bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Operator ideals and assembly maps in 𝐾-theory
Authors: Cortiñas Guillermo , Tartaglia Gisela
Published: December 2013

Let

B

\mathcal {B}

be the ring of bounded operators in a complex, separable Hilbert space. For

p
>
0

p>0

consider the Schatten ideal

L

p

\mathcal {L}^p

consisting of those operators whose sequence of singular values is

p
p

-summable; put

S

=

⋃
p

L

p

\mathcal {S}=\bigcup _p\mathcal {L}^p

. Let

G
G

be a group and

V

c
y
c

\mathcal {V}cyc

the family of virtually cyclic subgroups. Guoliang Yu proved that the

K
K

-theory assembly map
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper H Subscript asterisk Superscript upper G Baseline left-parenthesis script upper E left-parenthesis upper G comma script upper V c y c right-parenthesis comma upper K left-parenthesis script upper S right-parenthesis right-parenthesis right-arrow upper K Subscript asterisk Baseline left-parenthesis script upper S left-bracket upper G right-bracket right-parenthesis">

H
∗
G

(

E

(
G
,

V

c
y
c
)
,
K
(

S

)
)
→

K
∗

(

S

[
G
]
)

H_*^G(\mathcal {E}(G,\mathcal {V}cyc),K(\mathcal {S}))\to K_*(\mathcal {S}[G])

\]
is rationally injective. His proof involves the construction of a certain Chern character tailored to work with coefficients

S

\mathcal {S}

and the use of some results about algebraic

K
K

-theory of operator ideals and about controlled topology and coarse geometry. In this paper we give a different proof of Yu’s result. Our proof uses the usual Chern character to cyclic homology. Like Yu’s, it relies on results on algebraic

K
K

-theory of operator ideals, but no controlled topology or coarse geometry techniques are used. We formulate the result in terms of homotopy

K
K

-theory. We prove that the rational assembly map
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper H Subscript asterisk Superscript upper G Baseline left-parenthesis script upper E left-parenthesis upper G comma script upper F i n right-parenthesis comma upper K upper H left-parenthesis script upper L Superscript p Baseline right-parenthesis right-parenthesis circled-times double-struck upper Q right-arrow upper K upper H Subscript asterisk Baseline left-parenthesis script upper L Superscript p Baseline left-bracket upper G right-bracket right-parenthesis circled-times double-struck upper Q">

H
∗
G

(

E

(
G
,

F

i
n
)
,
K
H
(

L

p

)
)
⊗

Q

→
K

H
∗

(

L

p

[
G
]
)
⊗

Q

H_*^G(\mathcal {E}(G,\mathcal {F}in),KH(\mathcal {L}^p))\otimes \mathbb {Q}\to KH_*(\mathcal {L} ^p[G])\otimes \mathbb {Q}

\]
is injective. We show that the latter map is equivalent to the assembly map considered by Yu, and thus obtain his result as a corollary.
A novel human aquaporin-4 splice variant exhibits a dominant-negative activity: a new mechanism to regulate water permeability
Authors: De Bellis Manuela , Pisani Francesco , Mola Maria Grazia , Basco Davide , Catalano Francesco , Nicchia Grazia Paola , Svelto Maria , Frigeri Antonio
Published: December 2013

Two major isoforms of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) have been described in human tissue. Here we report the identification and functional analysis of an alternatively spliced transcript of human AQP4, AQP4-Δ4, that lacks exon 4. In transfected cells AQP4-Δ4 is mainly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and shows no water transport properties. When AQP4-Δ4 is transfected into cells stably expressing functional AQP4, the surface expression of the full-length protein is reduced. Furthermore, the water transport activity of the cotransfectants is diminished in comparison to transfectants expressing only AQP4. The observed down-regulation of both the expression and water channel activity of AQP4 is likely to originate from a dominant-negative effect caused by heterodimerization between AQP4 and AQP4-Δ4, which was detected in coimmunoprecipitation studies. In skeletal muscles, AQP4-Δ4 mRNA expression inversely correlates with the level of AQP4 protein and is physiologically associated with different types of skeletal muscles. The expression of AQP4-Δ4 may represent a new regulatory mechanism through which the cell-surface expression and therefore the activity of AQP4 can be physiologically modulated.
Mutations that disrupt Ca2+-binding activity endow Doc2β with novel functional properties during synaptic transmission
Authors: Gaffaney Jon D. , Xue Renhao , Chapman Edwin R.
Published: December 2013

Double C2-domain protein (Doc2) is a Ca2+-binding protein implicated in asynchronous and spontaneous neurotransmitter release. Here we demonstrate that each of its C2 domains senses Ca2+; moreover, the tethered tandem C2 domains display properties distinct from the isolated domains. We confirm that overexpression of a mutant form of Doc2β, in which two acidic Ca2+ligands in the C2A domain and two in the C2B domain have been neutralized, results in markedly enhanced asynchronous release in synaptotagmin 1–knockout neurons. Unlike wild-type (wt) Doc2β, which translocates to the plasma membrane in response to increases in [Ca2+]i, the quadruple Ca2+-ligand mutant does not bind Ca2+but is constitutively associated with the plasma membrane; this effect is due to substitution of Ca2+ligands in the C2A domain. When overexpressed in wt neurons, Doc2β affects only asynchronous release; in contrast, Doc2β Ca2+-ligand mutants that constitutively localize to the plasma membrane enhance both the fast and slow components of synaptic transmission by increasing the readily releasable vesicle pool size; these mutants also increase the frequency of spontaneous release events. Thus, mutations in the C2A domain of Doc2β that were intended to disrupt Ca2+binding result in an anomalous enhancement of constitutive membrane-binding activity and endow Doc2β with novel functional properties.
Agricultural Rodent Control Using Barn Owls: Is It Profitable?
Authors: Kan Iddo , Motro Yoav , Horvitz Nir , Kimhi Ayal , Leshem Yossi , Yom-Tov Yoram , Nathan Ran
Published: December 2013

