bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Metal Ions Removal from Aqueous Solution by Using Radiation Crosslinked Chitosan‐co‐Poly(Acrylamide)‐Based Adsorbent
Authors: Puspitasari Tita , Oktaviani  , Pangerteni Dewi Sekar , Nurfilah Erva , Darwis Darmawan
Published: July 2015

A series of hydrogels as heavy metals adsorbent were prepared from chitosan and acrylamide by gamma irradiation at room temperature. Chitosan solutions with different concentration (1%, 2%, 3%) (w/v) have been mixed with 7.5% (w/v) of acrylamide and irradiated at doses of 10‐40 kGy. The properties of the prepared hydrogel of chitosan‐co‐poly(acrylamide) (Chi‐co‐PAAm) were evaluated in terms of the gel fraction and degree of swelling. It was found that the incorporation only 3% (w/v) chitosan with 7.5% (w/v) acrylamide can produces an elastic hydrogel when irradiated with gamma rays up to 15 kGy. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study heavy metals ions removal from its aqueous solutions. The different parameters effecting on the adsorption capacity such as contact time, pH of the solution, hydrogel dose, initial metal ion concentration, and competitive ions were investigated. The results indicated that the ions uptake performance of the hydrogel significantly changed with all the parameter tested. However, Chi‐co‐PAAm hydrogel demonstrated a great uptake ability for heavy metal ions. The order of heavy metal ions uptake on Chi‐co‐PAAm hydrogel was Zn2+ > Cr6+ > Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms models were applied to describe the isotherms and isotherm constants the adsorption data obtained in this study.
Degradation of Chitosan by Hydrothermal Process in the Presence of Sonication Pre‐Treatment with Supercritical CO2 as Pressurized Fluid
Authors: Savitri Emma , Sumarno  , Rosyadi Achmad
Published: July 2015

For chito oligomer production, the efficient hydrolysis of chitosan to smaller substances is important. The focus of this study is to explore the formation and changes in the chitosan degradation product and properties after chitosan hydrolysis in subcritical water. The hydrothermal process was pressurized by supercritical CO2 used as the pressurized fluid and catalyst. Pre‐treatment sonication was also used to change the molecular weight of the chitosan. The effect of the reaction time on the formation of various products and chitosan residue was studied. The chitosan was pre‐treated by sonication at 60 °C for 120 min before subjected to the hydrothermal process at 200 °C and pressure of 23 MPa for 3‐5 min. The chitosan water slurry of 1 wt % in a batch reactor was rapidly heated to the reaction temperature for a specific time. After the reaction, the product was rapidly cooled in a cooling medium. The total yield reached about 15% based on the initial chitosan at 200 °C in 5 min. Upon an increase in the reaction time, the side group of monomers (NH2 or N‐acetyl) tended to be attacked and replaced by OH to produce glucose and also partially degrade into 5‐HMF. The hydrothermal process had no significant effect on the chitosan structure except for the changes in the inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bondings of chitosan and the degree of crystallinity of the chitosan residue in the range of 19.2 to 28.9%.
Charge‐carrier relaxation dynamics and ac conductivity scaling of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticles
Authors: Chutia P. , Kumar A.
Published: July 2015

An investigation of the dielectric characteristics of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticles has been conducted in the frequency range 20 Hz–2 MHz and the temperature range of 80–300 K through the studies of dielectric permittivity, modulus formalism and ac conductivity. High‐resolution transmission electron micrographs confirm the formation of well‐ordered spherical nanoparticles. Micro‐Raman spectra confirm the conformational transition from benzenoid to quinoid structure with increasing dopant concentration. Linear variation of imaginary permittivity with frequency suggests that the dc conduction process is more significant than interfacial polarisation. The presence of single relaxation peak in the imaginary modulus formalism indicates the Debye‐type relaxation. The decrease of frequency exponent with temperature confirms that the charge transport takes place through correlated barrier hopping mechanism. The scaling of ac conductivity spectra confirms that the relaxation dynamics of charge carriers in the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) nanoparticles system is temperature independent.
Quaternary structure of Dioclea grandiflora lectin assessed by equilibrium sedimentation and crystallographic analysis of recombinant mutants
Authors: Zamora-Caballero Sara , Pérez Alicia , Sanz Libia , Bravo Jerónimo , Calvete Juan J.
Published: July 2015

The structural basis of the pH dependency of the dimer–tetramer transition exhibited by Brinda's type II Diocleinae lectins was investigated by equilibrium sedimentation and X‐ray crystal structure determination of recombinant wild‐type and site‐directed single and double mutants of the pH‐stable tetrameric Dioclea grandiflora lectin (r‐αDGL). Releasing the peripheral site interdimeric contact between R60 and D78 rendered a mutant displaying dimer–tetramer equilibrium in the pH range equivalent to pKa ± 1 of the γ‐COOH. Mutation of both histidines 51 and 131, but not the mutation of each His separately, abolished the formation of the Diocleinae canonical tetramer in the pH range 2.5–8.5. The X‐ray structure of the double mutant r‐αDGL H51G/H131N suggests that H131 plays a crucial role in networking loop 114–125 residues from all four subunits at the central cavity of the tetrameric lectin, and that H51 maintains the central cavity loops in a proper spatial orientation to make H131‐mediated interdimer contacts.
Predictors of Treatment Outcomes in Anxious Children Receiving Group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Pretreatment Attention Bias to Threat and Emotional Variability During Exposure Tasks
Authors: Waters Allison M. , Potter Alex , Jamesion Leah , Bradley Brendan P. , Mogg Karin
Published: July 2015

