bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Make sure your campus does not discriminate against students, others with service animals
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2015

When students or others on your campus have service animals, your institution needs to comply with regulations that govern their use.
Toward Okinawa‐Style Robot‐Embedded Systems
Authors: Anezaki Takashi , Tansuriyavong Suriyon , Yamada Chikatoshi
Published: May 2015

For the Okinawan economy to grow independently, it is essential to create new businesses; this will require the cultivation of technologies that will form the basis for those businesses, as well as the training of technicians and researchers. To promote the creation of new businesses and innovation that are “Unique to Okinawa,” the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan set up a cooperative research committee to develop Okinawa‐style robot‐embedded systems. We proposed the concept of Okinawa‐style robot‐embedded systems. To realize this concept, we organized technical meetings to promote research. Now our research focuses on developing playback‐type navigation robots for use in land and air, and also on developing an underwater robot for conserving marine life in the waters around Okinawa. It is necessary to conduct proper measurements, observations, and sampling in water. To successfully perform these tasks, we needed to develop an underwater robot. We have made efforts in developing hardware, software, and applications for embedded techniques. We suggest that coarsely integrated operand scanning (CIOS) and bilateral filters (BFs) be implemented in hardware. We also developed devices to improve quality of life and to support disabled children through software.
Robust Mapping for Mobile Robot Based on Immobile Area Grid Map Considering Potential Moving Objects
Authors: Ito Akihisa , Takahashi Keita , Kaneko Masahide
Published: May 2015

Mobile robots need Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) for autonomous movement in human living environments. The occupancy grid map used in SLAM is a conventional method which makes a map by an occupancy probability in each grid. This method renews a map based on whether an object is observed or not. In order to remove moving objects from a map, an additional method is required. However, conventional methods deal only with actually moving objects, and potential moving objects (e.g., standing humans) are mapped as static objects. Furthermore, only binary states, used or not used, are given to each object in map updating. This paper proposes the immobility area grid map to represent a map by an immobility probability in each grid. The proposed method renews a map based on the identification of observed objects by a robot's sensors, in addition to whether an object is observed or not. We introduce the map update parameter, which is set adaptively from the certainty of identification result of the object. Observed objects can take continuous states, truly static—unknown—truly moving, according to the parameter value. Potential moving objects are not mapped if the parameter takes values corresponding to moving objects. The experimental results show robust mapping in dynamic environments including potential moving objects.
Usability of AMeDAS Sunshine Duration Data for Statistical Evaluation of Spatial Average Irradiance Fluctuation Characteristics
Authors: Kato Takeyoshi , Harada Mikiharu , Suzuoki Yasuo , Honda Nobuyuki , Koaizawa Masakazu , Nishino Shinichi
Published: May 2015

In order to mitigate the impacts of high‐penetration photovoltaic power generation systems (HP‐PVS) on the electric power system operation, the statistical evaluation of the aggregated power output fluctuation characteristics of HP‐PVS is important. By using the multipoint irradiance data observed for a year in the Chubu region of Japan, we have evaluated the fluctuation characteristics of spatial average irradiance. However, the study period is not enough for a statistical evaluation. Therefore, this study assessed the usability of the sunlight duration data of AMeDAS (Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System) for the statistical evaluation of fluctuation characteristics in terms of the daily maximum fluctuation width in 120 min. The method of irradiance estimation from the sunlight duration data at single point proposed in the preceding study was modified to be suitable for the spatial average irradiance estimation by taking into account the smoothing effect of irradiance fluctuation among several points. The results suggest that the AMeDAS sunlight duration data would be useful for statistical evaluation of the fluctuation characteristics of the spatial average irradiance of an electric power system service area.
Allele‐sensitive mutant, Itkas, reveals that Itk kinase activity is required for Th1, Th2, Th17, and iNKT‐cell cytokine production
Authors: Kannan Arun , Lee YongChan , Qi Qian , Huang Weishan , Jeong Ah‐Reum , Ohnigian Sarah , August Avery
Published: May 2015

Itk−/− mice exhibit defects in the activation, development, and function of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and iNKT cells. These and other defects in these mice make it difficult to uncouple the developmental versus functional requirement of Itk signaling. Here, we report an allele‐sensitive mutant of Itk (Itkas) whose catalytic activity can be selectively inhibited by analogs of the PP1 kinase inhibitor. We show that Itkas behaves like WT Itk in the absence of the inhibitor and can rescue the development of Itk−/− T cells in mice. Using mice carrying Itkas, we show using its inhibitor that Itk activity is required not only for Th2, Th17, and iNKT‐cell cytokine production, but also surprisingly, for Th1 cytokine production. This work has important implications for understanding the role of Itk signaling in the development versus function of iNKT cells, Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells.
Aqueous Synthesis and Visible‐Light Photochromism of Metastable h‐WO3 Hierarchical Nanostructures
Authors: Li Na , Zhao Yan , Wang Yi , Lu Yan , Song Yuehong , Huang Zhifang , Li Yawen , Zhao Jingzhe
Published: May 2015

