bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Antibody Response against Small Molecular Hapten with Tobacco Mosaic Virus as a Polyvalent Carrier
Authors: Zhao Xia , Chen Limin , Luckanagul Jittima Amie , Zhang Xiaolei , Lin Yuan , Wang Qian
Published: April 2015

Virus nanoparticles (VNPs) have been applied as carrier proteins for effective vaccine development. In this paper, we report the usage of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) as a carrier for the display of the small molecule estriol (E3), a weakly immunogenic hapten. A highly efficient copper (I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) was performed for the conjugation of E3 onto TMV capsid at tyrosine (Tyr) 139, by which the antigen density could be controlled. The immune properties of these constructs were evaluated in mice. We found that a strong and long‐term antibody response was elicited by conjugating a high density of small molecular haptens on TMV through an oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) linker, likely due to the effective activation of B‐cells. This study suggests that TMV can serve as a promising platform to induce strong humoral immune responses and that the optimized conjugation strategy was critical to produce high quality antibodies.
Aortic annulus and root characteristics in severe aortic stenosis due to bicuspid aortic valve and tricuspid aortic valves: Implications for transcatheter aortic valve therapies
Authors: Philip Femi , Faza Nadine Nadar , Schoenhagen Paul , Desai Milind Y. , Tuzcu E. Murat , Svensson Lars G. , Kapadia Samir R.
Published: April 2015

Background

Patients with severe aortic stenosis due to BAV are excluded from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to concern for asymmetric expansion and valve dysfunction. We sought to characterize the aortic root and annulus in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valves (TAV).

Methods and Results

We identified patients with severe AS who underwent multi‐detector computed tomographic (MDCT) imaging prior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR, n = 200) for BAV and TAVR (n = 200) for TAV from 2010 to 2013. The presence of a BAV was confirmed on surgical and pathological review. Annulus measurements of the basal ring (short‐ and long‐axis, area‐derived diameter), coronary ostia height, sinus area (SA), sino‐tubular junction area (STJ), calcification and eccentricity index (EI, 1‐short axis/long axis) were made. Patients with TAV were older (78.8 years vs. 57.8 years, P = 0.04) than those with BAV. The aortic annulus area (5.21 ± 2.1 cm2 vs. 4.63 ± 2.0 cm2, P = 0.0001), sinus of Valsalva diameter (3.7 ± 0.9 cm vs. 3.1 ± 0.1 cm, P = 0.001) and ascending aorta diameter (3.5 ± 0.7 cm vs. 2.97 ± 0.6 cm, P = 0.001) were significantly larger with BAV. Bicuspid aortic annuli were significantly less elliptical (EI, 1.24 ± 0.1 vs. 1.29 ± 0.1, P = 0.006) and more circular (39% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) compared to the TAV annulus. There was more eccentric annular calcification in BAV vs. TAV (68% vs. 32%, P < 0.001). The mean distance from the aortic annulus to the left main coronary ostium was less than the right coronary ostium. Less than 10% of the BAV annuli would not fit a currently available valved stents.

Conclusion

Bicuspid aortic valves have a larger annulus size, sinus of Valsalva and ascending aorta dimensions. In addition, the BAV aortic annuli appear circular and most will fit currently available commercial valved stents. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcatheter repair of aortic leaflet perforation in a patient with prior surgical bicuspid aortic valve repair
Authors: Lim Wayland , Smith Thomas , Rogers Jason H.
Published: April 2015

A 47‐year‐old male underwent surgery for functional bicuspid aortic valve severe regurgitation with a fused right and left coronary cusp. The patient presents nine years after surgical bicuspid aortic valve repair with symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation, diagnosed by TEE and MRI, caused primarily from a perforation located at the base of the surgically fused coronary cusps. The patient had a minimally dilated aortic root that did not yet necessitate surgical intervention. We present a novel percutaneous bicuspid aortic valve perforation repair that potentially decreases the number of surgical operations the patient must undergo during his lifetime. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A phase 2 trial of lenvatinib (E7080) in advanced, progressive, radioiodine‐refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer: A clinical outcomes and biomarker assessment
Authors: Cabanillas Maria E. , Schlumberger Martin , Jarzab Barbara , Martins Renato G. , Pacini Furio , Robinson Bruce , McCaffrey Judith C. , Shah Manisha H. , Bodenner Donald L. , Topliss Duncan , Andresen Corina , O'Brien James P. , Ren Min , Funahashi Yasuhiro , Allison Roger , Elisei Rossella , Newbold Kate , Licitra Lisa F. , Sherman Steven I. , Ball Douglas W.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Lenvatinib is an oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (VEGFR1‐VEGFR3), fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 through 4 (FGFR1‐FGFR4), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), ret proto‐oncogene (RET), and v‐kit Hardy‐Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT) signaling networks implicated in tumor angiogenesis. Positive phase 1 results in solid tumors prompted a phase 2 trial in patients with advanced, radioiodine‐refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer (RR‐DTC).