Background and objectives: Pretreatment attention bias towards threat stimuli has been shown to predict treatment outcomes following exposure-based treatments. The extent of emotional variability experienced during exposure therapy has also been found to predict better treatment outcomes in anxious adults. The present study examined whether pretreatment attention bias towards threat stimuli and greater emotional variability during exposure activities were associated with stronger treatment outcomes in anxious children receiving group-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Methods: Twenty-six anxious children completed a visual probe task with emotional faces, followed by a 10-week CBT program in a group format. Children completed weekly within-session exposure activities during the last 5 weeks of group CBT. Results: Pretreatment attention bias towards threat stimuli, greater emotional variability and within-session habituation during exposure activities were significantly associated with reductions in clinician- and/or parent-rated anxiety symptoms after the 10-week CBT program. Treatment responders had significantly higher peak emotional distress ratings during exposure activities. However, threat attention bias and within-session exposure measures were not significantly related. Conclusions: Pre-existing individual differences in attention bias to threat cues and the degree of emotional reactivity experienced during exposure activities are both important independent predictors of treatment outcomes for anxious children receiving group-based CBT.
Mealtime Observations and Parent-Report: Correspondence Across Measurement and Implications for Intervention
Authors: Morawska Alina , Adamson Michelle , Especkerman Joanne Ferriol
Published: July 2015

This study explored the relationship between self-reported and observed mealtime behaviour and examined concurrent predictors of observed child and parent mealtime behaviour. The sample consisted of 67 parents of 1.5- to 6-year-old children experiencing difficulties with their child's mealtime, and 33 parents who were not concerned with their child's mealtime behaviour. Parent-reported and observed mealtime data, and parent-reported mealtime cognitions were collected. Regression analyses indicated that consistent with hypotheses, observed and parent-reported mealtime behaviour were related. Observed child behaviour was predicted by self-reported parenting behaviour and observed positive parent behaviour, as well as parental cognitions. Observed parent behaviour was predicted only by self-reported parenting mealtime behaviour.
Dynamics of a Global Zoonotic Research Network Over 33 Years (1980–2012)
Authors: Hossain Liaquat , Karimi Faezeh , Wigand Rolf T.
Published: July 2015

Objective

The increasing rate of outbreaks in humans of zoonotic diseases requires detailed examination of the education, research, and practice of animal health and its connection to human health. This study investigated the collaboration network of different fields engaged in conducting zoonotic research from a transdisciplinary perspective.

Methods

Examination of the dynamics of this network for a 33-year period from 1980 to 2012 is presented through the development of a large scientometric database from Scopus. In our analyses we compared several properties of these networks, including density, clustering coefficient, giant component, and centrality measures over time. We also elicited patterns in different fields of study collaborating with various other fields for zoonotic research.

Results

We discovered that the strongest collaborations across disciplines are formed among the fields of medicine; biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology; immunology and microbiology; veterinary; agricultural and biological sciences; and social sciences. Furthermore, the affiliation network is growing overall in terms of collaborative research among different fields of study such that more than two-thirds of all possible collaboration links among disciplines have already been formed.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that zoonotic research scientists in different fields (human or animal health, social science, earth and environmental sciences, engineering) have been actively collaborating with each other over the past 11 years. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:496–503)
Stock structure of the English Channel common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) during the reproduction period
Authors: Gras Michaël , Safi Georges , Lebredonchel Hugo , Quinquis Jérôme , Foucher Éric , Koueta Noussithé , Robin Jean-Paul
Published: July 2015

Within the English Channel, the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis is a semelparous species for which a 2-year life cycle was exclusively described in the 1980s. In the 1990s, new research indicated that whilst a 2-year life cycle was still evident for females and the large majority of males, a small proportion of males were actually maturing at only 1 year of age. Since 1980, the interest of French and UK fishers for this resource has increased and it is nowadays one of the most important demersal species of the area and is considered to be fully exploited. From the start of the 20th century, fishing effort and sea surface temperatures have increased in the English Channel and have probably impacted the life history traits of S. officinalis. A 2-year sampling programme was undertaken at French landing sites of the English Channel during the reproduction season in 2010 and 2011 to estimate if the proportion of 1-year-old mature animals has changed. Age determination was carried out by coupling polymodal decomposition and lipofuscin measurement. Size-at-maturity for each year and each sex was estimated by fitting a binomial error GLM. Results highlight that a variable percentage of males and females belonging to the first cohort are mature and that size-at-maturity was lower than that observed in the 1990s. Finally, different parameters, such as temperature and fishing pressure are explored to discuss changes in life history traits suggesting that cuttlefish could be an indicator of the temperature regime shift in the English Channel.
Examining the profile of high-potency cannabis and its association with severity of cannabis dependence
Authors: Freeman T. P. , Winstock A. R.
Published: July 2015

Background

Cannabis use is decreasing in England and Wales, while demand for cannabis treatment in addiction services continues to rise. This could be partly due to an increased availability of high-potency cannabis.

