bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Synthesis of Bio‐Based Acrylic Thermoplastic Elastomer by RAFT Polymerization of Itaconic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Satoh Kotaro , Lee Dong‐Hyung , Nagai Kanji , Kamigaito Masami
Published: November 2013

Bio‐based polymer materials from renewable resources have recently become a growing research focus. Herein, a novel thermoplastic elastomer is developed via controlled/living radical polymerization of plant‐derived itaconic acid derivatives, which are some of the most abundant renewable acrylic monomers obtained via the fermentation of starch. The reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of itaconic acid imides, such as N‐phenylitaconimide and N‐(p‐tolyl)itaconimide, and itaconic acid esters, such as di‐n‐butyl itaconate and bis(2‐ethylhexyl) itaconate, are examined using a series of RAFT agents to afford well‐defined polymers. The number‐average molecular weights of these polymers increase with the monomer conversion while retaining relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. Based on the successful controlled/living polymerization, sequential block copoly­merization is subsequently investigated using mono‐ and di‐functional RAFT agents to produce block copolymers with soft poly(itaconate) and hard poly(itaconimide) segments. The properties of the obtained triblock copolymer are evaluated as bio‐based acrylic thermoplastic elastomers.

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Linearized viscoelastic Oldroyd fluid motion in an almost periodic environment
Authors: Woukeng Jean Louis
Published: November 2013

In most of the linear homogenization problems involving convolution terms so far studied, the main tool used to derive the homogenized problem is the Laplace transform. Here we propose a direct approach enabling one to tackle both linear and nonlinear homogenization problems that involve convolution sequences without using Laplace transform. To illustrate this, we investigate in this paper the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of a Stokes–Volterra problem with rapidly oscillating coefficients describing the viscoelastic fluid flow in a fixed domain. Under the almost periodicity assumption on the coefficients of the problem, we prove that the sequence of solutions of our ϵ‐problem converges in L2 to a solution of a rather classical Stokes system. One important fact is that the memory disappears in the limit. To achieve our goal, we use some very recent results about the sigma‐convergence of convolution sequences. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Multi‐Phase, Multi‐Zone Modeling of Flash Separators for Highly Viscous Polymerization Processes
Authors: Pladis Prokopis , Baltsas Apostolos , Kanellopoulos Vasileios , Kiparissides Costas
Published: November 2013

A multi‐phase, multi‐zone mathematical model is developed to describe the dynamic operation of an industrial high‐pressure flash separator for a ternary (Ethylene–Vinyl acetate–EVA) system. The proposed description of the high‐pressure separator can take into account the complex gas carry‐under and liquid droplets carry‐over phenomena occurring during the non‐equilibrium operation of the separator. Numerical simulations have been carried out to determine the effect of operating conditions on the dynamic operation and separation efficiency of a HPS unit operating in series with an industrial scale high‐pressure EVA autoclave. The proposed model is capable of simulating the dynamic operation of an industrial‐scale HPS over a wide range of operating conditions and EVA copolymer grades.
Mathematical analysis of a PML model obtained with stretched coordinates and its application to backward wave propagation in metamaterials
Authors: Huang Yunqing , Li Jichun , Yang Wei
Published: November 2013

We investigate the well‐posedness of a perfectly matched layer model developed by Cohen and Monk [Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 169 (1999), 197–217]. A new time‐domain finite element method is proposed to solve the model. A novel feature of the scheme is that the number of unknowns is reduced to two from four in the original form. The scheme's effectiveness is demonstrated through numerical experiments. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 1558–1574, 2014
Projection stabilization of Lagrange multipliers for the imposition of constraints on interfaces and boundaries
Authors: Burman Erik
Published: November 2013

Projection stabilization applied to general Lagrange multiplier finite element methods is introduced and analyzed in an abstract framework. We then consider some applications of the stabilized methods: (i) the weak imposition of boundary conditions, (ii) multiphysics coupling on unfitted meshes, (iii) a new interpretation of the classical residual stabilized Lagrange multiplier method introduced in Barbosa and Hughes, Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 85 (1991), 109–128. © 2013 The Authors. Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 30: 567–592, 2014
Clinician characteristics, communication, and patient outcome in oncology: a systematic review
Authors: De Vries A. M. M. , de Roten Y. , Meystre C. , Passchier J. , Despland J.‐N. , Stiefel F.
Published: November 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to review the literature on clinician characteristics influencing patient–clinician communication or patient outcome in oncology.