METHODS

Fifty‐eight patients with RR‐DTC who had disease progression during the previous 12 months received lenvatinib 24 mg once daily in 28‐day cycles until disease progression, unmanageable toxicity, withdrawal, or death. Previous VEGFR‐targeted therapy was permitted. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) based on independent imaging review. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS) and safety. Serum levels of 51 circulating cytokines and angiogenic factors also were assessed.

RESULTS

After ≥14 months of follow‐up, patients had an ORR of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37%‐63%) with only partial responses reported. The median time to response was 3.6 months, the median response duration was 12.7 months, and the median PFS was 12.6 months (95% CI, 9.9‐16.1 months). The ORR for patients who had received previous VEGF therapy (n = 17) was 59% (95% CI, 33%‐82%). Lower baseline levels of angiopoietin‐2 were suggestive of tumor response and longer PFS. Grade 3 and 4 treatment‐emergent adverse events, regardless of their relation to treatment, occurred in 72% of patients and most frequently included weight loss (12%), hypertension (10%), proteinuria (10%), and diarrhea (10%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with and without prior exposure to VEGF therapy, the encouraging response rates, median time to response, and PFS for lenvatinib have prompted further investigation in a phase 3 trial. Cancer 2015;121:2749‐2756. © 2015 American Cancer Society
MOCVD Synthesis of Terbium Oxide Films and their Optical Properties
Authors: Belaya Svetlana V. , Bakovets Vladimir V. , Asanov Igor P. , Korolkov Ilya V. , Sulyaeva Veronika S.
Published: April 2015

Terbium oxide films are deposited on silicon substrates by metal‐organic (MO)CVD from a vapor of Tb(thd)3 in argon. Terbium sesquioxide (C‐form) is realized in this process. Annealing of the films in air at 800 °C, followed by cooling in air, leads to the formation of Tb4O7. The Ar ion‐etching of the annealed films causes a reduction of Tb4+ to Tb3+. Optical Eg is estimated, photoluminescence spectra are investigated, and refractive indexes and dielectric constants are measured for terbium oxide films before and after annealing in air.
Do policies, procedures make the grade for addressing academic misconduct?
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: April 2015

As online exams and electronic tools flourish to ensure student assignments and exams meet today's expectations for electronic efficiency, students increasingly find more creative ways to cheat. Tech‐savvy students can create avenues for large‐scale cheating, especially by electronic means.
Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Trisubstituted Benzo[f][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5‐a][1,4]diazepin‐6(5H)‐ones and Their Sulfonyl Analogues under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Fülöpová Veronika , Funk Petr , Popa Igor , McMaster Claire , Soural Miroslav
Published: April 2015

The solid‐phase synthesis of 4H‐benzo[f][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5‐a][1,4]diazepin‐6(5H)‐ones and 4,5‐dihydrobenzo[f][1,2,3]triazolo[5,1‐d][1,2,5]thiadiazepine 6,6‐dioxides under mild and catalyst‐free conditions is described. The seven‐step synthetic strategy is based on the preparation of polymer‐supported 4‐nitrobenzenesulfonamides and their alkylation with various propargyl derivatives. Cleavage of the 4‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl group from each of the key intermediates was followed by acylation with different 2‐azidobenzoic acids, leading to spontaneous intramolecular (Huisgen) 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. After cleavage from the polymer support, the target compounds were obtained in excellent crude purities and very good overall yields.
Ultrasensitive Determination of Vitamin B12 Using Disposable Graphite Screen‐Printed Electrodes and Anodic Adsorptive Voltammetry
Authors: Michopoulos Apostolos , Florou Ageliki B. , Prodromidis Mamas I.
Published: April 2015

A facile, rapid and ultra‐sensitive method for the determination of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) at the sub‐nanomolar concentration range by using low‐cost, disposable graphite screen‐printed electrodes is described. The method is based on the cathodic preconcentration of square planar vitamin B12s, as occurred due to the electro reduction of Co(III) center in vitamin B12a to Co(I), at −1.3 V versus Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl for 40 s. Then, an anodic square wave scan was applied and the height of the peak appeared at ca. −0.73 V versus Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl, due to the oxidation of Co(I) to Co(II) in the adsorbed molecule, was related to the concentration of the vitamin B12 in the sample. EDTA was found to serve as a key‐component of the electrolyte by eliminating the background signal caused by metal cations impurities contained in the electrolyte (0.1 M phosphate buffer in 0.1 M KCl, pH 3). It also blocks trace metals contained in real samples, thus eliminating their interference effect. The method was optimized to various working parameters and under the selected conditions the calibration curve was linear over the range 1×10−10–8×10−9 mol L−1 vitamin B12 (R2=0.994), while the limit of detection for a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 (7×10−11 mol L−1 vitamin B12) is the lowest value of any reported in the literature for the electrochemical determination of vitamin B12. The sensors were successfully applied to the determination of vitamin B12 in pharmaceutical products.
Adsorption of Rhodamine B onto a yellow–brown soil: Kinetics, thermodynamics, and role of soil organic matter
Authors: Huang Hongxia , Zhang Gaoke
Published: April 2015

