bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discerning intersecting fusion‐activation pathways in the Nipah virus using machine learning
Authors: Varma Sameer , Botlani Mohsen , Leighty Ralph E.
Published: February 2014

The fusion of Nipah with host cells is facilitated by two of their glycoproteins, the G and the F proteins. The binding of cellular ephrins to the G head domain causes the G stalk domain to interact differently with F, which activates F to mediate virus–host fusion. To gain insight into how the ephrin‐binding signal transduces from the head to the stalk domain of G, we examine quantitatively the differences between the conformational ensembles of the G head domain in its ephrin‐bound and unbound states. We consider the human ephrins B2 and B3, and a double mutant of B2, all of which trigger fusion. The ensembles are generated using molecular dynamics, and the differences between them are quantified using a new machine learning method. We find that the portion of the G head domain whose conformational density is altered equivalently by the three ephrins is large, and comprises ∼25% of the residues in the G head domain. This subspace also includes the residues that are known to be important to F activation, which suggests that it contains at least one common signaling pathway. The spatial distribution of the residues constituting this subspace supports the model of signal transduction in which the signal transduces via the G head dimer interface. This study also adds to the growing list of examples where signaling does not depend solely on backbone deviations. In general, this study provides an approach to filter out conserved patterns in protein dynamics. Proteins 2014; 82:3241–3254. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of the acaricidal toxicities of camphor and its structural analogues against house dust mites by the impregnated fabric disc method
Authors: Jeon Ju‐Hyun , Yang Ji‐Yeon , Lee Hoi‐Seon
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND

The acaricidal activities of (±)‐camphor structural analogues against house dust mites were evaluated using the impregnated fabric disc bioassay.

RESULTS

The acaricidal effects of camphor and its structural analogues were evaluated againstDermatophagoides farinaeandD. pteronyssinus. Based on theLD50values againstD. farinae, (±)‐camphor (0.95 µg cm−2) was 38.75 times more effective thanN,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide (DEET) (36.81 µg cm−2), followed by (+)‐camphor (1.41 µg cm−2), (−)‐camphor (2.03 µg cm−2) and (1R)‐camphor oxime (3.31 µg cm−2) in the impregnated fabric disc bioassay. However, camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid and camphoric acid had no observable activity againstD. farinaeorD. pteronyssinus. The acaricidal activities of camphor and its structural analogues againstD. pteronyssinuswere similar to those againstD. farinae.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that camphor and its structural analogues are suitable for producing acaricidal agents against house dust mites. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Amino acid substitutions of acetylcholinesterase associated with carbofuran resistance in Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Chang Cheng , Cheng Xuan , Huang Xin‐Yi , Dai Shu‐Mei
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND

Over 1000‐fold carbofuran resistance has been observed in Chilo suppressalis (Walker) collected from the Changhua (CH) and Chiayi (CY) prefectures of Taiwan. An understanding of the pertinent mechanisms will benefit effective insecticide resistance management of C. suppressalis.

RESULTS

Among the five amino acid substitutions of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) identified in C. suppressalis, A314S and H668P had been reported and E101D, F402V and R667Q were novel. Substitution frequencies in AChE of CH and CY populations were much higher than in the susceptible Hsinchu (HC) population. Significantly negative correlations were observed between the frequencies of E101D, A314S and R667Q and the kinetic parameters of AChEs in these populations. AChE from the resistant CH population was less susceptible to the inhibition of carbofuran, with an I50 that was 3.6‐fold higher than that of the susceptible HC population. Although Km and Vmax of AChE from the CH and CY populations were reduced to 72–87% of those from the HC population, the overall catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km) remained constant for all three populations.

CONCLUSION

Amino acid substitutions identified in the AChE of C. suppressalis are associated with changes in AChE kinetics and its insensitivity to carbofuran. These observations are helpful for rapid monitoring, prediction and management of OP and CB resistance in the field. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Surface treatment of electrodeposited n‐type Cu2O thin films for applications in Cu2O based devices
Authors: Jayathilaka K. M. D. C. , Kapaklis V. , Siripala W. , Jayanetti J. K. D. S.
Published: February 2014

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In this Letter, we report the effects of ammonium sulfide [(NH4)2S] surface treatment on electrical and optical characteristics of the electrodeposited n‐type Cu2O thin films on Ti substrates. Films characterized structurally and morphologically before and after the surface treatment were compared using conductivity, spectral photoresponse and current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The ammonium sulfide surface treatment time showed an impact on optical and electrical characteristics of the films. Treated Cu2O films exhibited enhanced conductivity giving rise to a 50‐fold increase in the photocurrent and improved I–V characteristics. It was found that the sulfur passivation resulted in a nearly ohmic behaviour for Au or Ni contacts made with n‐type Cu2O whereas Ag or Cu contacts showed nearly Schottky behaviour. The results showed that ammonium sulfide treatments were very effective to passivate defects and improve the optical and electrical properties of polycrystalline n‐type Cu2O thin films that may provide a solid platform for Cu2O based devices of enhanced quality.