A facile aqueous approach to the synthesis of metastable hexagonal tungsten oxide (h‐WO3) hierarchical nanostructures at low temperature was investigated. The spherelike h‐WO3 architectures are constructed from 1D nanorods. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in the reaction system facilitates the quick formation of h‐WO3 nuclei of the metastable phase through electrostatic interactions between protonated PVP and tungstate anions, which is in accord with the rule of kinetics favoring the formation of the metastable form. PVP also acts as a soft template for the assembly of WO3 crystallites. Oriented growth of WO3 crystallites along the [001] direction resulted in the nanorod‐assembled h‐WO3 architectures. The h‐WO3‐rich samples all exhibited good recycled visible‐light photochromic performance.
Bio‐Inspired Formation of Silica Thin Films: From Solid Substrates to Cellular Interfaces
Authors: Cho Woo Kyung , Yang Sung Ho
Published: May 2015

Silica formation in biological systems (biosilicification) has been intensively studied for synthesizing inorganic materials such as silica and titania under biocompatible conditions. Inspired by biosilicification, biocompatible strategies have been developed to fabricate silica thin films on the surfaces of solid substrates such as flat wafers and micro/nanoparticles. In the search for biological applications, these strategies have been applied to cellular surfaces to coat living cells with silica or titania thin films while maintaining cell viability, and it was found that the inorganic coat is beneficial for the protection of living cells and to control cell division. This Microreview focuses on bio‐inspired approaches to the formation of silica thin films on solid substrates and cellular surfaces, and includes the bio‐inspired formation of other inorganic thin films that have been formed by bio‐inspired silicification. The current status and future prospects of this field are also discussed.
Micronized natural talc with a low particle size and a high carbonate rate is more effective at breaking down oil‐in‐water emulsion
Authors: Sadkaoui Abir , Jiménez Antonio , Pacheco Rafael , Beltrán Gabriel
Published: May 2015

Micronized natural talc (MNT) has demonstrated to be very useful to break down emulsions formed during the virgin olive oil extraction process, improving the oil yield. This study was aimed to obtain more insights into the mechanisms of MNT to break down oil‐in‐water emulsions. For this purpose, laboratory scale experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effect of different pectin concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%), used as an emulsifier agent, on the behavior of an oil‐in‐water interface. Afterward, to evaluate the effect of MNT dosage as well as its physicochemical characteristics on breaking o‐reducing emulsions, four MNTs differing in their particle size (D50) and carbonate rate were assayed at doses ranging from 0 to 1%. Increasing pectin concentration gave a rise in the emulsifying activity (EA). The emulsifier effect of pectins was weakened by the addition of increasing MNT dose. MNT physicochemical characteristics markedly affected the breaking of oil‐in‐water emulsions. Nonetheless, its effect depends on the dose of MNT applied to the emulsion. The highest decrease in EA was observed for MNT with the lowest D50 (2.4 μm) and the highest carbonate rate (4%) at 0.5%. In general, MNT containing lower D50 and high rate of carbonate showed better capacity for breaking oil‐in‐water emulsion.

Practical applications: So far as can be ascertained, no quantitative study has been made, in vitro, on the relative merits of MNT addition as a technological aid in breaking down oil‐in‐water emulsions. This study provides deeper insights into the clarification of the effect of pectins as emulsifier agents, on aqueous emulsions of Hojiblanca virgin olive oil and how the addition of different doses of MNT, with different physicochemical characteristics, carried out the breaking of the oil‐in‐water emulsions.

Effect of micronized natural talc physicochemical characteristics and dosage on the break‐down of oil‐in‐water emulsion.
A Joint Experimental–Computational Comparative Study of the Pd0‐Catalysed Reactions of Aryl Iodides and Aldehydes with N, O, and S Tethers
Authors: Solé Daniel , Mariani Francesco , Fernández Israel
Published: May 2015

The influence of the heteroatom (nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur) on the course of the palladium‐catalysed intramolecular reactions of aryl iodides and aldehydes having heteroatom‐containing tethers has been explored by an extensive experimental–computational (DFT) study. Two series of substrates were considered, namely aldehydes bearing either the α‐(2‐iodobenzylheteroatom) or β‐(2‐iodophenylheteroatom) moieties. While some experimental differences were observed when changing from nitrogen to oxygen or sulfur in the 2‐iodobenzyl series, the aldehydes in which the heteroatom is directly bonded to the aromatic ring showed common chemical behaviour regardless of the nature of the heteroatom. The different reaction pathways leading to the experimentally observed reaction products were studied by computational means. Our calculations suggest that in all cases the initial nucleophilic addition involving a σ‐aryl–PdII intermediate is preferred over the competing concerted metallation–deprotonation (CMD) process.
Ground motion selection for simulation‐based seismic hazard and structural reliability assessment
Authors: Bradley Brendon A. , Burks Lynne S. , Baker Jack W.
Published: May 2015