The environmental behavior of organic pollutants in soils depends on their adsorption properties onto soils. In this article, the adsorption process of Rhodamine B (RhB) from an aqueous solution onto a yellow–brown soil in Central China was studied. The isotherms and the kinetic data of the RhB adsorption onto the soil were well approached by the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 > 0.999) and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model (R2 > 0.99). The adsorption process of RhB onto the soil was endothermic and increased temperature was conducive to the adsorption process. The adsorption percentage of RhB onto the soil decreased with increasing pH in the range from 2.32 to 10.96. With an increase in the ratio of soil to water, the desorption rate of RhB in the soil clearly decreased. Soil organic matter is the main contribution to RhB adsorption onto the soil. A possible complex mechanism of the adsorption was suggested on the basis of concurrent operation of electrostatic attraction, and hydrogen and chemical bonding forces. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 1396–1403, 2015
Aerodynamic analysis of a highly loaded compressor in semi‐closed cycles using a throughflow method
Authors: Li Bo , Gu Chun‐wei , Song Yin
Published: April 2015

This paper outlines the aerodynamic performance of a highly loaded 5‐stage compressor in a conceptual semi‐closed cycle. An in‐house throughflow computation procedure that has been proven to be a powerful tool in aerodynamic analysis for modern compressors is applied to simulate the compressor. The influences of changes in physical properties of the working medium with varying ratios of exhaust CO2 recirculation are considered in the computation. A series of numerical simulations is conducted with two settings depending on whether the rotational speed is set to obey the criterion of similarity. For the identical non‐dimensional speed parameter, the compressor can operate stably with pure CO2 as the working fluid. The distributions of aerodynamic parameters undergo no big differences under various CO2 contents; however, a somewhat little higher loss is observed for the 5th stage. When the absolute rotational speed is set according to the originally designed value, the compressor can bear a 25% CO2 content at the cost of a substantially narrowed working range, and a recirculation ratio of approximately 10% is a safe threshold value. The aerodynamic configuration also undergoes a notable redistribution given these circumstances; the load of the front stages is reduced, but the rear stages become the risk factors at near stall condition. This research reveals that from the compressor design point of view, a semi‐closed cycle is feasible using existing technology and that compressor modifications are needed according to situational requirements. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Impact of clinically evident portal hypertension on the course of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients listed for liver transplantation
Authors: Faitot François , Allard Marc‐Antoine , Pittau Gabriella , Ciacio Oriana , Adam René , Castaing Denis , Cunha Antonio Sa , Pelletier Gilles , Cherqui Daniel , Samuel Didier , Vibert Eric
Published: April 2015

Liver transplantation (LT) is the best curative treatment for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. However, the current shortage of organs causes prolonged waiting times and poorer intention‐to‐treat (ITT) survival (i.e., after listing) owing to tumor progression and dropout. Portal hypertension (PH) is a recognized risk factor of HCC development in patients with cirrhosis and its recurrence after resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of PHT on the results of LT on an ITT basis. Patients with cirrhosis listed for LT for HCC were included and their outcomes after listing were compared according to the presence or absence of PH defined as presence of esophageal varices or ascites or low platelet count and splenomegaly. Among 243 consecutively listed patients, 70% were affected by PH, which was associated with a significantly higher risk of tumor progression (38% vs. 22%; P = 0.017) and a higher risk of dropout (22% vs. 8%; P = 0.01). Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was similarly applied to the two groups (60% vs. 67%; P = 0.325). An absence of TACE was the only other independent risk factor of dropout owing to tumor progression. Under an ITT analysis, PH reduced overall survival (OS), but there was no difference in OS and time to recurrence post‐LT. The only pathological feature that could potentially explain this observation was the lower complete response to TACE in the PHT group (12% vs. 36%; P = 0.001). Conclusion: PH should be regarded as a major risk factor of dropout owing to tumor progression and should be taken into consideration when managing patients with HCC who are waiting for LT. (Hepatology 2015;62:179‐187)
Myeloid cells in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wan Shanshan , Kuo Ning , Kryczek Ilona , Zou Weiping , Welling Theodore H.
Published: April 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly associated with inflammation. Myeloid cells, including tumor‐associated macrophages and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, are abundant in the HCC microenvironment and are often associated with poor prognosis. Myeloid cells in HCC play a vital role in supporting tumor initiation, progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about myeloid cells in HCC and focus on their immune‐suppressive activities and tumor‐promoting functions, as well as the relevance to potential new therapies in HCC. (Hepatology 2015;62:1304‐1312)
Incidence and patterns of late recurrences in colon cancer patients
Authors: Bouvier Anne‐Marie , Launoy Guy , Bouvier Véronique , Rollot Fabien , Manfredi Sylvain , Faivre Jean , Cottet Vanessa , Jooste Valérie
Published: April 2015