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(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
ESOL as Business: Time for the Market‐Oriented Teacher?
Authors: Walker John
Published: February 2014

Private‐sector institutions offering English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) in postcompulsory contexts are distinctive in terms of their dual nature: As businesses, their principal raison d'etre is to turn a profit for their owners and shareholders, but at the same time they are educational institutions that are expected, at least in regulated environments, to adhere to established professional and ethical standards. ESOL teachers are professional educators trained in a humanistic academic tradition. When employed in private‐sector English language centres, how do such professionals come to terms with the challenges of practising in a manifestly commercial environment? This article employs a services perspective to explore tensions between commercial and educational or professional imperatives in ESOL. It considers the challenges facing ESOL teachers in functioning as so‐called market‐oriented teachers (Fredriksson, ), able both to uphold the tenets of their profession and to support the business strategy and commercial practices of their employer. Although it is unlikely that strains in the ESOL business–education relationship can be entirely dispelled, examples of good practice suggest that a mutually beneficial alliance of the commercial and the educational is possible, resulting in profitable, professional, and ethical private‐sector ESOL organisations.
The Effects of Poster Presentations and Class Presentations on Low‐Proficiency Learners
Authors: Prichard Caleb , Ferreira Dan
Published: February 2014

Presentation assignments for second language speakers can take several forms, such as a traditional class presentation or a poster presentation. Poster presentations, which are given repeatedly to small groups, seem to have several advantages, including increased speaking opportunities, more interaction between the speaker and the audience, and less anxiety for the speaker. However, these benefits have not been discussed critically in the literature, let alone researched in experimental studies. This article compares poster presentations and class presentations and their effects on 75 low‐proficiency speakers of English at a Japanese college. Video‐recorded data, two recall tests, and learner surveys were used to test the hypothesis that poster presentations would lead to an increased rate of speaking, more vocabulary retention, and better affective effects. The results confirm some of these hypotheses, and highlight several factors that second language instructors should consider when planning oral presentations.
A Taxonomy of Potential Contributions of the Host Country National Local Liaison Role in Global Knowledge Management
Authors: Vance Charles M. , Andersen Torben , Vaiman Vlad , Gale Jeffrey
Published: February 2014

This article builds on the existing conceptualization of multinational corporation (MNC) knowledge management by exploring the critical liaison role played by host country nationals (HCNs), especially those working directly with expatriate managers. We first discuss this proposed HCN local liaison role between expatriate and local employees within theoretical constructs of network theory and absorptive capacity. Then we present a model of five possible important HCNL role componentsÑincluding cultural interpreter, communication manager, information resource broker, talent manager, and internal change agentÑand related specific behavioral functions for each component. We also consider benefits and limitations of this HCN local liaison role, as well as areas for future research to help elucidate and validate this present model of the HCN local liaison role. This model also provides some practical guidance to assist multinational organizations in taking advantage of this potentially valuable liaison role for enhancing performance in host‐country operations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linking sheep density and grazing frequency to persistence of herb species in an alpine environment
Authors: Lanta Vojtěch , Austrheim Gunnar , Evju Marianne , Klimešová Jitka , Mysterud Atle
Published: February 2014

Large herbivores are important drivers in ecosystems worldwide. Changes in herbivore densities are predicted to especially affect herbs that are strongly preferred by herbivores. The persistence of herbs could be challenged by enhanced grazing, but also grazing cessation may affect persistence, especially for prostrate herbs, which might be out‐competed. To test how different herbivore densities (high, low, and no sheep) affect grazing frequency and plant responses (plant height, flowering frequency, and plant density) at the herb community and species level, we conducted a fully replicated, landscape‐scale experiment in an alpine environment. We found that none of the herb species changed their densities after 5 years with experimental changes in grazing pressure. Sheep density affected grazing and flowering frequency at the herb community level. Eight herb species were more grazed at high sheep density as compared to enclosures with no sheep. Herb height decreased at high sheep density as compared to no sheep for the two species with the highest grazing frequency. Increased height and flowering frequency were found for small herbs at high sheep density. Our experiment clearly shows that herbs do not constitute a homogeneous functional group and that, in particular, tall and small herbs are affected in contrasting ways but all species (n = 15) tolerated changes in grazing regimes as densities were maintained at both enhanced grazing and grazing cessation.
The Impact of Parental Death on Child Well-being: Evidence From the Indian Ocean Tsunami
Authors: Cas Ava Gail , Frankenberg Elizabeth , Suriastini Wayan , Thomas Duncan
Published: February 2014

Identifying the impact of parental death on the well-being of children is complicated because parental death is likely to be correlated with other, unobserved factors that affect child well-being. Population-representative longitudinal data collected in Aceh, Indonesia, before and after the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami are used to identify the impact of parental deaths on the well-being of children aged 9–17 at the time of the tsunami. Exploiting the unanticipated nature of parental death resulting from the tsunami in combination with measuring well-being of the same children before and after the tsunami, models that include child fixed effects are estimated to isolate the causal effect of parental death. Comparisons are drawn between children who lost one or both parents and children whose parents survived. Shorter-term impacts on school attendance and time allocation one year after the tsunami are examined, as well as longer-term impacts on education trajectories and marriage. Shorter- and longer-term impacts are not the same. Five years after the tsunami, there are substantial deleterious impacts of the tsunami on older boys and girls, whereas the effects on younger children are more muted.
Mobile entrepreneurs in post-Soviet Central Asia
Authors: Turaeva Rano
Published: February 2014

