bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of regressive autism symptoms in a child with TMLHE deficiency following carnitine supplementation
Authors: Ziats Mark N. , Comeaux Mathew S. , Yang Yaping , Scaglia Fernando , Elsea Sarah H. , Sun Qin , Beaudet Arthur L. , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: May 2015

Disorders of carnitine biosynthesis have recently been associated with neurodevelopmental syndromes such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A 4‐year‐old male with autism and two episodes of neurodevelopmental regression was identified to have a mutation in the TMLHE gene, which encodes the first enzyme in the carnitine biosynthesis pathway, and concurrent carnitine deficiency. Following carnitine supplementation, the patient's regression ended, and the boy started gaining developmental milestones. This case report suggests that deficits in carnitine biosynthesis may be responsible for some cases of regression in individuals with ASD, and that testing for the respective biochemical pathway should be considered. Furthermore, this case suggests that carnitine supplementation may be useful in treating (and potentially preventing) regressive episodes in patients with carnitine deficiency. Further work to better define the role of disorders of carnitine biosynthesis in autism spectrum disorder is warranted. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Boymaw, Overexpressed in Brains With Major Psychiatric Disorders, May Encode a Small Protein to Inhibit Mitochondrial Function and Protein Translation
Authors: Ji Baohu , Kim Minjung , Higa Kerin K , Zhou Xianjin
Published: May 2015

The t(1,11) chromosome translocation co‐segregates with major psychiatric disorders in a large Scottish family. The translocation disrupts the DISC1and Boymaw (DISC1FP1) genes on chromosomes 1 and 11, respectively. After translocation, two fusion genes are generated. Our recent studies found that the DISC1‐Boymaw fusion protein is localized in mitochondria and inhibits oxidoreductase activity, rRNA expression, and protein translation. Mice carrying the DISC1‐Boymaw fusion genes display intermediate behavioral phenotypes related to major psychiatric disorders. Here, we report that the Boymaw gene may encode a small protein predominantly localized in mitochondria. The Boymaw protein inhibits oxidoreductase activity, rRNA expression, and protein translation in the same way as the DISC1‐Boymaw fusion protein. Interestingly, Boymaw expression is up‐regulated by different stressors at RNA and/or protein translational levels. In addition, we found that Boymaw RNA expression is significantly increased in the postmortem brains of patients with major psychiatric disorders. Our studies therefore suggest that the Boymaw gene could potentially be a susceptibility gene for major psychiatric disorders in both the Scottish t(1,11) family and the general population of patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purely endoscopic endonasal surgery of the craniovertebral junction: A systematic review
Authors: Fang Christina H. , Friedman Remy , Schild Sam D. , Goldstein Ira M. , Baredes Soly , Liu James K. , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: May 2015

Background

Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is a relatively novel approach to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). The purpose of this analysis is to determine the surgical outcomes of patients who undergo purely EES of the CVJ.

Methods

A search for articles related to EES of the CVJ was performed using the MEDLINE/PubMed database. A bibliographic search was done for additional articles. Demographics, presenting symptoms, imaging findings, complications, follow‐up, and patient outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Eighty‐five patients from 30 articles were included. The mean patient age was 47.9 ± 24.8 years (range, 3 to 96 years), with 44.7% being male. The most common presenting symptom was myelopathy (n = 64, 75.3%). The most common indications for surgery were brainstem compression secondary to basilar invagination (n = 41, 48.2%) and odontoid pannus (n = 20, 23.5%). Odontoidectomy was performed in 97.6% of cases. Intraoperative complications occurred in 16 patients (18.8%) and postoperative complications occurred in 18 patients (21.2%). Six patients developed postoperative respiratory failure necessitating a tracheostomy. Neurologic improvement was seen in 89.4% of patients at a mean follow‐up of 22.2 months.

Conclusion

Our analysis found that EES of the CVJ results in a high rate of neurologic improvement with acceptable complication rates. Given its minimally invasive nature and high success rate, this approach appears to be a reasonable alternative to the traditional transoral approach in select cases. This study represents the largest pooled sample size of EES of the CVJ to date. Increasing use of the endoscopic endonasal approach will allow for further studies with greater statistical power.
Why are these similar? Investigating item similarity types in a large digital library
Authors: Gonzalez‐Agirre Aitor , Rigau German , Agirre Eneko , Aletras Nikolaos , Stevenson Mark
Published: May 2015

We introduce a new problem, identifying the type of relation that holds between a pair of similar items in a digital library. Being able to provide a reason why items are similar has applications in recommendation, personalization, and search. We investigate the problem within the context of Europeana, a large digital library containing items related to cultural heritage. A range of types of similarity in this collection were identified. A set of 1,500 pairs of items from the collection were annotated using crowdsourcing. A high intertagger agreement (average 71.5 Pearson correlation) was obtained and demonstrates that the task is well defined. We also present several approaches to automatically identifying the type of similarity. The best system applies linear regression and achieves a mean Pearson correlation of 71.3, close to human performance. The problem formulation and data set described here were used in a public evaluation exercise, the *SEM shared task on Semantic Textual Similarity. The task attracted the participation of 6 teams, who submitted 14 system runs. All annotations, evaluation scripts, and system runs are freely available.
Using targeted design interventions to encourage extra‐role crowdsourcing behavior
Authors: Nov Oded , Laut Jeffrey , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: May 2015

