTE) increased over time with a mean value of 62%. MTEs of geographical sections of Ghana are also similar. Time series models possess higher MTE than panel data MTEs. In line with theory, models without functional forms and distance functions elicited higher MTE than Cobb–Douglas and translog functions. Nontraditional agricultural production showed higher MTE than traditional agriculture. MTEs in the production subsector do not differ from those in the manufacturing subsector. While this indifference suggests that value adding manufacturing subsector is as efficient as the primary production agriculture, and the increasing MTE notwithstanding, efficiency improving measures including training in farm management are required to make up for the mean difference of 38% found. [JEL Classification: Q13].
Contractual Farming Arrangements, Quality Control, Incentives, and Distribution Failure in Kenya's Smallholder Horticulture: A Multivariate Probit Analysis
Authors: Kariuki Isaac Maina , Loy Jens‐Peter
Published: March 2016

With the rapid growth of horticultural value chains, the use of contractual farming arrangements, strategies of quality control (farm audits/crop rejections), pricing incentives, and distribution efficiencies (crop collection arrangements) are increasingly breaking market barriers, for example, private standards, certification, traceability, and supply reliability in developing countries. Cognizant of market access, farm produce value, sustainable production, and reduction of postharvest losses, this paper investigated whether farm size, schooling, producer price, farm visits, and social capital networks condition these strategies. The results show that use of written contracts is conditioned by farm sizes, more extension, and number of producer groups (PGs) while farm certification is positively predicted by farm sizes, more extension, number of sellers in the village and seasons with the same buyer. However, certification is less responsive to producer prices. Crop rejections are predicted to be less depending on a farmer's education, number of PGs, and the producer price but are more likely to increase the more the number of sellers. Further, the results show that a forward pricing incentive is highly correlated with higher producer prices, more extension, and number of seasons with the same buyer. Finally, uncollected produce at harvest is likely to decrease with farm sizes, more education and extension, higher producer price, number of PGs, and seasons with the same buyer but is more likely to increase the higher the number of sellers. Implications are made. [EconLit citations: L14; Q13].
The International Wine Trade and Its New Export Dynamics (1988–2012): A Gravity Model Approach
Authors: Castillo J. Sebastián , Villanueva Emiliano C. , García‐Cortijo M. Carmen
Published: March 2016

An acceleration of the wine industry globalization process has occurred in the last decades due to increased competition, the emergence of new producers and exporters, and the existence of new wine consuming countries. All this has led to global changes in production strategies and marketing. The aim of this paper is to analyze the changes that have occurred in the global wine export dynamics and define its determinants; to do so a gravity model was estimated in which (a) the main wine producers and consumers involved in international trade are present, (b) two distinctive scenarios are present: one of continuous change (1988–1999), and one of an established export dynamic (2002–2012), and (c) bulk and bottled wines are considered. The main results show that higher incomes, lower prices, cultural and geographical affinities, and trade agreements promote wine exports; the expansion of bottled wine trade, especially within the EU, is particularly highlighted. [EconLit citations: C40; F14; Q1].
Hodgkin lymphoma post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: A comparative analysis of clinical characteristics, prognosis, and survival
Authors: Rosenberg Aaron S. , Klein Andreas K. , Ruthazer Robin , Evens Andrew M.
Published: March 2016

Hodgkin lymphoma post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (HL‐PTLD) is an uncommon PTLD with unclear prognosis and differences between HL‐PTLD and immunocompetent HL are not well defined. Patient characteristics were compared among 192 patients with HL‐PTLD from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and 13,847 HL patients in SEER (HL‐SEER). Overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were compared after exact matching. Additionally, multivariable analyses were used to identify prognostic markers of survival and associations between treatment and survival. Median time from transplant to HL‐PTLD diagnosis was 88 months. When compared with HL‐SEER, patients with HL‐PTLD were older (median age, 52 vs. 36 years, P = 0.001), more likely male (73% vs. 54%, P < 0.001), Caucasian (81% vs. 70%, P = 0.02), and had extranodal disease (42% vs. 3%, P < 0.001). Five‐year OS for patients with HL‐PTLD was 57% versus 80% for HL‐SEER (P < 0.001); DSS was also inferior (P < 0.001). For patients with HL‐PTLD, the use of any chemotherapy was associated with decreased hazard of death (HR = 0.36, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients who received no chemotherapy or nontraditional HL regimens had increased hazard of death (aHR = 2.94, P = 0.001 and 2.01, P = 0.04) versus HL‐specific chemotherapy regimens. In multivariable analysis, advanced age and elevated creatinine were associated with inferior OS (aHR = 1.26/decade P < 0.001 and 1.64/0.1 mg/dL increase P = 0.02). A prognostic score based on the number of these adverse factors (0, 1, 2) was associated with 10‐year OS rates of 79%, 53%, and 11%, respectively (P < 0.001). Altogether, HL‐PTLD patients have inferior survival when compared with HL‐SEER. Furthermore, treatment with HL‐specific chemotherapy was associated with improved OS, whereas age and creatinine identified patients with markedly divergent survival. Am. J. Hematol. 91:560–565, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stapled Peptides with γ‐Methylated Hydrocarbon Chains for the Estrogen Receptor/Coactivator Interaction
Authors: Speltz Thomas E. , Fanning Sean W. , Mayne Christopher G. , Fowler Colin , Tajkhorshid Emad , Greene Geoffrey L. , Moore Terry W.
Published: March 2016