We develop a model to evaluate the profitability of controlling rodent damage by placing barn owl nesting boxes in agricultural areas. The model incorporates the spatial patterns of barn owl predation pressure on rodents, and the impact of this predation pressure on nesting choices and agricultural output. We apply the model to data collected in Israel and find the installation of nesting boxes profitable. While this finding indicates that economic policy instruments to enhance the adoption of this biological control method are redundant, it does support stricter regulations on rodent control using rodenticides.
MiR-568 inhibits the activation and function of CD4+ T cells and Treg cells by targeting NFAT5
Authors: Li Wei , Kong Ling-bo , Li Jun-Tang , Guo Zhang-Yan , Xue Qian , Yang Tao , Meng Yan-Ling , Jin Bo-Quan , Wen Wei-Hong , Yang An-Gang
Published: December 2013

CD4+ T cells play critical roles in orchestrating adaptive immune responses. Their activation and proliferation are critical steps that occur before they execute their biological functions. Despite the important role of this process, the underlying molecular events are not fully understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in lymphocyte development and function. However, the miRNAs that regulate T-cell differentiation, activation and proliferation are still largely unknown. In our previous study, using a miRNA array, we found that several miRNAs (including miR-202, 33b, 181c, 568 and 576) are differentially expressed between resting and activated CD4+ T cells. In this study, we focused on the function of miR-568 during CD4+ T-cell activation. We showed that the expression level of miR-568 decreased during the activation of T cells, including Jurkat cells and human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells. When Jurkat or human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were transfected with miR-568 mimics, cell activation was significantly inhibited, as shown by the inhibited expression of activation markers such as CD25, CD69 and CD154; decreased IL-2 production; and inhibited cell proliferation. Using software predictions and confirmatory experiments, we demonstrated that nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) is a target of miR-568. Treg cells are an important CD4+ T-cell subpopulation, so we also evaluated the function of miR-568 in Treg-cell activation and differentiation. We showed that the miR-568 level decreased, while the NFAT5 protein level increased during CD4+CD25+ Treg-cell activation, and the transfection of miR-568 mimics inhibited the NFAT5 expression, inhibited the production of both TGF-β and IL-10 and also inhibited the proliferation of Treg cells. Our further study showed that over-expression of miR-568 can inhibit Treg-cell differentiation and can inhibit the suppressive effect of these cells on effector cells. In addition, inhibition of NFAT5 by siRNA-mediated knockdown can inhibit the activation and differentiation of Treg cells. These findings reveal that miR-568 can inhibit the activation and function of both CD4+ T cells and Treg cells by targeting NFAT5. Since miR-568 plays an important role in both CD4+ T cells and Treg cells, these findings may provide leads for the development of novel treatments for human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Nucleolar proteins Bfr2 and Enp2 interact with DEAD-box RNA helicase Dbp4 in two different complexes
Authors: Soltanieh Sahar , Lapensée Martin , Dragon François
Published: December 2013

Different pre-ribosomal complexes are formed during ribosome biogenesis, and the composition of these complexes is highly dynamic. Dbp4, a conserved DEAD-box RNA helicase implicated in ribosome biogenesis, interacts with nucleolar proteins Bfr2 and Enp2. We show that, like Dbp4, Bfr2 and Enp2 are required for the early processing steps leading to the production of 18S ribosomal RNA. We also found that Bfr2 and Enp2 associate with the U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), the U3-specific protein Mpp10 and various pre-18S ribosomal RNA species. Thus, we propose that Bfr2, Dbp4 and Enp2 are components of the small subunit (SSU) processome, a large complex of ∼80S. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analyses indicated that Dbp4, Bfr2 and Enp2 sediment in a peak of ∼50S and in a peak of ∼80S. Bfr2, Dbp4 and Enp2 associate together in the 50S complex, which does not include the U3 snoRNA; however, they associate with U3 snoRNA in the 80S complex (SSU processome). Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that U14 snoRNA associates with Dbp4 in the 50S complex, but not with Bfr2 or Enp2. The assembly factor Tsr1 is not part of the ‘50S’ complex, indicating this complex is not a pre-40S ribosome. A combination of experiments leads us to propose that Bfr2, Enp2 and Dbp4 are recruited at late steps during assembly of the SSU processome.
Dissecting the chromatin interactome of microRNA genes
Authors: Chen Dijun , Fu Liang-Yu , Zhang Zhao , Li Guoliang , Zhang Hang , Jiang Li , Harrison Andrew P. , Shanahan Hugh P. , Klukas Christian , Zhang Hong-Yu , Ruan Yijun , Chen Ling-Ling , Chen Ming
Published: December 2013

