bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Primary and Secondary Fibromyalgia in Bulgaria
Authors: Reshkova Valentina , Rashkov Rasho , Milanov Ivan
Published: July 2024

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by a chronic widespread pain, general fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and functional disorders. FM affects both women and men in 9:1 to 20:1 ratio. The purpose of this clinical study is to analyze clinical manifestations in patients with primary and secondary fibromyalgia. Eighty-three patients with primary FM, 39 patients with FM and osteoarthritis (OA), 23 patients with FM and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 27 patients with SLE, and 36 healthy subjects were included. The present study compared chronic pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety in patients with primary FM, patients with SLE, FM + OA, FM + SLE and healthy subjects. Based on the 2016 criteria for number of chronic widespread pain areas, there is a statistically significant difference of the control group compared to the patients with primary FM (p = 0.001), FM + OA (p = 0.001), FM + SLE (p = 0.001), SLE (p = 0.001). Based on the MFIS fatigue scale, the chronic fatigue is a statistically significant difference of the control group, as compared to patients with primary FM (p = 0.004), FM + OA (p = 0.02), FM + SLE (p = 0.001). Based on the HADS clinical parameter, anxiety and depression are a statistically significant difference of the control group, as compared to patients with primary FM (p = 0.01), FM + OA (p = 0.01), FM + SLE (p = 0.01), and no difference in patients with SLE (p = 0.77). The comparison between the patient groups is important to evaluate the disease activity and the treatment to be recommended.
Drosophila model to clarify the pathological significance of OPA1 in autosomal dominant optic atrophy
Authors: Nitta Yohei , Osaka Jiro , Maki Ryuto , Hakeda-Suzuki Satoko , Suzuki Emiko , Ueki Satoshi , Suzuki Takashi , Sugie Atsushi
Published: July 2024

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is a progressive form of blindness caused by degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, mainly caused by mutations in the OPA1 mitochondrial dynamin
like
GTPase (
OPA1
) gene.
OPA1
encodes a dynamin-like GTPase present in the mitochondrial inner membrane. When associated with OPA1 mutations, DOA can present not only ocular symptoms but also multi-organ symptoms (DOA plus). DOA plus often results from point mutations in the GTPase domain, which are assumed to have dominant negative effects. However, the presence of mutations in the GTPase domain does not always result in DOA plus. Therefore, an experimental system to distinguish between DOA and DOA plus is needed. In this study, we found that loss-of-function mutations of the
dOPA1
gene in
Drosophila
can imitate the pathology of optic nerve degeneration observed in DOA. We successfully rescued this degeneration by expressing the human
OPA1
(
hOPA1
) gene, indicating that
hOPA1
is functionally interchangeable with
dOPA1
in the fly system. However, mutations previously identified did not ameliorate the
dOPA1
deficiency phenotype. By expressing both WT and DOA plus mutant
hOPA1
forms in the optic nerve of
dOPA1
mutants, we observed that DOA plus mutations suppressed the rescue, facilitating the distinction between loss-of-function and dominant negative mutations in
hOPA1
. This fly model aids in distinguishing DOA from DOA plus and guides initial
hOPA1
mutation treatment strategies.
Difficulty in artificial word learning impacts targeted memory reactivation and its underlying neural signatures
Authors: Klaassen Arndt-Lukas , Rasch Björn
Published: July 2024

Sleep associated memory consolidation and reactivation play an important role in language acquisition and learning of new words. However, it is unclear to what extent properties of word learning difficulty impact sleep associated memory reactivation. To address this gap, we investigated in twenty-two young healthy adults the effectiveness of auditory targeted memory reactivation (TMR) during non-rapid eye movement sleep of artificial words with easy and difficult to learn phonotactical properties. Here, we found that TMR of the easy words improved their overnight memory performance, whereas TMR of the difficult words had no effect. By comparing EEG activities after TMR presentations, we found an increase in slow wave density independent of word difficulty, whereas the spindle-band power nested during the slow wave up-states - as an assumed underlying activity of memory reactivation - was significantly higher in the easy/effective compared to the difficult/ineffective condition. Our findings indicate that word learning difficulty by phonotactics impacts the effectiveness of TMR and further emphasize the critical role of prior encoding depth in sleep associated memory reactivation.
Serotonergic amplification of odor-evoked neural responses maps onto flexible behavioral outcomes
Authors: Bessonova Yelyzaveta , Raman Baranidharan
Published: July 2024

Behavioral responses to many odorants are not fixed but are flexible, varying based on organismal needs. How such variations arise and the role of various neuromodulators in achieving flexible neural-to-behavioral mapping is not fully understood. In this study, we examined how serotonin modulates the neural and behavioral responses to odorants in locusts (Schistocerca americana). Our results indicated that serotonin can increase or decrease appetitive behavior in an odor-specific manner. On the other hand, in the antennal lobe, serotonergic modulation enhanced odor-evoked response strength but left the temporal features or the combinatorial response profiles unperturbed. This result suggests that serotonin allows for sensitive and robust recognition of odorants. Nevertheless, the uniform neural response amplification appeared to be at odds with the observed stimulus-specific behavioral modulation. We show that a simple linear model with neural ensembles segregated based on behavioral relevance is sufficient to explain the serotonin-mediated flexible mapping between neural and behavioral responses.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of anti-predator mechanisms of eyespots: conspicuous pattern vs eye mimicry
Authors: Mizuno Ayumi , Lagisz Malgorzata , Pollo Pietro , Yang Yefeng , Soma Masayo , Nakagawa Shinichi
Published: July 2024