“Stapled” peptides are typically designed to replace two non‐interacting residues with a constraining, olefinic staple. To mimic interacting leucine and isoleucine residues, we have created new amino acids that incorporate a methyl group in the γ‐position of the stapling amino acid S5. We have incorporated them into a sequence derived from steroid receptor coactivator 2, which interacts with estrogen receptor α. The best peptide (IC50=89 nm) replaces isoleucine 689 with an S‐γ‐methyl stapled amino acid, and has significantly higher affinity than unsubstituted peptides (390 and 760 nm). Through X‐ray crystallography and molecular dynamics studies, we show that the conformation taken up by the S‐γ‐methyl peptide minimizes the syn‐pentane interactions between the α‐ and γ‐methyl groups.
High‐Performance Lithium–Air Battery with a Coaxial‐Fiber Architecture
Authors: Zhang Ye , Wang Lie , Guo Ziyang , Xu Yifan , Wang Yonggang , Peng Huisheng
Published: March 2016

The lithium–air battery has been proposed as the next‐generation energy‐storage device with a much higher energy density compared with the conventional lithium‐ion battery. However, lithium–air batteries currently suffer enormous problems including parasitic reactions, low recyclability in air, degradation, and leakage of liquid electrolyte. Besides, they are designed into a rigid bulk structure that cannot meet the flexible requirement in the modern electronics. Herein, for the first time, a new family of fiber‐shaped lithium–air batteries with high electrochemical performances and flexibility has been developed. The battery exhibited a discharge capacity of 12 470 mAh g−1 and could stably work for 100 cycles in air; its electrochemical performances were well maintained under bending and after bending. It was also wearable and formed flexible power textiles for various electronic devices.
Controlled Core‐Modification of a Porphyrin into an Antiaromatic Isophlorin
Authors: Panchal Santosh P. , Gadekar Santosh C. , Anand Venkataramanarao G.
Published: March 2016

Partial core‐modification of a porphyrin can be employed to synthesize the 20π antiaromatic isophlorin. Unlike the tetra‐, tri‐, and dipyrrole derivatives of a porphyrin, a monopyrrole porphyrin exhibits antiaromatic characteristics. It undergoes a two‐electron reversible ring oxidation to yield the 18π aromatic dication. 1H NMR analysis provides distinct evidence of the altered electronic characteristics through typical paratropic and diatropic ring current effects for the 4n and the (4n+2) π‐electron systems, respectively.
Synthesis of Monodisperse Bi‐Compartmentalized Amphiphilic Janus Microparticles for Tailored Assembly at the Oil–Water Interface
Authors: Kim Jeong Won , Cho Jangwoo , Cho Jaehong , Park Bum Jun , Kim Yong‐Jin , Choi Kyung‐Ho , Kim Jin Woong
Published: March 2016

Janus particles endowed with controlled anisotropies represent promising building blocks and assembly materials because of their asymmetric functionalities. Herein, we show that using the seeded monomer swelling and polymerization technique allows us to obtain bi‐compartmentalized Janus microparticles that are generated depending on the phase miscibility of the poly (alkyl acrylate) chains against the polystyrene seed, thus minimizing the interfacial free energy. When tetradecyl acrylate is used, complete compartmentalization into two distinct bulbs can be achieved, while tuning the relative dimension ratio of compartmented bulb against the whole particle. Finally, we have demonstrated that selectively patching the silica nanoparticles onto one of the bulb surfaces gives amphiphilicity to the particles that can assemble at the oil–water interface with a designated level of adhesion, thus leading to development of a highly stable Pickering emulsion system.
Guided Self‐Propelled Leaping of Droplets on a Micro‐Anisotropic Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Liu Jie , Guo Haoyuan , Zhang Bo , Qiao Shasha , Shao Mingzhe , Zhang Xianren , Feng Xi‐Qiao , Li Qunyang , Song Yanlin , Jiang Lei , Wang Jianjun
Published: March 2016