This paper examines four methods by which ground motions can be selected for dynamic seismic response analyses of engineered systems when the underlying seismic hazard is quantified via ground motion simulation rather than empirical ground motion prediction equations. Even with simulation‐based seismic hazard, a ground motion selection process is still required in order to extract a small number of time series from the much larger set developed as part of the hazard calculation. Four specific methods are presented for ground motion selection from simulation‐based seismic hazard analyses, and pros and cons of each are discussed via a simple and reproducible illustrative example. One of the four methods (method 1 ‘direct analysis’) provides a ‘benchmark’ result (i.e., using all simulated ground motions), enabling the consistency of the other three more efficient selection methods to be addressed. Method 2 (‘stratified sampling’) is a relatively simple way to achieve a significant reduction in the number of ground motions required through selecting subsets of ground motions binned based on an intensity measure, IM. Method 3 (‘simple multiple stripes’) has the benefit of being consistent with conventional seismic assessment practice using as‐recorded ground motions, but both methods 2 and 3 are strongly dependent on the efficiency of the conditioning IM to predict the seismic responses of interest. Method 4 (‘generalized conditional intensity measure‐based selection’) is consistent with ‘advanced’ selection methods used for as‐recorded ground motions and selects subsets of ground motions based on multiple IMs, thus overcoming this limitation in methods 2 and 3. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eating Disorders in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes: Case Series and day Hospital Treatment Outcome
Authors: Colton Patricia Anne , Olmsted Marion Patricia , Wong Harmonie , Rodin Gary Michael
Published: May 2015

Women with type 1 diabetes are at high risk for eating disorders (ED), a combination that can increase medical complications and mortality. As little is known about treatment response in this population, clinical presentation and treatment outcome in an extended case series were assessed. A chart review at the Eating Disorders Day Hospital Program at Toronto General Hospital identified a total of 100 individuals with type 1 diabetes assessed 1990–2012. Of 37 who attended day hospital, most experienced improvement in ED symptoms, but only 18.8% had a good immediate treatment outcome, while 43.8% had an intermediate outcome and 37.5% had a poor outcome (meeting diagnostic criteria at discharge). This is poorer than program outcomes in individuals without diabetes (χ2 = 12.2, df = 2; p = 0.002). Factors influencing treatment engagement and outcome must be further studied and used to improve treatment results in this high‐risk group. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Comparing Data Treatments on Item‐Level Nonresponse and Their Effects on Data Analysis of Large‐Scale Assessments: 2009 PISA Study
Authors: Chen Haiwen H. , von Davier Matthias , Yamamoto Kentaro , Kong Nan
Published: May 2015

One major issue with large‐scale assessments is that the respondents might give no responses to many items, resulting in less accurate estimations of both assessed abilities and item parameters. This report studies how the types of items affect the item‐level nonresponse rates and how different methods of treating item‐level nonresponses have an effect on item calibration and scoring.
Selection of soybean lines exhibiting resistance to stink bug complex in distinct environments
Authors: da Rocha Fabiani , Vieira Caio Canella , Ferreira Mônica Christina , de Oliveira Kênia Carvalho , Moreira Fabiana Freitas , Pinheiro José Baldin
Published: May 2015

In soybean, stink bugs are considered the most important pest insect as they feed directly from the grain, causing significant losses in seed yield and quality. The use of resistant genotypes is a promising strategy to control these insects. Focusing on selection of soybean lines with resistance and high yield potential, 251 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between IAC‐100 (resistant) and CD‐215 (susceptible), were evaluated in two experiments, designed as alpha‐lattice, with three replicates in Piracicaba, during the growing seasons of 2012/13 and 2013/14. The evaluated traits were as follows: number of days to maturity (NDM), plant height at maturity (PHM), grain filling period (GFP), lodging (L), agronomic value (AV), grain yield (GY), weight of a hundred seeds (WHS), leaf retention (LR), and healthy seeds weight (HSW). Variance components were estimated by the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (REML). Heritability and selection gain (SG) parameters were also calculated. Selection was carried out based on 2012/13 season, considering the genotypes that exhibited a minimum HSW of 2908.26 kg ha−1 (acceptable losses of 20% from the average GY). Insect population was monitored by cloth beating. An increase in stink bug population was observed during the grain filling period, with the highest population density occurring in the season 2012/13. Estimates of the variance components demonstrated the elevate influence of the interaction genotype x environment on GY and HSW, which exhibited the lowest estimates of heritability (23 and 34%, respectively). The estimate selection gain, calculated from the predicted means of GY and HSW, was of 665.4 and 482.4 kg ha−1 season 2012/13. Therefore, the applied selection allowed the identification of the genotypes exhibiting higher yields and resistance to the stink bug complex. From the RIL population, lines or genotypes potentially useful to generate novel cultivars were identified.
Yield and quality attributes of faba bean inbred lines grown under marginal environmental conditions of Sudan
Authors: Gasim Seif , Hamad Solafa A.A. , Abdelmula Awadalla , Mohamed Ahmed Isam A.
Published: May 2015