In this paper I present an analysis of a mobile entrepreneur and his transnational economic activities in post-Soviet space. I argue that the space of informal economic activities of mobile entrepreneurs are structured by trust-networks in the sense Tilly (2005) uses it. In this context the concept of tirikchilik (an Uzbek term for ‘muddling through’ or survival) which defines the space of informal economic activities is important to decipher. Tirikchilik unifies various economic activities which vary from trade, service delivery, middleman services, administration and any kind of activity that generates some cash.
Legal Reform, Law Firms, and Lawyer Stratification in Japan
Authors: Nakamura Mayumi
Published: February 2014

In many countries, the size of a law firm is closely related to the specializations and incomes of the lawyers it employs, and can be considered an index for disparities among lawyers. Gender and school prestige may affect the size of the first firm that lawyers join. Moreover, since the lawyer population has quadrupled over the last 20 years in Japan, mainly due to judicial reform, I hypothesize that this population increase has changed how gender and school prestige affect the size of the first firm law school graduates decide to join. To test this, I conducted a secondary statistical analysis on the effect of gender and school prestige on the size of the first firm that lawyers joined, using survey data collected by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations in 2010. Findings suggest that there were no significant differences in the size of women’s and men’s first employer, but that school prestige was significant. Moreover, the importance of school prestige has increased over the years.
A Critical Analysis of James Stuart’sA History of the Zulu Rebellion 1906
Authors: Thompson Paul S.
Published: February 2014

James Stuart was employed by the Natal government to make a “compilation” describing British military operations against a Zulu insurrection in 1906, but he took so long to complete the work that it was published in 1913 with private funds and included a discussion of the event’s aftermath. In this critical analysis of Stuart’s work, emphasis is placed on the long process of its compilation and writing as well as Stuart’s use of sources, and theinternalcoherence of his argument.
Paolo Sarpi and the first Copernican tidal theory
Authors: NAYLOR RON
Published: February 2014

Despite his demanding religious responsibilities, Paolo Sarpi maintained an active involvement in science between 1578 and 1598 – as hisPensierireveal. They show that from 1585 onwards he studied the Copernican theory and recorded arguments in its favour. The fact that for 1595 they include an outline of a Copernican tidal theory resembling Galileo'sDialoguetheory is well known. But examined closely, Sarpi's theory is found to be different from that of theDialoguein several important respects. That Sarpi was a Copernican by 1592 is revealed by other of hispensieri, whereas at that time we know that Galileo was not. The examination of Sarpi's tidal theory and of the work of Galileo in this period indicates that the theory Sarpi recorded in 1595 was of his own creation. The appreciation that the theory was Sarpi's and that Galileo subsequently came to change his views on the Copernican theory and adopted the tidal theory has major implications for our understanding of the significance of Sarpi's contribution to the Scientific Revolution. Moreover, it appears that several of the most significant theoretical features of the tidal theory published by Galileo in theDialogue –and which proved of lasting value – were in reality Sarpi's.
Set-shifting ability across the spectrum of eating disorders and in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu M. , Brockmeyer T. , Hartmann M. , Skunde M. , Herzog W. , Friederich H.-C.
Published: February 2014

Background.

In this meta-analysis we review the findings from neuropsychological studies on set-shifting in people with eating disorders (EDs) or overweight/obesity.

Method.

Four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX and Web of Science) were searched for eligible studies. Effect sizes (ESs) were pooled using random-effects models. Moderator analyses were conducted for ED and overweight/obese subgroups, adult/adolescent samples and measures of set-shifting.

Results.

Sixty-four studies with a total of 1825 ED patients [1394 anorexia nervosa (AN), 376 bulimia nervosa (BN) and 55 binge eating disorder (BED)] and 10 studies with a total of 449 overweight/obese individuals were included. The meta-analysis revealed a small to medium ES for inefficient set-shifting across all three ED diagnoses (Hedges’g = –0.45). Subgroup analyses yielded small to medium ESs for each ED subtype (g = –0.44 for AN, –0.53 for BED, –0.50 for BN), which did not differ significantly. There was a medium ES for restricting type AN (ANR;g = –0.51) but no significant ES for binge/purge type AN (AN/BP;g = –0.18). A medium ES was found across obesity studies (g = –0.61). The ES across overweight studies was not significant (g = –0.07). Adult samples did not differ from adolescent samples in either ED or overweight/obesity studies. The different set-shifting measures were associated with largely varying ESs.

Conclusions.