Method

Adults residing in the UK were questioned about their drug use, including three types of cannabis (high potency: skunk; low potency: other grass, resin). Cannabis types were profiled and examined for possible associations between frequency of use and (i) cannabis dependence, (ii) cannabis-related concerns.

Results

Frequent use of high-potency cannabis predicted a greater severity of dependence [days of skunk use per month: b = 0.254, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.161–0.357, p < 0.001] and this effect became stronger as age decreased (b = −0.006, 95% CI −0.010 to −0.002, p = 0.004). By contrast, use of low-potency cannabis was not associated with dependence (days of other grass use per month: b = 0.020, 95% CI −0.029 to 0.070, p = 0.436; days of resin use per month: b = 0.025, 95% CI −0.019 to 0.067, p = 0.245). Frequency of cannabis use (all types) did not predict severity of cannabis-related concerns. High-potency cannabis was clearly distinct from low-potency varieties by its marked effects on memory and paranoia. It also produced the best high, was preferred, and most available.

Conclusions

High-potency cannabis use is associated with an increased severity of dependence, especially in young people. Its profile is strongly defined by negative effects (memory, paranoia), but also positive characteristics (best high, preferred type), which may be important when considering clinical or public health interventions focusing on cannabis potency.
Development ofBetta splendensembryos and larvae reveals variation in pigmentation patterns
Authors: Carey Alexis N. , Lyvers Benjamin H. , Ferrill Rachel N. , Johnson Rachel L. , Dumaine Anne Marie , Sly Belinda J.
Published: July 2015

Vertebrate pigmentation provides an ideal system for studying the intersections between evolution, genetics, and developmental biology. Teleost fish, with their accessible developmental stages and intense and diverse colours produced by chromatophores, are an ideal group for study. We set out to test whether Betta splendens is a good model organism for studying the evolution and development of diverse pigmentation. Our results demonstrate that B. splendens can be bred to produce large numbers of offspring with easily visualized pigment cells. Depending on the colour of the parents, there was variation in larval pigmentation patterns both within and between breeding events. In juveniles the developing adult pigmentation patterns showed even greater variation. These results suggest that B. splendens has great potential as a model organism for pigmentation studies.
Absence of connexin43 and connexin45 does not disturb pre- and peri-implantation development
Authors: Nishii Kiyomasa , Kobayashi Yasushi , Shibata Yosaburo
Published: July 2015

Gap junctional intercellular communication is assumed to play an important role during pre- and peri-implantation development. In this study, we eliminated connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin45 (Cx45), major gap junctional proteins in the pre- and peri-implantation embryo. We generatedCx43−/−Cx45−/−embryos byCx43+/−Cx45+/−intercrossing, because mice deficient inCx43(Cx43−/−) exhibit perinatal lethality and those deficient inCx45(Cx45−/−) exhibit early embryonic lethality. Wild-type,Cx43−/−,Cx45−/−, andCx43−/−Cx45−/−blastocysts all showed similar outgrowths inin vitroculture. Moreover,Cx43−/−Cx45−/−embryos were obtained at the expected Mendelian ratio up to embryonic day 9.5, when theCx45−/−mutation proved lethal. TheCx43−/−Cx45−/−embryos seemed to have no additional developmental abnormalities in comparison with the single knockout strains. Thus, pre- and peri-implantation development does not requireCx43andCx45.Other gap junctional proteins are expressed around these stages and these may compensate for the lack ofCx43andCx45.
Efficient Scheme for Perfect Collective Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Steering
Authors: Wang M. , Gong Q. H. , Ficek Z. , He Q. Y.
Published: July 2015

A practical scheme for the demonstration of perfect one-sided device-independent quantum secret sharing is proposed. The scheme involves a three-mode optomechanical system in which a pair of independent cavity modes is driven by short laser pulses and interact with a movable mirror. We demonstrate that by tuning the laser frequency to the blue (anti-Stokes) sideband of the average frequency of the cavity modes, the modes become mutually coherent and then may collectively steer the mirror mode to a perfect Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen state. The scheme is shown to be experimentally feasible, it is robust against the frequency difference between the modes, mechanical thermal noise and damping and coupling strengths of the cavity modes to the mirror.
Analysis of mass-limited mixtures using supercritical-fluid chromatography and microcoil NMR
Authors: Tayler Michael C. D. , van Meerten S. (Bas) G. J. , Kentgens Arno P. M. , van Bentum P. Jan M.
Published: July 2015

A protocol combining rapid and low-cost chromatography and NMR spectroscopy is demonstrated.
From a metal–organic framework to hierarchical high surface-area hollow octahedral carbon cages
Authors: Aijaz Arshad , Sun Jian-Ke , Pachfule Pradip , Uchida Takeyuki , Xu Qiang
Published: July 2015

High surface-area hollow octahedral carbon cages have been fabricated for the first time by carbonization of a metal–organic framework, which exhibit significant CO2 and H2 adsorption capacities and dye uptake.
An optimized polyamine moiety boosts the potency of human type II topoisomerase poisons as quantified by comparative analysis centered on the clinical candidate F14512
Authors: Palermo Giulia , Minniti Elirosa , Greco Maria Laura , Riccardi Laura , Simoni Elena , Convertino Marino , Marchetti Chiara , Rosini Michela , Sissi Claudia , Minarini Anna , De Vivo Marco
Published: July 2015