Methods

Studies investigating the association of clinician characteristics with quality of communication and with outcome for adult cancer patients were systematically searched in MEDLINE, PSYINFO, PUBMED, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library up to November 2012. We used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses statement to guide our review. Articles were extracted independently by two of the authors using predefined criteria.

Results

Twenty seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Clinician characteristics included a variety of sociodemographic, relational, and personal characteristics. A positive impact on quality of communication and/or patient outcome was reported for communication skills training, an external locus of control, empathy, a socioemotional approach, shared decision‐making style, higher anxiety, and defensiveness. A negative impact was reported for increased level of fatigue and burnout and expression of worry. Professional experience of clinicians was not related to communication and/or to patient outcome, and divergent results were reported for clinician gender, age, stress, posture, and confidence or self‐efficacy.

Conclusions

Various clinician characteristics have different effects on quality of communication and/or patient outcome. Research is needed to investigate the pathways leading to effective communication between clinicians and patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of subdomain interactions on methyl group dynamics in the hydrophobic core of villin headpiece protein
Authors: Vugmeyster Liliya , Do Tien , Ostrovsky Dmitry , Fu Riqianq
Published: November 2013

Thermostable villin headpiece protein (HP67) consists of the N‐terminal subdomain (residues 10–41) and the autonomously folding C‐terminal subdomain (residues 42–76) which pack against each other to form a structure with a unified hydrophobic core. The X‐ray structures of the isolated C‐terminal subdomain (HP36) and its counterpart in HP67 are very similar for the hydrophobic core residues. However, fine rearrangements of the free energy landscape are expected to occur because of the interactions between the two subdomains. We detect and characterize these changes by comparing the µs‐ms time scale dynamics of the methyl‐bearing side chains in isolated HP36 and in HP67. Specifically, we probe three hydrophobic side chains at the interface of the two subdomains (L42, V50, and L75) as well as at two residues far from the interface (L61 and L69). Solid‐state deuteron NMR techniques are combined with computational modeling for the detailed characterization of motional modes in terms of their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. The effect of interdomain interactions on side chain dynamics is seen for all residues but L75. Thus, changes in dynamics because of subdomain interactions are not confined to the site of perturbation. One of the main results is a two‐ to threefold increase in the value of the activation energies for the rotameric mode of motions in HP67 compared with HP36. Detailed analysis of configurational entropies and heat capacities complement the kinetic view of the degree of the disorder in the folded state.
An apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide with activities against multidrug‐resistant bacteria and immunomodulatory effects
Authors: Wang Chuan‐qing , Yang Chang‐sheng , Yang Yi , Pan Fu , He Lei‐yan , Wang Ai‐min
Published: November 2013

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) mimetic peptides derived from the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐binding region of apoE with both activities against multidrug‐resistant bacteria and immunomodulatory effects have not previously been reported. We identified an apoE mimetic peptide analogue of the receptor‐binding region of apoE (abbreviated as apoE23) with the sequence of LRKLRKRLVRLASHLRKLRKRLL, which exhibited high antibacterial effects. The minimal inhibitory concentration of apoE23 against multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was 6 µg/ml. The antimicrobial activity of apoE23 depended on its amphipathic α‐helical conformation. Moreover, apoE23 downregulated the expression of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐10 in lipopolysaccharide‐induced THP‐1 cells. ApoE23 exhibits potential in future clinical applications. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Cu excess Cu2ZnSnSe4
Authors: Dong Yongkwan , Wang Hsin , Nolas George S.
Published: November 2013

Quaternary stannites with an excess of copper were successfully synthesized by reacting the constituent elements and subsequent solid state annealing, followed by densification by hot‐pressing. The composition for each specimen was confirmed with a combination of Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis. Their high temperature thermoelectric properties were measured from 300 K to 800 K and compared with that of Cu2ZnSnSe4. The thermal conductivity decreases significantly with increasing Cu content at elevated temperatures due to the crystal structure of this material system. A maximum ZT value of 0.86 was obtained at 800 K for the specimen with the highest Cu content, Cu2.2Zn0.8SnSe4. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhancing information lookup privacy through homomorphic encryption
Authors: Fotiou N. , Trossen D. , Marias G.F. , Kostopoulos A. , Polyzos G.C.
Published: November 2013