The meta-analysis provides strong support that inefficient set-shifting is a salient neuropsychological phenomenon across ED subtypes and obesity, but is less prominent in AN/BP and overweight. Compulsivity seems to be a common underlying factor supporting a dimensional and transdiagnostic conceptualization of EDs and obesity.
Local resource depletion hypothesis as a mechanism for action selection in the brain
Authors: Brzezicka Aneta , Kamiński Jan , Wróbel Andrzej
Published: February 2014

As a comment on Kurzban et al.'s opportunity cost model, we propose an alternative view of mental effort and the action selection mechanism in the brain. Our hypothesis utilizes local resource depletion within neuronal networks, which justifies from a neurophysiological perspective why mental fatigue diminishes after switching to a novel task and explains action selection by means of neural competition theory.
Opportunity cost calculations only determinejustifiedeffort – Or, What happened to the resource conservation principle?
Authors: Gendolla Guido H. E. , Richter Michael
Published: February 2014

We welcome the development of a new model on effort and performance and the critique on existing resource-based models. However, considering the vast evidence for the significant impact of experienced task demand on resource allocation, we conclude that Kurzban et al.'s opportunity cost model is only valid for one performance condition: if task demand is unknown or unspecified.
Give me strength or give me a reason: Self-control, religion, and the currency of reputation
Authors: Harrison Justin M. D. , McKay Ryan
Published: February 2014

We show that Kurzban et al.'s approach illuminates the relationship between religion and self-control. Whereas resource-depletion theorists suggest religion replenishes self-control resources (“strength”), we submit that religious cues make people feel observed, giving them “reason” to persevere, and we describe an experiment that supports our interpretation. Finally, we question the claim that subjective fatigue is a signal to redeploy resources.
Beyond dopamine: The noradrenergic system and mental effort
Authors: Malecek Nicholas J. , Poldrack Russell A.
Published: February 2014

An opportunity cost model of effort requires flexible integration of valuation and self-control systems. Reciprocal connections between these networks and brainstem neuromodulatory systems are likely to provide the signals that affect subsequent persistence or failure when faced with effort challenges. The interaction of these systems should be taken into account to strengthen a normative neural model of effort.
The costs of giving up: Action versus inaction asymmetries in regret
Authors: Nicolle Antoinette , Riggs Kevin
Published: February 2014

Kurzban et al.'s opportunity cost model of mental effort relies heavily on counterfactual thinking. We suggest that a closer inspection of the role of counterfactual emotions, and particularly of action/inaction asymmetries in anticipated regret, may be important in understanding the role of opportunity costs in decisions to persist with a current task.
The economics of cognitive effort
Authors: Westbrook John Andrew , Braver Todd S.
Published: February 2014

If cognitive effort indexes opportunity costs, it should be investigated like other cost factors including risk and delay. We discuss recent methodological advances in behavioral economics and neuroeconomics, highlighting our own work in measuring the subjective (economic) value of cognitive effort. We discuss the implications of Kurzban et al.'s proposal and how some of its predictions may be untestable without behavioral economic formalisms.
The crowd is self-aware
Authors: Fan Judith E. , Suchow Jordan W.
Published: February 2014

Bentley et al.’s framework assigns phenomena of personal and collective decision-making to regions of a dual-axis map. Here, we propose that understanding the collective dynamics of decision-making requires consideration of factors that guide movement across the map. One such factor is self-awareness, which can lead a group to seek out new knowledge and re-position itself on the map.
Coordination games, anti-coordination games, and imitative learning
Authors: McCain Roger A. , Hamilton Richard
Published: February 2014

Bentley et al.'s scheme generates distributions characteristic of situations of high and low social influence on decisions and of high and low salience (“transparency”) of rewards. Another element of decisions that may influence the placement of a decision process in their map is the way in which individual decisions interact to determine the payoffs. This commentary discusses the role of Nash equilibria in game theory, focusing especially on coordination and anti-coordination games.
The global shift: Shadows of identifiability
Authors: Schmidt Colin T.
Published: February 2014

The presence of overwhelming amounts of information in our big-data era society is growing. Globalisation is increasingly giving these solicitations (regarding information) a more social aspect causing behavioural changes. While restricting my focus on this aspect of the Bentley et al article, I address related medical questions and pin-point the conceptual interest of the roadmap given therein.
Conformity under uncertainty: Reliance on gender stereotypes in online hiring decisions
Authors: Uhlmann Eric Luis , Silberzahn Raphael
Published: February 2014

We apply Bentley et al.’s theoretical framework to better understand gender discrimination in online labor markets. Although such settings are designed to encourage employer behavior in the northwest corner of Homo economicus, actual online hiring decisions tend to drift southeast into a “confirmation bias plus weak feedback loops” pattern of discrimination based on inaccurate social stereotypes.
Distributed amorphous ramp construction in unstructured environments
Authors: Napp Nils , Nagpal Radhika
Published: February 2014

We present a model of construction using iterative amorphous depositions and give a distributed algorithm to reliably build ramps in unstructured environments. The relatively simple local strategy for interacting with irregularly shaped, partially built structures gives rise to robust adaptive global properties. We illustrate the algorithm in both single robot and multi-robot cases via simulations and describe how to solve key technical challenges to implementing this algorithm via a robotic prototype.
Probable longer incubation period for human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2013
Authors: HUANG Y. , XU K. , REN D. F. , AI J. , JI H. , GE A. H. , BAO C. J. , SHI G. Q. , SHEN T. , TANG F. Y. , ZHU Y. F. , ZHOU M. H. , WANG H.
Published: February 2014