Our knowledge of the role of higher-order chromatin structures in transcription of microRNA genes (MIRs) is evolving rapidly. Here we investigate the effect of 3D architecture of chromatin on the transcriptional regulation of MIRs. We demonstrate that MIRs have transcriptional features that are similar to protein-coding genes. RNA polymerase II–associated ChIA-PET data reveal that many groups of MIRs and protein-coding genes are organized into functionally compartmentalized chromatin communities and undergo coordinated expression when their genomic loci are spatially colocated. We observe that MIRs display widespread communication in those transcriptionally active communities. Moreover, miRNA–target interactions are significantly enriched among communities with functional homogeneity while depleted from the same community from which they originated, suggesting MIRs coordinating function-related pathways at posttranscriptional level. Further investigation demonstrates the existence of spatial MIR–MIR chromatin interacting networks. We show that groups of spatially coordinated MIRs are frequently from the same family and involved in the same disease category. The spatial interaction network possesses both common and cell-specific subnetwork modules that result from the spatial organization of chromatin within different cell types. Together, our study unveils an entirely unexplored layer of MIR regulation throughout the human genome that links the spatial coordination of MIRs to their co-expression and function.
Diverge from the norm
Authors: Li Zhen , Qin Anjun
Published: December 2013

It has been a general belief that luminophore aggregation normally quenches light emission. The conceptualization of ‘aggregation-induced emission’ (AIE) breaks this ‘common law’ and provides a new stage for the exploration of practically useful light-­emitting materials. The booming development in this emerging area of research has recently been showcased at the First International Symposium on Aggregation-Induced Emission (ISAIE) held in Wuhan, China.
Past, present and future of the carbon cycle
Authors: Xie Zhenghui , Zeng Ning , Wang Huijun , Lin Zheng , Tian Xiangjun , Jia Binghao
Published: December 2013

The recent Ninth International Carbon Dioxide Conference (ICDC9) held in Beijing highlighted the importance and urgency of global carbon management, research challenges, and recent efforts made by Chinese scientists in this area.
Use of a Novel Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Technique in Children With Severe Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: Patel Kamlesh , Wells Jonathan , Jones Rosie , Browne Fiona , Moss Celia , Parikh Dakshesh
Published: December 2013

Objective:

Supplementing nutrition in children with severe epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is challenging because of skin and mucosal fragility. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is contraindicated in EB, whereas more invasive open surgical gastrostomy placement can be complicated by chronic leakage. The aim of the study was to review the efficacy and acceptability, in children with severe EB, of our modified 2‐port laparoscopic approach using the Seldinger technique with serial dilatation and tube insertion through a peel‐away sheath.

Methods:

Retrospective review of children with EB who underwent laparoscopic feeding gastrostomy at our centre since 2009.

Results:

Seven children (6 severe generalised recessive dystrophic EB, 1 non‐Herlitz junctional EB; 2 girls, 5 boys) underwent modified laparoscopic gastrostomy placement at median age 4.85 years (range 1.0–8.8), with fundoplication for gastro‐oesophageal reflux in 1 case, with follow‐up for 0.3 to 3.9 years. The procedure was well tolerated with oral feeds usually given after 4 hours and whole protein gastrostomy feeds within 24 hours in 6 patients. Improved growth was reflected in mean weight and height z scores: −1.36 (range −2.6 to 0.5) to −0.61 (range −2.34 to 2.0) and −1.09 (range −2.42 to 1.0) to 0.71 (range −1.86 to 1.0), respectively. Postoperatively, 5 patients experienced minor local complications: minimal leakage without skin damage in 3 and transient peristomal granulation rapidly responsive to topical treatment in 2; this followed acute gastrostomy site infection in 1. There was no leakage after the immediate postoperative period.

Conclusions:

We conclude that our less‐invasive laparoscopic gastrostomy technique is effective and better tolerated in children with severe EB, at least in the medium term, than open gastrostomy placement. Longer follow‐up is required.
Fecal Transplant for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in Children With and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Russell George H. , Kaplan Jess L. , Youngster Ilan , Baril‐Dore Mariah , Schindelar Lili , Hohmann Elizabeth , Winter Harland S.
Published: December 2013

Ten children at our institution received single‐infusion fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) using healthy, related screened donor stool to treat recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) via nasogastric tube (2 patients) or colonoscopic delivery. Nine of the 10 (90%) children had resolution of their symptoms after a single‐infusion FMT with follow‐up of 1 month to 4 years. No concerning related adverse events were recognized during short‐ or long‐term follow‐up. Three of these children had concomitant inflammatory bowel disease and 2 of these 3 (66%) patients cleared RCDI with no clinical change in their underlying inflammatory bowel disease clinical activity as assessed by Physician's Global Assessment. All of the patients who had clinical improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms of RCDI while treated with antibiotics had lasting return of baseline health after FMT.
Variability of Resting Energy Expenditure in Infants and Young Children With Intestinal Failure–Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Duro Debora , Mitchell Paul D. , Mehta Nilesh M. , Bechard Lori J. , Yu Yong‐Ming , Jaksic Tom , Duggan Christopher
Published: December 2013

Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine, in a cohort of young children with intestinal failure (IF), whether the estimates of basal metabolic rate (BMR) by standard equations can approximate measured resting energy expenditure (REE) by indirect calorimetry (IC).