Crowdsourcing has seen a substantial increase in interest from researchers and practitioners in recent years. Being a new form of work facilitated by information technology, the rise of crowdsourcing calls for the development of new theoretical insights. Our focus in this article is on extra‐role behavior—employees' voluntary activities, which are not part of their prescribed duties. Specifically, we explored how user interface design can help increase extra‐role behavior among crowdsourcing workers. In a randomized experiment, we examined the joint effects of the presentation of a performance display to crowdsourcing workers and the personal attributes of these workers on the workers' likelihood to engage in extra‐role behavior. The experimental setting included an image analysis task performed on an environmental monitoring website. We compared workers' behavior across the different experimental conditions and found that the interaction between the presence of a performance display and the workers' personality trait of curiosity has a significant impact on the likelihood of engaging in extra‐role behavior. In particular, the presence of a performance display was associated with increased likelihood of extra‐role behavior among low‐curiosity workers, and no change in extra‐role behavior was observed among high‐curiosity users. Implications for design are discussed.
Understanding scientific collaboration in the research life cycle: Bio‐ and nanoscientists' motivations, information‐sharing and communication practices, and barriers to collaboration
Authors: Chung EunKyung , Kwon Nahyun , Lee Jungyeoun
Published: May 2015

This study aims to identify the way researchers collaborate with other researchers in the course of the scientific research life cycle and provide information to the designers of e‐Science and e‐Research implementations. On the basis of in‐depth interviews with and on‐site observations of 24 scientists and a follow‐up focus group interview in the field of bioscience/nanoscience and technology in Korea, we examined scientific collaboration using the framework of the scientific research life cycle. We attempt to explain the major motivations, characteristics of communication and information sharing, and barriers associated with scientists' research collaboration practices throughout the research life cycle. The findings identify several notable phenomena including motivating factors, the timing of collaboration formation, partner selection, communication methods, information‐sharing practices, and barriers at each phase of the life cycle. We find that specific motivations were related to specific phases. The formation of collaboration was observed throughout the entire process, not only in the beginning phase of the cycle. For communication and information‐sharing practices, scientists continue to favor traditional means of communication for security reasons. Barriers to collaboration throughout the phases included different priorities, competitive tensions, and a hierarchical culture among collaborators, whereas credit sharing was a barrier in the research product phase.
Prussian Blue Derived Nanoporous Iron Oxides as Anticancer Drug Carriers for Magnetic‐Guided Chemotherapy
Authors: Zakaria Mohamed B. , Belik Alexei A. , Liu Chia‐Hung , Hsieh Han‐Yun , Liao Yu‐Te , Malgras Victor , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wu Kevin. C.‐W.
Published: May 2015

New nanoporous iron oxide nanoparticles with superparamagnetic behavior were successfully synthesized from Prussian blue (PB) nanocubes through a thermal conversion method and applied to the intracellular drug‐delivery systems (DDS) of bladder cancer cells (i.e., T24) with controlled release and magnetic guiding properties. The results of the MTT assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicate that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were successfully uptaken by T24 cells with excellent biocompatibility. An anticancer drug, that is, cisplatin, was used as a model drug, and its loading/release behavior was investigated. The intracellular drug delivery efficiency was greatly enhanced for the cisplatin‐loaded, PB‐derived, magnetic‐guided drug‐delivery system compared with the non‐drug case. The synthesized nanomaterials show great potential as drug vehicles with high biocompatibility, controlled release, and magnetic targeting features for future intracellular DDS.
Estimating structural credit risk models when market prices are contaminated with noise
Authors: Kwon*†‡ Tae Yeon , Lee Yoonjung
Published: May 2015

In this paper, sequential estimation on hidden asset value and model parameter estimation is implemented under the Black–Cox model. To capture short‐term autocorrelation in the stock market, we assume that market noise follows a mean reverting process. For estimation, Bayesian methods are applied in this paper: the particle filter algorithm for sequential estimation of asset value and the generalized Gibbs and multivariate adapted Metropolis methods for model parameters estimation. The first simulation study shows that sequential hidden asset value estimation using both option price and equity price is more efficient than estimation using equity price alone. The second simulation study shows that, by applying the generalized Gibbs sampling and multivariate adapted Metropolis methods, model parameters can be estimated successfully. In an empirical analysis, the stock market noise for firms with more liquid stock is estimated as having smaller volatility. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graphene oxide–mediated electrochemistry of glucose oxidase on glassy carbon electrodes
Authors: Castrignanò Silvia , Valetti Francesca , Gilardi Gianfranco , Sadeghi Sheila J.
Published: May 2015

Glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) as a model system for the interaction between GO and biological molecules. Lyotropic properties of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) were used to stabilize the enzymatic layer on the electrode surface resulting in a markedly improved electrochemical response of the immobilized GOD. Transmission electron microscopy images of the GO with DDAB confirmed the distribution of the GO in a two‐dimensional manner as a foil‐like material. Although it is known that glassy carbon surfaces are not ideal for hydrogen peroxide detection, successful chronoamperometric titrations of the GOD in the presence of GO with β‐d‐glucose were performed on glassy carbon electrodes, whereas no current response was detected upon β‐d‐glucose addition in the absence of GO. The GOD–DDAB–GO system displayed a high turnover efficiency and substrate affinity as a glucose biosensor. The simplicity and ease of the electrode preparation procedure of this GO/DDAB system make it a good candidate for immobilizing other biomolecules for fabrication of amperometric biosensors.
High‐throughput sequencing reveals adaptation‐induced mutations in pentose‐fermenting strains of Zymomonas mobilis
Authors: Dunn Kori L. , Rao Christopher V.
Published: May 2015