By introducing anisotropic micropatterns on a superhydrophobic surface, we demonstrate that water microdroplets can coalesce and leap over the surface spontaneously along a prescribed direction. This controlled behavior is attributed to anisotropic liquid–solid adhesion. An analysis relating the preferential leaping probability to the geometrical parameters of the system is presented with consistent experimental results. Surfaces with this rare quality demonstrate many unique characteristics, such as self‐powered, and relatively long‐distance transport of microdroplets by “relay” coalescence‐induced leaping.
α‐Arylation of Ketimines with Aryl Sulfides at a Low Palladium Catalyst Loading
Authors: Gao Ke , Yorimitsu Hideki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: March 2016

Instead of using aryl halides, aryl sulfides, typically poisonous to transition‐metal catalysts, were found to serve as aryl electrophiles in the catalytic α‐arylation of ketimines, a class of carbonyl derivatives. Low catalyst loadings (down to 0.5 mol %) of a palladium–NHC complex are sufficient for efficient arylation. α‐Arylated ketimine products are useful for the synthesis of various azaarenes, including 2,3‐diarylpyrroles, an indole, and pyrrolediones.
Stretchable Electrochemical Sensor for Real‐Time Monitoring of Cells and Tissues
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ling , Jin Zi‐He , Liu Yan‐Hong , Hu Xue‐Bo , Qin Yu , Xu Jia‐Quan , Fan Cui‐Fang , Huang Wei‐Hua
Published: March 2016

Stretchable electrochemical sensors are conceivably a powerful technique that provides important chemical information to unravel elastic and curvilinear living body. However, no breakthrough was made in stretchable electrochemical device for biological detection. Herein, we synthesized Au nanotubes (NTs) with large aspect ratio to construct an effective stretchable electrochemical sensor. Interlacing network of Au NTs endows the sensor with desirable stability against mechanical deformation, and Au nanostructure provides excellent electrochemical performance and biocompatibility. This allows for the first time, real‐time electrochemical monitoring of mechanically sensitive cells on the sensor both in their stretching‐free and stretching states as well as sensing of the inner lining of blood vessels. The results demonstrate the great potential of this sensor in electrochemical detection of living body, opening a new window for stretchable electrochemical sensor in biological exploration.
A Unified Treatment of the Relationship Between Ligand Substituents and Spin State in a Family of Iron(II) Complexes
Authors: Kershaw Cook Laurence J. , Kulmaczewski Rafal , Mohammed Rufeida , Dudley Stephen , Barrett Simon A. , Little Marc A. , Deeth Robert J. , Halcrow Malcolm A.
Published: March 2016

The influence of ligands on the spin state of a metal ion is of central importance for bioinorganic chemistry, and the production of base‐metal catalysts for synthesis applications. Complexes derived from [Fe(bpp)2]2+ (bpp=2,6‐di{pyrazol‐1‐yl}pyridine) can be high‐spin, low‐spin, or spin‐crossover (SCO) active depending on the ligand substituents. Plots of the SCO midpoint temperature (T
) in solution vs. the relevant Hammett parameter show that the low‐spin state of the complex is stabilized by electron‐withdrawing pyridyl (“X”) substituents, but also by electron‐donating pyrazolyl (“Y”) substituents. Moreover, when a subset of complexes with halogeno X or Y substituents is considered, the two sets of compounds instead show identical trends of a small reduction in T
for increasing substituent electronegativity. DFT calculations reproduce these disparate trends, which arise from competing influences of pyridyl and pyrazolyl ligand substituents on Fe‐L σ and π bonding.
Impact of introduction of blended learning in gross anatomy on student outcomes
Authors: Green Rodney A. , Whitburn Laura Y.
Published: March 2016

Blended learning has become increasingly common, in a variety of disciplines, to take advantage of new technology and potentially increase the efficiency and flexibility of delivery. This study aimed to describe blended delivery of a gross anatomy course and to evaluate the effectiveness of the delivery in terms of student outcomes. A gross anatomy course for second‐year physiotherapy students across two campuses was delivered in traditional face‐to‐face teaching mode in 2013 (n = 150 students), some online content was introduced in 2014 (n = 160) and the subject was fully blended in 2015 (n = 151). The final ‘blend’ consisted of one lecture per week with most content delivered using online video resources (prepared by staff using a structured peer‐reviewed process) and retention of face‐to‐face practical classes. Outcomes evaluated included student grades, student engagement with content through online discussion forums and student feedback using both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Grades were higher in 2014 and 2015 than in 2013 (P < 0.01). There were no differences in student engagement with online discussion forums. Student feedback identified some negative comments and lower levels of intellectual stimulation (P < 0.05) with the initial introduction of online content in 2014. The fully blended version in 2015 resulted in more balanced comments about online content but higher perceived workload (P < 0.05). All cohorts listed practical classes as a major factor contributing to learning. Blended learning appears to be well‐suited to gross anatomy teaching on the proviso that face‐to‐face practical classes are maintained, but may result in higher perceived workloads. Anat Sci Educ 9: 422–430. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
Iridium(I)‐catalyzed C−H Borylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Bis(pinacolato)diboron
Authors: Sasaki Ikuo , Taguchi Jumpei , Doi Hana , Ito Hajime , Ishiyama Tatsuo
Published: March 2016