Long‐term recurrences of colon cancer raised questions about the possible benefit of prolonging the recommended active 5‐year surveillance. The aim of this study was to determine, for the first time, the incidence and patterns of late 10‐year recurrence following curative resection of colon cancer. Data were obtained from two French digestive cancer registries. A total of 3,622 patients under 85 years resected for cure for colon cancer diagnosed between 1985 and 2000 were included. Information regarding recurrences was actively collected. Cumulative failure rates at 10 years were estimated using Kaplan–Meier estimates corrected by cause‐specific hazards, and multivariable analysis was performed using a model for the subdistribution of a competing risk proposed by Fine and Gray. The overall cumulative recurrence rate between 5 and 10 years after initial surgery was 2.9% for local recurrence and 4.3% for distant metastasis. Among men with no recurrence 5 years after diagnosis of colon cancer, 1 in 12 developed a recurrence between 5 and 10 years, and the corresponding cumulative rate was 7.8%. The frequency was 1 in 19 for women, corresponding to a cumulative rate of 5.2%. In the multivariate analysis, non‐emergency diagnostic feature, female sex and age under 75 were associated with a lower risk of recurrence. Stage at diagnosis was not a predictor of late recurrence. Late recurrence after colon cancer resection with curative intent can occur. A regular clinical follow‐up is necessary to detect early signs of possible recurrence.
Efficacy of phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase inhibitors with diverse isoform selectivity profiles for inhibiting the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Göckeritz Elisa , Kerwien Susan , Baumann Michael , Wigger Marion , Vondey Verena , Neumann Lars , Landwehr Thomas , Wendtner Clemens M. , Klein Christian , Liu Ningshu , Hallek Michael , Frenzel Lukas P. , Krause Günter
Published: April 2015

Pharmacological inhibition of phosphatiylinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K)‐mediated signaling holds great promise for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Therefore we assessed three structurally related PI3K inhibitors targeting the PI3K‐δ isoform for their ability to inhibit the survival of freshly isolated CLL cells. The purely PI3K‐δ‐selective inhibitor idelalisib was compared to copanlisib (BAY 80‐6946) and duvelisib (IPI‐145), with isoform target profiles that additionally include PI3K‐α or PI3K‐γ, respectively. The concentrations leading to half‐maximal reduction of the survival of CLL cells were more than ten‐fold lower for copanlisib than for idelalisib and duvelisib. At concentrations reflecting the biological availability of the different inhibitors, high levels of apoptotic response among CLL samples were attained more consistently with copanlisib than with idelalisib. Copanlisib selectively reduced the survival of CLL cells compared to T cells and to B cells from healthy donors. In addition copanlisib and duvelisib impaired the migration of CLL cells towards CXCL12 to a greater extent than equimolar idelalisib. Similarly copanlisib and duvelisib reduced the survival of CLL cells in co‐cultures with the bone marrow stroma cell line HS‐5 more strongly than idelalisib. Survival inhibition by copanlisib and idelalisib was enhanced by the monoclonal CD20 antibodies rituximab and obinutuzumab (GA101), while antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity mediated by alemtuzumab and peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not substantially impaired by both PI3K inhibitors for the CLL‐derived JVM‐3 cell line as target cells. Taken together, targeting the α‐ and δ‐ p110 isoforms with copanlisib may be a useful strategy for the treatment of CLL and warrants further clinical investigation.
Apc‐driven colon carcinogenesis in pirc rat is strongly reduced by polyethylene glycol
Authors: Femia Angelo Pietro , Becherucci Caterina , Crucitta Stefania , Caderni Giovanna
Published: April 2015

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most powerful agents in reducing chemically induced carcinogenesis in rat colon. However, contrasting results in Min mice dampened the enthusiasm on this potentially strong and virtually safe, cancer chemopreventing agent. Pirc (F344/NTac‐Apc am1137) rats carrying a germline heterozygous mutation in the Apc gene, spontaneously develop multiple tumours in the colon thus modelling both familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). Given this similarity, we thought that these rats could be appropriate to test the efficacy of PEG 8000 in reducing carcinogenesis. Pirc male rats aged one month were treated with 5% PEG in drinking water for 2 or 6 months. Precancerous lesions were dramatically reduced after 2 months of PEG treatment (Mucin depleted foci (MDF)/colon were 99 ±17 and 12± 8 in Controls and PEG‐treated rats, respectively; p < 0.001; mean ± SD). Similarly, colon tumors were significantly reduced after 6 months of treatment (tumors/rat were 8.1 ± 2.3 and 3.6 ± 2.2 in Controls and PEG‐treated rats, respectively; p < 0.05; mean ± SD). Colon proliferation, a parameter correlated to cancer risk, was also significantly lower in PEG‐treated rats than in Controls, while apoptosis was not significantly affected. In conclusion, PEG markedly reduces colon carcinogenesis in Pirc rats mutated in Apc; we thus suggest that PEG may be used as chemopreventive agent to reduce cancer risk in FAP and CRC patients.
Cytoplasmic sulfur trafficking in sulfur‐oxidizing prokaryotes
Authors: Dahl Christiane
Published: April 2015