Eyespot patterns have evolved in many prey species. These patterns were traditionally explained by the eye mimicry hypothesis, which proposes that eyespots resembling vertebrate eyes function as predator avoidance. However, it is possible that eyespots are not the mimicry of eyes: according to the conspicuousness hypothesis, eyespots are just one form of vivid aposematic signals where only conspicuousness matters. To test these hypotheses and explore factors influencing predators’ responses, we conducted a meta-analysis with 33 empirical papers focusing on bird responses to lepidopterans having conspicuous patterns (eyespots and non-eyespots). Supporting the latter hypothesis, the results showed no clear difference in predator avoidance efficacy between eyespots and non-eyespots. When comparing geometric pattern characteristics, bigger pattern sizes and smaller numbers of patterns were more effective in preventing avian predation. This finding indicates that paired concentric patterns have weaker deterring effects than single ones. Taken together, our study supports the conspicuousness hypothesis more than the eye mimicry hypothesis. Due to the number and species coverage of published studies so far, the generalisability of our conclusion may be limited. The findings highlight that pattern conspicuousness is key to eliciting avian avoidance responses, shedding a different light on this classic example of signal evolution.
Katanin, kinesin-13, and ataxin-2 inhibit premature interaction between maternal and paternal genomes in C. elegans zygotes
Authors: Beath Elizabeth A , Bailey Cynthia , Mahantesh Magadam Meghana , Qiu Shuyan , McNally Karen L , McNally Francis J
Published: July 2024

Fertilization occurs before the completion of oocyte meiosis in the majority of animal species and sperm contents move long distances within the zygotes of mouse and C. elegans. If incorporated into the meiotic spindle, paternal chromosomes could be expelled into a polar body resulting in lethal monosomy. Through live imaging of fertilization in C. elegans, we found that the microtubule disassembling enzymes, katanin and kinesin-13 limit long-range movement of sperm contents and that maternal ataxin-2 maintains paternal DNA and paternal mitochondria as a cohesive unit that moves together. Depletion of katanin or double depletion of kinesin-13 and ataxin-2 resulted in the capture of the sperm contents by the meiotic spindle. Thus limiting movement of sperm contents and maintaining cohesion of sperm contents within the zygote both contribute to preventing premature interaction between maternal and paternal genomes.
A temporally restricted function of the Dopamine receptor Dop1R2 during memory formation
Authors: Kaldun Jenifer C , Fritsch Cornelia , Komarov Nikita , Sprecher Simon G
Published: July 2024

Dopamine is a crucial neuromodulator, which is involved in many brain processes, including learning and the formation of memories. Dopamine acts through multiple receptors and controls an intricate signaling network to regulate different tasks. While the diverse functions of dopamine are intensely studied, the interplay and role of the distinct dopamine receptors to regulate different processes is less well understood. An interesting candidate is the dopamine receptor Dop1R2 (also known as Damb), as it could connect to different downstream pathways. Dop1R2 is reported to be involved in forgetting and memory maintenance, however, the circuits requiring the receptors are unknown. To study Dop1R2 and its role in specific spatial and temporal contexts, we generated a conditional knock-out line using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. Two FRT sites were inserted, allowing flippase-mediated excision of the dopamine receptor in neurons of interest. To study the function of Dop1R2, we knocked it out conditionally in the Mushroom body of
Drosophila melanogaster
, a well-studied brain region for memory formation. We show that Dop1R2 is required for later memory forms but not for short-term memories for both aversive and appetitive memories. Moreover, Dop1R2 is specifically required in the the α/β-lobe and the α’/β’-lobe but not in the γ-lobe of the Mushroom body. Our findings show a spatially and temporally restricted role of Dop1R2 in the process of memory formation highlighting the differential requirement of receptors during distinct phases of learning.
Untangling stability and gain modulation in cortical circuits with multiple interneuron classes
Authors: Bos Hannah , Miehl Christoph , Oswald Anne-Marie , Doiron Brent
Published: July 2024

Synaptic inhibition is the mechanistic backbone of a suite of cortical functions, not the least of which are maintaining network stability and modulating neuronal gain. In cortical models with a single inhibitory neuron class, network stabilization and gain control work in opposition to one another – meaning high gain coincides with low stability and vice versa. It is now clear that cortical inhibition is diverse, with molecularly distinguished cell classes having distinct positions within the cortical circuit. We analyze circuit models with pyramidal neurons (E) as well as parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SOM) expressing interneurons. We show how in E – PV – SOM recurrently connected networks an SOM-mediated modulation can lead to simultaneous increases in neuronal gain and network stability. Our work exposes how the impact of a modulation mediated by SOM neurons depends critically on circuit connectivity and the network state.
Niveles de zinc circulante y variables relacionadas con el riesgo cardiometabólico en adultos
Authors: Suárez-Ortegón Milton Fabián , Arbeláez Alejandra , Ortega-Ávila José Guillermo , Mosquera Mildrey
Published: July 2024