Zymomonas mobilis is capable of producing ethanol at high rates and titers from glucose. This bacterium has previously been engineered to consume the pentose sugars xylose and arabinose, but the rate of consumption of these sugars is low. Recent research has utilized adaptive evolution to isolate strains of Z. mobilis capable of rapidly fermenting xylose. In this study, we also used adaptive evolution to isolate strains of Z. mobilis capable of rapidly fermenting xylose and arabinose. To determine the bottlenecks in pentose metabolism, we then used high‐throughput sequencing to pinpoint the genetic changes responsible for the phenotypes of the adapted strains. We found that the transport of both xylose and arabinose through the native sugar transporter, Glf, limits pentose fermentations in Z. mobilis. We also found that mutations in the AddB protein increase plasmid stability and can reduce cellular aggregation in these strains. Consistent with previous research, we found that reduced xylitol production improves xylose fermentations in Z. mobilis. We also found that increased transketolase activity and reduced glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity improve arabinose fermentations in Z. mobilis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2228–2240. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from partial and full‐nitrification BNR processes based on post‐anoxic aeration control
Authors: Brotto Ariane Coelho , Li Huosheng , Dumit Muriel , Gabarró Jordi , Colprim Jesús , Murthy Sudhir , Chandran Kartik
Published: May 2015

It has been reported that a directional change from anoxic to aerobic conditions is a common trigger for nitrous oxide (N2O) production by ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB). By extension, during anoxic–aerobic cycling, post‐anoxic dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations might likely play a role in the magnitude of N2O emissions observed. The overall goal of this study was to determine the impact of three select post‐anoxic DO concentrations (0.8, 2.0, and 3.0 mg O2/L) on N2O emissions from partial‐nitrification (PN) and full‐nitrification (FN) reactors subjected to anoxic–aerobic cycling and, ultimately, to explore the development of strategies to minimize N2O emissions from PN and FN based biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes. Statistically similar N2O emissions were observed during anoxia for both PN (0.62 ± 0.21% N load) and FN (0.61 ± 0.070% N load) processes. In contrast, N2O emissions were statistically lower for PN (0.86 ± 0.25% N load) than for FN (4.6 ± 2.8% N load), during the post‐anoxic aerobic phase, when compared together for all three post‐anoxic DO concentrations. Further, for PN, the highest N2O emissions were observed at the highest post‐anoxic DO concentration of 3.0 mg O2/L (1.2% N load), likely due to the highest corresponding AOB specific growth rate. In contrast, for FN, the highest N2O emissions were at the lowest post‐anoxic DO concentration of 0.8 mg O2/L (8.5% N load). The higher emissions from FN process at low DO concentrations were associated with a lag in nitrite oxidizing bacteria activity upon recovery to aerobic conditions. This lag phase contributed to transient nitrite accumulation, and in turn correlated positively to the observed N2O emissions. Based on our findings, a gradual ramp up in post‐anoxic DO concentrations can minimize N2O emissions during PN‐based BNR, whereas a completely different strategy, entailing a rapid increase in post‐anoxic DO concentrations can minimize emissions during FN‐based BNR operations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 2241–2247. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photoracemization of Blestriarene C and Its Analogs
Authors: Natori Koichi , Iwayama Taizo , Yamabe Osamu , Kitamoto Yuichi , Ikeda Hiroshi , Sakamoto Kenkichi , Hattori Tetsutaro , Miyano Sotaro
Published: May 2015

Two analogs of blestriarene C (4,4'‐dimethoxy‐1,1'‐biphenanthrene‐2,2',7,7'‐tetraol) bearing no 7,7'‐dihydroxy (3) and 4,4'‐dimethoxy groups 4 were prepared. Unlike blestriarene C (1), compounds 3 and 4, as well as 1,1'‐biphenanthrene‐2,2'‐diol (5), do not racemize under fluorescent lamp illumination. Cyclic voltammetry analysis reveals that compound 1 has a lower half‐wave potential (E1/2) than compounds 3, 4, 5, suggesting that a redox cycle is involved in the racemization. Compound 1 racemizes by absorbing UV light corresponding to the 1Lb band. During the reaction, no side products are observed. The racemization is significantly inhibited under nitrogen. Based on these observations, we propose a feasible mechanism for the easy racemization of compound 1, which is mediated by a cation radical generated in situ by a reversible photo‐induced oxygen oxidation. Chirality 27:479–486, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerische und analytische Beschreibung der mechanischen Eigenschaften quasi‐tetraederförmiger Agglomerate
Authors: Müller Peter , Glöckner Hannes , Tomas Jürgen
Published: May 2015