Persulfide groups are chemically versatile and participate in a wide array of biochemical pathways. Although it is well documented that persulfurated proteins supply a number of important and elaborate biosynthetic pathways with sulfane sulfur, it is far less acknowledged that the enzymatic generation of persulfidic sulfur, the successive transfer of sulfur as a persulfide between multiple proteins, and the oxidation of sulfane sulfur in protein‐bound form are also essential steps during dissimilatory sulfur oxidation in bacteria and archaea. Here, the currently available information on sulfur trafficking in sulfur oxidizing prokaryotes is reviewed, and the idea is discussed that sulfur is always presented to cytoplasmic oxidizing enzymes in a protein‐bound form, thus preventing the occurrence of free sulfide inside of the prokaryotic cell. Thus, sulfur trafficking emerges as a central element in sulfur‐oxidizing pathways, and TusA homologous proteins appear to be central and common elements in these processes. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):268–274, 2015
Downregulation of solute carriers of glutamate in gliosomes and synaptosomes may explain local brain metastasis in anaplastic glioblastoma
Authors: Tong Huaiyu , Yu Xinguang , Lu Xuechun , Wang Peng
Published: April 2015

Advanced grades of glioblastoma are highly aggressive, especially in terms of multisite spread within the brain or even to distant sites at the spinal cord. In advanced grades of glioblastoma, glutamate and glutamine are reported to be increased in concentration in the extracellular fluid. It has been reported that glutamate acts as an extracellular signaling molecule for facilitating local spread of advanced grades of glioblastoma. In the present study, we aimed to examine whether glutamate uptake mechanisms is impaired in advanced glioblastoma. The possible downregulated mechanisms of glutamate uptake would facilitate persistence of glutamate in the extracellular environment, rather than intracellular uptake. We obtained biobanked human specimens of glioblastoma and tested expression of proteins belonging to the solute carrier families of proteins that are known to function as membrane‐located excitatory amino acid like glutamate transporters. The present study provides preliminary evidence of the downregulation of membrane expression of excitatory amino acid transporters solute carrier family 1 member 3 (SLC1A3) and its palmitoylated form in gliosomes, as well as SLC1A2 in the glio‐synaptosomes. Compounds like riluzole used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the antibiotic ceftriaxone have the potential to facilitate glutamate uptake. These medications may be examined as adjunct chemotherapy in the massively aggressive tumor glioblastoma multiforme. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):306–311, 2015
Fructosylation generates neo‐epitopes on human serum albumin
Authors: Allarakha Shaziya , Ahmad Parvez , Ishtikhar Mohd , Zaheer Mohammad Shoaib , Siddiqi Sheelu Shafiq , Moinuddin  , Ali Asif
Published: April 2015

Hyperglycemia is the defining feature of diabetes mellitus. The persistently high levels of reducing sugars like glucose and fructose cause glycation of various macromolecules in the body. Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant serum protein with a myriad of functions, is prone to glycation and consequent alteration in its structural and biological properties. This study aimed to assess the role of fructose‐modified human serum albumin as a marker of diabetic pathophysiology. We carried out modification of HSA with fructose and the changes induced were studied by various physicochemical studies. Fructose modified‐HSA showed hyperchromicity in UV spectrum and increased AGE‐specific fluorescence as well as quenching of tryptophan fluorescence. In SDS‐PAGE protein aggregation was seen. Amadori products were detected by NBT. The fructose modified HSA had higher content of carbonyls along with perturbations in secondary structure as revealed by CD and FT‐IR. A greater hydrodynamic radius of fructose‐modified HSA was evident by DLS measurement. The fructose‐modified HSA induced high titre antibodies in experimental animals exhibiting high specificity towards the immunogen. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 2015 67(5):338–347, 2015
Electronic, bonding, and optical properties of 1d [CuCN]n (n = 1–10) chains, 2d [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) nanorings, and 3d [Cun(CN)n]m (n = 4, m = 2, 3; n = 10, m = 2) tubes studied by DFT/TD‐DFT methods
Authors: Tsipis Athanassios C. , Stalikas Alexandros V.
Published: April 2015

The electronic, bonding, and photophysical properties of one‐dimensional [CuCN]n (n = 1–10) chains, 2‐D [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) nanorings, and 3‐D [Cun(CN)n]m (n = 4, m = 2, 3; n = 10, m = 2) tubes are investigated by means of a multitude of computational methodologies using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent‐density‐functional theory (TD‐DFT) methods. The calculations revealed that the 2‐D [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) nanorings are more stable than the respective 1‐D [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) linear chains. The 2‐D [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) nanorings are predicted to form 3‐D [Cun(CN)n]m (n = 4, m = 2, 3; n = 10, m = 2) tubes supported by weak stacking interactions, which are clearly visualized as broad regions in real space by the 3D plots of the reduced density gradient. The bonding mechanism in the 1‐D [CuCN]n (n = 1–10) chains, 2‐D [CuCN]n (n = 2–10) nanorings, and 3‐D [Cun(CN)n]m (n = 4, m = 2, 3; n = 10, m = 2) tubes are easily recognized by a multitude of electronic structure calculation approaches. Particular emphasis was given on the photophysical properties (absorption and emission spectra) of the [CuCN]n chains, nanorings, and tubes which were simulated by TD‐DFT calculations. The absorption and emission bands in the simulated TD‐DFT absorption and emission spectra have thoroughly been analyzed and assignments of the contributing principal electronic transitions associated to individual excitations have been made. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved quantification and mapping of anomalous pulmonary venous flow with four‐dimensional phase‐contrast MRI and interactive streamline rendering
Authors: Hsiao Albert , Yousaf Ufra , Alley Marcus T. , Lustig Michael , Chan Frandics Pak , Newman Beverley , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: April 2015

Background

Cardiac MRI is routinely performed for quantification of shunt flow in patients with anomalous pulmonary veins, but can be technically‐challenging to perform. Four‐dimensional phase‐contrast (4D‐PC) MRI has potential to simplify this exam. We sought to determine whether 4D‐PC may be a viable clinical alternative to conventional 2D phase‐contrast MR imaging.