Introducción. Se han observado niveles séricos alterados de zinc, más altos o más bajos, en personas afectadas por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Sin embargo, la información sobre determinantes de zinc sérico en poblaciones sin enfermedad crónica es muy limitada.Objetivo. Evaluar si la ingestión de nutrientes, las medidas bioquímicas y clínicas, el estilo de vida y los antecedentes familiares de las enfermedades cardiometabólicas están asociados de forma independiente con los niveles de zinc en individuos aparentemente sanos.Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron 239 sujetos sanos. El zinc sérico se midió por espectrometría de absorción atómica de llama y el resto de los marcadores bioquímicos por métodos enzimáticos-colorimétricos. Se utilizaron técnicas estándar para medir la antropometría. Se aplicó una encuesta para registrar antecedentes personales y familiares, y se estimó el consumo de nutrientes por recordatorio de 24 horas.Resultados. Las mujeres tenían niveles séricos de zinc más bajos que los hombres. En los análisis multivariados, la ingestión total de grasas (β = -0,15; error estándar = 0,03; p <0,001), los triglicéridos plasmáticos (β = -10,18; error estándar = 3,9; p = 0,010), y el sexo femenino (β = -6,81; error estándar = 3.3; p = 0,043) fueron predictores significativos de los niveles séricos de zinc. La ingestión de zinc no estuvo significativamente relacionada con el zinc sérico en los análisis univariados y multivariados.Conclusiones. Las variables relacionadas con el riesgo cardiometabólico como los niveles de triglicéridos y la ingestión total de grasas se asociaron con los niveles de zinc en individuos sin diagnóstico de enfermedades crónicas o infecciosas-inflamatorias. Se requieren más estudios para confirmar estos hallazgos, así como la evaluación de los posibles mecanismos biológicos de estas relaciones.
Aducanumab: una mirada dos años después de su aprobación
Authors: Torres Astrid , Camargo Loida , López Norman
Published: July 2024

La enfermedad de Alzheimer es la principal causa de demencia en todo el mundo y representa un importante problema de salud pública. Si bien las muertes por enfermedades cardiovasculares han disminuido, las atribuidas a la enfermedad de Alzheimer han aumentado en los últimos años y hasta la fecha no existe tratamiento curativo. Por este motivo, el desarrollo de un tratamiento eficaz se ha convertido en una prioridad mundial. Aducanumab es un anticuerpo monoclonal anti-amiloide β humano aprobado para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer en junio de 2021 por la FDA, sin la eficacia clínica esperada en los ensayos de fase III. Esta revisión analiza la historia de su controvertida aceptación, implicaciones y perspectivas para el tratamiento futuro.
Comparison of Hybribio-H13 and Hybrid Capture® 2 human papillomavirus tests for detection of CIN2+ and CIN3+
Authors: Agudelo María Cecilia , Torres-González Edmundo , Agudelo Samuel , Ramírez Arianis Tatiana , Castañeda Kelly Melisa , Kinslow Connor J. , Rodríguez-Herrera María , Garland Lisa , Xie Yi , Orozco Carlos Alberto , Stoler Mark , Dean Michael , Sánchez Gloria Inés
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Low-cost, accurate high-risk HPV tests are needed for cervical cancer screening in limited-resource settings.Objective. To compare the performance of the low-cost Hybribio-H13 test with the Hybrid Capture® 2 to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2 and CIN3).Materials and methods. Archived baseline samples tested by the Hybrid Capture® 2 from women of the ASCUS-COL trial, aged 20 to 69 years, with biopsy-colposcopy directed diagnosis of CIN2+ (n = 143), CIN3+ (n = 51), and < CIN2 (n = 632) were blindly tested by the Hybribio-H13 test.Results. The relative sensitivity of the Hybribio-H13 test versus the Hybrid Capture® 2 for detecting CIN2+ was 0.89 (90% CI = 0,80-0,98; NIT = 0,66), and for CIN3+ was 0,92 (90% CI = 0,85-0,98; NIT = 0,35). Relative specificity was 1.19 (90% CI = 1.05-1.33; NIT <0.00001). In the analysis restricted to women older than 30 years, the relative sensitivity of the Hybribio-H13 for CIN3+ was marginally below unity (ratio = 0.97; 90% CI = 0.95-0.99), and the specificity remained higher than the Hybrid Capture® 2 test.Conclusion. The Hybribio-H13 test was as specific as the Hybrid Capture® 2 for detecting CIN2+ or CIN3+ but less sensitive. Considering these results and the young age of the population recruited for screening because of ASCUS cytology, we suggest our results warrant the evaluation of the Hybribio-H13 for screening cervical cancer, especially in the evaluated population.
Cardiac disease discrimination from 3D-convolutional kinematic patterns on cine-MRI sequences
Authors: Moreno Tarazona Alejandra , Bautista Lola Xiomara , Martínez Fabio
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Cine-MRI (cine-magnetic resonance imaging) sequences are a key diagnostic tool to visualize anatomical information, allowing experts to localize and determine suspicious pathologies. Nonetheless, such analysis remains subjective and prone to diagnosis errors.Objective. To develop a binary and multi-class classification considering various cardiac conditions using a spatiotemporal model that highlights kinematic movements to characterize each disease.Materials and methods. This research focuses on a 3D convolutional representation to characterize cardiac kinematic patterns during the cardiac cycle, which may be associated with pathologies. The kinematic maps are obtained from the apparent velocity maps computed from a dense optical flow strategy. Then, a 3D convolutional scheme learns to differentiate pathologies from kinematic maps.Results. The proposed strategy was validated with respect to the capability to discriminate among myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, abnormal right ventricle, and normal cardiac sequences. The proposed method achieves an average accuracy of 78.00% and a F1 score of 75.55%. Likewise, the approach achieved 92.31% accuracy for binary classification between pathologies and control cases.Conclusion. The proposed method can support the identification of kinematically abnormal patterns associated with a pathological condition. The resultant descriptor, learned from the 3D convolutional net, preserves detailed spatiotemporal correlations and could emerge as possible digital biomarkers of cardiac diseases.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Zinc Sulphate on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Jha Priya , Fatmi Urfi , Deepanshu
Published: July 2024

An experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, during February-May, 2023 on cucumber. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with twenty treatment combinations and was replicated thrice. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor H: Hybrids (TMCU-1107, TMCU-1125, TMCU-3112 and Saira-934) and Factor T: Different concentrations of GA₃+ZnSO₄ (T0 - Control (water spray), T1 -GA₃ @100ppm+ZnSO₄ @0.25%, T2 - GA₃ @200ppm+ ZnSO₄ @0.50%, T3 - GA₃ @300ppm+ ZnSO₄ @0.75% and T4 - GA₃ @400ppm+ZnSO₄ @1%). TMCU-1125 recorded significantly higher yield attributes of cucumber over other hybrids in parameters like vine length at 80 DAS (102.6 cm), days to 50% flowering (40), days to 1st harvest (46), number of fruits per plant (11), fruit length (18.4 cm), average fruit weight (237.5 g), average fruit yield per plant (2.6 kg) and ascorbic acid content (0.8 mg/100g). Among different treatments, GA₃ @300ppm+ ZnSO₄ @0.75% resulted in significantly longer vine at 80 DAS (98.4 cm), Days to 50% flowering (43), days to 1st harvest (50), number of fruits per plant (9), fruit length (16.6 cm), average fruit weight (232.0 g), average fruit yield per plant (2.0 kg) and ascorbic acid content (0.5 mg/100g). The interaction effect of T8 (TMCU-1125 + GA₃ @300ppm+ ZnSO₄ @0.75% is best suited for getting higher growth, yield, quality of cucumber.
Three‐dimensional seismic velocity structure of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes in Hawaii from local seismic tomography
Authors: Lin Guoqing , Shearer Peter M. , Matoza Robin S. , Okubo Paul G. , Amelung Falk
Published: May 2014

We present a new three‐dimensional seismic velocity model of the crustal and upper mantle structure for Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes in Hawaii. Our model is derived from the first‐arrival times of the compressional and shear waves from about 53,000 events on and near the Island of Hawaii between 1992 and 2009 recorded by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory stations. The Vp model generally agrees with previous studies, showing high‐velocity anomalies near the calderas and rift zones and low‐velocity anomalies in the fault systems. The most significant difference from previous models is in Vp/Vs structure. The high‐Vp and high‐Vp/Vs anomalies below Mauna Loa caldera are interpreted as mafic magmatic cumulates. The observed low‐Vp and high‐Vp/Vs bodies in the Kaoiki seismic zone between 5 and 15 km depth are attributed to the underlying volcaniclastic sediments. The high‐Vp and moderate‐ to low‐Vp/Vs anomalies beneath Kilauea caldera can be explained by a combination of different mafic compositions, likely to be olivine‐rich gabbro and dunite. The systematically low‐Vp and low‐Vp/Vs bodies in the southeast flank of Kilauea may be caused by the presence of volatiles. Another difference between this study and previous ones is the improved Vp model resolution in deeper layers, owing to the inclusion of events with large epicentral distances. The new velocity model is used to relocate the seismicity of Mauna Loa and Kilauea for improved absolute locations and ultimately to develop a high‐precision earthquake catalog using waveform cross‐correlation data.
Anthropogenic heating of the urban environment due to air conditioning
Authors: Salamanca F. , Georgescu M. , Mahalov A. , Moustaoui M. , Wang M.
Published: May 2014

This article investigates the effect of air conditioning (AC) systems on air temperature and examines their electricity consumption for a semiarid urban environment. We simulate a 10 day extreme heat period over the Phoenix metropolitan area (U.S.) with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled to a multilayer building energy scheme. The performance of the modeling system is evaluated against 10 Arizona Meteorological Network weather stations and one weather station maintained by the National Weather Service for air temperature, wind speed, and wind direction. We show that explicit representation of waste heat from air conditioning systems improved the 2 m air temperature correspondence to observations. Waste heat release from AC systems was maximum during the day, but the mean effect was negligible near the surface. However, during the night, heat emitted from AC systems increased the mean 2 m air temperature by more than 1°C for some urban locations. The AC systems modified the thermal stratification of the urban boundary layer, promoting vertical mixing during nighttime hours. The anthropogenic processes examined here (i.e., explicit representation of urban energy consumption processes due to AC systems) require incorporation in future meteorological and climate investigations to improve weather and climate predictability. Our results demonstrate that releasing waste heat into the ambient environment exacerbates the nocturnal urban heat island and increases cooling demands.
Constraints for the photolysis rate and the equilibrium constant of ClO‐dimer from airborne and balloon‐borne measurements of chlorine compounds
Authors: Kleinböhl Armin , Khosravi Maryam , Urban Joachim , Canty Timothy , Salawitch Ross J. , Toon Geoffrey C. , Küllmann Harry , Notholt Justus
Published: May 2014