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) represent an essential source of food protein for many people in Sudan, especially those who cannot afford to buy animal meat. The demand for faba bean seeds is greatly increased in recent years, and consequently its production area was extended southward where the climate is marginally suitable. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate seed yield and nutritional quality of five faba bean inbred lines grown under marginal environmental conditions of Sudan. The inbred lines have considerable (P ≤ 0.05) variability in yield and yield components, and seed chemical composition. The mean carbohydrate content was very high (501.1 g kg−1) and negatively correlated with seed yield, whereas the average protein content was relatively high (253.1 g kg−1) and positively correlated with seed yield. Globulin was the significant fraction (613.5 g kg−1protein) followed by albumin (200.2 g kg−1protein). Biplot analysis indicates that inbred lines Hudeiba/93‐S5 and Ed‐damar‐S5 outscore other lines in terms of seed yield and nutritional quality. This study demonstrates that Hudeiba/93‐S5 and Ed‐damar‐S5 are useful candidates in faba bean breeding program to terminate the protein deficiency malnutrition and provide healthy and nutritious meal for people living in subtropical areas.
Partially Sulfonated Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Induced Enhancements of Properties and DMFC Performance of Nafion Electrolyte Membrane
Authors: Das S. , Dutta K. , Hazra S. , Kundu P. P.
Published: May 2015

Partially sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (SPVdF) has been prepared by incorporation of sulfonic acid groups within poly(vinylidene fluoride), using chlorosulfonic acid as the sulfonating agent. The degree of sulfonation (DS) has been varied by modulating the duration of the sulfonation reaction. Blending of SPVdF (having DS = 36.78%) with Nafion at a constituent wt.% ratio of SPVdF:Nafion = 70:30 has resulted in the fabrication of polymer electrolyte membrane with superior properties compared to pristine Nafion‐117 membrane. This particular blend composition exhibited a proton conductivity value of 3.6 × 10−2 S cm−1 (i.e. ∼12.5% increase over Nafion‐117), a methanol permeability value of 6.81 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 at 6M methanol concentration (i.e. ∼99.31% decrease from Nafion‐117) and a corresponding membrane selectivity value of 5.29 × 104 Ss cm−3 (i.e. an increase of approximately two‐orders of magnitude over Nafion‐117) at 20 °C. In addition, this blend composition has also exhibited (a) better heat stability at temperatures as high as 160 °C by virtue of it possessing higher glass transition temperature, (b) higher storage modulus, (c) higher stress relaxation at high angular frequency and (d) superior DMFC performance at high methanol feed concentration in presence of humidified, as well as, non‐humidified air as the catholyte, compared to Nafion‐117 membrane.
Facile Access to Polycyclic Fused Azo[2,1‐b] [1,3]‐benzothiazinone via Iron‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction
Authors: Huang Ling , Yang Jianguo , Xu Linzhen , Wu Xiaohui , Yu Lian , Bao Weiliang , Chen Dingben
Published: May 2015

FeCl3‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of o‐iodobenzoic acids with azole‐2‐thiols and amidation followed by in situ acidic condensation delivered azo[2,1‐b][1,3]‐benzothiazinones. A simple “one‐pot” operation is conducted for this reaction. This reaction avoids the use of expensive catalytic reagents and provides the desired products containing different azole rings and substituents in good yields.
A fast and efficient computer aided diagnostic system to detect tumor from brain magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Khanna Pritee
Published: May 2015

In this work, a simple and efficient CAD (computer‐aided diagnostic) system is proposed for tumor detection from brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Poor contrast MR images are preprocessed by using morphological operations and DSR (dynamic stochastic resonance) technique. The appropriate segmentation of MR images plays an important role in yielding the correct detection of tumor. On examination of three views of brain MRI, it was visible that the region of interest (ROI) lies in the middle and its size ranges from 240 × 240 mm2 to 280 × 280 mm2. The proposed system makes effective use of this information and identifies four blocks from the desired ROI through block‐based segmentation. Texture and shape features are extracted for each block of all MRIs in the training set. The range of these feature values defines the threshold to distinguish tumorous and nontumorous MRIs. Features of each block of an MRI view are checked against the threshold. For a particular feature, if a block is found tumorous in a view, then the other views are also checked for the presence of tumor. If corresponding blocks in all the views are found to be tumorous, then the MRI is classified as tumorous. This selective block processing technique improves computational efficiency of the system. The proposed technique is well adaptive and fast, and it is compared with well‐known existing techniques, like k‐means, fuzzy c‐means, etc. The performance analysis based on accuracy and precision parameters emphasizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed work.
Feed‐forward neural network optimized by hybridization of PSO and ABC for abnormal brain detection
Authors: Wang Shuihua , Zhang Yudong , Dong Zhengchao , Du Sidan , Ji Genlin , Yan Jie , Yang Jiquan , Wang Qiong , Feng Chunmei , Phillips Preetha
Published: May 2015