Revealing one's interests in communication has been recognized as a growing problem in the Internet. We postulate that it is desirable for future information retrieval systems to provide privacy in both what information is requested and what information is received, without raising obstacles to the deployment of accounting and access control mechanisms. This paper outlines a solution that fulfills this requirement in the context of broker‐based systems, that is, systems in which brokers facilitate the communication between a consumer and a provider (of information). Broker‐assisted communication is a common paradigm used in many settings, including contemporary information‐centric networking approaches. We present the design and the evaluation of a solution that conceals consumers' interests, without hiding consumer identity or location. The developed solution is applied over a system of hierarchically organized brokers; similar systems are used in many information lookup services. Because in these systems, information is distributed in various locations, traditional private information retrieval (PIR) protocols exhibit significant communication overhead. Our solution achieves up to 97% less communication overhead compared with a PIR protocol, without additional computational overhead. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autosomal Dominant Inheritance of Brain Cardiolipin Fatty Acid Abnormality in VM/DK Mice: Association with Hypoxic‐Induced Cognitive Insensitivity
Authors: Ta Nathan L. , Jia Xibei , Kiebish Michael , Seyfried Thomas N.
Published: November 2013

Cardiolipin is a complex polyglycerol phospholipid found almost exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane and regulates numerous enzyme activities especially those related to oxidative phosphorylation and coupled respiration. Abnormalities in cardiolipin can impair mitochondrial function and bioenergetics. We recently demonstrated that the ratio of shorter chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (C16:0; C18:0; C18:1) to longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18:2; C20:4; C22:6) was significantly greater in the brains of adult VM/DK (VM) inbred mice than in the brains of C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. The cardiolipin fatty acid abnormalities in VM mice are also associated with alterations in the activity of mitochondrial respiratory complexes. In this study we found that the abnormal brain fatty acid ratio in the VM strain was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in reciprocal B6 × VM F1 hybrids. To evaluate the potential influence of brain cardiolipin fatty acid composition on cognitive sensitivity, we placed the parental B6 and VM mice and their reciprocal male and female B6VMF1 hybrid mice (3‐month‐old) in a hypoxic chamber (5 % O2). Cognitive awareness (conscientiousness) under hypoxia was significantly lower in the VM parental mice and F1 hybrid mice (11.4 ± 0.4 and 11.0 ± 0.4 min, respectively) than in the parental B6 mice (15.3 ± 1.4 min), indicating an autosomal dominant inheritance like that of the brain cardiolipin abnormalities. These findings suggest that impaired cognitive awareness under hypoxia is associated with abnormalities in neural lipid composition.
Changes in Young Children’s Family Structures and Child Care Arrangements
Authors: Crosnoe Robert , Prickett Kate Chambers , Smith Chelsea , Cavanagh Shannon
Published: November 2013

Family structure change can disrupt the settings of children’s daily lives. Most scholarship focuses on disruption in the home environment. Moving beyond the home, this study explores the association between changes in family structure and changes in several dimensions of early child care. With longitudinal data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 1,298), first-difference models reveal that family structure transitions are associated with changes in the type and quantity of early care as well as the number of care arrangements used, especially during the latter part of infancy. Given prior evidence linking these child care dimensions to behavioral and cognitive outcomes, these results suggest a policy-relevant mechanism by which family change may create inequalities among children.
Regional soil erosion in response to land use and increased typhoon frequency and intensity, Taiwan
Authors: Montgomery David R. , Huang Michelle Y.-F. , Huang Alice Y.-L.
Published: November 2013

Reservoir sedimentation data and sediment yields from Taiwanese rivers show increased soil erosion in response to both 20th century changes in land use and a more recent increase in typhoon frequency and intensity. Decadal variations of up to 5- to 20-fold in suspended-sediment rating curves demonstrate supply-limited transport and correspond to increased sediment delivery from hillslopes due to changes in land use, regional ground shaking during the Chi-Chi earthquake, and post-2000 changes in typhoon frequency and intensity. While accelerated erosion in central Taiwan after the Chi-Chi earthquake has been documented previously, our results show that periods of increased upland erosion also occurred earlier, in response to 20th century changes in land use. Analyses of rainfall records and typhoon frequency for the period 1900–2009 further point to an island-wide increase in erosion rates corresponding to increased typhoon frequency and intensity after 1990.
Predictors of Depression at One Year Post-stroke in Older Adults
Authors: Hosking Shirley G. , Marsh Nigel V.
Published: November 2013