Human infection with the emerging avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China in 2013 has raised global concerns. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 27 confirmed human influenza A(H7N9) cases in Jiangsu Province, to elaborate poultry-related exposures and to provide a more precise estimate of the incubation periods of the illness. The median incubation period was 6 days (range 2–10 days) in cases with single known exposure and was 7·5 days (range 6·5–12·5 days) in cases with exposures on multiple days, difference between the two groups was not significant (Z = −1·895,P = 0·058). The overall median incubation period for all patients was estimated to be 7·5 days (range 2–12·5 days). Our findings further highlight the necessity for public health authorities to extend the period of medical surveillance from 7 days to 10 days.
Healthcare seeking and hospital admissions by people who inject drugs in response to symptoms of injection site infections or injuries in three urban areas of England
Authors: HOPE V. D. , NCUBE F. , PARRY J. V. , HICKMAN M.
Published: February 2014

People who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to infections and injuries at injection sites. The factors associated with reporting symptoms of these, seeking related advice, and hospital admission are examined. PWID were recruited in Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds using respondent-driven sampling (N = 855). During the preceding year, 48% reported having redness, swelling and tenderness (RST), 19% an abscess, and 10% an open wound at an injection site. Overall, 54% reported ⩾1 symptoms, with 45% of these seeking medical advice (main sources emergency departments and General Practitioners). Advice was often sought ⩾5 days after the symptom first appeared (44% of those seeking advice about an abscess, 45% about an open wound, and 35% for RST); the majority received antibiotics. Overall, 9·5% reported hospital admission during the preceding year. Ever being diagnosed with septicaemia and endocarditis were reported by 8·8% and 2·9%, respectively. Interventions are needed to reduce morbidity, healthcare burden and delays in accessing treatment.
Staging violence, suffering and orthodoxy in the chants of the Spanish March
Authors: SALVADÓ SEBASTIÁN
Published: February 2014

During the reconquest of Islamic territories on the Spanish March, Iberian lands witnessed a religious transformation enacted by the Christian victors and characterised by the resurgence of devotion to both old and new saintly figures. The present article explores how the music of saints represents, and thus interprets, issues related to violence and suffering so prevalent on the frontier. The chants for prominent saints in the area, Paul of Narbonne, Eulalia of Barcelona and Saturninus of Toulouse, are explored here in relation to how words and music interacted to illustrate the saints' position in relation to violence and suffering. Musical analyses trace how the topoi of orthodoxy in faith and confronting bloodshed with devout resolution are cast in the chants of earlier styles to those of the late twelfth century. Differences in musical depictions of these subjects underscore how the saints, in their changing sonic personae, were made to engage with the realities confronting Christian frontier communities.
Reflections of war and violence in early and high medieval saints' offices
Authors: HANKELN ROMAN
Published: February 2014

Changing attitudes towards violence and war are important markers of medieval European cultural development and, as such, have been the focus of numerous historical studies. Saints' offices have not, however, been analysed along these lines, an unjustified neglect given their central place in the daily cultural life of ecclesiastical institutions, not to mention the large range of related scholarly topics they represent. Offered here is an overview of these topics, beginning with an examination of offices with roots in Merovingian and Carolingian times, and proceeding to later offices originating in the crucial time of the first crusades and beyond. How is violence described in chants with texts drawn from the Old and New Testaments? How is it handled in chants based on later hagiographic literature? Is Christian military violence legitimised in these chants? How are enemies portrayed? How are the messages of these texts articulated in their musical settings? Answers to these questions might place the sacred monophony of the Latin Church into its proper context, that is, as a means of socio-political reflexion during the Middle Ages.
The Concept of Cotransmission: Focus on ATP as a Cotransmitter and its Significance in Health and Disease
Authors: Burnstock Geoffrey
Published: February 2014

The concept of cotransmission, including sympathetic nerve release of noradrenaline and ATP, was formalised in 1976, which challenged the accepted view known as ‘Dale's Principle’ that one nerve released only one transmitter. ATP was also shown to be a cotransmitter with acetylcholine in parasympathetic nerves supplying the urinary bladder and as a cotransmitter with nitric oxide in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory nerves supplying the intestine. It is now recognised that ATP is a cotransmitter in most, if not all, nerves in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The physiological significance of cotransmission will be considered. In pathophysiology, the role of ATP as a cotransmitter appears to increase as shown, for example, in the parasympathetic nerves supplying the diseased human bladder and in sympathetic nerves in spontaneously hypertensive rats. ATP is likely to be involved in sympathetic pain, causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Purinergic signalling also appears to be enhanced in inflammatory and stress conditions.
The P versus NP Problem from the Membrane Computing View
Authors: Pérez-Jiménez Mario J.
Published: February 2014

In the last few decades several computing models using powerful tools from Nature have been developed (because of this, they are known as bio-inspired models). Commonly, the space-time trade-off method is used to develop efficient solutions to computationally hard problems. According to this, implementation of such models (in biological, electronic, or any other substrate) would provide a significant advance in the practical resolution of hard problems. Membrane Computing is a young branch of Natural Computing initiated by Gh. Păun at the end of 1998. It is inspired by the structure and functioning of living cells, as well as from the organization of cells in tissues, organs, and other higher order structures. The devices of this paradigm, called P systems or membrane systems, constitute models for distributed, parallel and non-deterministic computing. In this paper, a computational complexity theory within the framework of Membrane Computing is introduced. Polynomial complexity classes associated with different models of cell-like and tissue-like membrane systems are defined and the most relevant results obtained so far are presented. Different borderlines between efficiency and non-efficiency are shown, and many attractive characterizations of the P ≠ NP conjecture within the framework of this bio-inspired and non-conventional computing model are studied.
Immanent Seas, Scribal Havens: Distributed Reading of Formulaic Networks in the Sagas of Icelanders
Authors: Ranković Slavica
Published: February 2014