Quasi‐tetraederförmige Agglomerate bestehen aus vier kugelförmigen Primärpartikeln, von denen drei Primärpartikel generell eine Grundfläche bilden, auf der, im Idealfall gleich großer Primärpartikelradien, das vierte Primärpartikel zentrisch angeordnet ist. In dieser Arbeit werden die Mittelpunktskoordinaten der Primärpartikel für Agglomerate verschiedener Primärpartikelradien hergeleitet. Zudem wird basierend auf dem Hertz‐Modell ein analytisches Modell bei elastischer Kontaktdeformation hergeleitet und evaluiert. Mittels der Diskrete‐Elemente‐Methode wird der Aufbau tetraederförmiger Agglomerate modelliert, die Druckbeanspruchung zwischen zwei steifen Platten simuliert und die Ergebnisse mit experimentellen Daten verglichen.
Methyl Group in Isocopalane Derivative Showed an Unusual Negative 1H NMR Chemical Shift
Authors: Xiao Xiong , Chen Tianqi , Zhang Fengfeng , Cheng Jiagao , Wu Peiying , Ren Jiangmeng , Zeng Bubing
Published: May 2015

An unusual negative 1H NMR chemical shif of methyl group was discovered in condensation product of isocopalane diterpenoid with p‐toluenesulfonyl hydrazide. 2D NMR, computational studies and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the C‐20 methyl group was shielded.
Understanding the Aldo‐Enediolate Tautomerism of Glycolaldehyde in Basic Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Azofra Luis Miguel , Quesada‐Moreno María Mar , Alkorta Ibon , Avilés‐Moreno Juan Ramón , Elguero José , López‐González Juan Jesús
Published: May 2015

The biochemically important interconversion process between aldoses and ketoses is assumed to take place via 1,2‐enediol or 1,2‐enediolate intermediates, but such intermediates have never been isolated. The current work was undertaken in an attempt to detect the presence of the 1,2‐enediol structure of glycolaldehyde in alkaline medium, actually a 1,2‐enediolate, and to try to clarify the scarce data existing about both the formation of deprotonated enediol and the aldo‐enediolate equilibrium. The Raman spectra of neutral and basic solutions were recorded as a function of time for eleven days. Several bands associated with the presence of the enediolate were observed in alkaline medium. Glycolaldehyde exists as three different structures in aqueous solution at neutral pH, that is, hydrated aldehydes, aldehydes and dimers, with a respective ratio of approximately 4:0.25:1. Additionally, the formation ofZ‐enediolate forms takes place at basic pH, together with an increase in the concentration of aldehyde species, such as 2‐oxoethan‐1‐olate, and a decrease in the concentrations of the hydrated aldehyde and dimeric forms. The theoretical ratio of ≈1.5:1 for aldehyde:Z‐enediolate reproduces the experimental Raman spectrum in basic medium, with an additional contribution of the previously mentioned ratio between the hydrated aldehyde and dimeric forms. Finally, Raman spectroscopy allowed us to monitor the enolization of this carbohydrate model and conclude that aldo‐enediol tautomerism—formally aldo‐enediolate—happens when a suitable amount of basic species is added.
Controlling the Formation of Ionic‐Liquid‐based Aqueous Biphasic Systems by Changing the Hydrogen‐Bonding Ability of Polyethylene Glycol End Groups
Authors: Pereira Jorge F. B. , Kurnia Kiki A. , Freire Mara G. , Coutinho João A. P. , Rogers Robin D.
Published: May 2015

The formation of aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) when mixing aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and an ionic liquid (IL) can be controlled by modifying the hydrogen‐bond‐donating/‐accepting ability of the polymer end groups. It is shown that the miscibility/immiscibility in these systems stems from both the solvation of the ether groups in the oxygen chain and the ability of the PEG terminal groups to preferably hydrogen bond with water or the anion of the salt. The removal of even one hydrogen bond in PEG can noticeably affect the phase behavior, especially in the region of the phase diagram in which all the ethylene oxide (EO) units of the polymeric chain are completely solvated. In this region, removing or weakening the hydrogen‐bond‐donating ability of PEG results in greater immiscibility, and thus, in a higher ability to form ABS, as a result of the much weaker interactions between the IL anion and the PEG end groups.
Magnetic Dextran Nanoparticles That Bear Hydrophilic Porphyrin Derivatives: Bimodal Agents for Potential Application in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Mbakidi Jean‐Pierre , Brégier Frédérique , Ouk Tan‐Sothea , Granet Robert , Alves Sandra , Rivière Eric , Chevreux Sylviane , Lemercier Gilles , Sol Vincent
Published: May 2015

This study reports the chemical synthesis of a class of dextran superparamagnetic nanoparticles that bear hydrophilic porphyrin units covalently grafted by a click chemistry reaction in aqueous solution. Magnetic nanoparticles are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hyperthermia, and the grafting of hydrophilic photosensitizers (PS) leads to elaborate new multifunctional platforms for potential diagnostic and targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT). The therapeutic potential for PDT of these nanoparticles is evaluated in vitro against the HaCaT cell line. The results show that these new multicharged nanomagnets—in particular, those that bear cationic porphyrins—show a significant uptake and an interesting photocytotoxic activity toward HaCaT cells. The whole series of these synthesized PS are massively incorporated inside HaCat cells and associated with mitochondria.
Glycosaminoglycan‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of Nanostructured Conducting Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxy thiophene) having Enhanced Osteogenic Bioactivity
Authors: Hao Jian , Piao Zhe , Yao Jin , Hao Zhao
Published: May 2015

