bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal and social implications of sexual services other than prostitution: Prawne i społeczne konsekwencje usług seksualnych innych niż prostytucja
Authors: Łukasz Wieczorek  , Zbigniew Lasocik
Published: July 2024

The article is based on research carried out as part of the international research project ‘Demand for Sexual Exploitation in Europe (DESIRE)’, covering Croatia, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. The project, financed by the European Commission, was implemented in 2017–2018. The purpose of this publication is to discuss one of the aspects of this research, namely, the functioning of various forms of sexual services other than prostitution. In this context we focussed our study on such phenomena as erotic massage, phone sex, peep shows, or ‘sponsorship’. The starting point of our considerations is the question of whether some forms of satisfying someone’s sexual needs can lead to the exploitation of those who do it. That is why we first present a detailed description of all these phenomena, while in the description we take into account the similarities and differences between the discussed forms and typical prostitution. As one of the goals of the DESIRE project was to establish the relationship between legal regulations and the scale of the sex industry, we analyse the legal and sociopolitical aspects of providing sexual services other than prostitution in the four countries mentioned above. The selection of these four countries is not accidental, because they represent four models of regulating the provision of sexual services that currently function in Europe: from full penalisation (Croatia) to full legalisation (the Netherlands). On the other hand, we looked at these alternative forms of commercial sex from the perspective of human trafficking. Answering the key question of this article, we attempted to indicate the situations and elements of sexual services other than prostitution in which the persons providing them may be exposed to sexual abuse or trafficking.
Labour trafficking victim participation structures in the United States, Russia, and globally: Strategic implications: Charakterystyka ofiar pracy przymusowej w Stanach Zjednoczonych, Rosji i na świecie: implikacje strategiczne
Authors: Vernon Murray  , Holly Shea  , Julia Solin
Published: July 2024

Using data from the Counter Trafficking Data Collabourative (CTDC; N = 9,900), we developed breakdowns of labour trafficking victims worldwide, for two countries (the USA and Russia), and by job category (e.g. ‘domestic worker’). These tables refer to the frequency with which each of nine victim types occur, based on their motivation to participate in a trafficking arrangement. For instance, ‘Tricked and Trapped’ comprises a large segment of US labour trafficking victims. Such victims willingly begin jobs, but are subsequently forced to continue. Based on attitude-behaviour and marketing theory, the intervention framework prescribes specific interventions for each victim type. These include ‘information sharing,’ ‘radical and moderate confrontation,’ ‘economic and noneconomic rewards,’ and more. The results of our study indicate that labour trafficking victims can vary substantially by region and job category. For instance, Russia’s highest percentage of labour trafficking victims hold construction jobs as ‘Enlightened Apostates’ (e.g. those tricked by a friend) while most US victims perform ‘unspecified’ work as ‘Trapped and Robbed’ (i.e. minors and coerced adults) victims. Thus, the interventions prescribed for them will vary.
The Tale of 400 Victims: A Lesson for Intervention: Historia 400 ofiar: lekcja interwencji
Authors: Julia Muraszkiewicz
Published: July 2024

This article speaks to a world order where forced labour is in plain sight. The starting point for the crime and recruitment of victims of human trafficking is often on the street. Homeless persons and individuals who have recently left correctional institutions are approached and swiftly transported to countries of destination. There, again in plain sight, they are taken to legal and regulated recruitment agencies and are found jobs. In many instances, they are placed in factories, recycling plants, and warehouses. Although these jobs are legitimate, what happens behind the scenes is not: individuals working have no access to their wages, suffer psychological and physical abuse, threats, coercive control, and their documents are taken from them. These clear components of forced labour are perfectly illustrated in the plight of vulnerable polish men recruited and transported to the UK who were discovered in UK’s largest police investigation into forced labour: Operation Fort. This exposé investigates and explores three key points where intervention is needed: two related to the recruitment of certain subgroups – the targeting of homeless individuals and those with a relationship with the criminal justice system, and a third, where forced labour is facilitated through the use of legitimate recruitment agencies.
Arthroscopy-Assisted Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Internal Fixation for Medial Malleolus Fracture
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Fu Guo , Liu Jianquan , Li Yongsheng , Chen Xiaoqiang , Wang Guanghui , Cheng Xiangyu , Yin Jianwen , Li Jiabei , Deng Zhiqin , Wang Manyi , Li Wencui
Published: July 2024

Background: Arthroscopy-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation is a minimally invasive technique for medial malleolus fracture treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality and functional outcomes of this technique.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with combined medial malleolus fractures were treated with arthroscopy-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation technique. The surgical procedure was described in detail; the clinical efficacy of this method was evaluated in terms of time of operation, postoperative complications, and fracture healing time; and functional outcomes were analyzed.

Results: All of the patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months without complications of the medial malleolus wound, and all of the medial malleolus fractures healed within 6 to 8 weeks. At the last follow-up, the visual analog scale scores ranged from 0 to 3 and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle and hindfoot function scores ranged from 75 to 95.