Medieval sagas of Icelanders are considered one of the most significant ‘contributions made by Nordic culture’,1 among ‘the great marvels of world literature […] so timelessly up-to-date’ and characterised by ‘a supreme, undistorted sense of actuality’.2 ‘We will never comprehend’, the famous novelist Milan Kundera said, ‘the significance of the fact that the first grand, enormous body of prose composed in a European national language sprang from the genius of a very small nation, perhaps the smallest in Europe … the glory of the sagas is indisputable’.1,2 What follows is an attempt to make comprehensible some of the aesthetic mechanisms through which the sagas attain their remarkable representational complexity. This is not in order to diminish the glory of the genius that Kundera refers to – the genius of the people and the many geniuses from among the people – but rather to appreciate it even more, as usually results from a deeper understanding of the workings of things.
Historical Reflections on Progress and Tradition
Authors: Van Caenegem R.C.
Published: February 2014

Reflecting on the tension between progressives and traditionalists in present-day Egypt, the author surveys comparable conflicts in the European past. In nineteenth-century Britain and Belgium the struggle between liberals and conservatives dominated public life. In eighteenth-century France the progressive forces of the Enlightenment were for a long time in bitter conflict with the traditional defenders of King and Church, until the latter were defeated in the French Revolution. In seventeenth-century England the Puritan Revolution overthrew Stuart absolutism, which was a democratic move, but Cromwell then established his own fundamentalist Republic, which was illiberal. In the sixteenth century Humanists and Protestants were progressive and broke with medieval modes of thought and papal domination, but were opposed by traditional forces around the House of Habsburg and the Counter-reformation, neither party claiming total victory. By the fifteenth century the progressive conciliar movement attempted to democratize the Catholic Church by putting the papal curia under the supreme authority of the general council, an assembly representing Christian people of all nations. This short-lived attempt was foiled by defenders of the traditional papal supremacy.
Daily life impairments associated with childhood/adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as recalled by adults: results from the European Lifetime Impairment Survey
Authors: Caci Herve , Asherson Philip , Donfrancesco Renato , Faraone Stephen V. , Hervas Amaia , Fitzgerald Michael , Döpfner Manfred
Published: February 2014

Introduction

The Lifetime Impairment Survey, conducted in Europe, assessed impairment and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood, and experiences of ADHD diagnosis and treatment, as recalled by adults.

Methods

Adults with ADHD and without ADHD (control group) were invited to participate in an internet-based survey and report on their childhood experiences. History of ADHD diagnosis was self-reported. Groups were compared using impairment and symptom scales.

Results

Overall, 588 adults with ADHD and 736 without ADHD participated. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at diagnosis of ADHD was 20.0 (12.6) years (median 18.0) following consultation with 3.8 (5.1) doctors (median 2) over 44.6 (69.3) months (median 17.0). A total of 64.1% (377/588) of adults with ADHD reported frustration or difficulties during the diagnostic process. The ADHD group had a higher mean (SD) score versus control for general (3.3 [1.2] vs 2.1 [1.2]; p < 0.001) and school impairment (2.8 [0.7] vs 2.3 [0.6]; p < 0.001) but not home impairment (2.1 [0.5] for both groups).

Discussion

The survey demonstrated that ADHD had a negative impact on all aspects of childhood investigated, as recalled by adults.

Conclusions

These data provide insights into childhood impairments and identify areas for improvement in the management and treatment of ADHD.
Sonification of Emotion: Strategies and results from the intersection with music
Authors: Winters R. Michael , Wanderley Marcelo M.
Published: February 2014

Emotion is a word not often heard in sonification, though advances in affective computing make the data type imminent. At times the relationship between emotion and sonification has been contentious due to an implied overlap with music. This paper clarifies the relationship, demonstrating how it can be mutually beneficial. After identifying contexts favourable to auditory display of emotion, and the utility of its development to research in musical emotion, the current state of the field is addressed, reiterating the necessary conditions for sound to qualify as a sonification of emotion. With this framework, strategies for display are presented that use acoustic and structural cues designed to target select auditory-cognitive mechanisms of musical emotion. Two sonifications are then described using these strategies to convey arousal and valence though differing in design methodology: one designed ecologically, the other computationally. Each model is sampled at 15-second intervals at 49 evenly distributed points on the AV space, and evaluated using a publically available tool for computational music emotion recognition. The computational design performed 65 times better in this test, but the ecological design is argued to be more useful for emotional communication. Conscious of these limitations, computational design and evaluation is supported for future development.
Die Epidemiologie der Mangelernährung
Authors: Imoberdorf Reinhard , Ballmer Peter E.
Published: February 2014

Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation stuft Mangelernährung weltweit als die größte Bedrohung für die Volksgesundheit ein. Ein Expertenbericht des Europarates zeigte klar, dass Mangelernährung bei hospitalisierten Patienten ein real existierendes Problem in allen europäischen Ländern darstellt, auch in der Schweiz. Bei 20 – 60 % der hospitalisierten internistischen und chirurgischen Patienten wird eine Mangelernährung beobachtet. Sie nimmt mit dem Alter zu und findet sich immer häufiger bei Personen mit einer Adipositas. Bei der krankheitsbedingten Mangelernährung bei normal- und übergewichtigen Personen stellt der ungewollte Gewichtsverlust ein Leitsymptom dar. Im Zusammenhang mit Adipositas äußert sich die Mangelernährung vor allem in einem spezifischen Nährstoffmangel. Es handelt sich also um eine qualitative Mangelernährung. In der Schweiz ist der Anteil der Jugendlichen unter 20 Jahren von 40.7 % (1900) auf 20.6 % (2011) gesunken, während bei den älteren Personen über 64 Jahren ein Anstieg von 5.8 % auf 17.2 % zu verzeichnen war. Bei den Betagten über 80-jährigen Personen ist der Anstieg von 0.5 % auf 4.8 % besonders ausgeprägt. Da die Mangelernährung mit dem Alter zunimmt, gewinnt sie an Bedeutung und wird Krankenhäuser, Heime und die Pflege zuhause besonders betreffen.
Enterale Ernährung mit Sonden
Authors: Haller Alois
Published: February 2014

Die enterale Ernährung über Sonden stellt heute einen integralen Bestandteil medizinischer Therapien dar. Sie ist einfach zu bewerkstelligen und kann auch im ambulanten Setting angewandt werden. Für kurzfristige Ernährungsinterventionen eignen sich temporäre Sonden im Magen oder Dünndarm, welche nasogastral oder nasojejunal eingelegt werden. Eine Langzeiternährungstherapie wird meist über eine permanente Sonde durchgeführt, welche als perkutane Gastrostomie (PEG) endoskopisch platziert wird. Versehen mit modernen tragbaren Ernährungspumpen können Patienten ohne großen Aufwand bedarfsdeckend ernährt werden. Die enterale Ernährung ist immer dann indiziert, wenn Patienten nicht essen können, dürfen oder kein adäquater Nahrungsaufbau innert 3 Tagen nach einem Eingriff, z. B. einer viszeralchirurgischen Operation, gelingt. Appliziert werden industriell gefertigte Nährlösungen mit definierten Nährstoffkonzentrationen, die je nach Indikation mit unterschiedlichen Substraten und spezifischen Supplementen (z. B. Glutamin, Fischöl oder Selen) erhältlich sind. Die enterale Ernährung ist sowohl mit Komplikationen der Sonde (Dislokation, Fehllage, Obstruktion oder Aspiration), als auch der Ernährung selbst (Hyperglykämien, Elektrolytstörungen, Refeeding Syndrom oder Diarrhoe) behaftet. Der Nutzen einer regelrechten Sondenernährung übertrifft jedoch den möglichen Schaden meist deutlich.
Caplan-Syndrom: eine untypische Differenzialdiagnose des «pulmorenalen» Syndroms
Authors: Nowak Albina , Göhner Katja , Cohen Clemens D.
Published: February 2014

Ein 59-jähriger Spezialtiefbauarbeiter, ehemaliger Uranbergbauarbeiter, präsentierte sich mit Hämoptoe und asymmetrischen Arthritiden. Labortests ergaben Mikrohämaturie und anti-neutrophile zytoplasmatische Antikörper. Computertomographisch bestanden bilateral disseminierte Thorax-Rundherde. Thorakoskopische Lungenkeilresektion zeigte Granulome mit Anthrakose und Silikose-Material im nekrotischen Zentrum. Die Diagnose eines Caplan-Syndroms wurde gestellt. Die Beschwerden besserten sich unter der Steroid-Therapie. Weitere Abklärung der Mikrohämaturie erbrachte die Diagnose eines klarzelligen Nierenzellkarzinoms. Bei diesem Patienten mit «pulmorenalem Syndrom» war das Nierenzellkarzinom, das bei Minenarbeitern im Uranbergbau ebenfalls vermehrt auftritt, ursächlich für die Mikrohämaturie.
Oral administration of inosine produces antidepressant-like effects in mice
Authors: Muto Junko , Lee Hosung , Lee Hyunjin , Uwaya Akemi , Park Jonghyuk , Nakajima Sanae , Nagata Kazufumi , Ohno Makoto , Ohsawa Ikuroh , Mikami Toshio
Published: February 2014

Inosine, a breakdown product of adenosine, has recently been shown to exert immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. We show here that the oral administration of inosine has antidepressant-like effects in two animal models. Inosine significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth and viability of primary cultured neocortical neurons, which was suppressed by adenosine A1 and A2A receptor agonists. Oral administration of inosine to mice transiently increased its concentration in the brain and enhanced neuronal proliferation in the dentate gyrus, accompanied by phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and increase in transcript level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In stress models, oral inosine prevented an increase in immobility time in forced swim test after chronically unexpected stress and mitigated a reduction in sucrose preference after chronic social defeat stress. These results indicate that oral administration of inosine has the potential to prevent depressive disorder via adenosine receptors.
A functional Kv1.2-hERG chimaeric channel expressed in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Dhillon Mandeep S. , Cockcroft Christopher J. , Munsey Tim , Smith Kathrine J. , Powell Andrew J. , Carter Paul , Wrighton David C. , Rong Hong-lin , Yusaf Shahnaz P. , Sivaprasadarao Asipu
Published: February 2014