The prevalence and determinates of depression in 67 older adults were assessed at 1 year post-stroke. The sample had an average age of 74 years (SD = 7, range = 60–87 years) at the time of their stroke and 52% were female. The relative contribution of demographic (gender, age), medical (history of previous stroke, hemispheric location of stroke), two measures of functional independence (Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index and Nottingham Extended ADL Index) and aspects of cognitive functioning (IQ, attention, verbal memory and verbal fluency) to depression (Geriatric Depression Scale) was investigated. Results indicated that 51% of patients had impairment in activities of daily living, and 33% reported clinically significant levels of depression. Prevalence of cognitive impairment ranged from 28% on a measure of basic cognitive functioning through to 87% on a measure of complex attention. The results from a hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the combination of variables explained 40% of the variance in depression scores. In addition, the two individual variables of history of previous stroke and functional independence made significant unique contributions to the variance in depression scores. These results demonstrate the wide variety of factors involved and provide support for a biopsychosocial model of post-stroke depression.
Smoothness in Relative Geometry
Authors: Marty Florian
Published: November 2013

In [TVa], Bertrand Toën and Michel Vaquié defined a scheme theory for a closed monoidal category ( ⊗1). In this article, we define a notion of smoothness in this relative (and not necessarily additive) context which generalizes the notion of smoothness in the category of rings. This generalisation consists in replacing homological finiteness conditions by homotopical ones, using the Dold-Kan correspondence. To do this, we provide the category s of simplicial objects in a monoidal category and all the categories sA-mod, sA-alg (A ∈ sComm()) with compatible model structures using the work of Rezk [R]. We then give a general notion of smoothness in sComm(). We prove that this notion is a generalisation of the notion of smooth morphism in the category of rings and is stable under composition and homotopy pushouts. Finally we provide some examples of smooth morphisms, in particular in ℕ-alg and Comm(Set).
HELPING FARMERS ADAPT TO CLIMATE AND CROPPING SYSTEM CHANGE THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO SORGHUM GENETIC RESOURCES ADAPTED TO PREVALENT SORGHUM CROPPING SYSTEMS IN BURKINA FASO
Authors: VOM BROCKE KIRSTEN , TROUCHE GILLES , WELTZIEN EVA , KONDOMBO-BARRO CLARISSE P. , SIDIBÉ ADAMA , ZOUGMORÉ ROBERT , GOZÉ ERIC
Published: November 2013

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) is a major staple crop of Burkina Faso where farmers continue to cultivate photoperiod-sensitive guinea landraces as part of the strategy to minimize risk and ensure yield stability. In the Boucle du Mouhoun region, however, sorghum farmers appear to have insufficient varietal choice due to cropping systems having shifted towards more intensive cultivation of cotton and maize, and rainfall patterns having decreased over the past decade. In search for new varietal options that can respond to this changing context, researchers decided to give farmers access to ex-situ national collections along with the opportunity to evaluate recent improved varieties. From 2002 to 2007, researchers and farmers worked closely together to implement on-farm testing, including varietal selection trials, crop management and multi-locational trials. Farmers’ choices tend to differ among groups, villages and years, with the exception of four particular landraces: two originating from a collection carried out in the Mouhoun region more than 30 years previous to this research, and two other landraces that came from the dissimilar agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso. These four were the most commonly selected landraces out of 36 cultivars that covered both improved and landrace varieties. Farmers’ selection criteria were focused on adaptation to agro-climatic conditions as well as specific grain qualities for processing and consumption. The potential usefulness of each variety was verified via multi-locational trials. The paper also shows that wide dissemination of experimental seed, not just across the Mouhoun region but also at a national scale, was largely achieved through collaboration with a strong farmer organisation in conjunction with farmer training programs focused on the on-farm seed production and the commercialisation of this seed.
Accounting for Secrets
Authors: Harrison Mark
Published: November 2013