A sustainable nanofabrication approach using glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the major organic extracellular matrix components, was employed to assist tunable self‐assembly of nanostructured poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) by template‐free electrochemical polymerization. An insight into GAG‐assisted self‐assembly of nanostructured PEDOT was proposed, which asserted that the EDOT monomers were self‐assembled by active groups of polysaccharide chains of GAGs, and subsequently PEDOT/GAGs chains self‐assembled to form nanostructured PEDOT. Its sustainable nature was supported through enhanced osteogenic bioactivity.
A Useful Route to Metal Complexes of Poorly Coordinating Sulfonamides
Authors: Fondo Matilde , Portela‐García Cristina , Baleeiro‐Tadiotto Arthur H. , García‐Deibe Ana M. , Sanmartín‐Matalobos Jesús
Published: May 2015

We report a synthetic approach towards metal complexes of the poorly coordinating sulfonamide 2‐tosylaminomethylaniline (HLTs) that exploits both the good donor capacity of imine N atoms and the hydrolysis of imine ligands mediated by d‐block metals. Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pd2+ ions appear to promote the efficient hydrolysis of a coordinated imine ligand (H2LSB) at room temperature, especially in a protic medium. The crystal structures of chiral R‐H2LSB and achiral trans‐Pd(LTs)2 allow us to compare some conformational changes of the sulfonamide residue after complexation.
Transparent Metal Network with Low Haze and High Figure of Merit applied to Front and Back Electrodes in Semitransparent ITO‐free Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Hunger Christoph , Rao K. D. M. , Gupta Ritu , Singh Chetan R. , Kulkarni Giridhar U. , Thelakkat Mukundan
Published: May 2015

In the quest for indium‐tin oxide (ITO)‐free photovoltaics and for building integrated as well as automobile roof applications, novel transparent electrodes for both front and back electrodes are required. Here we report the fabrication and integration of submicrometer transparent silver (Ag) and gold (Au) metal network electrodes, which are invisible to the naked eye, in organic photovoltaic devices. We exploit the idea of using the spontaneous cracking of a polymer layer as template to prepare the metal network. The main challenge is to apply the cracked template approach on top of soluble organic layers and to lift off the template without damaging the photoactive layer. We demonstrate that Ag or Au back electrodes can be fabricated maintaining a transmittance of 80 % for the whole visible range. These electrodes exhibit ultralow haze of approximately 5 % and an excellent figure of merit value. Moreover, the ITO‐free semitransparent polymer solar cell incorporating the Ag/Ag network electrodes exhibits 57 % transmittance above 650 nm.
Modal response analysis of multi‐support structures using a random vibration approach
Authors: Heredia‐Zavoni Ernesto , Santa‐Cruz Sandra , Silva‐González Francisco L.
Published: May 2015

A formulation is developed for modal response analysis of multi‐support structures using a random vibration approach. The spectral moments of the structural response are rigorously decomposed into contributions from spectral moments of uncoupled modal responses. An advantage of the proposed formulation is that the total dynamic response can be obtained on the basis of mode by mode uncoupled analyses. The contributions to the total response from modal responses under individual support ground motions and under cross‐correlated pairs of support ground motions can be recognized explicitly. The application and performance of the formulation is illustrated by means of an example using a well‐established coherency spectrum model and widely known power spectra models, such as white noise and Kanai–Tajimi. The first three spectral moments of displacement, shear, and bending moment responses are computed, showing that the formulation produces the same results as the exact solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
the author replies
Authors: Nelson Robert M.
Published: May 2015

A response to “What Counts as Equipoise?” by Henry J. Silverman and Didier Dreyfuss.
Muddled Measures of Risks and Misremembered Reasons
Authors: Lantos John D. , Feudtner Chris
Published: May 2015

A commentary on “Were There ‘Additional Foreseeable Risks’ in the SUPPORT Study?,” by Henry J. Silverman and Didier Dreyfuss; “SUPPORT: Risks, Harms, and Equipoise,” by Robert M. Nelson; “The Controversy over SUPPORT Continues and the Hyperbole Increases,” by Alan R. Fleischman; and “SUPPORT and Comparative Effectiveness Trials: What's at Stake?,” by Lois Shepherd, all in the January‐February 2015 issue.
Consultations across Languages
Authors: Bibler Trevor , Peña Adam , Bruce Courtenay R.
Published: May 2015

Lei, a twenty‐seven‐year‐old Mandarin speaker, visits the United States seeking curative treatments for his acute myeloid leukemia. His mother, Hua, has traveled with him. Neither she nor Lei speak English, and the hospital does not have an onsite professional Mandarin‐speaking interpreter. Using a professional interpreter over the phone, Lei's oncologist, Dr. Branson, attempts to initiate a face‐to‐face goals‐of‐care conversation with Hua as the surrogate decision‐maker. Dr. Branson explains that Lei has “only weeks to months to live” and recommends initiating comfort‐care‐only measures, but Hua says that she wants (and that Lei would want) continued aggressive measures. Hua says that her son might be a candidate for a phase I trial. Eventually, Dr. Branson brings in Dr. Chou, a Mandarin‐speaking resident to provide face‐to‐face interpretation. Hua insists that “there must be more standard therapies available” and says that she will wait until the trial begins. She begins crying, and the meeting disintegrates. Following this, Dr. Branson calls for an ethics consultation for “help in end‐of‐life communicating and reconciling discordance about prognostic information.”