Computational–experimental analyses explain F14512's boosted potency as a topoII poison.
Hydrogen-doping induced reduction in the phase transition temperature of VO2: a first-principles study
Authors: Cui Yuanyuan , Shi Siqi , Chen Lanli , Luo Hongjie , Gao Yanfeng
Published: July 2015

The phase transition temperature of H-doped VO2 is more sensitive to external strain as compared with that of pure VO2.
Programmable chemical reaction networks: emulating regulatory functions in living cells using a bottom-up approach
Authors: van Roekel Hendrik W. H. , Rosier Bas J. H. M. , Meijer Lenny H. H. , Hilbers Peter A. J. , Markvoort Albert J. , Huck Wilhelm T. S. , de Greef Tom F. A.
Published: July 2015

Living cells are able to produce a wide variety of biological responses when subjected to biochemical stimuli.
Tandem Lewis/Brønsted homogeneous acid catalysis: conversion of glucose to 5-hydoxymethylfurfural in an aqueous chromium(iii) chloride and hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Dallas Swift T. , Nguyen Hannah , Anderko Andrzej , Nikolakis Vladimiros , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: July 2015

Optimizing the concentrations of Lewis and Brønsted acids maximizes the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural yield from glucose in a single pot.
Synthesis, characterization, thermal behavior, and biological activity of ozonides from vegetable oils
Authors: Rodrigues de Almeida Kogawa Nathália , José de Arruda Eduardo , Micheletti Ana Camila , de Fatima Cepa Matos Maria , Silva de Oliveira Lincoln Carlos , Pires de Lima Dênis , Pereira Carvalho Nadia Cristina , Dias de Oliveira Paola , de Castro Cunha Marillin , Ojeda Mariah , Beatriz Adilson
Published: July 2015

This study involved detailed characterization of ozonated oils, including thermal analysis and investigation of antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity.
Aligned carbon nanotube/polymer hybrid electrolytes for high performance dye sensitized solar cell applications
Authors: Prabakaran K. , Palai Akshaya K. , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay Kumar
Published: July 2015

Electrically aligned MWCNT/PEO/PVDF-HFP nanocomposite electrolyte membrane based solid state dye sensitized solar cell shows a power conversion efficiency of about 4%.
Structures and energies of the transition between two conformations of the alternate frame folding calbindin-D9kprotein: a theoretical study
Authors: Tong Mingqiong , Wang Qing , Wang Yan , Chen Guangju
Published: July 2015

We carried out molecular dynamics simulations and energy calculations for the two states of the alternate frame folding (AFF) calbindin-D9kprotein and their conformational transition in Ca2+-free form to address their dynamical transition mechanism.
Biocompatible degradable injectable hydrogels from methacrylated poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(xylitol sebacate) and cyclodextrins for release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs
Authors: Zhang Mengyao , Wu Yaobin , Zhao Xin , Gao Kun , Ma Peter X. , Guo Baolin
Published: July 2015

An injectable photocurable composite hydrogel from methacrylated poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(xylitol sebacate) (PEGXS-M) and acrylamidomethyl-β-cyclodextrin (β-CD-NMA) for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug release.
Highly robust tetrazolate based complexes for efficient and long-term stable dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Shoker Tharallah A. , Tanios Ralph , Fayad Remi , Ghaddar Tarek H.
Published: July 2015

We report a new family of RuII complexes that bear tetrazolate based ligands with superb long-term stability.
Magnetic field dependent electro-conductivity of the graphite doped magnetorheological plastomers
Authors: Pang Haoming , Xuan Shouhu , Liu Taixiang , Gong Xinglong
Published: July 2015

Tremendously improved conductivity of GMRPs by graphite doping and the magnetic field dependent electro-conductivity enable GMRPs as smart switches.
Dynamic analysis of DC–DC converter internal to an offshore wind farm
Authors: Musasa Kabeya , Gitau Michael Njoroge , Bansal Ramesh C.
Published: July 2015

This study investigates the feasibility of integrating a single‐switch active rectifier layout in an offshore wind farm. The proposed active rectifier topology consists of cascade connection of a diode‐rectifier and a DC–DC boost converter. A DC collection grid is considered inside the wind farm, which supplies power to a land grid. Each wind conversion units within the DC collection grid includes a turbine, a generator, and an active rectifier. The DC–DC stage of the active rectifier allows regulating the frequency of generator, controlling the DC voltage to follow the reference signal, mitigating the distortion or ripple in the current signal, and maintaining the fault‐ride through capability of the wind farm. The AC output signal from the wind‐turbine‐generators is converted to DC signal through a non‐controlled full‐bridge diode rectifier and a controlled DC–DC converter. The dynamic model of the DC–DC boost converter cascaded with the diode‐rectifier is derived; and the contribution of pulse width modulation (PWM)‐controller to the mitigation of signal variations is evaluated. The results prove consistency of the closed loop PWM‐controller, which reduces significantly the gain of disturbances. The results are presented in the form of small‐signal transfer functions and simulated using MATLAB software.
“Phossy Jaw” and “Bis-phossy Jaw” of the 19th and the 21st Centuries: The Diuturnity of John Walker and the Friction Match
Authors: Pollock Richard A. , Brown Ted W. , Rubin David M.
Published: July 2015