Conclusions: Arthroscopy-assisted closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation makes the treatment of medial malleolus fractures less invasive compared with traditional surgical methods and allows simultaneous exploration and management of the articular surface.
The scheduling of adolescence with Netrin-1 and UNC5C
Authors: Hoops Daniel , Kyne Robert , Salameh Samer , MacGowan Del , Avramescu Radu Gabriel , Ewing Elise , He Alina Tao , Orsini Taylor , Durand Anais , Popescu Christina , Zhao Janet Mengyi , Shatz Kelcie , Li LiPing , Carroll Quinn , Liu Guofa , Paul Matthew J , Flores Cecilia
Published: July 2024

Dopamine axons are the only axons known to grow during adolescence. Here, using rodent models, we examined how two proteins, Netrin-1 and its receptor, UNC5C, guide dopamine axons toward the prefrontal cortex and shape behaviour. We demonstrate in mice (Mus musculus) that dopamine axons reach the cortex through a transient gradient of Netrin-1-expressing cells – disrupting this gradient reroutes axons away from their target. Using a seasonal model (Siberian hamsters; Phodopus sungorus) we find that mesocortical dopamine development can be regulated by a natural environmental cue (daylength) in a sexually dimorphic manner – delayed in males, but advanced in females. The timings of dopamine axon growth and UNC5C expression are always phase-locked. Adolescence is an ill-defined, transitional period; we pinpoint neurodevelopmental markers underlying this period.
Tryptanthrin Analogs Substoichiometrically Inhibit Seeded and Unseeded Tau4RD Aggregation
Authors: James Ellie I , Baggett David W , Chang Edcon , Schachter Joel , Nixey Thomas , Choi Karoline , Guttman Miklos , Nath Abhinav
Published: July 2024

Microtubule-associated protein tau is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that forms characteristic fibrillar aggregates in several diseases, the most well-known of which is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Despite keen interest in disrupting or inhibiting tau aggregation to treat AD and related dementias, there are currently no FDA-approved tau-targeting drugs. This is due, in part, to the fact that tau and other IDPs do not exhibit a single well-defined conformation but instead populate a fluctuating conformational ensemble that precludes finding a stable “druggable” pocket. Despite this challenge, we previously reported the discovery of two novel families of tau ligands, including a class of aggregation inhibitors, identified through a protocol that combines molecular dynamics, structural analysis, and machine learning. Here we extend our exploration of tau druggability with the identification of tryptanthrin and its analogs as potent, substoichiometric aggregation inhibitors, with the best compounds showing potencies in the low nanomolar range even at a ∼100-fold molar excess of tau4RD. Moreover, conservative changes in small molecule structure can have large impacts on inhibitory potency, demonstrating that similar structure-activity relationship (SAR) principles as used for traditional drug development also apply to tau and potentially to other IDPs.
Multisensory integration enhances audiovisual responses in the Mauthner cell
Authors: Otero-Coronel Santiago , Preuss Thomas , Medan Violeta
Published: July 2024

Multisensory integration combines information from multiple sensory modalities to create a coherent perception of the world. In contexts where sensory information is limited or equivocal, it also allows animals to integrate individually ambiguous stimuli into a clearer or more accurate percept and, thus, react with a more adaptive behavioral response. Although responses to multisensory stimuli have been described at the neuronal and behavioral levels, a causal or direct link between these two is still missing. In this study, we studied the integration of audiovisual inputs in the Mauthner cell, a command neuron necessary and sufficient to trigger a stereotypical escape response in fish. We performed intracellular recordings in adult goldfish while presenting a diverse range of stimuli to determine which stimulus properties affect their integration. Our results show that stimulus modality, intensity, temporal structure, and interstimulus delay affect input summation. Mechanistically, we found that the distinct decay dynamics of feedforward inhibition triggered by auditory and visual stimuli can account for certain aspects of input integration. Altogether, this is a rare example of the characterization of multisensory integration in a cell with clear behavioral relevance, providing both phenomenological and mechanistic insights into how multisensory integration depends on stimulus properties.
Structure, dynamics, coding and optimal biophysical parameters of efficient excitatory-inhibitory spiking networks
Authors: Koren Veronika , Malerba Simone Blanco , Schwalger Tilo , Panzeri Stefano
Published: July 2024

The principle of efficient coding posits that sensory cortical networks are designed to encode maximal sensory information with minimal metabolic cost. Despite the major influence of efficient coding in neuro-science, it has remained unclear whether fundamental empirical properties of neural network activity can be explained solely based on this normative principle. Here, we rigorously derive the structural, coding, biophysical and dynamical properties of excitatory-inhibitory recurrent networks of spiking neurons that emerge directly from imposing that the network minimizes an instantaneous loss function and a time-averaged performance measure enacting efficient coding. The optimal network has biologically-plausible biophysical features, including realistic integrate-and-fire spiking dynamics, spike-triggered adaptation, and a non-stimulus-specific excitatory external input regulating metabolic cost. The efficient network has excitatory-inhibitory recurrent connectivity between neurons with similar stimulus tuning implementing feature-specific competition, similar to that recently found in visual cortex. Networks with unstructured connectivity cannot reach comparable levels of coding efficiency. The optimal biophysical parameters include 4 to 1 ratio of excitatory vs inhibitory neurons and 3 to 1 ratio of mean inhibitory-to-inhibitory vs. excitatory-to-inhibitory connectivity that closely match those of cortical sensory networks. The efficient network has biologically-plausible spiking dynamics, with a tight instantaneous E-I balance that makes them capable to achieve efficient coding of external stimuli varying over multiple time scales. Together, these results explain how efficient coding may be implemented in cortical networks and suggests that key properties of biological neural networks may be accounted for by efficient coding.
Cryo-EM structure of the bicarbonate receptor GPR30
Authors: Kaneda Shota , Jo-Watanabe Airi , Akasaka Hiroaki , Oshima Hidetaka S , Yokomizo Takehiko , Shihoya Wataru , Nureki Osamu
Published: July 2024