Methods:

IC was performed using the dilutional canopy technique. REE measurements were compared with standard, age‐based estimation equations (World Health Organization) for BMR. Subjects were classified as hypermetabolic (REE > 110% BMR), hypometabolic (REE < 90% BMR), or normal (REE = 90%–110% BMR).

Results:

Twenty‐eight IF patients (11 girls, 17 boys) had an underlying diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (n = 10) or a congenital gastrointestinal defect (n = 18). Median age was 5.3 months. Median interquartile range (IQR) REE was 46 (42–58) kcal · kg−1 · day−1. Median (IQR) total energy intake provided 209% (172%–257%) of REE, with parenteral nutrition providing 76% (23%) of total energy intake. REE was variable, with 39% (n = 11) of measurements hypermetabolic, 39% (n = 11) hypometabolic, and the remaining 21% (n = 6) normal. Although REE was well correlated with estimated BMR (r = 0.82, P < 0.0001), estimated BMR was not consistently an adequate predictor of REE. BMR over‐ or underestimated REE by >10 kcal · kg−1 · day−1 in 15 of 28 (54%) patients. REE was not significantly correlated with severity of liver disease, nutritional status, total energy intake, or gestational age.

Conclusions:

Energy expenditure is variable among children with IF and IF‐associated liver disease, with approximately 80% of our cohort exhibiting either hypo‐ or hypermetabolism. Standard estimation equations frequently do not correctly predict individual REE. Longitudinal studies of energy expenditure and body composition may be needed to guide provision of nutrition regimens.
Carbonate hydroxyapatite functionalization: a comparative study towards (bio)molecules fixation
Authors: Russo Laura , Taraballi Francesca , Lupo Cristina , Poveda Ana , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús , Sandri Monica , Tampieri Anna , Nicotra Francesco , Cipolla Laura
Published: December 2013

Different methods for the functionalization of carbonate hydroxyapatite granules with free amine groups by reaction with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) have been compared in order to improve the potential for tethering of bioactive molecules to bioceramics. The combined use of tetraethoxyorthosilicate and APTES with acid catalysis resulted in an evident increase in amine surface grafting.
Rana grylio virus (RGV) envelope protein 2L: subcellular localization and essential roles in virus infectivity revealed by conditional lethal mutant
Authors: He Li-Bo , Ke Fei , Wang Jun , Gao Xiao-Chan , Zhang Qi-Ya
Published: December 2013

Rana grylio virus (RGV) is a pathogenic iridovirus that has resulted in high mortality in cultured frog. Here, an envelope protein gene, 2L, was identified from RGV and its possible role in virus infection was investigated. Database searches found that RGV 2L had homologues in all sequenced iridoviruses and is a core gene of iridoviruses. Western blotting detection of purified RGV virions confirmed that 2L protein was associated with virion membrane. Fluorescence localization revealed that 2L protein co-localized with viral factories in RGV infected cells. In co-transfected cells, 2L protein co-localized with two other viral envelope proteins, 22R and 53R. However, 2L protein did not co-localize with the major capsid protein of RGV in co-transfected cells. Meanwhile, fluorescence observation showed that 2L protein co-localized with endoplasmic reticulum, but did not co-localize with mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. Moreover, a conditional lethal mutant virus containing the lac repressor/operator system was constructed to investigate the role of RGV 2L in virus infection. The ability to form plaques and the virus titres were strongly reduced when expression of 2L was repressed. Therefore, the current data showed that 2L protein is essential for virus infection. Our study is the first report, to our knowledge, of co-localization between envelope proteins in iridovirus and provides new insights into the understanding of envelope proteins in iridovirus.
RNA Structure Refinement using the ERRASER-Phenix pipeline
Authors: Chou Fang-Chieh , Echols Nathaniel , Terwilliger Thomas C. , Das Rhiju
Published: December 2013

The final step of RNA crystallography involves the fitting of coordinates into electron density maps. The large number of backbone atoms in RNA presents a difficult and tedious challenge, particularly when experimental density is poor. The ERRASER-Phenix pipeline can improve an initial set of RNA coordinates automatically based on a physically realistic model of atomic-level RNA interactions. The pipeline couples diffraction-based refinement in Phenix with the Rosetta-based real-space refinement protocol ERRASER (Enumerative Real-Space Refinement ASsisted by Electron density under Rosetta). The combination of ERRASER and Phenix can improve the geometrical quality of RNA crystallographic models while maintaining or improving the fit to the diffraction data (as measured by Rfree). Here we present a complete tutorial for running ERRASER-Phenix through the Phenix GUI, from the command-line, and via an application in the Rosetta On-line Server that Includes Everyone (ROSIE).
A novel method for detecting uniparental disomy from trio genotypes identifies a significant excess in children with developmental disorders
Authors: King Daniel A. , Fitzgerald Tomas W. , Miller Ray , Canham Natalie , Clayton-Smith Jill , Johnson Diana , Mansour Sahar , Stewart Fiona , Vasudevan Pradeep , Hurles Matthew E. ,   the DDD Study1
Published: December 2013