A new process has been developed for the iridium(I)‐catalyzed vinylic C−H borylation of α,β‐unsaturated esters with bis(pinacolato)diboron (B2pin2). These reactions proceeded in octane at temperatures in the range of 80–120 °C to afford the corresponding alkenylboronic compounds in high yields with excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivities. The presence of an aryl ester led to significant improvements in the yields of the acyclic alkenylboronates. Crossover experiments involving deuterated substrates as well as a mixture of stereoisomers confirmed that this reaction proceeds via a 1,4‐addition/β‐hydride elimination mechanism. Notably, this reaction was also used to develop a one‐pot borylation/Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling procedure.
Neutron star high‐mass binaries as the origin of SGR/AXP
Authors: Wang J.
Published: March 2016

A close high‐mass binary system consisting of a neutron star (NS) and a massive OB supergiant companion is expected to lead to a Thorne‐Żytkow object (TZO) structure, which consists of a NS core and a stellar envelope. We use the scenario machine program to calculate the formation tracks of TZOs in close high‐mass NS binaries and their subsequent evolution. We propose and demonstrate that the explosion and instant contraction of a TZO structure leave its stellar remnant as a soft gamma‐ray repeater and an anomalous X‐ray pulsar respectively. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemical spots on the surface of the strongly magnetic Herbig Ae star HD 101412
Authors: Järvinen S. P. , Hubrig S. , Schöller M. , Ilyin I. , Carroll T. A. , Korhonen H.
Published: March 2016

Due to the knowledge of the rotation period and the presence of a rather strong surface magnetic field, the sharp‐lined young Herbig Ae star HD 101412 with a rotation period of 42 d has become one of the most well‐studied targets among the Herbig Ae stars. High‐resolution HARPS polarimetric spectra of HD 101412 were recently obtained on seven different epochs. Our study of the spectral variability over the part of the rotation cycle covered by HARPS observations reveals that the line profiles of the elements Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Sr are clearly variable while He exhibits variability that is opposite to the behaviour of the other elements studied. Since classical Ap stars usually show a relationship between the magnetic field geometry and the distribution of element spots, we used in our magnetic field measurements different line samples belonging to the three elements with the most numerous spectral lines, Ti, Cr, and Fe. Over the time interval covered by the available spectra, the longitudinal magnetic field changes sign from negative to positive polarity. The distribution of field values obtained using Ti, Cr, and Fe lines is, however, completely different compared to the magnetic field values determined in previous low‐resolution FORS 2 measurements, where hydrogen Balmer lines are the main contributors to the magnetic field measurements, indicating the presence of concentration of the studied iron‐peak elements in the region of the magnetic equator. Further, we discuss the potential role of contamination by the surrounding warm circumstellar matter in the appearance of Zeeman features obtained using Ti lines. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Motorway crash duration and its determinants: do durations vary across motorways?
Authors: Tajtehranifard Hasti , Bhaskar Ashish , Haque Md. Mazharul , Chung Edward
Published: March 2016

Traffic congestion has been a growing issue in many metropolitan areas during recent years, which necessitates the identification of its key contributors and development of sustainable strategies to help decrease its adverse impacts on traffic networks. Road incidents generally and crashes specifically have been acknowledged as the cause of a large proportion of travel delays in urban areas and account for 25% to 60% of traffic congestion on motorways.

Identifying the critical determinants of travel delays has been of significant importance to the incident management systems, which constantly collect and store the incident duration data. This study investigates the individual and simultaneous differential effects of the relevant determinants on motorway crash duration probabilities. In particular, it applies parametric Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) hazard‐based models to develop in‐depth insights into how the crash‐specific characteristic and the associated temporal and infrastructural determinants impact the duration. AFT models with both fixed and random parameters have been calibrated on one year of traffic crash records from two major Australian motorways in South East Queensland, and the differential effects of determinants on crash survival functions have been studied on these two motorways individually.

A comprehensive spectrum of commonly used parametric fixed parameter AFT models, including generalized gamma and generalized F families, has been compared with random parameter AFT structures in terms of goodness of fit to the duration data, and as a result, the random parameter Weibull AFT model has been selected as the most appropriate model.