G-protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is a bicarbonate receptor that plays a vital role in cellular responses to extracellular pH and ion homeostasis. Despite its significance, the mechanisms by which GPR30 interacts with bicarbonate ions remain elusive. There is no consensus on a drug that targets GPR30, and the difficulty in the pharmacological analysis has limited biological and drug discovery researches on GPR30. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human GPR30 in the presence of bicarbonate ions at 3.2 Å resolution. Our structure reveals unique extracellular pockets and critical residues for bicarbonate binding and activation. Functional assays demonstrate that mutations in these residues impair bicarbonate-induced GPR30 activation, underscoring their importance in receptor function. This study also provides insights into the G-protein coupling, highlighting the structural divergence between GPR30 and other GPCRs. Our findings not only advance the understanding of the role of GPR30 in pH homeostasis but also pave the way for the development of high-affinity drugs targeting GPR30 for therapeutic interventions in diseases associated with acid-base imbalance.
Pashto script and graphics detection in camera captured Pashto document images using deep learning model
Authors: Bahadar Khan , Ahmad Riaz , Aurangzeb Khursheed , Muhammad Siraj , Ullah Khalil , Hussain Ibrar , Syed Ikram , Shahid Anwar Muhammad
Published: July 2024

Layout analysis is the main component of a typical Document Image Analysis (DIA) system and plays an important role in pre-processing. However, regarding the Pashto language, the document images have not been explored so far. This research, for the first time, examines Pashto text along with graphics and proposes a deep learning-based classifier that can detect Pashto text and graphics per document. Another notable contribution of this research is the creation of a real dataset, which contains more than 1,000 images of the Pashto documents captured by a camera. For this dataset, we applied the convolution neural network (CNN) following a deep learning technique. Our intended method is based on the development of the advanced and classical variant of Faster R-CNN called Single-Shot Detector (SSD). The evaluation was performed by examining the 300 images from the test set. Through this way, we achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 84.90%.
Identification of the RRM1 gene family in rice (Oryza sativa) and its response to rice blast
Authors: Jiang Xinlei , Yu Shangwei , Huang Yuhan , Huang Junying , Liu Shaochun , Yang Dewei , Fu Junru , He Haohua , Fu Haihui
Published: July 2024

To better understand RNA-binding proteins in rice, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the RRM1 gene family of rice. It encompassed genome-wide identification and exploration of its role in rice blast resistance. The physicochemical properties of the rice OsRRM1 gene family were analyzed. There genes were also analyzed for their conserved domains, motifs, location information, gene structure, phylogenetic trees, collinearity, and cis-acting elements. Furthermore, alterations in the expression patterns of selected OsRRM1 genes were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). A total of 212 members of the OsRRM1 gene family were identified, which were dispersed across 12 chromosomes. These genes all exhibit multiple exons and introns, all of which encompass the conserved RRM1 domain and share analogous motifs. This observation suggests a high degree of conservation within the encoded sequence domain of these genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of five subfamilies within the OsRRM1 gene family. Furthermore, investigation of the promoter region identified cis-regulatory elements that are involved in nucleic acid binding and interaction with multiple transcription factors. By employing GO and KEGG analyses, four RRM1 genes were tentatively identified as crucial contributors to plant immunity, while the RRM1 gene family was also found to have a significant involvement in the complex of alternative splicing. The qRT-PCR results revealed distinct temporal changes in the expression patterns of OsRRM1 genes following rice blast infection. Additionally, gene expression analysis indicates that the majority of OsRRM1 genes exhibited constitutive expressions. These findings enrich our understanding of the OsRRM1 gene family. They also provide a foundation for further research on immune mechanisms rice and the management of rice blast.
Role of Computed Tomography Imaging in Evaluation of Pediatric Congenital and Developmental Skeleton Disorder
Authors: Savaliya Dhara , Choudhary Mahesh , Desai Purvi
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Pediatric congenital and developmental disorders is common nowadays. That particularly occurs due to error in normal development of organ and tissue development. Genetic disorders affecting skeleton comprise a large group of clinically distinct and genetically heterogeneous condition. Clinical manifestations range from only mild growth retardation to lethality. Although these are rare, disorders of skeleton are of clinical relevance because of their overall frequency. Skeleton disorders have been subdivided into dysostosis, defined as malformation of bone or groups of bones and osteochondrodysplasia, developmental disorders of chondro-osseous tissue. CT (computed tomography) Scan have important role in diagnosis, specially 3D CT has added advantage in identifying bony architecture.
Aim: To evaluate the role of CT imaging in diagnosis of pediatric skeleton disorders, that further helps in management of the disorders. CT imaging has advantage like easily available, fast, affordable compared to MRI. So, in most of skeleton disorders CT is diagnosis of choice, bony abnormality can be better evaluated. 3DCT has good bone architecture differentiation, that helps in further management.
Materials and Methods: Five case reports of pediatric congenital and developmental skeleton disorders have been discussed.
All the five patients underwent CT scan on Philips brilliance 256 slice machine.
CT imaging findings with 3D Reconstruction have been described.
Conclusion: CT imaging is most important modality for diagnosis as well as severity of skeleton disorders and that helps in further management of child and reduce or prevent disability.
Re-Investigation of the Foundation of Moment of Inertia by Means of Zero and Minus One Factorial
Authors: Bismarck Owunna Ikechukwu , Ufuoma Okoh
Published: July 2024