Methods

With institutional review board approval and HIPAA‐compliance, we retrospectively identified all patients with anomalous pulmonary veins who underwent cardiac MRI at either 1.5 Tesla (T) or 3T with parallel‐imaging compressed‐sensing (PI‐CS) 4D‐PC between April, 2011 and October, 2013. A total of 15 exams were included (10 male, 5 female). Algorithms for interactive streamline visualization were developed and integrated into in‐house software. Blood flow was measured at the valves, pulmonary arteries and veins, cavae, and any associated shunts. Pulmonary veins were mapped to their receiving atrial chamber with streamlines. The intraobserver, interobserver, internal consistency of flow measurements, and consistency with conventional MRI were then evaluated with Pearson correlation and Bland‐Altman analysis.

Results

Triplicate measurements of blood flow from 4D‐PC were highly consistent, particularly at the aortic and pulmonary valves (cv 2–3%). Flow measurements were reproducible by a second observer (ρ = 0.986–0.999). Direct measurements of shunt volume from anomalous veins and intracardiac shunts matched indirect estimates from the outflow valves (ρ = 0.966). Measurements of shunt fraction using 4D‐PC using any approach were more consistent with ventricular volumetric displacements than conventional 2D‐PC (ρ = 0.972–0.991 versus 0.929).

Conclusion

Shunt flow may be reliably quantified with 4D‐PC MRI, either indirectly or with detailed delineation of flow from multiple shunts. The 4D‐PC may be a more accurate alternative to conventional MRI. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2015;42:1765–1776.
Comparing tract‐based spatial statistics and manual region‐of‐Interest labeling as diffusion analysis methods to detect white matter abnormalities in infants with hypoxic‐Ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Ly Monica T. , Nanavati Tania U. , Frum Christopher A. , Pergami Paola
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To compare manual region of interest (ROI) labeling and tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) by their ability to detect group‐wise differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the neonatal brain.

Materials and Methods

Diffusion‐weighted data were obtained for nine infants with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (six males, three females; gestational age [GA] range, 36–40 weeks; mean GA, 37.8 weeks) and 11 healthy‐control infants (10 males, 1 female; GA range, 36–40 weeks; mean GA, 38.4 weeks) at 3T. For manual ROI labeling, ROIs were drawn freehand for each subject in eight, clinically relevant brain regions. For TBSS, all FA data underwent an optimized, automated protocol for neonates. Each method was evaluated for detection of decreased FA in HIE infants, sensitivity, specificity, and variability.

Results

FA values from manual ROI and TBSS were strongly correlated (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001). Both methods found decreased FA in most ROIs for HIE infants. There was no significant interaction between method and group, indicating a similar ability to detect FA differences (F(1,19) = 0.599, P = 0.449). Sensitivity (manual: 0.709, TBSS: 0.694, 95% CI [–0.136, 0.163], P = 0.856), specificity (manual and TBSS: 0.716, 95% CI [–0.133, 0.133], P = 1), and standard error (manual: 0.009, TBSS: 0.007) were comparable.

Conclusion

Manual ROI labeling and TBSS are comparable methods of diffusion analysis to detect group differences in FA in the neonatal brain. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2015;42:1689–1697.
Boundary objects in information science research: An approach for explicating connections between collections, cultures and communities
Authors: Huvila Isto , Anderson Theresa Dirndorfer , Jansen Eva Hourihan , McKenzie Pam , Westbrook Lynn , Worrall Adam
Published: April 2015

Boundary objects (BO) are abstract or physical artefacts that reside in the interfaces between organisations or groups of people. The concept of BO, introduced by Star and Griesemer in an article in 1989, has been used in a broad variety of studies in different research communities from management to computer science and different fields of information science. The aim of this panel, composed of experienced BO researchers, is to provide an overview of and introduction to the state of the art of information science research informed by the theory for the researchers and practitioners participating in the conference; to illustrate the variety of studies and contexts in which the notion of BOs can be found useful in explicating connections between collections, cultures and communities; and to push forward the state of the art of BO‐oriented information science research by discussing new empirical and practical areas of interest and the theory itself.
Understanding networked youth and online privacy: Questions, methods and implications
Authors: Greyson Devon , Agosto Denise E. , Meyers Eric , Subramaniam Mega , Abbas June
Published: April 2015

Young people's social practices online and use of digital media have been conceptualized both as an opportunity and a threat to society. While the mass media has often focused on moral panic related to dramatic examples of social media‐related harm to young people, research within Library and Information Science has taken multiple methodological approaches to investigate the ways digital youth navigate and negotiate privacy in online spaces. Findings from such studies offer insight into youth cultures and technology design that supports online privacy.