The Soviet dictatorship used secrecy to shield its processes from external scrutiny. A system of accounting for classified documentation assured the protection of secrets. The associated procedures resemble a turnover tax applied to government transactions. There is evidence of both compliance and evasion. The burden of secrecy was multiplied because the system was also secret and so had to account for itself. Unique documentation of a small regional bureaucracy, the Lithuania KGB, is exploited to yield an estimate of the burden. Measured against available benchmarks, the burden looks surprisingly heavy.
Numerare Est Errare: Agricultural Output and Food Supply in England Before and During the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Kelly Morgan , Ó Gráda Cormac
Published: November 2013

Carefully constructed but fallible historical estimates of GDP and agricultural output inform our understanding of the preindustrial origins of economic growth. Here we review four recent attempts at estimating agricultural output and food availability in England and Wales at different points between the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution. We highlight their contrasting implications for trends in well-being and nutritional status over time. Building on these estimates, we propose our own tentative, compromise estimate of food availability. The compromise estimates are more coherent with our understanding of conditions before and during the Industrial Revolution.
P300 waveform and dopamine transporter availability: a controlled EEG and SPECT study in medication-naive patients with schizophrenia and a meta-analysis
Authors: Chen K. C. , Lee I. H. , Yang Y. K. , Landau S. , Chang W. H. , Chen P. S. , Lu R. B. , David A. S. , Bramon E.
Published: November 2013

Background

Reduced P300 event-related potential (ERP) amplitude and latency prolongation have been reported in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. However, the influence of antipsychotics (and dopamine) on ERP measures are poorly understood and medication confounding remains a possibility.

Method

We explored ERP differences between 36 drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and 138 healthy controls and examined whether P300 performance was related to dopamine transporter (DAT) availability, both without the confounding effects of medication. We also conducted a random effects meta-analysis of the available literature, synthesizing the results of three comparable published articles and our local study.

Results

No overall significant difference was found in mean P300 ERP between patients and controls in latency or in amplitude. There was a significant gender effect, with females showing greater P300 amplitude than males. A difference between patients and controls in P300 latency was evident with ageing, with latency increasing faster in patients. No effect of DAT availability on P300 latency or amplitude was detected. The meta-analysis computed the latency pooled standardized effect size (PSES; Cohen's d) of −0.13 and the amplitude PSES (Cohen's d) of 0.48, with patients showing a significant reduction in amplitude.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the P300 ERP is not altered in the early stages of schizophrenia before medication is introduced, and the DAT availability does not influence the P300 ERP amplitude or latency. P300 ERP amplitude reduction could be an indicator of the progression of illness and chronicity.
Private protected areas: three key challenges
Authors: LADLE RICHARD J. , BRAGAGNOLO CHIARA , GAMA GABRIELA M. , MALHADO ANA C.M. , ROOT-BERNSTEIN MEREDITH , JEPSON PAUL
Published: November 2013

Private protected areas (PPAs) are a board category that includes reserves established and managed by non-government entities, including civil society organizations, businesses and private individuals. It was recently suggested that the creation of a system of PPAs in Brazil may act as a useful model for extending protected area systems internationally. While it is clear that RPPNs have an important role to play in the future development of Brazil's protected area system, there are several significant challenges that need to be overcome if they are fulfil their potential: (1) ensuring that RPPNs contribute to coverage and representation; (2) ensuring adequate governance; and (3) increasing the attractiveness of the RPPN model. While it is still too early to determine whether RPPNs constitute a robust PPA model that could (or should) be exported to other countries, they are creating new opportunities for innovation and novel management strategies that might eventually lead to a vibrant and distinctly Brazilian protected area movement.
Gamete quality in fish: evaluation parameters and determining factors
Authors: Valdebenito Iván I. , Gallegos Patricia C. , Effer Brian R.
Published: November 2013

The quality of fish gametes, both male and female, are determined by several factors (age, management, feeding, chemical and physical factors, water quality, etc.) that have an impact on the survivability of embryos, larvae and/or fry in the short or long term. One of the most important factors is gamete ageing, especially for those species that are unable to spawn naturally in hatcheries. The chemical and physical factors in hatcheries and the nutrition that they provide can significantly alter harvest quality, especially from females; as a rule, males are more tolerant of stress conditions produced by inadequate feeding, management and/or poor water conditions. The stress produced on broodstock by inadequate conditions in hatcheries can produce adverse effects on gamete quality, survival rates, and the embryonic eggs after hatching.
Expression of phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes during early embryogenesis in the amphibianBufo arenarum
Authors: Fernández-Bussy Rodrigo , Mouguelar Valeria , Banchio Claudia , Coux Gabriela
Published: November 2013