Exome sequencing of parent-offspring trios is a popular strategy for identifying causative genetic variants in children with rare diseases. This method owes its strength to the leveraging of inheritance information, which facilitates de novo variant calling, inference of compound heterozygosity, and the identification of inheritance anomalies. Uniparental disomy describes the inheritance of a homologous chromosome pair from only one parent. This aberration is important to detect in genetic disease studies because it can result in imprinting disorders and recessive diseases. We have developed a software tool to detect uniparental disomy from child–mother–father genotype data that uses a binomial test to identify chromosomes with a significant burden of uniparentally inherited genotypes. This tool is the first to read VCF-formatted genotypes, to perform integrated copy number filtering, and to use a statistical test inherently robust for use in platforms of varying genotyping density and noise characteristics. Simulations demonstrated superior accuracy compared with previously developed approaches. We implemented the method on 1057 trios from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders project, a trio-based rare disease study, and detected six validated events, a significant enrichment compared with the population prevalence of UPD (1 in 3500), suggesting that most of these events are pathogenic. One of these events represents a known imprinting disorder, and exome analyses have identified rare homozygous candidate variants, mainly in the isodisomic regions of UPD chromosomes, which, among other variants, provide targets for further genetic and functional evaluation.
Analyses of Tomato Fruit Brightness Mutants Uncover Both Cutin-Deficient and Cutin-Abundant Mutants and a New Hypomorphic Allele of GDSL Lipase
Authors: Petit Johann , Bres Cécile , Just Daniel , Garcia Virginie , Mauxion Jean-Philippe , Marion Didier , Bakan Bénédicte , Joubès Jérôme , Domergue Frédéric , Rothan Christophe
Published: December 2013

The cuticle is a protective layer synthesized by epidermal cells of the plants and consisting of cutin covered and filled by waxes. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit, the thick cuticle embedding epidermal cells has crucial roles in the control of pathogens, water loss, cracking, postharvest shelf-life, and brightness. To identify tomato mutants with modified cuticle composition and architecture and to further decipher the relationships between fruit brightness and cuticle in tomato, we screened an ethyl methanesulfonate mutant collection in the miniature tomato cultivar Micro-Tom for mutants with altered fruit brightness. Our screen resulted in the isolation of 16 glossy and 8 dull mutants displaying changes in the amount and/or composition of wax and cutin, cuticle thickness, and surface aspect of the fruit as characterized by optical and environmental scanning electron microscopy. The main conclusions on the relationships between fruit brightness and cuticle features were as follows: (1) screening for fruit brightness is an effective way to identify tomato cuticle mutants; (2) fruit brightness is independent from wax load variations; (3) glossy mutants show either reduced or increased cutin load; and (4) dull mutants display alterations in epidermal cell number and shape. Cuticle composition analyses further allowed the identification of groups of mutants displaying remarkable cuticle changes, such as mutants with increased dicarboxylic acids in cutin. Using genetic mapping of a strong cutin-deficient mutation, we discovered a novel hypomorphic allele of GDSL lipase carrying a splice junction mutation, thus highlighting the potential of tomato brightness mutants for advancing our understanding of cuticle formation in plants.
1-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-4-{2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]vinyl}pyridinium chloride
Authors: Gainsford Graeme J. , Bhuiyan M. Delower H. , Kay Andrew J.
Published: December 2013

The title compound, C18H23N2O2
+·Cl−, crystallizes with two independent cations and anions per cell. Each cation has twofold rotational disorder about the linking vinyl groups but with unequal occupancies [0.963 (5):0.037 (5) and 0.860 (8):0.140 (8)]. The two independent cations are close to being related by an inversion centre but the data does not support the expected centrosymmetric space-group assignment. The conclusion is that the differing rotational disorder has lead to an overall non-centrosymmetric lattice. In the crystal, the molecules pack in layers parallel to (133) and (-13-3), chain-linked with motif C
1
2(7) by the dihydroxypropyl O–H...Cl...H–O hydrogen bonds. Other lattice binding is provided by O—H...Cl, C—H...Cl and C—H...N interactions.
(4-Fluorophenyl)(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)methanone
Authors: Dileep C. S. , Lakshmi Ranganatha V. , Lokanath N. K. , Khanum S. A. , Sridhar M. A.
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, C14H11FO2, the two benzene rings are not coplanar, with a dihedral angle of 57.45 (12)° between their planes. In the crystal, molecules are linked by an O—H...O hydrogen bond, forming a 21 helical chain along the b axis.
(1S*,2S*,4R*,5R*)-Cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid
Authors: Uchida Akira , Hasegawa Masatoshi , Yamaguchi Shinya , Takezawa Eiichiro , Ishikawa Atsushi , Kagayama Takashi
Published: December 2013

The title compound, C10H12O8, a prospective raw material for colourless polyimides which are applied to electronic and microelectronic devices, lies about an inversion centre and the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation. Two crystallographycally independent carboxylic acid groups on adjacent C atoms are in equatorial positions, resulting in a mutually trans conformation. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds around an inversion centre and a threefold rotoinversion axis, respectively, form an inversion dimer with an R
2
2(8) motif and a trimer with an R
3
3(12) motif.
(E)-1,1-Diphenyl-2-(thiophen-2-ylmethylidene)hydrazine
Authors: Cabrera-Vivas Blanca M. , Flores-Alamo Marcos , Meléndrez-Luévano Ruth , Meléndez-Balbuena Lidia , Ramirez Juan C.
Published: December 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C17H14N2S, consists of two crystallographically independent molecules with similar conformations. The dihedral angles between the phenyl rings are 89.32 (5) and 82.80 (5)° in the two molecules. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional network.
2-{N-[(2,3,4,9-Tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-3-yl)methyl]methylsulfonamido}ethyl methanesulfonate
Authors: Göçmentürk Mustafa , Ergün Yavuz , Mougang-Soume Berline , Çaylak Delibaş Nagihan , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, C17H24N2O5S2, the indole ring system is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.032 (1) Å] and the cyclohexene ring has a half-chair conformation. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a chain running along the b-axis direction. Weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...π interactions are observed between the chains.
(1R,3S,8R)-3,7,7,10-Tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodec-9-en-11-one
Authors: Bimoussa Abdoullah , Auhmani Aziz , Ait Itto My Youssef , Daran Jean-Claude , Abdelwahed Auhmani
Published: December 2013