Moment of inertia, a fundamental concept in physics and engineering and a chief factor influencing the rotational motion of objects, is the quantitative measure of the rotational inertia of objects. It is the resistance that the objects exhibit to having their speed of rotation about an axis altered by the employment of a turning force. This paper presents a reevaluation of the moment of inertia. By exploring the arithmetic of zero and minus one factorial, we uncover the true essence of the particles involved in rotational motion. Our innovative approach reconciles intuition with mathematical precision, revealing the hidden structure underlying moment of inertia. This breakthrough enables a deeper understanding of physical systems, empowering researchers to tackle complex challenges with renewed confidence and creativity. Our work has far-reaching implications for novel applications and innovations in physics and engineering, illuminating the path for future discoveries.
A simple approach to the evaluation of the actual water renewal time of natural stratified lakes
Authors: Pilotti Marco , Simoncelli Stefano , Valerio Giulia
Published: March 2014

In natural lakes, where thermal stratification hinders complete mixing, the theoretical value T0 of the water renewal time provides a low‐order approximation to the time T37 when 37% of the original water is still present within the lake; this time could be operatively regarded as the actual value of the water renewal time. In this paper, we present a simple nonparametric model to estimate the age distribution of water within stratified natural lakes, taking into account fundamental aspects of its mass exchange and thermal evolution. This distribution provides a straightforward way to compute T37. The model is presented as a system of ordinary differential equations along with a MATLAB script for its numerical solution, so that it can be easily applied to lakes where a minimum of limnological data are available, without the need of extensive meteorological data set and modeling expertise that an hydrodynamic model would require to the same purpose. The case of a deep oligomictic Italian prealpine lake (Lake Iseo) is considered: after a positive comparison with the results obtained using a 1‐D lake hydrodynamic model, the reiterated application to the available time series allows to approximate the water age probability distribution. This distribution is used to compute the actual value of the water renewal time, that resulted T37 = 1.6T0.
Decadal surface water quality trends under variable climate, land use, and hydrogeochemical setting in Iowa, USA
Authors: Green Christopher T. , Bekins Barbara A. , Kalkhoff Stephen J. , Hirsch Robert M. , Liao Lixia , Barnes Kimberlee K.
Published: March 2014

Understanding how nitrogen fluxes respond to changes in agriculture and climate is important for improving water quality. In the midwestern United States, expansion of corn cropping for ethanol production led to increasing N application rates in the 2000s during a period of extreme variability of annual precipitation. To examine the effects of these changes, surface water quality was analyzed in 10 major Iowa Rivers. Several decades of concentration and flow data were analyzed with a statistical method that provides internally consistent estimates of the concentration history and reveals flow‐normalized trends that are independent of year‐to‐year streamflow variations. Flow‐normalized concentrations of nitrate+nitrite‐N decreased from 2000 to 2012 in all basins. To evaluate effects of annual discharge and N loading on these trends, multiple conceptual models were developed and calibrated to flow‐weighted annual concentrations. The recent declining concentration trends can be attributed to both very high and very low discharge in the 2000s and to the long (e.g., 8 year) subsurface residence times in some basins. Dilution of N and depletion of stored N occurs in years with high discharge. Reduced N transport and increased N storage occurs in low‐discharge years. Central Iowa basins showed the greatest reduction in flow‐normalized concentrations, likely because of smaller storage volumes and shorter residence times. Effects of land‐use changes on the water quality of major Iowa Rivers may not be noticeable for years or decades in peripheral basins of Iowa, and may be obscured in the central basins where extreme flows strongly affect annual concentration trends.
Who's the Best? A Relativistic View of Expertise
Authors: Weiss David J. , Shanteau James
Published: March 2014

The dictionary and the expert performance approach view an expert as one who, after sufficient training and experience in a domain, can perform the requisite tasks above a threshold level. In contrast, we argue for a performance‐based approach that implies expertise is a continuum; the experts are the best performers. Most tasks in which expertise can be demonstrated have an underlying core of judgment, including domains in which the tasks call for judgment to be overlain with performance, prediction, or instruction. To evaluate judgment, we employ the metaphor of the judge as a measuring instrument. Like an instrument, expert judgment according to the performance‐based approach has three key properties: discrimination, consistency, and validity. Validity requires ground truth and is usually difficult to establish; but the other two properties are readily observable, and they are combined in the Cochran–Weiss–Shanteau index. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
25th Anniversary Article: Semiconductor Nanowires – Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Dasgupta Neil P. , Sun Jianwei , Liu Chong , Brittman Sarah , Andrews Sean C. , Lim Jongwoo , Gao Hanwei , Yan Ruoxue , Yang Peidong
Published: March 2014

Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have been studied extensively for over two decades for their novel electronic, photonic, thermal, electrochemical and mechanical properties. This comprehensive review article summarizes major advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of these materials in the past decade. Developments in the understanding of the fundamental principles of “bottom‐up” growth mechanisms are presented, with an emphasis on rational control of the morphology, stoichiometry, and crystal structure of the materials. This is followed by a discussion of the application of nanowires in i) electronic, ii) sensor, iii) photonic, iv) thermoelectric, v) photovoltaic, vi) photoelectrochemical, vii) battery, viii) mechanical, and ix) biological applications. Throughout the discussion, a detailed explanation of the unique properties associated with the one‐dimensional nanowire geometry will be presented, and the benefits of these properties for the various applications will be highlighted. The review concludes with a brief perspective on future research directions, and remaining barriers which must be overcome for the successful commercial application of these technologies.
In situ characterization of floc morphology by image analysis in a turbulent Taylor–Couette reactor
Authors: Vlieghe Mélody , Coufort‐Saudejaud Carole , Frances Christine , Liné Alain
Published: March 2014

Flocculation of bentonite was performed in a turbulent Taylor–Couette reactor under various shear rates. Image processing enabled to determine various morphological characteristics of individual flocs. Not only their mean values but also their distributions were studied under various hydrodynamic conditions. Relevant properties were selected. The temporal evolution of radius of gyration and circularity distributions was monitored during the flocculation process. Although size and shape are obviously correlated, this article points out that their dependency to hydrodynamics is different, showing that flocs of similar sizes produced under different hydrodynamic conditions exhibit different shapes. The sizes are calibrated by the turbulence as the double radius of gyration is close to Kolmogorov microscale, whereas the circularity seems correlated to the rotation speed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2389–2403, 2014
Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and clustered cardiometabolic risk in 10‐ to 12‐year‐old school children: The REACH Y6 study
Authors: Boddy Lynne M. , Murphy Marie H. , Cunningham Conor , Breslin Gavin , Foweather Lawrence , Gobbi Rebecca , Graves Lee E.F. , Hopkins Nicola D. , Auth Marcus K.H. , Stratton Gareth
Published: March 2014

Objectives

(1) Investigate whether clustered cardiometabolic risk score, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), sedentary time (ST), and body mass index Z‐scores (BMI Z‐scores), differed between participants that met and did not achieve ≥60 min of daily moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). (2) Compare clustered cardiometabolic risk score, BMI Z‐score, ST, and MVPA by CRF status.

Methods

One hundred and one (n = 45 boys) 10‐ to 12‐year‐old participants took part in this cross‐sectional study, conducted in Liverpool (Summer 2010) and Ulster (Spring 2011) UK. Assessments of blood markers, stature, sitting stature, body mass, waist circumference, flow mediated dilation (FMD), and resting blood pressure (BP) were completed. CRF (VO2 peak) was estimated using an individually calibrated treadmill protocol. Habitual MVPA and ST were assessed using an individually calibrated accelerometer protocol. Clustered cardiometabolic risk scores were calculated using blood markers, FMD (%), BP and anthropometric measures. Participants were classified as active (≥60 min MVPA) or inactive and as fit or unfit. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to investigate differences in cardiometabolic risk, BMI Z‐score, CRF, and ST by activity status. MANCOVA was also completed to assess differences in cardiometabolic risk, MVPA, ST, and BMI Z‐score by fitness status.

Results

Inactive children exhibited significantly higher clustered cardiometabolic risk scores and ST, and lower CRF than active children. Unfit participants exhibited significantly higher clustered cardiometabolic risk scores, BMI Z‐scores and ST and lower MVPA in comparison to fit participants.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of children achieving 60 min MVPA daily and provides further evidence surrounding the importance of CRF for health. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:446–451, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Site‐Selective Synthesis of Janus‐type Metal‐Organic Framework Composites
Authors: Yadnum Sudarat , Roche Jérome , Lebraud Eric , Négrier Philippe , Garrigue Patrick , Bradshaw Darren , Warakulwit Chompunuch , Limtrakul Jumras , Kuhn Alexander
Published: March 2014

Herein, bipolar electrochemistry is applied in a straightforward way to the site‐selective in situ synthesis of metal–organic framework (MOF) structures, which have attracted tremendous interest in recent years because of their significant application potential, ranging from sensing to gas storage and catalysis. The novelty of the presented work is that the deposit can be intentionally confined to a defined area of a substrate without using masks or templates. The intrinsic site‐selectivity of bipolar electrochemistry makes it a method of choice to generate, in a highly controlled way, hybrid particles that may have different functionalities combined on the same particle. The wireless nature of electrodeposition allows the potential for mass production of such Janus‐type objects.
Dual Platinum and Pyrrolidine Catalysis in the Direct Alkylation of Allylic Alcohols: Selective Synthesis of Monoallylation Products
Authors: Shibuya Ryozo , Lin Lu , Nakahara Yasuhito , Mashima Kazushi , Ohshima Takashi
Published: March 2014