This panel will demonstrate a variety of projects and approaches that have been taken to investigate privacy issues related to young people's online interactions and practices, and the social and design implications of emerging findings for our understanding of young people and online privacy. We will also lead audience members in an interactive brainstorming session centered around various research scenarios, asking participants to consider the strengths and weaknesses of specific research questions and methods in addressing adults’ concerns related to youth and online privacy. We will conclude with an interactive discussion of recommended future research directions for enhancing our understanding of young people's privacy practices.
Searching as learning: Novel measures for information interaction research
Authors: Rieh Soo Young , Gwizdka Jacek , Freund Luanne , Collins‐Thompson Kevyn
Published: April 2015

There is growing recognition of the importance of learning as a search outcome and of the need to provide support for it. Yet, before we can consider learning as a part of search, we need to know how to assess it. This panel will focus on methods and measures for assessing learning in the context of search tasks and their outcomes. The panel will be interactive as the audience will be encouraged to engage in contributing their own experiences and ideas related to measures and methods to study learning as a part of search processes. Ideas and experiences with explicit and implicit indicators of learning and with evaluating learning outcomes will be shared during a dialogue between the audience and panelists. Outcomes from the panel discussions will contribute to formulating a research agenda for “search as learning.” The outcomes will be shared with the audience (and the wider ASIST community).
Credibility perceptions of content contributors and consumers in social media
Authors: Rieh Soo Young , Morris Meredith Ringel , Metzger Miriam J. , Francke Helena , Jeon Grace YoungJoo
Published: April 2015

This panel addresses information credibility issues in the context of social media. During this panel, participants will discuss people's credibility perceptions of online content in social media from the perspectives of both content contributors and consumers. Each panelist will bring her own perspective on credibility issues in various social media, including Twitter (Morris), Wikipedia (Metzger; Francke), blogs (Rieh), and social Q&A (Jeon). This panel aims to flesh out multi‐disciplinary approaches to the investigation of credibility and discuss integrated conceptual frameworks and future research directions focusing on assessing and establishing credibility in social media.
Multi‐aspect information use task performance: The roles of topic knowledge, task structure, and task stage
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Belkin Nicholas J.
Published: April 2015

Information search, quite often, is not an isolated activity, but is accompanied by the use of the located information to generate some outcome. Frequently seen are “complex” tasks that consist of multiple aspects and can be divided into sub‐tasks and/or finished in multiple sessions. This paper explores how search systems may help users with their multi‐aspect tasks by examining whether, and how user knowledge and task structure play roles in leading to better work task performance. A 3‐session lab experiment was conducted with 24 participants, each coming 3 times to work on 3 subtasks of a general task, couched either as the “parallel” or the “dependent” structure type. The overall task was to write a report on the general topic, with interim documents produced for each subtask. Results show that users’ previous knowledge of task topics positively correlated with task performance, but the evolving and the exit knowledge did not. Neither task session nor task structure significantly affected session task performance. However, there was a tendency that those users with different levels of task knowledge performed differently in different tasks: higher knowledge users tended to perform better in the parallel task than in the dependent; lower knowledge users tended to perform better in the dependent task than in the parallel. These results can possibly be explained by users’ searching and writing behaviors. Our findings help understand factors influencing information use task performance, and have implications on designing personalized systems that support information use task accomplishment.
Encoded Archival Description: Data Quality and Analysis
Authors: Francisco‐Revilla Luis , Trace Ciaran B. , Li Haoyang , Buchanan Sarah A.
Published: April 2015

In order to authenticate the meaning of collections and to preserve their evidentiary value, archivists create documents (finding aids) that describe the provenance and original order of the records (MacNeil, ). Metadata standards such as Encoded Archival Description (EAD) enable finding aids to be encoded, searched, and displayed online. However, recent research has begun to draw attention to problems with the quality of EAD finding aid data and metadata, and the encoding practices by which finding aids are created. Since the next frontier in archival description involves reusing finding aid data for advanced information visualization techniques that support additional ways of engaging with collections, there is a pressing need for further study of data quality and how it might impact information visualization. This work analyzes a set of 8729 finding aids aggregated by the Texas Archival Repository Online (TARO) using VADA, a visual analytic tool for finding aids. The results show previously unidentified problems that have significant impact on the ability to visualize this data. The paper explains how these problems relate to both EAD's design and the actual encoding practices of EAD, and provides recommendations for improving the quality of finding aid data.
Where Does All the Data Go: Quantifying the Final Disposition of Research Data
Authors: Kowalczyk Stacy T.
Published: April 2015