Some 200 years ago, workers developed gingivitis, periodontal disease, alveolar crest bone sequestra, and draining fistulae after exposure to phosphorous fumes and phosphorous paste in the manufacture of the friction match. Many also suffered loss of teeth and pathologic fracture of the mandible. Known as “phossy jaw,” the constellation rather abruptly vanished following the International Berne Convention of 1906. Today, “bis-phossy jaw” (bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw) has surfaced with pathologic fractures and other features common to its predecessor, “phossy jaw.” This modern equivalent is reported with ever-increasing frequency and is presented here in the format of a brief historical review and a case report that includes segmental en bloc extirpation of necrotic mandible and pain-free salvage. Computerized imagery and three-dimensional printing technology were successfully chosen to create and apply a custom titanium bone plate, without free-tissue transfer.
Reconstructive Indications of Anterolateral Thigh Free Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Khadakban Dhiraj , Kudpaje Akshay , Thankappan Krishnakumar , Jayaprasad Kiran , Gorasia Tejal , Vidhyadharan Sivakumar , Mathew Jimmy , Sharma Mohit , Iyer Subramania
Published: July 2015

Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap is a common flap with multitude of indications. The purpose of this article is to review the reconstructive indications of the flap in head and neck defects. This is a retrospective study of 194 consecutive ALT flaps. Data including patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities), disease characteristics (histology, T stage), and flap characteristics (size of the flap, type of closure of ALT donor site) were collected. The outcome in terms of flap success rate, surgical, and donor site morbidity were studied. A total of 194 flaps were performed in 193 patients over a period of 10 years. Mean age of the patients was 55 years (range 16-80 years). Out of the 193 patients, 91 (47.1%) patients had oromandibular defects, 52 (26.9%) had tongue defects, 15 (7.7%) had pharyngeal defects, 17 (8.8%) had skull base defects, 4 (2%) had scalp defects, and 14 (7.2%) had contour defects of the neck. The overall flap success rate was 95.8% (8 total flap loss out of 194). Hypertrophic scar was the commonest donor site problem seen in 20 (10.3%) patients. This study shows the versatility of free ALT flap in head and neck reconstruction. It is a reliable and safe. Donor site morbidity is minimal.
The ring and the street: young immigrant boxers in the Bolognina neighbourhood of Bologna
Authors: Scandurra Giuseppe
Published: July 2015

This article describes the social organisation of the ‘Tranvieri' boxing gym in Bolognina, a working-class neighbourhood of Bologna that has been rapidly changing over the last 20 years due to the closure of factories and the arrival of immigrants, especially from the Maghreb. The gym population has changed accordingly: currently about two-thirds of those attending the gym as a leisure centre have immigrant parents. The author studied the everyday life of these young boxers, born in Italy but without citizenship, who visit the gym daily after finishing vocational school, work and family responsibilities. For them, boxing is not a solution to the frustration inflicted by a society they perceive as indifferent if not hostile towards them, but it does offer them the possibility of not being represented as persons excluded from that society.
Report on National Sociological Associations in Europe
Authors: Agodi Maria Carmela , Annandale Ellen , Baptista Luís , Cipriani Roberto
Published: July 2015

As the official journal of the ESA, European Societies was asked to publish this report because of its special interest for the readers. This is a slightly shortened version of the first report on National Sociological Associations which was submitted to the European Sociological Association in November 2014. A series of relevant tables can be found on the ESA site: http://www.europeansociology.org/national-associations.html.ABSTRACT: This report presents the results of a survey on the National Associations of Sociology in Europe conducted in the years 2012–2013 by the European Sociological Association (ESA) under the auspices of its Committee for National Associations. The National Associations of Sociology were progressively established and institutionalized throughout the twentieth century, each one reflecting the political circumstances of the European Continent at the time. Of the 40 associations surveyed, 10% were in existence in 1950, which shows that the consolidation of the associative movement of sociologists in Europe is generally quite recent and gradually built up over the course of a century or more. The size of each association in terms of numbers of members is a key dimension in understanding how sociology is organized throughout Europe. The same may be said of the difficulties encountered when establishing the ESA as recently as 1992. The results of the survey show that the European sociological community is the aggregate of several parallel currents going back well over a hundred years. Each current has generated as many tributaries as there are individual academic and professional corporations operating in the dozens of countries where sociology has been able to take root and develop, whilst favoured – or sometimes opposed – by university and social policies, governments and public or private bodies. Moreover, each country has its own story to tell about the particular claims and losses, its ups and downs, advances and set-backs that sociology as a discipline has experienced.
Massilia arvi sp. nov., isolated from fallow-land soil previously cultivated with Brassica oleracea, and emended description of the genus Massilia
Authors: Singh Hina , Du Juan , Won KyungHwa , Yang Jung-Eun , Yin ChangShik , Kook MooChang , Yi Tae-Hoo
Published: July 2015