Automated and accurate classification of MR brain images is of crucially importance for medical analysis and interpretation. We proposed a novel automatic classification system based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and artificial bee colony (ABC), with the aim of distinguishing abnormal brains from normal brains in MRI scanning. The proposed method used stationary wavelet transform (SWT) to extract features from MR brain images. SWT is translation‐invariant and performed well even the image suffered from slight translation. Next, principal component analysis (PCA) was harnessed to reduce the SWT coefficients. Based on three different hybridization methods of PSO and ABC, we proposed three new variants of feed‐forward neural network (FNN), consisting of IABAP‐FNN, ABC‐SPSO‐FNN, and HPA‐FNN. The 10 runs of K‐fold cross validation result showed the proposed HPA‐FNN was superior to not only other two proposed classifiers but also existing state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of classification accuracy. In addition, the method achieved perfect classification on Dataset‐66 and Dataset‐160. For Dataset‐255, the 10 repetition achieved average sensitivity of 99.37%, average specificity of 100.00%, average precision of 100.00%, and average accuracy of 99.45%. The offline learning cost 219.077 s for Dataset‐255, and merely 0.016 s for online prediction. Thus, the proposed SWT + PCA + HPA‐FNN method excelled existing methods. It can be applied to practical use.
The study of brain networks driven by steady‐state visual evoked potentials
Authors: Yan Zheng , Lin Xiaohong , Lin Chaodong
Published: May 2015

In this article, we investigated the brain networks during the steady‐state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) task. Two questions: (1) SSVEP‐driven network structures; and (2) the relationship between SSVEP‐driven networks and stimulus frequencies were studied from a network point of view. Method of directed transfer function was applied to brain active signals recorded from electroencephalography (EEG). The resulting connectivity matrices then were converted to graphs by applying a threshold, so that graph theoretical could be used to analyze the characteristics of SSVEP‐driven networks. The results showed that network connections exist in many scalp locations beyond occipital regions. Different from the outflow areas located mainly around the parietal areas, the inflow areas had a widely distribution pattern including the frontal, temporal, and occipital areas. Furthermore, for a wide range of thresholds, with increasing frequency (7–30 Hz), the distribution of clustering coefficient and characteristic path length presented positive and negative correlation with the three parallel flicker SSVEP subsystems, respectively. The results suggested that a specific frequency may evoke certain SSVEP components more than others, and, therefore, one may generate different evoked potentials which results in different network pattern.
3d discrete wavelet transform for computer aided diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease using t1‐weighted brainMRI
Authors: Aggarwal Namita , Rana Bharti , Agrawal R. K.
Published: May 2015

Early and antemortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may help in the development of appropriate treatment and in slowing down the disease progression. In this work, a three‐phase computer aided approach is suggested for classification of AD patients and controls using T1‐weighted MRI. In the first phase, smoothed modulated gray matter (GM) probability maps are obtained from T1‐weighted MRIs. In the second phase, 3D discrete wavelet transform is applied on GM of five brain regions, which are well‐documented regions affected in AD, to construct features. In the third phase, a minimal set of relevant and nonredundant features are obtained using Fisher's discriminant ratio and minimum redundancy maximum relevance feature selection methods. To check the efficacy of the proposed approach, experiments were carried out on three datasets derived from the publicly available OASIS database, using three commonly used classifiers. The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated using three performance measures namely sensitivity, specificity and classification accuracy. Further, the proposed approach was compared with the existing state‐of‐the‐art techniques in terms of three performance measures, ROC curves, scoring and computation time. Irrespective of the datasets and the classifiers, the proposed method outperformed the existing methods. In addition, the statistical test also demonstrated that the proposed method is significantly better in comparison to the other existing methods. The appreciable performance of the proposed method supports that it will assist clinicians/researchers in the classification of AD patients and controls.
MicroRNAs and lncRNAs in senescence: A re‐view
Authors: Bischof Oliver , Martínez‐Zamudio Ricardo Iván
Published: May 2015

Cellular senescence is a stress response to a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic insults that cause genomic or epigenomic perturbations. It is now widely recognized as a potent tumor suppressor mechanism as well as a biological process impacting aging and organismal development. Like other cell fate decisions, senescence is executed and maintained by an intricate network of transcription factors (TFs), chromatin modifiers, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Altogether, these factors cooperate to implement the gene expression program that initiates and sustains the senescent phenotype. In the context of senescence, microRNAs (miRs) and long ncRNAs have been found to play regulatory roles at both the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field and point toward future research directions to gain a better understanding of ncRNAs in senescence. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):255–267, 2015
Suppression of the proliferation of hypoxia‐Induced retinal pigment epithelial cell by rapamycin through the /mTOR/HIF‐1α/VEGF/ signaling
Authors: Liu Ning‐Ning , Zhao Ning , Cai Na
Published: May 2015