How should the ethicist use the institution's interpreter services?
Backward by Design: Building ELSI into a Stem Cell Science Curriculum
Authors: Scott Christopher Thomas
Published: May 2015

Traditional methods of instruction can fail to produce enduring ways of learning, especially in rapidly changing disciplines in the life sciences. Educators and funding agencies are thus calling for new, integrated teaching approaches to address the life sciences. Hierarchical frameworks are being proposed as ways to tackle curricula with large numbers of concepts. Comparing lecture‐based and interactive formats by measuring performance with pre‐ and post‐tests indicated significantly higher learning gains and better conceptual understanding in the more interactive course. Other work has examined how the history of biology can be used to infuse relevance into the biology curriculum. In this paper, I describe a project at Stanford to create, implement, and evaluate an integrated curriculum in undergraduate stem cell education comprised of scientific, laboratory, and ELSI topics.
Must We Be Courageous?
Authors: Hamric Ann B. , Arras John D. , Mohrmann Margaret E.
Published: May 2015

The notion of virtue in general, and courage in particular, has had a hard time integrating itself into the everyday lexicon of bioethics. Following the lead of enlightenment moral philosophy, which concentrates on the theory of right action as opposed to the ancient Greeks' emphasis on the development of good character, bioethics, with some notable exceptions, has tended to relegate consideration of the virtues to the sidelines of moral argument. Recently, however, there have been calls for the necessity of “moral courage” in the context of clinical ethics. As nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals confront a variety of moral contexts in which the virtue of courage is invoked to "do the right thing," stand up for patients' rights, and uphold the ethical standards of their professions, they are increasingly reminded of their moral duty to exhibit courage in the face of institutional obstacles to the proper care of their patients. For example, a nurse's hesitation to approach a physician to request increased sedation for an agitated patient out of fear of retaliation is represented in one article as a lack of courage.

In this paper we offer a critical assessment of such invocations of courage. While we find courage to be an indispensable virtue in some challenging contexts, in other settings we find invocations of courage to be both an unfortunate endorsement of an oppressive status quo that can divert attention from the real problems and an undesirable and potentially destructive strategy within health care institutions whose goal is medically excellent and morally good clinical practice. As we shall argue, a call to virtuousness is not always virtuous.
Incentives for Healthy Behavior
Authors: Rhodes Rosamond
Published: May 2015

In recent years, pay‐for‐performance initiatives have been employed to encourage desired behavior in various domains, including health. Employers use money to encourage employees to exercise; and hospitals, to encourage physicians to practice efficiently. Now, medical groups are considering the use of payments to encourage people to accept often‐avoided medical interventions, such as mammography or stool sampling. For example, a panel at the New York United Hospital Fund and the Greater New York Hospital Association Foundation's 2014 Annual Symposium on Health Care Services discussed how patient incentives could prevent illness, mitigate the impact of disease, save lives, and conserve medical resources and money.
Interferon Gamma, but not Calcitriol Improves the Osteopetrotic Phenotypes in ADO2 Mice
Authors: Alam Imranul , Gray Amie K. , Acton Dena , Gerard-O'Riley Rita L. , Reilly Austin M. , Econs Michael J.
Published: May 2015

ADO2 is a heritable osteosclerotic disorder that usually results from heterozygous missense dominant negative mutations in the chloride channel 7 gene (CLCN7). ADO2 is characterized by a wide range of features and severity, including multiple fractures, impaired vision due to secondary bony overgrowth and/or the lack of the optical canal enlargement with growth, and osteonecrosis/osteomyelitis. The disease is presently incurable, although anecdotal evidence suggests that calcitriol and interferon gamma-1b (IFN-G) may have some beneficial effects. To identify the role of these drugs for the treatment of ADO2, we utilized a knock-in (G213R mutation in Clcn7) ADO2 mouse model that resembles the human disease. Six-week-old ADO2 heterozygous mice were administered vehicle (PBS) or calcitriol or IFN-G 5 times per week for 8 weeks. We determined bone phenotypes using DXA and μCT, and analyzed serum biochemistry and bone resorption markers. ADO2 mice treated with all doses of IFN-G significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the increase of whole body aBMD and distal femur BV/TV gain in both male and female compared to the vehicle group. In contrast, mice treated with low and medium doses of calcitriol showed a trend of higher aBMD and BV/TV whereas high dose calcitriol significantly (p<0.05) increased bone mass compared to the vehicle group. The calcium and phosphorus levels did not differ between vehicle and IFN-G or calcitriol treated mice; however, we detected significantly (p<0.05) elevated levels of CTX/TRAP5b ratio in IFN-G treated mice. Our findings indicate that while IFN-G at all doses substantially improved the osteopetrotic phenotypes in ADO2 heterozygous mice, calcitriol treatment at any dose did not improve the phenotype and at high dose further increased bone mass. Thus, use of high dose calcitriol therapy in ADO2 patients merits serious reconsideration. Importantly, our data support the prospect of a clinical trial of IFN-G in ADO2 patients.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Agricultural Drought in Sri Lanka: 1881–2010
Authors: Gunda Thushara , Hornberger George M. , Gilligan Jonathan M.
Published: May 2015