This paper describes the results of a large survey designed to quantify the final disposition of research data and to determine the extent that the key factors of repository technologies and data management resources influence the decisions that researchers make about their data. A total of 724 National Science Foundation awardees completed this survey. Removable media devices such as CDs, DVDs, and removable hard drives are the most common storage technologies. Less than 30% of researchers use community or reference repositories. More than half of the researchers get storage through their institutions. Institutional support for storage is significantly higher than for data management. The key finding of this research is that the availability of resources is the most significant indicator of whether the final deposition of data is in a preservation‐worthy manner. Resources, provided by the research institution or via grant funding, include storage technologies, repository systems, and data management personnel. When high quality data storage is offered, researchers will use it. When professional data managers are available, data is more likely to be stored in more sustainable technologies.
The influence of community demographics on new public library facilities
Authors: Adkins Denice C. , Haggerty Kenneth C. , Haggerty Thomas M.
Published: April 2015

The location of a public library is critical to information access. Previous research suggests that public libraries closures disproportionately affect poor and ethnic communities, thus limiting their access to information. Using GIS technology, library location, and county‐level Census data, we examine where libraries open facilities, in order to determine whether libraries make equitable opening decisions. Our results suggest that public library outlet openings also occur in locations that are accessible to poor and ethnic communities. After isolating rural libraries, however, we find that new library outlets tend to go in less diverse areas. This suggests that access to resources is limited, and deliberate choices may be made about who ultimately benefits from tax‐funded services.
Ship space to database: Motivations to manage research data for the deep subseafloor biosphere
Authors: Darch Peter T. , Borgman Christine L.
Published: April 2015

What motivates data management strategies of scientific collaborations? In this paper, we argue that infrastructures for data management are designed to support scientific work per se and to perform a variety of social functions. We present findings from a longitudinal ethnographic case study of a large, multidisciplinary, distributed scientific project studying subseafloor microbial life. A critical element of this project's plan for data management is to construct an online portal that includes a data registry and data repository. We found that a range of factors motivate the construction of these systems and their features. In addition to scientific concerns for curation and accessibility of diverse and scarce data, we argue that the building of the registry and repository is also motivated by social factors. One factor is the attempt to build a community of domain researchers to endure beyond the end of this project in 2020. Another is the potential use of the registry and database as tools to demonstrate the productivity of the project in negotiations about the allocation of ocean drilling cruise resources. Considering the social and scientific factors together enriches accounts of how knowledge infrastructures are constructed.
The social shaping of cloud computing: An ethnography of infrastructure in east St. Louis, Illinois
Authors: Rhinesmith Colin
Published: April 2015

This paper presents findings from an ethnographic study of cloud computing in a human services organization in East St. Louis, Illinois. Previous social informatics studies have focused on the impact of computerization on urban welfare organizations. This research instead uses a “social shaping of technology” perspective to investigate the ways in which broader social, political, and economic forces shape cloud computerization and its consequences within a nonprofit organization that administers government‐funded social welfare programs. The findings illustrate how the infrastructural tensions between external stakeholder demands and internal organizational needs significantly influenced a cloud computing software implementation project. In presenting this infrastructural analysis, I seek to fill a gap in the literature on the social shaping of cloud computing and its consequences in U.S. industrial suburbs, such as East St. Louis, where high rates of poverty exist.
Influence of need for cognition and need for cognitive closure on three information behavior orientations
Authors: Fortier Alexandre , Burkell Jacquelyn
Published: April 2015

Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure are two stable traits that can enlighten the understanding of inter‐individual variations in information behavior. Following a qualitative phase, an information behavior scale was developed using items related to the ways in which information is needed, sought, used and shared. This scale was tested with 122 undergraduate students. Results of a factor analysis indicated three different and non‐mutually exclusive aspects of information behavior: orientation to rule following, preference for familiarity and simplicity, and desire for intellectual independence. Analyses of variances for each factor, using scores for Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure as independent variables, indicated that these two traits produce significant effects on information behavior. A significant main effect of Need for Cognition was observed for the orientation to rule following and the desire for intellectual independence. A significant main effect of Need for Cognition was observed for the preference for familiarity and simplicity. Lastly, a significant interaction effect between Need for Cognition and Need for Cognitive Closure was also observed for the desire for intellectual independence.
Information behavior of international students settling in an unfamiliar geo‐spatial environment
Authors: Oh Chi Young , Butler Brian S. , Lee Myeong
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the findings from a project about how international students seek and acquire information during their settlement in an unknown geo‐spatial environment. Through semi‐structured interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive mapping with twenty international students, this study examines their information needs, information sources, and settlement experiences in the host country. Findings of the study include their (1) focus on acquiring basic, survival‐related information; (2) active use of internet‐based information sources including online/mobile maps; (3) information behavior of wandering around and information encountering; (4) co‐national social networks playing a key role as information sources. Implications are discussed in ways to further our understanding of international students’ information behavior and promote its improvement.
Find, identify, select…socialize?: Alternative objectives of library catalogs
Authors: Clarke Rachel Ivy
Published: April 2015

Throughout history, library catalogs have served various purposes, yet most formal statements of catalog objectives focus on inventory and holdings. As contemporary libraries face questions about the continued relevance of the library catalog, these purposes inspire reexamination. This poster presents a historical review of library catalogs with emphasis on purposes, as well as a review of proposals for alternatives to these extant objectives in order to inform future catalog design and library advocacy.