Members of the six-transmembrane segment family of ion channels share a common structural design. However, there are sequence differences between the members that confer distinct biophysical properties on individual channels. Currently, we do not have 3D structures for all members of the family to help explain the molecular basis for the differences in their biophysical properties and pharmacology. This is due to low-level expression of many members in native or heterologous systems. One exception is rat Kv1.2 which has been overexpressed in Pichia pastoris and crystallised. Here, we tested chimaeras of rat Kv1.2 with the hERG channel for function in Xenopus oocytes and for overexpression in Pichia. Chimaera containing the S1–S6 transmembrane region of HERG showed functional and pharmacological properties similar to hERG and could be overexpressed and purified from Pichia. Our results demonstrate that rat Kv1.2 could serve as a surrogate to express difficult-to-overexpress members of the six-transmembrane segment channel family.
Analysis of 21 phthalate leachables in metered dose inhalers by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ye Xiaoxia , Ma Juan , Yang Yongjian , Jin Fang
Published: February 2014

Development and validation of GC-MS/MS method to determinate 21 phthalate leachables in meter dose inhalers.
The sonochemical approach improves the CuO–ZnO/TiO2 catalyst for WGS reaction
Authors: Perkas Nina , Gunawan Poernomo , Amirian Galina , Wang Zhan , Zhong Ziyi , Gedanken Aharon
Published: February 2014

The CuO–ZnO/TiO2 catalyst prepared by the ultrasound assisted method demonstrates superior activity in water gas shift reaction in comparison with the catalysts synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation. The sonochemical preparation offers at least two advantages: (1) generation of mesopores on the catalyst surface and (2) doping of Zn into the CuO phase.
Reactivity studies of a soluble LiH-complex and non-spectator behaviour of its stabilising phosphinoamide ligand
Authors: Stasch Andreas
Published: February 2014

The reactivity of a soluble phosphinoamide stabilized lithium hydride complex towards some unsaturated organic substrates is described and hydrolithiation and phosphinoamide addition products are reported.
Thermodynamics and high-pressure kinetics of a fast carbon dioxide fixation reaction by a (2,6-pyridinedicarboxamidato-hydroxo)nickel(ii) complex
Authors: Troeppner O. , Huang D. , Holm R. H. , Ivanović-Burmazović I.
Published: February 2014

The thermodynamics and high-pressure kinetics of the fastest CO2 fixation reaction by a metal-bound hydroxide resulted in a clear mechanistic picture and characterization of a very compact five-coordinate transition state.
Quantitative phosphoproteomic profiling of PINK1-deficient cells identifies phosphorylation changes in nuclear proteins
Authors: Qin Xiaoyan , Zheng Chaoya , Yates III John R. , Liao Lujian
Published: February 2014

A quantitative phosphoproteomic method coupled with siRNA mediated silencing of a kinase associated with Parkinson's disease was applied to measure phosphorylation changes. The results indicate alterations in protein phosphorylation downstream of this kinase, potentially expanding our understanding of its function.
An integrated metabonomic approach to studying metabolic profiles in rat models with insulin resistance induced by high fructose
Authors: Yang Yongxia , Wang Linlin , Wang Shumei , Huang Rongbo , Zheng Lingyun , Liang Shengwang , Zhang Lei , Xu Jingfen
Published: February 2014

This study identified potential biomarkers in urine, plasma and feces of high fructose-fed rats using1H NMR-based metabonomics.
Selective aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bond activation of protected alcohol substrates by cytochrome P450 enzymes
Authors: Bell Stephen G. , Spence Justin T. J. , Liu Shenglan , George Jonathan H. , Wong Luet-Lok
Published: February 2014

Protected cyclohexanol and cyclohex-2-enol substrates were efficiently and selectively oxidised by different P450cam mutants providing a general methodology for generating substituted diols using biocatalysts.
Building smart TiO2 nanorod networks in/on the film of P25 nanoparticles for high-efficiency dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Feng Yamin , Zhu Jianhui , Jiang Jian , Wang Wenwu , Meng Gaoxiang , Wu Fei , Gao Yongli , Huang Xintang
Published: February 2014

A novel hierarchical double-layered photoelectrode by integrating TiO2 nanorods (NRs) in and on a film of P25 NPs has been successfully synthesized on an FTO substrate; the hierarchical film electrodes applied in DSSCs exhibit a photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 8.62%.
Correlating surface cation composition and thin film microstructure with the electrochemical performance of lanthanum strontium cobaltite (LSC) electrodes
Authors: Rupp G. M. , Limbeck A. , Kubicek M. , Penn A. , Stöger-Pollach M. , Friedbacher G. , Fleig J.
Published: February 2014

Surface composition of La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ electrodes investigated by means of a novel on-line in situ etching procedure with ICP-OES analysis.