Rapamycin, a highly specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), exhibits significant antitumor/antiangiogenic activity in human cancer cells. Its effect on the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was rarely investigated. This study assessed the proliferation of hypoxia‐induced RPE and the inhibitory effects of rapamycin using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and examined the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RPE cells with or without rapamycin under normoxic and hypoxic conditions using real‐time PCR and Western blot. We found that hypoxia increased the levels of mTOR, HIF‐1α, and VEGF. The suppression of HIF‐1α and VEGF by rapamycin was associated with dephosphorylation of mTOR and the downstream effector ribosomal protein S6 kinase (P70S6K) and 4E‐binding protein‐1 (4E‐BP1) of mTORC1. Rapamycin only inhibited the protein levels and did not change the mRNA expression of HIF‐1α. No cytotoxicity to the RPE cells by rapamycin was caused under either normoxia or hypoxia. Our data suggest that rapamycin suppresses hypoxia‐induced RPE cell proliferation through a mechanism related to the targeting of mTOR/HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling. Rapamycin may potentially provide a safe and effective novel treatment for choroidal vascular disease. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(6):446–452, 2015
Seven Traps of the Common Core State Standards
Authors: Eppley Karen
Published: May 2015

Using sociologist C. Wright Mill's analogy of the trap, this piece invites readers to think about the Common Core State Standards beyond the classroom, outward toward its historical and political context. The traps describe the connection between larger social issues related to the implementation of the Common Core and changes at the classroom level with immediate impact on teachers' and students' daily lives. Within the analysis of the seven traps is critical examination of the production of both the Common Core and the Publisher's Criteria and how the documents represent literacy generally, reading and writing specifically, and children's literature. The analysis positions both documents as open and changeable texts waiting for the thoughtful input of teachers, parents, community members, and students.
The Application of High Surface Area Cordierite Synthesized from Kaolin as a Substrate for Auto Exhaust Catalysts
Authors: Mai Phuong Pham Thi , Tien Nguyen The , Le Minh Thang , Van Driessche Isabel
Published: May 2015

Cordierite is often used as substrate for three way catalysts for the treatment of automobile exhaust gases, mainly because of its high stability. In this paper, different synthesis methods of cordierite are systematically investigated with the aim to improve functionalities and surface properties. Amongst them, the conventional sintering method from kaolin was paid attention to, due to economic reasons and the high yield of obtained cordierite phase. With the aim to improve the porosity, burnable additives were added to the precursor powder and acid leaching was applied to treat the surface of the substrates. The latter was found to be the most efficient method, especially when dolomite and industrial aluminum hydroxide were added in the precursors. Surface area of the cordierite sample reaches 139 m2/g with acceptable mechanical strength. The increase of the cordierite surface area resulted in a higher loading of MnO2‐Co3O4‐NiO catalytic active phases, leading to higher activity for the complete oxidation of CO. The deposition of an additional ψ‐Al2O3 support layer, which is normally done for these kinds of applications, becomes superfluous.
The Aerobic Oxidation and C=C Bond Cleavage of Styrenes Catalyzed by Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)
Authors: Yu Lei , Huang Yaping , Bai Zengbing , Zhu Bingchun , Ding Kehong , Chen Tian , Ding Yuanhua , Wang Yuguang
Published: May 2015

The CAN‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation severed the C=C bond selectively through the single electron transfer mechanism, giving a green method to decompose olefins. Compared with the literature reported examples, this method required simple catalyst, cheap, abundant and clean oxidant and was very safe to operate due to the mild conditions.
Theoretical Study of Structures and Spectra of Small Anticancer Drugs: Fluorouracil, Hydroxyurea, and Tirapazamine
Authors: Chong Delano P.
Published: May 2015

The structures and spectra of anticancer drug molecules fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, and tirapazamine are studied with ab initio methods and density functional theory. We optimize the geometry of the three molecules in gas phase and compute the vibrational spectra, dipole moments, and static dipole polarizabilities. Based on the coupled cluster method with single and double excitations (CCSD) results as standard for comparison for the geometry of fluorouracil and hydroxyurea, we conclude that third‐order Moeller‐Plesset perturbation (MP3) theory is more reliable than its second‐order shortcut (MP2) or the popular method in density functional theory known as Becke three‐parameter Lee‐Yang‐Parr exchange‐correlation functional (B3LYP). Using the best methods based on past experience, we also calculate the vertical ionization energies of both valence and core electrons. Most of the results are new predictions, while others compare well with previous calculations and with available experimental data. On the other hand, the absorption spectra of the aqueous solution of three title molecules are studied with time‐dependent DFT using the polarizable continuum model in conjunction with the nonequilibrium solvation method. Out of over 30 exchange‐correlation functions/models, five are found to be more reliable than the others when compared with the observed UV/visible spectra of fluorouracil and tirapazmine.
Selective Desorption of Intercalated Bovine Serum Albumin and Lysozyme by Organically Modified Montmorillonite
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Yen , Hsu Chao‐Chen , Chao (Wu) Victor Wei‐Keh , Huang Sin‐Hsin , Chan Chieh , Wu Ti‐Chia , Wang Ping‐Han
Published: May 2015