We analyze measurements of ClO across the terminator taken by the Airborne Submillimeter Radiometer (ASUR) in the activated vortices of the Arctic winters of 1995/1996, 1996/1997, and 1999/2000 to evaluate the plausibility of various determinations of the ClO‐dimer photolysis cross section and the rate constant controlling the thermal equilibrium between ClO‐dimer and ClO. We use measured ClO during sunlit conditions to estimate total active chlorine (ClOx). As the measurements suggest nearly full chlorine activation in winter 1999/2000, we compare ClOx estimates based on various photolysis frequencies of ClO‐dimer with total available inorganic chlorine (Cly), estimated from an N2O‐Cly correlation established by a balloon‐borne MkIV interferometer measurement. Only ClO‐dimer cross sections leading to the fastest photolysis frequencies in the literature (including the latest evaluation by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory) give ClOx mixing ratios that overlap with the estimated range of available Cly. Slower photolysis rates lead to ClOx values that are higher than available Cly. We use the ClOx calculated from sunlit ClO measurements to estimate ClO in darkness based on different equilibrium constants, and compare it with ASUR ClO measurements before sunrise at high solar zenith angles. Calculations with equilibrium constants published in recent evaluations of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory give good agreement with observed ClO mixing ratios. Equilibrium constants leading to a higher ClO/ClOx ratio in darkness yield ClO values that tend to exceed observed abundances. Perturbing the rates for the ClO + BrO reaction in a manner that increases OClO formation and decreases BrCl formation leads to lower ClO values calculated for twilight conditions after sunset, resulting in better agreement with ASUR measurements.
A two‐scale model for sheared fault gouge: Competition between macroscopic disorder and local viscoplasticity
Authors: Elbanna A. E. , Carlson J. M.
Published: May 2014

We develop a model for sheared gouge layers that accounts for the local increase in temperature at the grain contacts during sliding. We use the shear transformation zone theory, a statistical thermodynamic theory, to describe irreversible macroscopic plastic deformations due to local rearrangements of the gouge particles. We track the temperature evolution at the grain contacts using a one‐dimensional heat diffusion equation. At low temperatures, the strength of the asperities is limited by the flow strength, as predicted by dislocation creep models. At high temperatures, some of the constituents of the grains may melt leading to the degradation of the asperity strength. Our model predicts a logarithmic rate dependence of the steady state shear stress in the quasistatic regime. In the dense flow regime the frictional strength decreases rapidly with increasing slip rate due to thermal softening at the granular interfaces. The transient response following a step in strain rate includes a direct effect and a following evolution effect, both of which depend on the magnitude and direction of the velocity step. In addition to frictional heat, the energy budget includes an additional energy sink representing the fraction of external work consumed in increasing local disorder. The model links low‐speed and high‐speed frictional response of gouge layers and provides an essential ingredient for multiscale modeling of earthquake ruptures with enhanced coseismic weakening.
Room‐Temperature Printing of Organic Thin‐Film Transistors with π‐Junction Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Minari Takeo , Kanehara Yuki , Liu Chuan , Sakamoto Kenji , Yasuda Takeshi , Yaguchi Asuka , Tsukada Shigemi , Kashizaki Kei , Kanehara Masayuki
Published: May 2014

Printing semiconductor devices under ambient atmospheric conditions is a promising method for the large‐area, low‐cost fabrication of flexible electronic products. However, processes conducted at temperatures greater than 150 °C are typically used for printed electronics, which prevents the use of common flexible substrates because of the distortion caused by heat. The present report describes a method for the room‐temperature printing of electronics, which allows thin‐film electronic devices to be printed at room temperature without the application of heat. The development of π‐junction gold nanoparticles as the electrode material permits the room‐temperature deposition of a conductive metal layer. Room‐temperature patterning methods are also developed for the Au ink electrodes and an active organic semiconductor layer, which enables the fabrication of organic thin‐film transistors through room‐temperature printing. The transistor devices printed at room temperature exhibit average field‐effect mobilities of 7.9 and 2.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 on plastic and paper substrates, respectively. These results suggest that this fabrication method is very promising as a core technology for low‐cost and high‐performance printed electronics.
Intragenic rearrangements in X‐linked intellectual deficiency: Results of a‐CGH in a series of 54 patients and identification of TRPC5 and KLHL15 as potential XLID genes
Authors: Mignon‐Ravix Cécile , Cacciagli Pierre , Choucair Nancy , Popovici Cornel , Missirian Chantal , Milh Mathieu , Mégarbané André , Busa Tiffany , Julia Sophie , Girard Nadine , Badens Catherine , Sigaudy Sabine , Philip Nicole , Villard Laurent
Published: May 2014