The absolute configuration of the title compound, C16H24O, has been deduced from the chemical pathway. The six-membered ring has a roughly half-chair conformation with the quaternary C atom as the flap. The seven-membered ring displays a chair conformation. In the crystal, there is a weak C—H...O hydrogen bond between the methylene group of the cyclopropane ring and the carbonyl group of a screw-axis-related molecule, which builds up a zigzag-like chain along the b-axis direction.
Tetra- and hexahydrates of bis(adeninium) zoledronate
Authors: Sridhar Balasubramanian , Ravikumar Krishnan , Varghese Babu
Published: December 2013

The present paper reports the structures of bis(adeninium) zoledronate tetrahydrate {systematic name: bis(6-amino-7H-purin-1-ium) hydrogen [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)-1-phosphonatoethyl]phosphonate tetrahydrate}, 2C5H6N5+·C5H8N2O7P22−·4H2O, (I), and bis(adeninium) zoledronate hexahydrate {systematic name: a 1:1 cocrystal of bis(6-amino-7H-purin-1-ium) hydrogen [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)-1-phosphonatoethyl]phosphonate hexahydrate and 6-amino-7H-purin-1-ium 6-amino-7H-purine dihydrogen [1-hydroxy-2-(1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethane-1,1-diyl]diphosphonate hexahydrate}, 2C5H6N5+·C5H8N2O7P22−·6H2O, (II). One of the adenine molecules and one of the phosphonate groups of the zoledronate anion of (II) are protonated on a 50% basis. The zoledronate group displays its usual zwitterionic character, with a protonated imidazole ring; however, the ionization state of the phosphonate groups of the anion for (I) and (II) are different. In (I), the anion has both singly and doubly deprotonated phosphonate groups, while in (II), it has one singly deprotonated phosphonate group and a partially deprotonated phosphonate group. In (I), the cations form anR22(10) base pair, while in (II), they formR22(8) andR22(10) base pairs. Two water molecules in (I) and five water molecules in (II) are involved in water–water interactions. The presence of an additional two water molecules in the structure of (II) might influence the different ionization state of the anion as well as the different packing mode compared to (I).
π-stacking and C—X...D(X= H, NO2;D= O, π) interactions in the crystal network of both C—H...N and π-stacked dimers of 1,2-bis(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole and 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole
Authors: González-Padilla Jazmin E. , Rosales-Hernández Martha C. , Padilla-Martínez Itzia I. , García-Báez Efren V. , Rojas-Lima Susana , Salazar-Pereda Veronica
Published: December 2013

Molecules of 1,2-bis(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole, C19H12Br2N2, (I), and 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole, C19H12BrN3O2, (II), are arranged in dimeric units through C—H...N and parallel-displaced π-stacking interactions favoured by the appropriate disposition of N- and C-bonded phenyl rings with respect to the mean benzimidazole plane. The molecular packing of the dimers of (I) and (II) arises by the concurrence of a diverse set of weak intermolecular C—X...D(X= H, NO2;D= O, π) interactions.
Epidemiology of pemphigus vulgaris in the Northeast China: A 10‐year retrospective study
Authors: Zhu Xiaoling , Pan Jisheng , Yu Zhiming , Wang Yanhua , Cai Limin , Zheng Shuyun
Published: December 2013

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of patients with pemphigus vulgaris in China. We retrospectively investigated a total of 221 patients with pemphigus vulgaris. The parameters including age at diagnosis/onset, sex, diagnostic methods, hospitalizations, side‐effects with different treatments, pemphigus vulgaris‐associated diseases, the therapeutic features and duration of follow up were evaluated. The male : female ratio was 1:1.40. The incidence rate was obviously higher in two age groups, 31–40 years and 41–50 years. The mean age at onset was 44.19 ± 21.45 years. The majority of patients (56.56%) presented the mucocutaneous type. In addition, we found that various doses of corticosteroids (including the mean initial dose, maximum control dose, total dose before reducing and hospitalized total dose) exhibited statistical differences between only corticosteroids and corticosteroids–immunosuppressant groups in mild, moderate and severe pemphigus vulgaris (P < 0.05). Our survey suggested that pemphigus vulgaris most frequently occurred in the 41–50‐year age group in China and the majority of patients manifested mucocutaneous lesions. Importantly, the incidence rate in females was higher than in males. The patients who needed combined immunosuppressant treatment, usually needed higher doses of corticosteroids initially, to control the disease and over the total course of treatment.
Regression and classification methods for nasolabial folds: A possible paradigm for computer‐aided diagnosis of skin diseases
Authors: Lluncor David E. , Belongie Serge , Rullan Peter , Morhenn Vera
Published: December 2013