Significant determinants of motorway crash duration included traffic diversion requirement, crash injury type, number and type of vehicles involved in a crash, day of week and time of day, towing support requirement and damage to the infrastructure. A major finding of this research is that the motorways under study are significantly different in terms of crash durations; such that motorway 1 exhibits durations that are on average 19% shorter compared with the durations on motorway 2. The differential effects of explanatory variables on crash durations are also different on the two motorways. The detailed presented analysis confirms that looking at the motorway network as a whole, neglecting the individual differences between roads, can lead to erroneous interpretations of duration and inefficient strategies for mitigating travel delays along a particular motorway.
Pioneering hypar thin shell concrete roofs in the 1930s
Authors: Espion Bernard
Published: March 2016

The paper explores the conditions of emergence and first applications of thin hypar concrete shells. They appeared in France in the 1930s in the context of building hangars for aircraft and roofs for workshops at air or naval bases. Two French engineers were mainly involved in the development of this form: BERNARD LAFFAILLE, who began designing conoid shells in 1927 but actually never got the opportunity to build concrete hypars, and FERNAND AIMOND, who established the membrane theory of the hypar in 1932 and applied it to design and construct several HP roofs in 1934–1939. The paper describes these forgotten structures and recalls the influence of AIMOND's contributions from the mid‐1930s on the subsequent widespread adoption of the hypar.

Anfänge der dünnen Hyparschalen aus Beton in den 1930er‐Jahren

Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Bedingungen der Entstehung und den ersten Anwendungen von dünnen Hyparschalen (HP‐Schalen) aus Beton. Diese ergaben sich in den 1930er‐Jahren in Frankreich im Zusammenhang mit der Errichtung von Flugzeughangars und Werkstattdächern für Flugplätze und Flottenstützpunkte. Es waren zwei französische Ingenieure, die hauptsächlich an der Entwicklung dieser neuen Bauart beteiligt waren: BERNARD LAFFAILLE, der 1927 mit dem Entwurf von Konoidschalen begann, jedoch nie die Gelegenheit hatte, Hyparschalen aus Beton zu bauen, und FERNAND AIMOND, der 1932 die Membrantheorie der Hyparschalen etabliert hat und diese auch in den Jahren 1934‐1939 für den Entwurf und die Errichtung zahlreicher HP‐Schalendächer angewendet hat. Im Beitrag werden diese heute teilweise in Vergessenheit geratenen Konstruktionen beschrieben und daran erinnert, welchen Einfluss AIMOND seit Mitte der 1930er‐Jahre auf die anschließende verbreitete Anwendung von Hyparschalen hatte.
Zur Geschichte einer Metakategorie: Das ‚Empirische‘ in der deutschen Ökonomischen Aufklärung und frühen Agrarwissenschaft um 1800
Authors: Lehmbrock Verena
Published: March 2016

Tracing the History of a Super‐Category: The ‘Empirical’ in German Agricultural Improvement and Science around 1800. In accordance with some historians of philosophy, this paper claims that Kant′s critical philosophy can be seen as a watershed between the largely negative and ascriptive term ‘empiric’ applied during the early modern period and the more self‐referential term ‘empiricist’ of the modern period. I will examine the usage and polemical function of the ‘empirical’ label in German agricultural improvement, and will point out its largely negative connotation with respect to agricultural knowledge before 1810. I will then go on to demonstrate how the most prominent founding figure of modern agricultural science in Germany, Albrecht Daniel Thaer (1752–1828), used the conceptual watershed moment as a means to his own academic and polemical ends. Whereas Thaer's opponents, cameralist authors such as Johann Beckmann (1739–1811) and Friedrich Benedict Weber (1774–1848), remained on one side of the watershed, Thaer's reasoning embraced both connotations of the ‘empirical’, and did so in significant ways. My conclusion is that the conceptual transition of the term reflects societal conflicts and social change on a broader level. Thus, the general historiographical claim of this paper is that conceptual histories are a useful and prolific tool of historical research.
Decellularisation and histological characterisation of porcine peripheral nerves
Authors: Zilic Leyla , Wilshaw Stacy‐Paul , Haycock John W.
Published: March 2016

Peripheral nerve injuries affect a large proportion of the global population, often causing significant morbidity and loss of function. Current treatment strategies include the use of implantable nerve guide conduits (NGC's) to direct regenerating axons between the proximal and distal ends of the nerve gap. However, NGC's are limited in their effectiveness at promoting regeneration Current NGCs are not suitable as substrates for supporting either neuronal or Schwann cell growth, as they lack an architecture similar to that of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of the nerve. The aim of this study was to create an acellular porcine peripheral nerve using a novel decellularisation protocol, in order to eliminate the immunogenic cellular components of the tissue, while preserving the three‐dimensional histoarchitecture and ECM components. Porcine peripheral nerve (sciatic branches were decellularised using a low concentration (0.1%; w/v) sodium dodecyl sulphate in conjunction with hypotonic buffers and protease inhibitors, and then sterilised using 0.1% (v/v) peracetic acid. Quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed a ≥95% (w/w) reduction in DNA content as well as preservation of the nerve fascicles and connective tissue. Acellular nerves were shown to have retained key ECM components such as collagen, laminin and fibronectin. Slow strain rate to failure testing demonstrated the biomechanical properties of acellular nerves to be comparable to fresh controls. In conclusion, we report the production of a biocompatible, biomechanically functional acellular scaffold, which may have use in peripheral nerve repair. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2041–2053. © 2016 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii as a competitive industrial inosine producer
Authors: Ledesma‐Amaro Rodrigo , Buey Rubén M. , Revuelta José Luis
Published: March 2016