A novel bacterial strain, designated THG-RS2OT, was isolated from fallow-land soil previously cultivated with Brassica oleracea in Yongin, South Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile rods, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain THG-RS2OT grew optimally at 25–37 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that strain THG-RS2OT shows highest sequence similarity with Massilia kyonggiensis KACC 17471T followed by Massilia aerilata KACC 12505T, Massilia niastensis KACC 12599T, Massilia tieshanensis KACC 14940T and Massilia haematophila KCTC 32001T. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain THG-RS2OT and the closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 55.0 % and the DNA G+C content of strain THG-RS2OT was 63.2 mol%. Major fatty acids were C16 : 0, cyclo-C17 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquonone-8 and predominant polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, ubiquinone, polar lipid, fatty acid composition, and physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that strain THG-RS2OT represents a novel species of the genus Massilia. Hence, the present study describes a novel species for which the name Massilia arvi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-RS2OT ( = KCTC 42609T = CCTCC AB 2015115T).
In situ X-ray diffraction environments for high-pressure reactions
Authors: Hansen Bjarne R. S. , Møller Kasper T. , Paskevicius Mark , Dippel Ann-Christin , Walter Peter , Webb Colin James , Pistidda Claudio , Bergemann Nils , Dornheim Martin , Klassen Thomas , Jørgensen Jens-Erik , Jensen Torben René
Published: July 2015

New sample environments and techniques specifically designed for in situ powder X-ray diffraction studies up to 1000 bar (1 bar = 105 Pa) gas pressure are reported and discussed. The cells can be utilized for multiple purposes in a range of research fields. Specifically, investigations of gas–solid reactions and sample handling under inert conditions are undertaken here. Sample containers allowing the introduction of gas from one or both ends are considered, enabling the possibility of flow-through studies. Various containment materials are evaluated, e.g. capillaries of single-crystal sapphire (Al2O3), quartz glass (SiO2), stainless steel (S316) and glassy carbon (Sigradur K), and burst pressures are calculated and tested for the different tube materials. In these studies, high hydrogen pressure is generated with a metal hydride hydrogen compressor mounted in a closed system, which allows reuse of the hydrogen gas. The advantages and design considerations of the in situ cells are discussed and their usage is illustrated by a case study.
Correlating sampling and intensity statistics in nanoparticle diffraction experiments
Authors: Öztürk Hande , Yan Hanfei , Hill John P. , Noyan I. Cevdet
Published: July 2015

In a previous article [Öztürk, Yan, Hill & Noyan (2014). J. Appl. Cryst.
47, 1016–1025] it was shown that the sampling statistics of diffracting particle populations within a polycrystalline ensemble depended on the size of the constituent crystallites: broad X-ray peak breadths enabled some nano-sized particles to contribute more than one diffraction spot to Debye–Scherrer rings. Here it is shown that the equations proposed by Alexander, Klug & Kummer [J. Appl. Phys. (1948), 19, 742–753] (AKK) to link diffracting particle and diffracted intensity statistics are not applicable if the constituent crystallites of the powder are below 10 nm. In this size range, (i) the one-to-one correspondence between diffracting particles and Laue spots assumed in the AKK analysis is not satisfied, and (ii) the crystallographic correlation between Laue spots originating from the same grain invalidates the assumption that all diffracting plane normals are randomly oriented and uncorrelated. Such correlation produces unexpected results in the selection of diffracting grains. For example, three or more Laue spots from a given grain for a particular reflection can only be observed at certain wavelengths. In addition, correcting the diffracted intensity values by the traditional Lorentz term, 1/cos θ, to compensate for the variation of particles sampled within a reflection band does not maintain fidelity to the number of poles contributing to the diffracted signal. A new term, cos θB/cos θ, corrects this problem.
Molecular cloning, overexpression, purification and crystallographic analysis of a GH43 β-xylosidase fromBacillus licheniformis
Authors: Diogo José Alberto , Zanphorlin Leticia Maria , Sato Hélia Harumi , Murakami Mario Tyago , Ruller Roberto
Published: July 2015

β-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) catalyze the hydrolysis of short xylooligosaccharides into xylose, which is an essential step in the complete depolymerization of xylan, the major hemicellulosic polysaccharide of plant cell walls, and has great biotechnological relevance for the production of lignocellulose-based biofuels and the paper industry. In this study, a GH43 β-xylosidase identified from the bacteriumBacillus licheniformis(BlXylA) was cloned into the the pET-28a bacterial expression vector, recombinantly overexpressed inEscherichia coliBL21(DE3) cells and purified to homogeneity by metal-affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. The protein was crystallized in the presence of the organic solvent 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol and a single crystal diffracted to 2.49 Å resolution. The X-ray diffraction data were indexed in the monoclinic space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa= 152.82,b= 41.9,c= 71.79 Å, β = 91.7°. Structural characterization of this enzyme will contribute to a better understanding of the structural requirements for xylooligosaccharide specificity within the GH43 family.
Structures ofPseudomonas aeruginosaβ-ketoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) synthase II (FabF) and a C164Q mutant provide templates for antibacterial drug discovery and identify a buried potassium ion and a ligand-binding site that is an artefact of the crystal form
Authors: Baum Bernhard , Lecker Laura S. M. , Zoltner Martin , Jaenicke Elmar , Schnell Robert , Hunter William N. , Brenk Ruth
Published: July 2015