A dual platinum‐ and pyrrolidine‐catalyzed direct allylic alkylation of allylic alcohols with various active methylene compounds to produce products with high monoallylation selectivity was developed. The use of pyrrolidine and acetic acid was essential, not only for preventing undesirable side reactions, but also for obtaining high monoallylation selectivity.
Preparation and testing of Nafion/titanium dioxide nanocomposite membrane electrode assembly by ultrasonic coating technique
Authors: Devrim Yilser
Published: March 2014

Membrane electrode assemblies with Nafion/nanosize titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite membranes were manufactured with a novel ultrasonic‐spray technique (UST) and tested in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The structures of the membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis. The composite membranes gained good thermal resistance with insertion of TiO2. The SEM and XRD techniques have proved the uniform and homogeneous distribution of TiO2 and the consequent enhancement of crystalline character of these membranes. The existence of nanometer size TiO2 has improved the thermal resistance, water uptake, and proton conductivity of composite membranes. Gas diffusion electrodes were fabricated by UST. Catalyst loading was 0.4 (mg Pt) cm−2 for both anode and cathode sides. The membranes were tested in a single cell with a 5 cm2 active area operating at the temperature range of 70°C to 110°C and in humidified under 50% relative humidity (RH) conditions. Single PEMFC tests performed at different operating temperatures indicated that Nafion/TiO2 composite membrane is more stable and also performed better than Nafion membranes. The results show that Nafion/TiO2 is a promising membrane material for possible use in PEMFC at higher temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40541.
Effects of different polymerization protocols on the degree of conversion of two dual‐cured core buildup composites polymerized by light‐emitting diode and halogen light‐curing units
Authors: Karakis Duygu , Yildirim‐Bicer Arzu Zeynep , Erol Ozlem , Dogan Arife
Published: March 2014

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of various curing protocols with quartz–tungsten halogen (QTH) or light‐emitting diode (LED) light‐curing units on the degree of conversion (% DC) of two dual‐cured core buildup resin composites. Two dual‐cured core buildup resin composites, Clearfil Dc Core Automix (CLF) and Grandio Core Dc (GR), were selected. Specimens were exposed to the polymerization protocols as follows: there was immediate photoactivation or photoactivation delayed by 2 or 5 min by a QTH or LED source, and one group was allowed to chemically polymerize and served as a control (n = 6). The % DC of the specimens was determined with attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The GR samples polymerized with QTH for the 5‐min‐delayed photoactivation had higher % DC values than those self‐cured, and the Clearfil Dc Core Automix (CLF) samples with immediate or delayed curing protocols with halogen yielded higher % DC values than the samples that were chemically polymerized. The comparison of the two resin composites polymerized with halogen showed a higher % DC for CLF than for GR in the 2‐min‐delayed photoactivation. On the other hand, when they were cured with LED, the % DC values of GR significantly increased after the 2‐min‐delayed photoactivation. In light of the results, it might be stated that CLF polymerized with QTH, could be the better option. GR provided adequate chemical polymerization; therefore, it might be useful in areas in which light curing is not possible. Clinicians should consider the polymerization characteristics of dual‐cured resin composites. The use of different composites may require the modification of the application procedures recommended by the manufacturer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40560.
Hexafunctional poly(propylene glycol) based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metal ions
Authors: Zheng Sudan , Shin Jin Young , Song Song Yi , Yu Seong Jae , Suh Hongsuk , Kim Il
Published: March 2014

Two types of degradable poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) hydrogels that are suitable for the absorption of heavy metals have been presented. The PPG‐O‐P(O)Cl2 fragments obtained by treating hexafunctional PPG with phosphorous oxychloride (POCl3) react with 1,3‐propanediamine (PDA; Gel‐1) or PDA together with 1,2‐ethanedithiol (Gel‐2), to yield cross‐linked and water‐swellable hydrogels in a one‐pot method. This protocol for the fabrication of PPG hydrogels exhibits promising advantages over prior methods including a short reaction time, mass‐production, easy separation, and high yield. A series of heavy metal ions were employed to test the adsorptive properties of the hydrogels. Gel‐2 shows better adsorption capacity than Gel‐1 for all the metal ions and the metal ions adsorption efficiency of the two types of hydrogels is in the order of Fe(III) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Hg(II). The amounts of metal ions adsorbed increases with metal ion concentration and hydrogel dosage, but decreases with temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40610.
Synthesis and Carbonic Anhydrase Isoenzymes Inhibitory Effects of Brominated Diphenylmethanone and Its Derivatives
Authors: Çetinkaya Yasin , Göçer Hülya , Gülçin İlhami , Menzek Abdullah
Published: March 2014