Inosine is a nucleoside with growing biotechnological interest due to its recently attributed beneficial health effects and as a convenient precursor of the umami flavor. At present, most of the industrial inosine production relies on bacterial fermentations. In this work, we have metabolically engineered the filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii to obtain strains able to excrete high amounts of inosine to the culture medium. We report that the disruption of only two key genes of the purine biosynthetic pathway efficiently redirect the metabolic flux, increasing 200‐fold the excretion of inosine with respect to the wild type, up to 2.2 g/L. These results allow us to propose A. gossypii as a convenient candidate for large‐scale nucleoside production, especially in view of the several advantages that Ashbya has with respect to the bacterial systems used at present for the industrial production of this food additive. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2060–2063. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A high gas fraction, reduced power, syngas bioprocessing method demonstrated with a Clostridium ljungdahlii OTA1 paper biocomposite
Authors: Schulte Mark J. , Wiltgen Jeff , Ritter John , Mooney Charles B. , Flickinger Michael C.
Published: March 2016

We propose a novel approach to continuous bioprocessing of gases. A miniaturized, coated‐paper strip, high gas fraction, biocomposite absorber has been developed using slowly shaken horizontal anaerobic tubes. Concentrated Clostridium ljungdahlii OTA1 was used as a model system. These gas absorbers demonstrate elevated CO mass transfer with low power input, reduced liquid requirements, elevated substrate consumption, and increased product secretion compared to shaken suspended cells. Concentrated OTA1 cell paste was coated by extrusion onto chromatography paper. The immobilized system shows high, constant reactivity immediately upon rehydration. Cell adhesion was by adsorption to the cellulose fibers; visualized by SEM. The C. ljungdahlii OTA1 coated paper mounted above the liquid level absorbs CO and H2 from a model syngas secreting acetate with minimal ethanol. At 100 rpm shaking speed (7.7 Wm−3) the optimal cell loading is 6.5 gDCW m−2 to maintain high CO absorbing reactivity without the cells coming off of the paper into the liquid phase. Reducing the medium volume from 10 mL to 4 mL (15% of tube volume) did not decrease CO reactivity. The reduced liquid volume increased secreted product concentration by 80%. The specific CO consumption by paper biocomposites was higher at all shaking frequencies <100 rpm than suspended cells under identical incubation conditions. At 25 rpm the biocomposite outperforms suspended cells for CO absorption by 2.5‐fold, with an estimated power reduction of 97% over the power input at 100 rpm. The estimated minimum kLa for miniaturized biocomposite gas‐absorbers is ∼100 h−1, 10 to 104 less power input than other syngas fermentation systems reported in the literature at similar kLa. Specific consumption rates in a biocomposite were ∼14 mmol h−1. This work intensified CO absorption and reactivity by 14‐fold to 94 mmol CO m−2 h−1 over previous C. ljungdahlii OTA1 work by our group. Specific acetate production rates were 23 mM h−1 or 46 mmol m−2 h−1. The specific rates and apparent kLa scaled linearly with biocomposite coating area. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1913–1923. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellulose chain binding free energy drives the processive move of cellulases on the cellulose surface
Authors: Wang Yefei , Zhang Shujun , Song Xiangfei , Yao Lishan
Published: March 2016

Processivity is essential for cellulases in their catalysis of cellulose hydrolysis. But what drives the processive move is not well understood. In this work, we use Trichoderma reesei Cel7B as a model system and show that its processivity is directly correlated to the binding free energy difference of a cellulose chain occupying the binding sites −7 to +2 and that occupying sites −7 to −1. Several mutants that have stronger interactions with glycosyl units in sites +1 and +2 than the wild type enzyme show higher processivity. The results suggest that after the release of the product cellobiose located in sites +1 and +2, the enzyme pulls the cellulose chain to fill the vacant sites, which propels its processive move on the cellulose surface. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1873–1880. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cell engineering strategy to enhance supercoiled plasmid DNA production for gene therapy
Authors: Hassan Sally , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli , Ward John
Published: March 2016