High‐resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (a‐CGH) enables the detection of intragenic rearrangements, such as single exon deletion or duplication. This approach can lead to the identification of new disease genes. We report on the analysis of 54 male patients presenting with intellectual deficiency (ID) and a family history suggesting X‐linked (XL) inheritance or maternal skewed X‐chromosome inactivation (XCI), using a home‐made X‐chromosome‐specific microarray covering the whole human X‐chromosome at high resolution. The majority of patients had whole genome array‐CGH prior to the selection and we did not include large rearrangements such as MECP2 and FMR1 duplications. We identified four rearrangements considered as causative or potentially pathogenic, corresponding to a detection rate of 8%. Two CNVs affected known XLID genes and were therefore considered as causative (IL1RAPL1 and OPHN1 intragenic deletions). Two new CNVs were considered as potentially pathogenic as they affected interesting candidates for ID. The first CNV is a deletion of the first exon of the TRPC5 gene, encoding a cation channel implicated in dendrite growth and patterning, in a child presenting with ID and an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The second CNV is a partial deletion of KLHL15, in a patient with severe ID, epilepsy, and anomalies of cortical development. In both cases, in spite of strong arguments for clinical relevance, we were not able at this stage to confirm pathogenicity of the mutations, and the causality of the variants identified in XLID remains to be confirmed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic association of the tachykinin receptor 1 TACR1 gene in bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the alcohol dependence syndrome
Authors: Sharp Sally I. , McQuillin Andrew , Marks Michael , Hunt Stephen P. , Stanford S. Clare , Lydall Greg J. , Morgan Marsha Y. , Asherson Philip , Curtis David , Gurling Hugh M. D.
Published: May 2014

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the tachykinin receptor 1 gene (TACR1) are nominally associated with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in a genome‐wide association study and in several case‐control samples of BPAD, alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eighteen TACR1 SNPs were associated with BPAD in a sample (506 subjects) from University College London (UCL1), the most significant being rs3771829, previously associated with ADHD. To further elucidate the role of TACR1 in affective disorders, rs3771829 was genotyped in a second BPAD sample of 593 subjects (UCL2), in 997 subjects with ADS, and a subsample of 143 individuals diagnosed with BPAD and comorbid alcohol dependence (BPALC). rs3771829 was associated with BPAD (UCL1 and UCL2 combined: P = 2.0 × 10−3), ADS (P = 2.0 × 10−3) and BPALC (P = 6.0 × 10−4) compared with controls screened for the absence of mental illness and alcohol dependence. DNA sequencing in selected cases of BPAD and ADHD who had inherited TACR1‐susceptibility haplotypes identified 19 SNPs in the promoter region, 5′ UTR, exons, intron/exon junctions and 3′ UTR of TACR1 that could increase vulnerability to BPAD, ADS, ADHD, and BPALC. Alternative splicing of TACR1 excludes intron 4 and exon 5, giving rise to two variants of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) that differ in binding affinity of substance P by 10‐fold. A mutation in intron four, rs1106854, was associated with BPAD, although a regulatory role for rs1106854 is unclear. The association with TACR1 and BPAD, ADS, and ADHD suggests a shared molecular pathophysiology between these affective disorders. © 2014 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals.
Scleractinian coral communities of the inner Seychelles 10 years after the 1998 mortality event
Authors: Harris Alasdair , Wilson Shaun , Graham Nicholas , Sheppard Charles
Published: May 2014

The size structure and taxonomic composition of coral communities in the inner (Granitic) Seychelles were studied 10 years after a thermal stress‐induced mass mortality event.

A survey of the abundance, population size structure and community composition of hard corals across 21 sites from three different geomorphological reef types on the Seychelles Bank provided high resolution data for discriminating coral communities based on diversity, taxonomic composition, colony abundance, surface area and size frequency distributions.

Results emphasize the severely impoverished and depauperate nature of inner Seychelles hard coral communities, which had lower generic diversity (40 genera recorded), and lower abundance (3.3 colonies m−2) of hard corals (excluding juveniles) than other coral reef regions of the Indian Ocean for which comparable data are currently available.

Analysis of coral communities indicated that management had no appreciable effect on juvenile or adult coral abundance at this point in time, and that low juvenile density (9.9 colonies m−2) may severely limit recovery of many individual reefs in the inner Seychelles.

While some sites were found to have appreciable coral cover (>20%), others, including long‐standing protected areas with no fishing, are now in an advanced state of erosion and framework collapse with very low juvenile coral replenishment and negligible available hard substratum suitable for coral settlement.

Some of these reefs may have passed the threshold of viable recovery, now being in a self‐reinforcing, non‐coral dominated erosional phase.

These findings indicate variable coral community condition, with many sites showing little sign of recovery. If persistence of live hard coral is a management goal, the existing protected areas within the Seychelles Bank may require review to ensure protection of sites with high recovery potential, while a suite of other management tools should be implemented in the remaining areas.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The zen of multidisciplinary team recommendation
Authors: Datta Anwitaman , Yong Jackson Tan Teck , Braghin Stefano
Published: May 2014

It is often necessary to compose a team consisting of experts with diverse competencies to accomplish complex tasks. However, for its proper functioning, it is also preferable that a team be socially cohesive. A team recommendation system, which facilitates the search for potential team members, can be of great help both for (a) individuals who need to seek out collaborators and for (b) managers who need to build a team for some specific tasks. Such a decision support system that readily helps summarize multiple metrics indicating a team (and its members) quality, and possibly rank the teams in a personalized manner according to the end users' preferences, thus serves as a tool to cope with what would otherwise be an information avalanche. In this work, we present Social Web Application for Team Recommendation, a general‐purpose framework to compose various information retrieval and social graph mining and visualization subsystems together to build a composite team recommendation system, and instantiate it for a case study of academic teams.
Linear {NiII–LnIII–NiII} Complexes Containing Twisted Planar Ni(μ‐phenolate)2Ln Fragments: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetothermal Properties
Authors: Das Sourav , Dey Atanu , Kundu Subrata , Biswas Sourav , Mota A. J. , Colacio Enrique , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli
Published: May 2014