Classification of facial features, for example, nasolabial folds, still relies mainly on clinical assessment, resulting in significant costs because of high intra‐ and interrater variability. Further, diagnosing skin diseases, for example, malignant melanoma, also can present challenges. In an attempt to reduce cost of medical care in future, we determined the utility of methods in image processing and statistical analysis to automatically quantify, for example, the structure of nasolabial folds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the application of computer technology to grading of nasolabial folds. When classifying severity of wrinkles on a scale of 1–5, the computer achieved an accuracy of 87% compared to the dermatologist, taken as the gold standard. Further, the computer program's capacity to sort the order of wrinkles from least to most wrinkled was 98% as accurate as the clinician(s). We conclude that by using computer technology, nasolabial folds can be categorized almost as accurately as by using grading by dermatologists, suggesting that computer technology may be a useful tool to grade nasolabial folds because a computer is always consistent. We hypothesize that, after additional studies, this technology also may be a useful tool to aid in diagnosing skin diseases.
Evaluation of chimeric DNA vaccines consisting of premembrane and envelope genes of Japanese encephalitis and dengue viruses as a strategy for reducing induction of dengue virus infection‐enhancing antibody response
Authors: Sjatha Fithriyah , Kuwahara Miwa , Sudiro T. Mirawati , Kameoka Masanori , Konishi Eiji
Published: December 2013

Neutralizing antibodies induced by dengue virus (DENV) infection show viral infection‐enhancing activities at sub‐neutralizing doses. On the other hand, preimmunity against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a congener of DENV, does not increase the severity of DENV infection. Several studies have demonstrated that neutralizing epitopes in the genus Flavivirus are mainly located in domain III (DIII) of the envelope (E) protein. In this study, chimeric premembrane and envelope (prM‐E) gene‐based expression plasmids of JEV and DENV1 with DIII substitution of each virus were constructed for use as DNA vaccines and their immunogenicity evaluated. Sera from C3H/He and ICR mice immunized with a chimeric gene containing DENV1 DIII on a JEV prM‐E gene backbone showed high neutralizing antibody titers with less DENV infection‐enhancing activity. Our results confirm the applicability of this approach as a new dengue vaccine development strategy.
Architecture, Economic Imaginaries and Urban Politics: The Office Tower as Socially Classifying Device
Authors: Grubbauer Monika
Published: December 2013

In recent studies on the role of architecture in urban restructuring, city marketing and the related struggles for meaning, there has been a focus on high‐profile architects and iconic architecture. In this article I wish to examine architecture and building types as ‘socially signifying devices’, in order to take more everyday buildings and their images into account as well. UsingVienna as a case study, I explore how the commercial office tower is utilized to represent the internationalization of the local economy and render new urban political‐economic strategies socially meaningful. This is done by examining recent shifts in urban policy, and the means, channels and practices of discursive and visual representation of the local office architecture. Connecting the concept of economic imaginaries from cultural political economy (CPE) with a sociological approach to building types, I argue that economic imaginaries gain in plausibility if they are discursively and visually anchored in urban space. However, it is also shown that this kind of spatialization of new economic imaginaries is constructed on a selective visual representation of buildings: the assignment of international economic activities to local office towers is revealed to be only partially true in the case ofVienna.
Protecting Sydney's Peri‐Urban Agriculture: Moving beyond a Housing/Farming Dichotomy
Authors: JAMES SARAH W.
Published: December 2013

In Australia, as in other Western countries, peri‐urban farmland is increasingly being considered a public good, contributing to urban sustainability and climate change mitigation. To retain local food production, advocates have called for the implementation of farmland protection policies that restrict urban development, such as exclusion zoning. Many such policies have been abandoned due to protests, often from the very people the policies are ostensibly intended to protect – farmers. Examining the failure of Sydney's latest ‘green zones’ through a political ecology lens, this paper challenges the prevailing narrative that these protests indicate a lack of community support for the ideal of farmland protection. The failure of the green zones was one of political process, specifically the lack of consultation with Sydney's culturally and linguistically diverse small‐scale farmers, rather than community rejection of the principle of protection. Interview responses from farmers suggest that a bottom‐up approach to policy‐making would have yielded alternative and more successful approaches to maintaining farming on the fringe. This paper concludes that ensuring small‐scale farmers have access to and agency in the environmental decision‐making process generates options for farmland protection policy that move beyond a housing‐versus‐farming dichotomy.
Coupling Hydrotoponymy and GIS Cartography: A Case Study of Hydrohistorical Issues in Urban Groundwater Systems, Porto, NW Portugal
Authors: FREITAS LILIANA , AFONSO MARIA JOSÉ , DEVY‐VARETA NICOLE , MARQUES JOSÉ MANUEL , GOMES ALBERTO , CHAMINÉ HELDER I.
Published: December 2013