With the recent revival of the promise of plasmid DNA vectors in gene therapy, a novel synthetic biology approach was used to enhance the quantity, (yield), and quality of the plasmid DNA. Quality was measured by percentage supercoiling and supercoiling density, as well as improving segregational stability in fermentation. We examined the hypothesis that adding a Strong Gyrase binding Site (SGS) would increase DNA gyrase‐mediated plasmid supercoiling. SGS from three different replicons, (the Mu bacteriophage and two plasmids, pSC101 and pBR322) were inserted into the plasmid, pUC57. Different sizes of these variants were transformed into E. coli DH5α, and their supercoiling properties and segregational stability measured. A 36% increase in supercoiling density was found in pUC57‐SGS, but only when SGS was derived from the Mu phage and was the larger sized version of this fragment. These results were also confirmed at fermentation scale. Total percentage supercoiled monomer was maintained to 85–90%. A twofold increase in plasmid yield was also observed for pUC57‐SGS in comparison to pUC57. pUC57‐SGS displayed greater segregational stability than pUC57‐cer and pUC57, demonstrating a further potential advantage of the SGS site. These findings should augment the potential of plasmid DNA vectors in plasmid DNA manufacture. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2064–2071. © 2016 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcomes of unplanned sarcoma excision: impact of residual disease
Authors: Charoenlap Chris , Imanishi Jungo , Tanaka Takaaki , Slavin John , Ngan Samuel Y. , Chander Sarat , Dowsey Michelle Maree , Goyal Chatar , Choong Peter F.M.
Published: March 2016

This study aimed to compare the oncological results between unplanned excision (UE) and planned excision (PE) of malignant soft tissue tumor and to examine the impact of residual tumor (ReT) after UE. Nonmetastatic soft tissue sarcomas surgically treated in 1996–2012 were included in this study. Disease‐specific survival (DSS), metastasis‐free survival (MFS), and local‐recurrence‐free survival (LRFS) were stratified according to the tumor location and American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification 7th edition stage. Independent prognostic parameters were identified by Cox proportional hazard models. Two‐hundred and ninety PEs and 161 UEs were identified. Significant difference in oncological outcome was observed only for LRFS probability of retroperitoneal sarcomas (5‐year LRFS: 33.0% [UE] vs. 71.0% [PE], P = 0.018). Among the 142 UEs of extremity and trunk, ReT in re‐excision specimen were found in 75 cases (53%). UEs with ReT had significantly lower survival probabilities and a higher amputation rate than UEs without ReT (5‐year DSS: 68.8% vs. 92%, P < 0.001; MFS: 56.1% vs. 90.9%, P < 0.001; LRFS: 75.8% vs. 98.4%, P = <0.001; amputation rate 18.5% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.003). The presence of ReT was an independent poor prognostic predictor for DSS, MFS, and LRFS with hazard ratios of 2.02 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.25–3.26), 1.62 (95% CI, 1.05–2.51) and 1.94 (95% CI, 1.05–3.59), respectively. Soft tissue sarcomas should be treated in specialized centers and UE should be avoided because of its detrimental effect especially when ReT remains after UE.
Glasgow prognostic score is an independent marker for poor prognosis with all cases of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Omichi Chiaki , Nakamura Keiichiro , Haraga Junko , Masuyama Hisashi , Hiramatsu Yuji
Published: March 2016

Inflammatory markers are important prognostic factors in various cancers. This study investigated whether inflammatory markers of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) predicted progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with all cases of epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). Pretreatment GPS was examined for the correlations with PFS and OS in 216 patients in all stages of epithelial OC. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. PFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox's proportional hazard regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. For all patients, the median PFS was 35.1 months, and median OS was 46.7 months; follow‐up range was 1–162 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with high GPS (GPS 2) at pretreatment had a shorter PFS and OS than did patients with lower GPS (GPS 0 + 1) in for early, advanced, and all‐stages of OC (PFS: P < 0.001 for early‐, advanced‐ and all‐stages; OS; P < 0.001 for early‐ and all‐stage, P = 0.015 for advanced‐stage). GPS (GPS 2) was also found to be an independent predictor of both recurrence (P = 0.002) and survival (P = 0.001) of all cases of epithelial OC by a multivariate analysis. GPS can serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with all stages of epithelial OC, including early‐stage disease and regardless of histology.
Overcoming Faculty Fears About Civic Work: Reclaiming Higher Education's Civic Purpose
Authors: Kaufman Cynthia
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes fears that may lead to faculty resistance to civic engagement and suggests approaches to conquering these fears in order to further develop the civic capacities of our students and institutions.
Bridging Cultures to Form a Nation: The Humanities and Democratic Learning
Authors: Musil Caryn McTighe
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes a diversity and democracy curriculum and faculty development collaboration among the Association of American Colleges and Universities, The Democracy Commitment, and 10 community colleges.
The Civic Outcomes of Community College
Authors: Kisker Carrie B. , Newell Mallory Angeli , Weintraub Dayna S.
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes the individual and institutional factors leading to greater civic outcomes among students at four The Democracy Commitment (TDC) colleges in California.
Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes as a Release‐and‐Catch Catalytic System in Aerobic Liquid‐Phase Ethanol Oxidation
Authors: Dong Weiwen , Chen Peirong , Xia Wei , Weide Philipp , Ruland Holger , Kostka Aleksander , Köhler Klaus , Muhler Martin
Published: March 2016