In the principal route of phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis the regulatory steps are catalysed by CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) and choline kinase (CK). Knock-out mice inPcyt1a(CCT gene) andChka1(CK gene) resulted in preimplantation embryonic lethality, demonstrating the essential role of this pathway. However, there is still a lack of detailed CCT and CK expression analysis during development. The aim of the current work was to study the expression during early development of both enzymes in the external-fertilization vertebrateBufo arenarum. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot confirmed their presence in unfertilized eggs. Analysis performed in total extracts from staged embryos showed constant protein levels of both enzymes until the 32-cell stage: then they decreased, reaching a minimum in the gastrula before starting to recover. CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase is an amphitropic enzyme that inter-converts between cytosolic inactive and membrane-bound active forms. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the cytosolic:total CCT protein ratio does not change throughout embryogenesis, suggesting a progressive decline of CCT activity in early development. However, PC (and phosphatidylethanolamine) content per egg/embryo remained constant throughout the stages analysed. In conclusion, the current data forB. arenarumsuggest that net synthesis of PC mediated by CCT and CK is not required in early development and that supplies for membrane biosynthesis are fulfilled by lipids already present in the egg/embryo reservoirs.
The Impact of Financial Counselling on Alleviating Financial Stress in Low Income Households: A National Australian Empirical Study
Authors: Brackertz Nicola
Published: November 2013

In Australia financial counselling has emerged as an important component of policy responses to assist low income households and individuals in financial stress. However, the evidence on its effectiveness in alleviating or resolving debt-related issues is patchy. This article contributes much-needed empirical evidence on its impact on low income households and presents the results of a recent national study of financial counselling clients in Australia. The research findings demonstrate the complex factors contributing to financial stress and the effectiveness of financial counselling in providing positive outcomes on a range of measures, including debt resolution, financial capability and health and wellbeing, and highlight the importance of early intervention. From a policy perspective, the study points to the importance of having a mix of strategies to address financial stress in low income earners that combine approaches based on individual responsibility and models based on social justice and advocacy.
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: Psychiatric presentation and diagnostic challenges from psychosomatic medicine perspective
Authors: Gulyayeva Nataliya A. , Massie Mary Jane , Duhamel Katherine N.
Published: November 2013

We describe two cases of confirmed anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; one patient initially presented with a clinical picture that resembled delirium and later appeared to present with a conversion reaction and the second patient presented with a first psychotic break followed by the clinical picture of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with catatonia. Neither patient had a previous history of psychiatric illness or recreational drug use. These cases illustrate the diagnostic and treatment challenges associated with this neuropsychiatric condition and underscore the role of psychosomatic medicine psychiatrists in diagnosing anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
Pauling's third rule beyond the bulk: chemical bonding at quartz-type GeO2surfaces
Authors: Deringer Volker L. , Dronskowski Richard
Published: November 2013

In an age of high-performance computing, classical chemical concepts still have their place, and may be applied using new tools.
Self-interaction corrected density functional calculations of molecular Rydberg states
Authors: Gudmundsdóttir Hildur , Zhang Yao , Weber Peter M. , Jónsson Hannes
Published: November 2013

A method is presented for calculating the wave function and energy of Rydberg excited states of molecules. A good estimate of the Rydberg state orbital is obtained using ground state density functional theory including Perdew-Zunger self-interaction correction and an optimized effective potential. The total energy of the excited molecule is obtained using the Delta Self-Consistent Field method where an electron is removed from the highest occupied orbital and placed in the Rydberg orbital. Results are presented for the first few Rydberg states of NH3, H2O, H2CO, C2H4, and N(CH3)3. The mean absolute error in the energy of the 33 molecular Rydberg states presented here is 0.18 eV. The orbitals are represented on a real space grid, avoiding the dependence on diffuse atomic basis sets. As in standard density functional theory calculations, the computational effort scales as NM2 where N is the number of orbitals and M is the number of grid points included in the calculation. Due to the slow scaling of the computational effort with system size and the high level of parallelism in the real space grid approach, the method presented here makes it possible to estimate Rydberg electron binding energy in large molecules.
An initial measurement of a fast neutral spectrum for ion cyclotron range of frequency heated plasma using two-channel compact neutral particle analyzers in KSTAR
Authors: Kim S. H. , Wang S. J. , Park M. , Kim S. K.
Published: November 2013