Sequential reaction of a multisite LH4 ligand {2‐[2‐hydroxy‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐methylbenzylideneamino]‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol} with appropriate lanthanide salts followed by the addition of Ni(NO3)2⋅6 H2O in a 4:1:2 stoichiometric ratio in the presence of triethylamine afforded four heterobimetallic trinuclear complexes [Ni2Gd(LH3)4]⋅3 NO3⋅3 MeOH⋅H2O ⋅CH3CN (1), [Ni2Tb(LH3)4]⋅3 NO3 ⋅3 MeOH⋅CH3CN (2), [Ni2Dy(LH3)4] ⋅3 NO3⋅3 MeOH⋅H2O⋅CH3CN (3), and [Ni2Ho(LH3)4]⋅3 NO3⋅3 MeOH⋅H2O ⋅CH3CN (4). Complexes 1–4 possess linear trimetallic cores with a central lanthanide ion. Magnetic studies revealed a predominant ferromagnetic interaction between the Ni and Ln centers. Alternating current susceptibility measurements of complex 3 showed a small frequency dependence of the out‐of‐phase signal, χ′′M, under zero direct current field, but without achieving a net maximum above 2 K. Magnetic studies on 1 revealed that it has a significant magnetocaloric effect.
Self‐Assembly of Five 8‐Hydroxyquinolinate‐Based Complexes: Tunable Core, Supramolecular Structure, and Photoluminescence Properties
Authors: Yuan Guozan , Shan Weilong , Qiao Xuelong , Ma Li , Huo Yanping
Published: May 2014

Five new ZnII complexes, namely [Zn3(L)6] (1), [Zn2(Cl)2(L)2(py)2] (2), [Zn2(Br)2(L)2(py)2] (3), [Zn(L)2(py)] (4), and [Zn2(OAc)2(L)2(py)2] (5), were prepared by the solvothermal reaction of ZnX2 (X−=Cl−, Br−, F−, and OAc−) salts with a 8‐hydroxyquinolinate ligand (HL) that contained a trifluorophenyl group. All of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The building blocks exhibited unprecedented structural diversification and their self‐assembly afforded one mononuclear, three binuclear, and one trinuclear ZnII structures in response to different anions and solvent systems. Complexes 1–5 featured four types of supramolecular network controlled by non‐covalent interactions, such as π⋅⋅⋅π‐stacking, CH⋅⋅⋅π, hydrogen‐bonding, and halogen‐related interactions. Investigation of their photoluminescence properties exhibited disparate emission wavelengths, lifetimes, and quantum yields in the solid state.
Leaders and Laggards in Environmental Innovation: An Empirical Analysis of SMEs in Europe
Authors: Triguero Angela , Moreno‐Mondéjar Lourdes , Davia María A.
Published: May 2014

The main purpose of this article is studying the factors influencing eco‐innovative intensity in the European SMEs. Building upon the 'innovation triangle model', business competences, environmental orientation and network involvement are considered as the main determinants of 'greenness' of innovation in a sample of 3852 SMEs. Four categories of eco‐innovators (leaders, followers, loungers and laggards) are identified, and their profiles/driving factors are described using a generalized ordinal logistic model. Our results confirm that the increasing demand for green products and the adoption of eco‐organizational innovation affect positively the level of environmental innovation, while technological lock‐ins have the opposite effect across all categories. Neither leaders nor laggards are influenced by environmental policies. Small firms and those who give importance to financial constraints tend not to achieve upper categories, while valuing technological capabilities, market power and networks are crucial determinants of being in upper categories of eco‐innovation intensity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Household pre‐purchase practices and online grocery shopping
Authors: De Kervenoael Ronan , Hallsworth Alan , Elms Jonathan
Published: May 2014

This paper explores household pre‐purchase practices and their mediation by information and communications technologies (ICTs), specifically online grocery shopping. Drawing on practice theory, the impacts of ICTs on household grocery shopping behavior are conceptualized, and the concept of “front‐loading” is introduced. Emerging themes generated from 31 semi‐structured interviews conducted via Skype with Turkish consumers focusing on their experiences of online grocery practices are presented. To this end, the contribution of this paper is twofold. First, an understanding of the domestication of online grocery shopping and its affect on the dynamics of household decision making, information sharing, and responsibilities of tasks before the actual act of online shopping is developed. Second, how such pre‐purchase practices undertaken by consumers act as a catalyst of change at the industry level is appraised. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Key Residues in Octyl‐Tridecaptin A1 Analogues Linked to Stable Secondary Structures in the Membrane
Authors: Cochrane Stephen A. , Findlay Brandon , Vederas John C. , Ratemi Elaref S.
Published: May 2014