Pd nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes were applied in the selective oxidation of ethanol in the liquid phase. The characterization of the surface and bulk properties combined with the catalytic tests indicated the dissolution and redeposition of Pd under the reaction conditions. A dynamic interplay within the Pd life cycle was identified to be responsible for the overall reactivity. Nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes were found to act as an excellent support for the Pd catalyst system by efficiently stabilizing and recapturing the Pd species, which resulted in high activity and selectivity to acetic acid.
Career Construction Counseling With a Mid‐Career Black Man
Authors: Maree J. G. (Kobus)
Published: March 2016

Career construction counseling for a mid‐career Black man is examined. The author implemented a case study design and purposively selected the participant. The intervention and follow‐up occurred over a period of 21 months, and the Career Construction Interview (CCI; Savickas, ) was used to gather data. Savickas's 8‐step strategy was followed to complete the participant's life portrait. After the intervention, the participant demonstrated an improved sense of self and willingness to deal more adaptively with career–life‐related challenges. More research is needed to determine the long‐term effects of this kind of intervention and to show its applicability in group contexts.
Integrating Life‐Design Counseling and Psychotherapy: Possibilities and Practices
Authors: Cardoso Paulo
Published: March 2016

The debate on the relationship between career counseling and psychotherapy revealed the close relationship between psychosocial and career issues. The connection between these 2 approaches paves the way for the integration of career counseling into psychotherapy. In this article, the Systematic Treatment Selection (Beutler & Clarkin, ) perspective in psychotherapy is presented as a framework for guiding career counseling integration into psychotherapy. Then, the author describes life‐design counseling, underlining its possibilities for integration with psychotherapeutic practices. Finally, the author presents and discusses a case study to illustrate the complexity of this integrative process.
Using Life Design With Vulnerable Youth
Authors: Setlhare‐Meltor Rubina , Wood Lesley
Published: March 2016

Career counseling processes normed for Western contexts may not fully address the needs of vulnerable youth in disadvantaged, non‐Western contexts. Therefore, this study examined the utility of a narrative career counseling process within the life‐design paradigm for assisting a former street child to successfully shape his future career narrative. Report of a case study suggested that the life‐design process assisted the client in designing a future career narrative that would enhance his quality of life. Although the study is based on 1 particular case, the findings may have significance for improving career counseling for vulnerable individuals.
High‐Energy Long‐Lived Mixed Frenkel–Charge‐Transfer Excitons: From Double Stranded (AT)n to Natural DNA
Authors: Vayá Ignacio , Brazard Johanna , Huix‐Rotllant Miquel , Thazhathveetil Arun K. , Lewis Frederick D. , Gustavsson Thomas , Burghardt Irene , Improta Roberto , Markovitsi Dimitra
Published: March 2016

The electronic excited states populated upon absorption of UV photons by DNA are extensively studied in relation to the UV‐induced damage to the genetic code. Here, we report a new unexpected relaxation pathway in adenine–thymine double‐stranded structures (AT)n. Fluorescence measurements on (AT)n hairpins (six and ten base pairs) and duplexes (20 and 2000 base pairs) reveal the existence of an emission band peaking at approximately 320 nm and decaying on the nanosecond time scale. Time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations, performed for two base pairs and exploring various relaxation pathways, allow the assignment of this emission band to excited states resulting from mixing between Frenkel excitons and adenine‐to‐thymine charge‐transfer states. Emission from such high‐energy long‐lived mixed (HELM) states is in agreement with their fluorescence anisotropy (0.03), which is lower than that expected for π–π* states (≥0.1). An increase in the size of the system quenches π–π* fluorescence while enhancing HELM fluorescence. The latter process varies linearly with the hypochromism of the absorption spectra, both depending on the coupling between π–π* and charge‐transfer states. Subsequently, we identify the common features between the HELM states of (AT)n structures with those reported previously for alternating (GC)n: high emission energy, low fluorescence anisotropy, nanosecond lifetimes, and sensitivity to conformational disorder. These features are also detected for calf thymus DNA in which HELM states could evolve toward reactive π–π* states, giving rise to delayed fluorescence.