The organically modified montmorillonite (M‐Mt) was applied as an adsorbent for the purification of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In order to differentiate the selectivity and perform the purification of BSA, two kinds of proteins, BSA and lysozyme (LYZ) were mixed together and prepared at different pH, which could change the electrical charges on the surfaces of the proteins. BSA and LYZ can be adsorbed at the lower pH into the organically modified montmorillonite, which could be confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) in the d‐value increased after the adsorption of proteins. However, there is only BSA desorption was observed, approved by the method of Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), from this adsorbed protein mixture when the pH of the solution was adjusted and optimized. These results indicate that there is electrostatic interaction between a suitably modified montmorillonite and proteins BSA and LYZ to perform the selective desorption from BSA in the mixture of these proteins.
Gold Nanoparticles as Dual Functional Sensor to Detect E.coliDH5α as a Model for Gram‐negative Bacteria
Authors: Ma Qun , Gong Nianchun , Li Yanle , Jiang Xi , Yin Li , Chen Xueyin , Huan Shuangyan
Published: May 2015

4‐aminothiophenol‐modified gold nanoparticles (PATP‐AuNPs) were used as colorimetric and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) probes for the sensitive detection of Escherichia coliDH5α, as a model for Gram‐negative bacteria. The nano‐probes were easy to prepare through Au‐S bonding. Under optimized conditions, the PATP‐AuNPs surface with positive charge can bind with negatively charged E.coliDH5α via electrostatic adhesion, resulting in a quick color change from red to blue, and also a dramatic SERS signal enhancement from thousands of AuNPs aggregated on the surface of bacteria, which was utilized for both colorimetric and SERS detection of E.coliDH5α. For colorimetric analysis, it is the first time that the classical partial least square (PLS) regression was utilized to deal with the relationship between adsorption and E.coliDH5α concentrations. Excellent linear relationship was observed from 1.1 x 107 to 1.3 x 108 cfu mL‐1 with the average relative error (ARE) of 5.430, which was more accurate than the traditional extinction ration method. When coupled with confocal Raman microscope, this PATP‐AuNPs probes could be used to detection SERS signals produced from even one single bacterium. This bioassay is rapid, less expensive and convenient for bacteria detection and analysis. Therefore, PATP‐AuNPs system as a novel, versatile, on‐site and real‐time Gram‐negative bacteria sensor, would have a wide range of practical applications.
Steady‐state choice between four alternatives obeys the constant‐ratio rule
Authors: Bensemann Joshua , Lobb Brenda , Podlesnik Christopher A. , Elliffe Douglas
Published: May 2015

We investigated why violations to the constant‐ratio rule, an assumption of the generalized matching law, occur in procedures that arrange frequent changes to reinforcer ratios. Our investigation produced steady‐state data and compared them with data from equivalent, frequently changing procedures. Six pigeons responded in a four‐alternative concurrent‐schedule experiment with an arranged reinforcer‐rate ratio of 27:9:3:1. The same four variable‐interval schedules were used in every condition, for 50 sessions, and the physical location of each schedule was changed across conditions. The experiment was a steady‐state version of a frequently changing procedure in which the locations of four VI schedules were changed every 10 reinforcers. We found that subjects' responding was consistent with the constant‐ratio rule in the steady‐state procedure. Additionally, local analyses showed that preference after reinforcement was towards the alternative that was likely to produce the next reinforcer, instead of being towards the just‐reinforced alternative as in frequently changing procedures. This suggests that the effect of a reinforcer on preference is fundamentally different in rapidly changing and steady‐state environments. Comparing this finding to the existing literature suggests that choice is more influenced by reinforcer‐generated signals when the reinforcement contingencies often change.
How climate change has affected the spatio‐temporal patterns of precipitation and temperature at various time scales in North Korea
Authors: Nam Won‐Ho , Hong Eun‐Mi , Baigorria Guillermo A.
Published: May 2015

Detecting changes in the spatio‐temporal patterns of temperature and precipitation is a prerequisite for developing effective adaptation options and strategies for the future. An effective method for assessing climate change and for providing information to decision makers and stakeholders is needed to implement appropriate adaptation strategies. The objective of this study was to determine whether climate change has caused spatio‐temporal changes in meteorological elements in North Korea. We delineated the spatio‐temporal patterns of temperature and precipitation caused by climate change in specific time periods based on statistically significant differences using a statistically robust method. Historical weather data from 27 meteorological stations over a 30‐year period (1981–2010) were used. The results demonstrated that statistically significant changes occurred over the 30 years. The temporal trends in the maximum and minimum temperatures were highly significantly different in the western agricultural regions and central/southwest urban regions during 1996–2010 compared with 1981–1995. The precipitation amounts were significantly different in the southeast regions (around the coast). The numbers of precipitation events were significantly different for portions of the northern and northeast areas near the mountains. Additionally, statistically significant differences in the spatial structures of the temperature and precipitation were found at different time scales. The significant differences were not uniform in each season/month. Therefore, significant differences occurred in the meteorological elements, and particular locations and urbanized areas were affected by global warming. However, the temporal trends and spatial structures of each meteorological element were not equally modified; the meteorological changes occurred locally as a result of the changing climate.
Proactive Goal Generation and Innovative Work Behavior: The Moderating Role of Affective Commitment, Production Ownership and Leader Support for Innovation
Authors: Montani Francesco , Battistelli Adalgisa , Odoardi Carlo
Published: May 2015