Bacterial infections remain a serious health concern, in particular causing life-threatening infections of hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. The situation is exacerbated by the rise in antibacterial drug resistance, and new treatments are urgently sought. In this endeavour, accurate structures of molecular targets can support early-stage drug discovery. Here, crystal structures, in three distinct forms, of recombinantPseudomonas aeruginosaβ-ketoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) synthase II (FabF) are presented. This enzyme, which is involved in fatty-acid biosynthesis, has been validated by genetic and chemical means as an antibiotic target in Gram-positive bacteria and represents a potential target in Gram-negative bacteria. The structures of apo FabF, of a C164Q mutant in which the binding site is altered to resemble the substrate-bound state and of a complex with 3-(benzoylamino)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid are reported. This compound mimics aspects of a known natural product inhibitor, platensimycin, and surprisingly was observed binding outside the active site, interacting with a symmetry-related molecule. An unusual feature is a completely buried potassium-binding site that was identified in all three structures. Comparisons suggest that this may represent a conserved structural feature of FabF relevant to fold stability. The new structures provide templates for structure-based ligand design and, together with the protocols and reagents, may underpin a target-based drug-discovery project for urgently needed antibacterials.
Functional diversity appropriateness
Authors: Gevers Josette M. P. , Driedonks Boudewijn A. , Jelinek Mariann , van Weele Arjan J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how perceptions of team performance and teamwork processes relate to functional diversity appropriateness perceptions (FDAP), that is, whether one believes that the right functions are represented in a team. Thereby, the authors distinguish between perceptions of team managers and team members.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study involved a cross-sectional survey study among 48 sourcing teams from 12 multinational companies, all from different industries.

Findings

– Members’ and managers’ congruent perceptions of performance showed differential relationships with their perceptions of the team’s functional diversity appropriateness. For managers, perceptions of team performance and functional diversity appropriateness were directly and positively related. For team members, this relationship was moderated by teamwork behavior. Moreover, unlike team members, purchasing managers did not consider functionally diverse teams to be more suitable for executing sourcing tasks.

Research limitations/implications

– This study identified teamwork behavior as a critical element for explaining the differences in FDAP of members and managers of sourcing teams.

Practical implications

– Rather than homogenizing team structures, managers should stimulate good teamwork behavior that allows for an the integration of interests and insights from different functional areas.

Originality/value

– This study adds to functional diversity literature as well as perceptual distance literature by revealing how different team effectiveness criteria shape managers’ and members’ perceptions of functional diversity appropriateness.
Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and psoriasis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Dongze , Shi Deshun , Yang Li , Zhu Xiaoliang
Published: July 2015

Several studies have evaluated the associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and psoriasis. However, the results remain inconclusive. The objective of the present study was to conduct a qualitative and quantitative meta‐analysis investigating the associations between MTHFR C677T and psoriasis. A published work search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database were conducted to identify all publications concerning MTHFR C677T polymorphism and psoriasis on 1 October 2014. The principal outcome measure for evaluating the strength of the association was crude odds ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Data were extracted and statistical analyses were implemented using STATA version 12.0 software. A total of 1179 psoriatic cases and 937 controls from five case–control studies concentrating on the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and psoriasis were included in this qualitative meta‐analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that there is no association between this polymorphism and susceptibility to psoriasis in dominant, recessive, allele and additive models under a random‐effect model. However, a marginal significant association was found in the overdominant model under fixed‐effect model. Subgroup analysis of ethnicity demonstrated that there is no association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and either Asian or European psoriatic patients. In conclusion, MTHFR C677T polymorphism, qualitatively, is not a genetic factor for the pathogenesis of psoriasis but could quantitatively reflect the severity of psoriasis to some extent.
In vitro standardization of two different removal devices in cemented implant prosthesis
Authors: Schierano Gianmario , Manzella Carlo , Menicucci Giulio , Parrotta Alessio , Zanetti Elisabetta M. , Audenino Alberto L.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to describe the force generated by two different removal devices used to retrieve cemented crowns on implant abutments. The influence of six different operators was evaluated.

Material and methods

Three replicated Coronaflex® (Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH, KaVo Dental GmbH) and reverse hammer setups were tested. The experimental setup has employed a screw bearing a diametral hole through which a loop holder passed. The screw was attached to a force transducer (Brüel & Kjær, type 8201), and the loop holder arm was kept perpendicular to the transducer axis. The results were statistically evaluated with ANOVA.

Results

The operator has resulted to play significant influence with reference to reverse hammer (coefficient of variation 43.3%) rather than with Coronaflex® (9.8%). Evaluating every single operator, more variation can still be found by considering each reverse hammer (37.5%) rather than each Coronaflex® (8.8%).