The aim of this multidisciplinary study is to retrospectively examine hydrohistorical issues, namely hydrogeographic, hydrotoponymical and hydrogeological features, in order to assess the evolution of the Porto urban groundwater system (NW Portugal). To achieve these goals, the comparison of two main field inventories in a large urban region was performed by (i) historical mapping of sources and groundwater data from scientific reports spanning the late 17th century to the early 20th; and (ii) hydrogeologic and hydrotoponymical field inventory performed under current conditions. These field inventories permitted the location of springs, dug wells, fountains, public washing places and underground water galleries, which collected groundwater to supply the population of Porto until the early 20th century. This study also allowed the development of a hydrotoponymical classification for urban areas and a field hydrotoponymical inventory data sheet. This research integrated several techniques based on historical hydrogeography, hydrogeology and urban geosciences. The results of the field inventories were combined into both a database and a Geographical Information System (GIS) platform. This unified methodology allowed a cross‐check and analysis of several levels of information, namely hydrotoponymy, hydroclimatology, hydrogeology, structural geology and geomorphology. This perspective led to an assessment of the evolution of the quality of water resources in large urban areas over time. In addition, the role of hydrotoponymical features is presented in order to support the hydrogeological conceptual model for large urbanised areas.
Directions in Reshaping Accountability Mechanisms in Multilateral Development Banks and Other Organizations
Authors: Nanwani Suresh
Published: December 2013

This article focuses on directions in reshaping accountability mechanisms in multilateral development banks and other organizations. The term ‘accountability mechanisms’ refers to avenues for private individuals and groups to file claims against the institution for redress of their grievance on poorly designed and/or implemented projects. Since 1993, accountability mechanisms have, over the years, been revised, updated or replaced. This article highlights the salient developments in reshaping accountability mechanisms and concludes with the directions taken and their impact on other institutions and development financiers in adopting similar mechanisms.
Reasons behind Greek problem drug users' decisions to quit using drugs and engage in treatment of their own volition: sense of self and the Greek filotimo
Authors: Fotopoulou Maria
Published: December 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore Greek problem drug users' perceptions of the reasons that led them to quit using drugs and engage in treatment of their own volition.

Design

Qualitative semi‐structured in‐depth interviews.

Setting

Two state drug agencies in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Participants

A total of 40 adult problem drug‐using men and women participated in the study.

Measurements

Participants were asked to reflect on their decisions to wean themselves from drugs and enter treatment.

Findings

Participants reported that their decisions centred on the re‐conceptualization of the drug‐using community and their membership in it, the desire to restore aspects of identities that were deemed to be spoiled, and finally memories of their drug‐free selves. The importance of the distinctively Greek notion of filotimo in this discussion is highlighted.

Conclusions

Primarily in relation to filotimo (a concept that represents a complex array of virtues that regulates behaviour towards one's family), the desire to restore one's spoiled identity plays a pivotal role in Greek problem drug users' decisions to cease drug use and engage in treatment.
Response of Asset Prices to Monetary Policy under Abenomics
Authors: Ueda Kazuo
Published: December 2013

In this paper, I investigate the causes of the recent sharp response of the yen andJapanese stock prices to the discussion of, and the subsequent implementation of bold monetary easing by theBank ofJapan as demanded byPrimeMinisterAbe. I present statistical evidence that the response of the two asset prices have indeed been unusually large relative to the past experience with nonconventional monetary policy (NCM) even after allowance is given for the rise in global economic activity and asset prices. I also point out that the rally has been led by speculative trading by foreign investors, while domestic investors have largely stayed on the sidelines. I discuss possible reasons for such foreign investor behavior. Simply put, the unprecedented political pressure raised hopes of the adoption of bold measures by theBank ofJapan. I discuss, however, the possibility that the room for further action by the Bank is quite limited apart from what might be called a targeted helicopter drop of money. I also point out the possibility that investor behavior may have not been based on economic fundamentals. The asset price volatility sinceApril 2013 is interpreted in the light of such discussions.
Challenging historical perspectives of the 24‐h chemotherapy day: Flexible chemotherapy dose‐timing guidelines
Authors: Alexander Marliese , Coenders Frank , Murray Danielle , Kirsa Sue , Seymour John
Published: December 2013

Aim

Variation in dose‐timing within multiday chemotherapy regimens is largely unknown with convention being to administer subsequent days of treatment at 24‐h intervals. However, in reality there are many occasions where doses are given either earlier or later to accommodate a variety of clinical and operational priorities. This project aimed to evaluate the degree of existing variation in chemotherapy dose‐timing and to investigate whether deliberate variation could improve quality and efficiency outcomes such as reduction of after hours chemotherapy administration or reduced inpatient length of stay.

Method

Chemotherapy charts and hospital admission datasets (n = 112) from sarcoma and hematology inpatient regimens were retrospectively audited to ascertain existing variation in dose‐timing and overall length of stay. Clinical practice guidelines enabling a safe degree of dose‐timing variation for individual chemotherapy regimens were developed, implemented over a 3‐month period, and evaluated against safety, efficiency and economic outcomes.

Results

Baseline dose‐timing variation was common with administration occurring up to 8 h early and 7 h later than conventional 24‐h dosing intervals. Following implementation of clinical practice guidelines, there was a 10% reduction in chemotherapy finishing after hours and a significant reduction in length of stay for two sarcoma regimens, projected to save 24 inpatient bed days (over $20,000) across more than forty inpatient episodes annually.

Conclusion

Deviation from the standard 24‐h chemotherapy day (deliberately or inadvertently) was a common yet unstandardized practice. Clinical practice guidelines enabling flexible dose‐timing of chemotherapy provided an opportunity to improve chemotherapy administration safety measures, tailor chemotherapy delivery to ward and patient needs, and in some instances reduce non‐value‐added length of stay.