Known and novel derivatives including CO, Br, and OH (benzylic and phenolic), and the corresponding benzylic alcohols of (3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)(2,3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)methanone were synthesized, and their inhibitory effects on the carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes I and II were investigated. CAs are the metalloenzymes catalyzing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate (HCO3−). The inhibitory effects of diphenylmethanone derivatives 5–18 were tested on human CA (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoenzymes (hCA I and hCA II) and they inhibited both isoenzymes at micromolar levels. Compounds 5 and 10 were found to be the best inhibitors against both CA isoenzymes. According to our data, compound 10 was the best inhibitor for isoenzyme hCA I (IC50 = 3.48 µM, Ki = 2.19 µM) whereas compound 5 was found to be the best inhibitor for isoenzyme hCA II (IC50 = 1.33 µM, Ki = 2.09 µM). Probably, stable conformations of 5 and 10 are more convenient for interaction with CA isoenzymes than those of the other compounds.
miRNA‐221 and miRNA‐222 synergistically function to promote vascular calcification
Authors: Mackenzie N. C. W. , Staines K. A. , Zhu D. , Genever P. , MacRae V. E.
Published: March 2014

Vascular calcification shares many similarities with skeletal mineralisation and involves the phenotypic trans‐differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to osteoblastic cells within a calcified environment. Various microRNAs (miRs) are known to regulate cell differentiation; however, their role in mediating VSMC calcification is not fully understood. miR‐microarray analysis revealed the significant down‐regulation of a range of miRs following nine days in culture, including miR‐199b, miR‐29a, miR‐221, miR‐222 and miR‐31 (p < 0.05). Subsequent studies investigated the specific role of the miR‐221/222 family in VSMC calcification. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction data confirmed the down‐regulation of miR‐221 (32.4%; p < 0.01) and miR‐222 (15.7%; p < 0.05). VSMCs were transfected with mimics of miR‐221 and miR‐222, individually and in combination. Increased calcium deposition was observed in the combined treatment (two‐fold; p < 0.05) but not in individual treatments. Runx2 and Msx2 expression was increased during calcification, but no difference in expression was observed following transfection with miR mimics. Interestingly, miR‐221 and miR‐222 mimics induced significant changes in ectonucleotide phosphodiesterase 1 (Enpp1) and Pit‐1 expression, suggesting that these miRs may modulate VSMC calcification through cellular inorganic phosphate and pyrophosphate levels. © 2013 The Authors. Cell Biochemistry and Function published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extending Metal‐to‐Polyoxometalate Charge Transfer Lifetimes: The Effect of Heterometal Location
Authors: Glass Elliot N. , Fielden John , Kaledin Alexey L. , Musaev Djamaladdin G. , Lian Tianquan , Hill Craig L.
Published: March 2014

In an effort to develop robust molecular sensitizers for solar fuel production, the electronic structure and photodynamics of transition‐metal‐substituted polyoxometalates (POMs), a novel class of compound in this context, was examined. Experimental and computational techniques including femtosecond (fs) transient absorption spectroscopy have been used to study the cobalt‐containing Keggin POMs, [CoIIW12O40]6− (1 a), [CoIIIW12O40]5− (2 a), [SiCoII(H2O)W11O39]6− (3 a), and [SiCoIII(H2O)W11O39]5− (4 a), finding the longest lived charge transfer excited state so far observed in a POM and elucidating the electronic structures and excited‐state dynamics of these compounds at an unprecedented level. All species exhibit a bi‐exponential decay in which early dynamic processes with time constants in the fs domain yield longer lived excited states which decay with time constants in the ps to ns domain. The initially formed states of 1 a and 3 a are considered to result from metal‐to‐polyoxometalate charge transfer (MPCT) from CoII to W, while the longer‐lived excited state of 1 a is tentatively assigned to a localized intermediate MPCT state. The excited state formed by the tetrahedral cobalt(II) centered heteropolyanion (1 a) is far longer‐lived (τ=420 ps in H2O; τ=1700 ps in MeCN) than that of 3 a (τ=1.3 ps), in which the single CoII atom is located in a pseudo‐octahedral addendum site. Short‐lived states are observed for the two CoIII‐containing heteropolyanions 2 a (τ=4.4 ps) and 4 a (τ=6.3 ps) and assigned solely to O→CoIII charge transfer. The dramatically extended lifetime for 1 a versus 3 a is ascribed to a structural change permitted by the coordinatively flexible central site, weak orbital overlap of the central Co with the polytungstate framework, and putative transient valence trapping of the excited electron on a single W atom, a phenomenon not noted previously in POMs.
Isolation and Characterization of Precise Dye/Dendrimer Ratios
Authors: Dougherty Casey A. , Furgal Joseph C. , van Dongen Mallory A. , Goodson Theodore , Banaszak Holl Mark M. , Manono Janet , DiMaggio Stassi
Published: March 2014

Fluorescent dyes are commonly conjugated to nanomaterials for imaging applications using stochastic synthesis conditions that result in a Poisson distribution of dye/particle ratios and therefore a broad range of photophysical and biodistribution properties. We report the isolation and characterization of generation 5 poly(amidoamine) (G5 PAMAM) dendrimer samples containing 1, 2, 3, and 4 fluorescein (FC) or 6‐carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester (TAMRA) dyes per polymer particle. For the fluorescein case, this was achieved by stochastically functionalizing dendrimer with a cyclooctyne “click” ligand, separation into sample containing precisely defined “click” ligand/particle ratios using reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), followed by reaction with excess azide‐functionalized fluorescein dye. For the TAMRA samples, stochastically functionalized dendrimer was directly separated into precise dye/particle ratios using RP‐HPLC. These materials were characterized using 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy, RP‐HPLC, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, lifetime measurements, and MALDI.
Heteronuclear NMR Spectroscopy as a Surface‐Selective Technique: A Unique Look at the Hydroxyl Groups of γ‐Alumina.
Authors: Taoufik Mostafa , Szeto Kai C. , Merle Nicolas , Rosal Iker Del , Maron Laurent , Trébosc Julien , Tricot Grégory , Gauvin Régis M. , Delevoye Laurent
Published: March 2014