Tridecaptin A1 is a linear antimicrobial lipopeptide comprised of 13 amino acids, including three diaminobutyric acid (Dab) residues. It displays potent activity against Gram‐negative bacteria, including multidrug‐resistant strains. Using solid‐phase peptide synthesis, we performed an alanine scan of a fully active analogue, octyl‐tridecaptin A1, to determine key residues responsible for activity. The synthetic analogues were tested against ten organisms, both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Modification of D‐Dab8 abolished activity, and marked decreases were observed with substitution of D‐allo‐Ile12 and D‐Trp5. Circular dichroism showed that octyl‐tridecaptin A1 adopts a secondary structure in the presence of model phospholipid membranes, which was weakened by D‐Dab8‐D‐Ala, D‐allo‐Ile12‐D‐Ala, and D‐Trp5‐D‐Ala substitutions. The antimicrobial activity of the analogues is directly correlated to their ability to adopt a stable secondary structure in a membrane environment.
A Simple and Direct Method for the Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Unactivated Allylarenes with Classic Arenes
Authors: Jin Weiwei , Wong Wing‐Tak , Law Ga‐Lai
Published: May 2014

An efficient route to engineer vinylarene structures by the PdII‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of unactivated allylarenes with classic arenes was developed. The methodology features the use of unactivated allylarenes with no prefunctionalization and classic arenes without installed directing groups. A variety of vinylarenes and their saturated derivatives were obtained.
A kernel‐based approach for fault diagnosis in batch processes
Authors: Vitale R. , de Noord O. E. , Ferrer A.
Published: May 2014

This article explores the potential of kernel‐based techniques for discriminating on‐specification and off‐specification batch runs, combining kernel‐partial least squares discriminant analysis and three common approaches to analyze batch data by means of bilinear models: landmark features extraction, batchwise unfolding, and variablewise unfolding. Gower's idea of pseudo‐sample projection is exploited to recover the contribution of the initial variables to the final model and visualize those having the highest discriminant power. The results show that the proposed approach provides an efficient fault discrimination and enables a correct identification of the discriminant variables in the considered case studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidizing Elemental Platinum with Oleum under Harsh Conditions: The Unique Tris(disulfato)platinate(IV) [Pt(S2O7)3]2− Anion
Authors: Bruns Jörn , Klüner Thorsten , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: May 2014

For the first time, direct oxidation of elemental platinum by a mineral acid to its tetravalent state was observed in course of the reaction of platinum with oleum (65 % SO3) in the presence of barium carbonate. The reaction has been carried out in torch‐sealed glass ampoules at 160 °C and gave yellow single crystals of Ba[Pt(S2O7)3](H2SO4)0.5(H2S2O7)0.5 (triclinic, P$\bar 1$, Z=2, a=992.05(2), b=1069.07(3), c=1114.22(3) pm, α=69.49(7), β=72.96(2), γ=72.93(1)°, V=1033.95(5) Å3). The structure of Ba[Pt(S2O7)3](H2SO4)0.5(H2S2O7)0.5 exhibits the unique tris‐(disulfato)‐platinate anion [Pt(S2O7)3]2− with three chelating disulfate groups coordinated to the platinum atom. Charge balance is achieved by the Ba2+ ions, which are coordinated by (S2O7)2− groups from the platinate complex and by disordered sulfuric acids and disulfuric acid molecules. Thermal decomposition of the bulk material revealed elemental platinum and barium sulfate as decomposition residual.
Organic/Hybrid Nanoparticles and Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Preparation Methods and Chiral Applications
Authors: Alhassen Haysem , Antony Vijy , Ghanem Ashraf , Yajadda Mir Massoud Aghili , Han Zhao Jun , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken)
Published: May 2014

Nanoparticles are molecular‐sized solids with at least one dimension measuring between 1–100 nm or 10–1000 nm depending on the individual discipline's perspective. They are aggregates of anywhere from a few hundreds to tens of thousands of atoms which render them larger than molecules but smaller than bulk solids. Consequently, they frequently exhibit physical and chemical properties somewhere between. On the other hand, nanocrystals are a special class of nanoparticles which have started gaining attention recently owing to their unique crystalline structures which provide a larger surface area and promising applications including chiral separations. Hybrid nanoparticles are supported by the growing interest of chemists, physicists, and biologists, who are researching to fully exploit them. These materials can be defined as molecular or nano‐composites with mixed (organic or bio) and inorganic components, where at least one of the component domain has a dimension ranging from a few Å to several nanometers. Similarly, and due to their extraordinary physical, chemical, and electrical properties, single‐walled carbon nanotubes have been the subject of intense research. In this short review, the focus is mainly on the current well‐established simple preparation techniques of chiral organic and hybrid nanoparticles as well as single‐walled carbon nanotubes and their applications in separation science. Of particular interest, cinchonidine, chitosan, and β‐CD‐modified gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are discussed as model examples for organic and hybrid nanoparticles. Likewise, the chemical vapor deposition method, used in the preparation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes, is discussed. The enantioseparation applications of these model nanomaterials is also presented. Chirality 26:683–691, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atomic Force Microscopy as a Tool to Explore Triboelectrostatic Phenomena in Mineral Processing
Authors: Mirkowska Monika , Kratzer Markus , Teichert Christian , Flachberger Helmut
Published: May 2014

Electrification of insulators has been applied for years in the triboelectrostatic separation of minerals. However, the knowledge of the charge exchange during particle contact is still limited. Here, the electric charging of calcite single crystals upon contact with atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes was studied through different contact types. A combination of contact‐mode AFM and Kelvin probe force microscopy was employed to verify the local surface potentials before and after charging, and focused on the influence of contact time, load force, and applied bias on the charge transfer.