Conclusion

Coronaflex® device was found to systematically reach a more repeatable and higher peak amplitude of forces compared with reverse hammer, both by experienced and inexperienced operators.
Grüner Tee in der Dermatologie – Mythen und Fakten
Authors: Zink Alexander , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia
Published: July 2015

Der Genuss von grünem Tee hat in asiatischen Ländern – vor allem in China – eine lange Tradition. Die epidemiologisch und experimentell beobachteten antikarzinogenen und antiinflammatorischen Effekte von grünem Tee haben zum Einsatz von Grüntee‐Extrakten bei verschiedenen therapeutischen Anwendungen geführt – sowohl in dermatologischen als auch in kosmetischen Präparaten, wobei die umfangreichsten Untersuchungen für die antikarzinogene und chemopräventive Wirkung von grünem Tee bzw. seines Hauptbestandteils Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallat vorliegen. Fast ebenso gut nachgewiesen ist die Wirkung bei Infektionskrankheiten wie kutanen Virusinfektionen. Zur topischen Behandlung von Genitalwarzen wurde eine Salbe mit Grüntee‐Extrakten 2010 in den USA und kürzlich auch in Europa zugelassen. Experimentelle Daten, die auf eine Blockade zentraler Signaltransduktionsfaktoren hinweisen, haben zur Untersuchung von Catechinen bei entzündlichen Erkrankungen wie atopischer Dermatitis geführt. Die Ansicht, grüner Tee sei eine „Wunderwaffe“ gegen Krankheiten, ist bereits Tausende von Jahren alt. Einer chinesischen Legende zufolge bemerkte der antike Kaiser Shen Nung ein herrliches Aroma, nachdem einige Blätter eines in der Nähe stehenden Baumes in kochendes Wasser gefallen waren. Sofort erklärte er das neue „Getränk“ zu einem „Geschenk des Himmels“, was den Ursprung der – bis heute bestehenden – Überzeugung bildete, grüner Tee sei ein Arzneimittel aus der Natur und gegen viele verschiedene Krankheiten wirksam. Dieser Übersichtsartikel fasst die biologischen und klinischen Effekte von grünem Tee zusammen.
Wiederholte Injektionen von Botulinumtoxin Typ A steigern kontinuierlich die Wirkdauer bei primärer axillärer Hyperhidrose: Eine retrospektive Analyse von 101 Patienten
Authors: Brehmer Franziska , Lockmann Anike , Grönemeyer Lisa‐Lena , Kretschmer Lutz , Schön Michael P. , Thoms Kai‐Martin
Published: July 2015

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Botulinumtoxin Typ A ist eine wirksame, gut verträgliche, wenn auch temporäre Therapieoption gegen primäre axilläre Hyperhidrose. Über den Einfluss von wiederholten Injektionen auf die Wirkdauer ist jedoch wenig bekannt.

Patienten und Methoden

139 Patienten mit primärer axillärer Hyperhidrose wurden 50 Botulinumtoxin‐Einheiten je Axilla injiziert. Die Wirkdauer wurde bei 101 Patienten, die mindestens 3 Behandlungen erhalten hatten, nach der ersten, zweiten, und letzten Behandlung untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Die Wirkung hielt im Durchschnitt nach der ersten, zweiten, und letzten Injektion jeweils 4,0 Monate, 4,5 Monate, und 5,0 Monate an. Insgesamt war die Wirkdauer nach der letzten Injektion signifikant länger als nach der ersten Injektion (p = 0,0055, Wilcoxon‐Vorzeichen‐Rang‐Test). Ebenso gab es deutliche Unterschiede zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Injektion (p = 0,0302), sowie zwischen der zweiten und der letzten Injektion (p = 0,0381). Bei 25,7 % der Patienten blieb die Wirkdauer über die gesamte Behandlungszeit unverändert.

Schlussfolgerungen

Wiederholte Botulinumtoxin‐Behandlungen führten zu einer signifikant verlängerten Wirkdauer bei axillärer Hyperhidrose. Während sich die durchschnittliche Wirkdauer mit jeder Behandlung weiter erhöhte, gab es dennoch erhebliche interindividuelle Unterschiede.
Assessing the potential distribution of insect pests: case studies on large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L) and horse‐chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) under present and future climate conditions in European forests
Authors: Barredo J. I. , Strona G. , de Rigo D. , Caudullo G. , Stancanelli G. , San‐Miguel‐Ayanz J.
Published: July 2015

Forest insect pests represent a serious threat to European forests and their negative effects could be exacerbated by climate change. This paper illustrates how species distribution modelling integrated with host tree species distribution data can be used to assess forest vulnerability to this threat. Two case studies are used: large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L) and horse‐chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimič) both at pan‐European level. The proposed approach integrates information from different sources. Occurrence data of insect pests were collected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), climatic variables for present climate and future scenarios were sourced, respectively, from WorldClim and from the Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), and distributional data of host tree species were obtained from the European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC), within the Forest Information System for Europe (FISE). The potential habitat of the target pests was calculated using the machine learning algorithm of Maxent model. On the one hand, the results highlight the potential of species distribution modelling as a valuable tool for decision makers. On the other hand, they stress how this approach can be limited by poor pest data availability, emphasizing the need to establish a harmonised open European database of geo‐referenced insect pest distribution data.
Odd Prices at Retail Gasoline Stations: Focal Point Pricing and Tacit Collusion
Authors: Lewis Matthew S.
Published: July 2015

This study empirically investigates the theory that odd‐numbered pricing points can be used as focal points to facilitate tacit collusion. Like other retailers, gasoline stations in the United States disproportionately sell at prices ending in odd digits. I show that station prices are higher and change less frequently in locations using more odd prices (particularly those ending in 5 or 9), even after controlling for other market characteristics. The evidence suggests that the use of pricing points can be an effective mechanism for tacitly coordinating prices, providing an alternative explanation for the widespread use of odd prices in retail markets.