Building on goal‐regulation theory, we develop and test the hypothesis that proactive goal generation fosters individual innovative work behavior. Consistent with a resource‐based perspective, we further examine two‐three‐way interactions to assess whether the link between proactive goal generation and innovative behavior is jointly moderated by organizational affective commitment and production ownership, or, alternatively, leader support for innovation. In a sample of 442 municipal employees from the administrative division of an Italian city hall, proactive goal generation was positively associated with innovative work behavior. Additionally, as expected, this relationship was stronger when employees were highly affectively committed to their organization and when they exhibited a high level of production ownership or received extensive support for innovation from their supervisors. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and genetic lineages of Enterococcus spp. from vegetable food, soil and irrigation water in farm environments in Tunisia
Authors: Ben Said Leila , Klibi Naouel , Dziri Raoudha , Borgo Francesca , Boudabous Abdellatif , Ben Slama Karim , Torres Carmen
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the species, clonal diversity, antibiotic resistance and virulence of enterococci in different environments. Seventy‐one samples of farm origin (34 of food vegetables, 27 of soil and ten of irrigation water) and 19 samples of vegetables from five markets, were inoculated in Slanetz‐Bartley agar plates supplemented or not with gentamicin (SB‐Gen and SB plates, respectively) for enterococci recovery.

RESULTS

Enterococci were obtained from 72.2% of tested samples in SB media (food vegetables from farms, 88.2%; soil and irrigation water, 51%; food vegetables from markets, 84.2%), and 65 enterococcal isolates were obtained. Enterococcus faecium was the most prevalent species (52.3%), followed by E. hirae (35.4%), E. faecalis (6.15%), and E. casseliflavus (6.15%). Antibiotic resistance detected among these enterococci was as follows (percentage/detected gene): ciprofloxacin (60%), erythromycin (18.4%/erm(B)), tetracycline (15.4%/tet(M)‐tet(L)), kanamycin (15.4%/aph(3′)‐III), chloramphenicol (7.7%), streptomycin (3%/ant(6)), vancomycin (6.15%/vanC2)), teicoplanin (0%) and ampicillin (0%). High‐level gentamicin‐resistant (HLR‐G) enterococci were detected in SB‐Gen plates in 14 of 90 tested samples (15.5%), and 15 isolates were characterized: ten E. faecalis, four E. faecium and one E. hirae. All HLR‐G enterococci carried the aac(6′)‐aph(2″), erm(B) and tet(M) genes, among other resistance genes. The HLR‐G isolates showed high genetic diversity (ten different PFGE profiles), and were ascribed to the sequence types ST2, ST16, ST28 and new ST528 (in E. faecalis), and ST56, new ST885 and new ST886 (in E. faecium).

CONCLUSION

Food vegetables in the farm or market settings
are frequently contaminated by HLR‐G enterococci, and these microorganisms could reach the human intestine through the food chain, if hygienic conditions are not followed. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of distinct layers within the stratified squamous epithelium of the adult human true vocal fold
Authors: Dowdall Jayme R. , Sadow Peter M. , Hartnick Christopher , Vinarsky Vladimir , Mou Hongmei , Zhao Rui , Song Phillip C. , Franco Ramon A. , Rajagopal Jayaraj
Published: May 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

A precise molecular schema for classifying the different cell types of the normal human vocal fold epithelium is lacking. We hypothesize that the true vocal fold epithelium has a cellular architecture and organization similar to that of other stratified squamous epithelia including the skin, cornea, oral mucosa, and esophagus. In analogy to disorders of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, a molecular definition of the normal cell types within the human vocal fold epithelium and a description of their geometric relationships should serve as a foundation for characterizing cellular changes associated with metaplasia, dysplasia, and cancer.

Study Design

Qualitative study with adult human larynges.

Methods

Histologic sections of normal human laryngeal tissue were analyzed for morphology (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical protein expression profile, including cytokeratins (CK13 and CK14), cornified envelope proteins (involucrin), basal cells (NGFR/p75), and proliferation markers (Ki67).

Results

We demonstrated that three distinct cell strata with unique marker profiles are present within the stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. We used these definitions to establish that cell proliferation is restricted to certain cell types and layers within the epithelium. These distinct cell types are reproducible across five normal adult larynges.

Conclusion

We have established that three layers of cells are present within the normal adult stratified squamous epithelium of the true vocal fold. Furthermore, replicating cell populations are largely restricted to the parabasal strata within the epithelium. This delineation of distinct cell populations will facilitate future studies of vocal fold regeneration and cancer.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E313–E319, 2015