A spatiotemporal analysis of two well‐known agricultural drought indices, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Standardized Precipitation Index at a 9‐month scale (SPI‐9), is presented for Sri Lanka. The analysis was conducted based on monthly precipitation and temperature data from January 1881 to December 2010 using 13 stations distributed across the three climatic zones of the country. Principal component analysis shows that the first two principal components of PDSI and SPI‐9 are spatially comparable and could physically represent the two main monsoons. A wavelet analysis of these principal components' scores for both indices indicates a stronger association between the Northeastern monsoon and El‐Niño in recent decades. Correlation analysis with agricultural metrics suggests that different indices might be appropriate for each of the climatic zones in Sri Lanka. PDSI correlated best with the intermediate zone districts; SPI‐9 correlated best with the dry zone districts; but neither index correlated well with the wet zone districts.
Application of two methods of calculation of solvation descriptor L to estimate C5–C7 alkenes retention
Authors: Jirkal Štěpán , Ševčík Jiří G.K.
Published: May 2015

The solvation descriptor L for 59 isomers of all C5–C7 alkenes was calculated using two methods based on additive contributions of particular fragments in the molecule by the method of Havelec and Ševčík and the method of Platts and Butina. These descriptors were used to estimate the gas chromatography retention of alkenes on squalane and polydimethylsiloxane stationary phases. The retention was described better by the Platts–Butina method. Modification of the Havelec–Ševčík method by omitting the contribution for interaction of the cis isomers led to a substantial improvement in the estimation ability of the model. The modified Havelec–Ševčík method was found to be preferable for estimation of the descriptor L compared to the Platts–Butina method. A more comprehensive description of the retention of alkenes was achieved by inclusion of an additional descriptor E. This model with the descriptors L and E yielded better estimation for alkenes compared to the model with a single descriptor.
Determination of phthalate esters from environmental water samples by micro‐solid‐phase extraction using TiO2 nanotube arrays before high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhou Qingxiang , Fang Zhi , Liao Xiangkun
Published: May 2015

We describe a highly sensitive micro‐solid‐phase extraction method for the pre‐concentration of six phthalate esters utilizing a TiO2 nanotube array coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography with a variable‐wavelength ultraviolet visible detector. The selected phthalate esters included dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate and dioctyl phthalate. The factors that would affect the enrichment, such as desorption solvent, sample pH, salting‐out effect, extraction time and desorption time, were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the linear range of the proposed method was 0.3–200 μg/L. The limits of detection were 0.04–0.2 μg/L (S/N = 3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of six phthalate esters in water samples and satisfied spiked recoveries were achieved. These results indicated that the proposed method was appropriate for the determination of trace phthalate esters in environmental water samples.
Aramid‐Assisted Acid Spinning of Continuous Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Twisted, Robust, and Multifunctional Yarns
Authors: Gong Jian‐Liang , Xu Bin‐Gang , Tao Xiao‐Ming
Published: May 2015

An aramid‐assisted acid spinning strategy was developed for rapid fabrication of continuous macroscopic multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) fibers by dispersing MWCNTs and Kevlar into most widely used concentrated sulfuric acid (>95%). The resultant fibers comprising over 85 wt% MWCNTs had a high strain rate of approximately 11.90%, and held enough mechanical strength for further twisting. The twisted three‐ply yarns maintained the high‐elastic character of single fibers (up to 13.18%), meanwhile possessed a high tensile load capacity of 360.24 mN, and a good conductivity of 154.43 S · cm−1, which were believed to have promising applications for wearable electronics, energy conversion and storage devices in harsh environments.
Amino acid‐derived betaines dominate as urinary markers for rye bran intake in mice fed high‐fat diet—A nontargeted metabolomics study
Authors: Pekkinen Jenna , Rosa‐Sibakov Natalia , Micard Valerie , Keski‐Rahkonen Pekka , Lehtonen Marko , Poutanen Kaisa , Mykkänen Hannu , Hanhineva Kati
Published: May 2015

Scope

Bioprocessing of whole grain cereals may affect the bioavailability of phytochemicals associated with grain fiber and ultimately lead to different health outcomes. Here, we studied the impact of long‐term feeding with intact and bioprocessed rye bran on the urinary phytochemical profile of mice.

Methods and results

Nontargeted hydrophilic interaction chromatography‐ESI‐qTOF‐MS metabolite profiling approach was applied on urine samples collected from three groups of diet‐induced obese mice fed for 8 weeks with one of the three diets: high‐fat (HF) control diet, HF diet enriched with intact rye bran, or HF diet enriched with bioprocessed rye bran. The most striking finding was the increased urinary excretion of several amino‐acid derived betaines after both rye diets. These included proline betaine, alanine betaine, valine betaine, phenylalanine betaine, pipecolic acid betaine, and trigonelline, but not glycine betaine. Furthermore, bioprocessing may have improved the bioavailability of rye‐derived phytochemicals, as higher increase in, e.g. ferulic acid and benzoxazinoid metabolites were observed in urine of mice fed with bioprocessed than intact rye bran.