The surface hydroxyl groups of γ‐alumina dehydroxylated at 500 °C were studied by a combination of one‐ and two‐dimensional homo‐ and heteronuclear 1H and 27Al NMR spectroscopy at high magnetic field. In particular, by harnessing 1H–27Al dipolar interactions, a high selectivity was achieved in unveiling the topology of the alumina surface. The terminal versus bridging character of the hydroxyl groups observed in the 1H magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectrum was demonstrated thanks to 1H–27Al RESPDOR (resonance‐echo saturation‐pulse double‐resonance). In a further step the hydroxyl groups were assigned to their aluminium neighbours thanks to a {1H}‐27Al dipolar heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (D‐HMQC), which was used to establish a first coordination map. Then, in combination with 1H–1H double quantum (DQ) MAS, these elements helped to reveal intimate structural features of the surface hydroxyls. Finally, the nature of a peculiar reactive hydroxyl group was demonstrated following this methodology in the case of CO2 reactivity with alumina.
ChemInform Abstract: Surfactant‐Free Synthesis, Luminescent Properties, and Drug‐Release Properties of LaF3 and LaCO3F Hollow Microspheres.
Authors: Lv Ruichan , Gai Shili , Dai Yunlu , He Fei , Niu Na , Yang Piaoping
Published: March 2014

Uniform LaF3 and LaCO3F hollow microspheres are prepared by a surfactant‐free route employing La(OH)CO3 colloidal microspheres as a sacrificial template and NaBF4 as the F source.
Closing Aubry Sets II
Authors: Figalli A. , Rifford L.
Published: March 2014

Given a Tonelli Hamiltonian H:T*M → ℝ of class Ck, with k ≥ 4, we prove the following results: (1) Assume there is a critical viscosity subsolution that is of class Ck + 1 in an open neighborhood of a positive orbit of a recurrent point of the projected Aubry set. Then there exists a potential V : M → ℝ of class Ck−1, small in the C2 topology, for which the Aubry set of the new Hamiltonian H + V is either an equilibrium point or a periodic orbit. (2) For every ɛ > 0 there exists a potential V : M → ℝ of class Ck−2, with for which the Aubry set of the new Hamiltonian H + V is either an equilibrium point or a periodic orbit. The latter result solves in the affirmative the Mañé density conjecture in the C1 topology. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐Photon‐Induced Fluorescence of Isomorphic Nucleobase Analogs
Authors: Lane Richard S. K. , Jones Rosemary , Sinkeldam Renatus W. , Tor Yitzhak , Magennis Steven W.
Published: March 2014

Five isomorphic fluorescent uridine mimics have been subjected to two‐photon (2P) excitation analysis to investigate their potential applicability as non‐perturbing probes for the single‐molecule detection of nucleic acids. We find that small structural differences can cause major changes in the 2P excitation probability, with the 2P cross sections varying by over one order of magnitude. Two of the probes, both thiophene‐modified uridine analogs, have the highest 2P cross sections (3.8 GM and 7.6 GM) reported for nucleobase analogs, using a conventional Ti:sapphire laser for excitation at 690 nm; they also have the lowest emission quantum yields. In contrast, the analogs with the highest reported quantum yields have the lowest 2P cross sections. The structure‐photophysical property relationship presented here is a first step towards the rational design of emissive nucleobase analogs with controlled 2P characteristics. The results demonstrate the potential for major improvements through judicious structural modifications.
A 0.8‐V supply bulk‐driven operational transconductance amplifier and Gm‐C filter in 0.18 µm CMOS process
Authors: Abbasalizadeh Soolmaz , Sheikhaei Samad , Forouzandeh Behjat
Published: March 2014

A low voltage bulk‐driven operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) and its application to implement a tunable Gm‐C filter are presented. The linearity of the proposed OTA is achieved by nonlinear terms cancelation technique, using two paralleled differential topologies with opposite signs in the third‐order harmonic distortion term of the differential output current. The proposed OTA uses 0.8 V supply voltage and consumes 31.2 μW. The proposed OTA shows a total harmonic distortion of better than −40 dB over the tuning range of the transconductance, by applying 800 mVppd sine wave input signal with 1 MHz frequency. The OTA has been used to implement a third‐order low‐pass Gm‐C filter, which can be used for wireless sensor network applications. The filter can operate as the channel select filter and variable gain amplifier, simultaneously. The gain of the filter can be tuned from −1 to 23 dB, which results in power consumptions of 187.2 to 450.6 μW, respectively. The proposed OTA and filter have been simulated in a 0.18 µm CMOS technology. Simulations of process corners and temperature variations are also included in the paper. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.