Conclusion

Urinary excretion of various betaines was greatly increased in mice fed rye brans. Furthermore, bioprocessing of rye bran appears to serve as a beneficial way to improve the bioavailability of various phytochemicals.
Autobiographical memory in borderline personality disorder—A systematic review
Authors: Bech Morten , Elklit Ask , Simonsen Erik
Published: May 2015

Borderline personality disorder is a severe psychiatric illness. A key feature of the disorder is a disorganized sense of self often referred to as identity diffusion. Autobiographical memory is memory for personal life events. One of the main functions of these memories is to enable us to understand who we are by connecting past, present and future experiences. It seems that autobiographical memory is in some way disrupted in individuals with borderline personality disorder. A systematic review is conducted looking at studies that focus on the potential connections. We find that although a number of studies have been published results remain inconsistent. Furthermore, we find that many of the studies suffer from inadequate designs particularly regarding the reported measures of autobiographical memory. We discuss potential links between personality functioning, identity diffusion, autobiographical memory and borderline personality disorder. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the A4B6 layered ferroelectrics: ab initio calculation
Authors: Koc Husnu , Simsek Sevket , Palaz Selami , Oltulu Oral , Mamedov Amirullah M. , Ozbay Ekmel
Published: May 2015

We have performed a first principles study of the structural, elastic and electronic properties of orthorhombic SnS and GeS compounds using the density functional theory within the local density approximation. The second‐order elastic constants have been calculated, and the other related quantities such as the Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, anisotropy factor, sound velocities, Debye temperature, and hardness have also been estimated in the present work. All of the calculated modulus and Poisson's ratio for SnS were less than the same parameters for GeS. Our calculations have discovered the large anisotropy of elastic parameters in the (100) and (010)‐planes for both compounds. The band structures of orthorhombic SnS and GeS have been calculated along high symmetry directions in the first Brillouin zone (BZ). The calculation results for the band gap of Sn(Ge)S gave Eg = 0.256 eV (0.852 eV) and has an indirect character for an interband transition. The real and imaginary parts of dielectric functions and (by using these results) the optical constant such as energy‐loss function, the effective number of valance electrons and the effective optical dielectric constant were calculated. All of the principal features and singularities of the dielectric functions for both compounds were found in the energy region between 2 eV and 20 eV. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 crystals using a crank ball mill
Authors: Yamada Suzuka , Noji Hideki , Okamoto Tomoichiro , Akaki Yoji
Published: May 2015

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) crystals were synthesized by a mechanochemical (MC) process using a crank ball mill. The molar ratios of starting materials were Cu:In:Ga:Se=1:1‐x:x:2 (0≤x≤1) and Cu:In:Ga:Se=1:0.7:0.3:y (2≤y≤3). The reaction time reduced with decreasing Se and Ga molar ratios. The collection rate decreased with longer reaction times. From XRD patterns, we confirmed that the CuInSe2 and/or CuGaSe2crystals were successfully grown when the powders reacted. Although the crystals grown with a selenium molar ration of 2 were Se‐poor, those grown at a molar ratio of 3 were Se‐rich. When Se increasing molar ratio, Cu, In, and Ga were away from the stoichiometric. With a molar ratio of Cu:In:Ga:Se=1:0.7:0.3:2.5∼2.7, their composition became stoichiometric. Crystal morphology was varied. CIGS crystals were thus successfully synthesized using a crank ball mill. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ab initio calculations of phonon dispersion and lattice dynamics in TlGaTe2
Authors: Jafarova Vusala , Orudzhev Guseyn , Paucar Raul , Alekperov Oktay , Shim YongGu , Wakita Kazuki , Mamedov Nazim , Abdullayev Nadir , Najafov Arzu
Published: May 2015

This work reports the results of DFT‐based calculations of phonon spectra of TlGaTe2. The dispersion of phonon bands was calculated along the directions of Brillouin zone (BZ) that include symmetry points. The calculated phonon frequencies at the centre of BZ were compared with those obtained by Raman spectroscopy with the aid of a confocal laser microscopy system. A fairly good agreement between the calculated and experimental data was found. Complimentary, molar heat capacity at constant volume and Debye temperature were calculated in the range 5÷500 K on the base of the obtained phonon density of states. The obtained temperature dependencies were compared with available experimental data.The results of comparison were satisfactory. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Strain glass behaviour of Ni–Co–Mn–Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloys
Authors: Wu Zhigang
Published: May 2015

We report the direct experimental observations of the glassy behaviour in Ni–Co–Mn–Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloys by doping sufficient substitutional point defect Co into the Ni sites (9 at%). The results showed that high level of Co doping had caused the complete suppression of the martensitic transformation and introduction of a strain glass transition in Ni–Co–Mn–Sn alloys. The strain glass transition was definitively characterized by the dynamic mechanical anomalies following the Vogel–Fulcher relationship and the signature nonergodicity of the frozen glass using a zero‐field‐cooled/field‐cooled heating measurement of static strain. The findings clarified the cause of vanishing of the martensitic transformation in Ni–Co–Mn–Sn alloy with high Co doping levels and the generality of glassy state in Ni–Mn based ferromagnetic shape memory alloys with high level of foreign elements doping. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)