The accurate measurement of fast neutral particles from high energy ion tails is very important since it is a measure of ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) or neutral beam (NB) ion heating. In KSTAR, fast neutral measurements have been carried out using a compact neutral particle analyzer based on the silicon photo diode since 2010. As a result, the fast neutral spectrum was observed consistent with the ion temperature, diamagnetic energy, and neutron flux in 2011. However, there was fast neutral count beyond the injected neutral beam energy in NB-only heating. Since it is difficult to expect the count unless the temperature is high enough to diffuse the fast ions beyond the beam energy it was required to identify what it is. During the 2012 campaign, the two-channel diode detectors with and without a particle stopper were used to distinguish fast neutral counts and other counts by a hard X-ray or neutrons. As a result, it was confirmed that the high energy component beyond the beam energy originated from a hard X-ray or neutrons. Finally, it was observed that faster neutrals are generated by ICRF heating and enhanced by electron cyclotron heating compared to NB-only heating.
Liquid chloroform structure from computer simulation with a fullab initiointermolecular interaction potential
Authors: Yin Chih-Chien , Li Arvin Huang-Te , Chao Sheng D.
Published: November 2013

We have calculated the intermolecular interaction energies of the chloroform dimer in 12 orientations using the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory. Single point energies of important geometries were calibrated by the coupled cluster with single and double and perturbative triple excitation method. Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets up to aug-cc-pVQZ have been employed in extrapolating the interaction energies to the complete basis set limit values. With the ab initio potential data we constructed a 5-site force field model for molecular dynamics simulations. We compared the simulation results with recent experiments and obtained quantitative agreements for the detailed atomwise radial distribution functions. Our results were also consistent with previous results using empirical force fields with polarization effects. Moreover, the calculated diffusion coefficients reproduced the experimental data over a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ab initio force field which is capable of competing with existing empirical force fields for liquid chloroform.
Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel-based etalons and etalon arrays for determining the molecular weight of polymers in solution
Authors: Islam Molla R. , Serpe Michael J.
Published: November 2013

Positively and/or negatively charged poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels were deposited on a single substrate and isolated regions of Au overlayers were deposited on top of the microgels. Each spatially isolated Au overlayer region had a different thickness to make an etalon array. We found that areas with a thin Au overlayer (5 nm) responded to a range of polymer molecular weights (MW), while areas with a thick overlayer (35 nm) can only respond to low molecular weight polyelectrolytes. By comparing the optical responses of the device's individual array elements, a good approximation of the polyelectrolyte MW in solution can be made.
Feasibility test of Zeff imaging using x-ray interferometry
Authors: Yoneyama Akio , Hyodo Kazuyuki , Takeda Tohoru
Published: November 2013

Elemental imaging using X-ray interferometry has been developed. Since the atomic number (Z) of a single-element sample (effective atomic number (Zeff) for a plural-element sample) corresponds to the ratio of the real to imaginary part of the complex refractive index, an elemental map is calculable with the ratio of an absorption and phase-contrast image. Several metal foils underwent feasibility observations by crystal X-ray interferometry, providing accurate detection of X-ray intensity and phase-shift. The obtained Zeff image shows that aluminum, iron, nickel, and copper foil were clearly distinguished, and nickel and copper's Zeff values coincide with ideal Z number within 1%.
SeqDepot: streamlined database of biological sequences and precomputed features
Authors: Ulrich Luke E. , Zhulin Igor B.
Published: November 2013

Summary: Assembling and/or producing integrated knowledge of sequence features continues to be an onerous and redundant task despite a large number of existing resources. We have developed SeqDepot—a novel database that focuses solely on two primary goals: (i) assimilating known primary sequences with predicted feature data and (ii) providing the most simple and straightforward means to procure and readily use this information. Access to >28.5 million sequences and 300 million features is provided through a well-documented and flexible RESTful interface that supports fetching specific data subsets, bulk queries, visualization and searching by MD5 digests or external database identifiers. We have also developed an HTML5/JavaScript web application exemplifying how to interact with SeqDepot and Perl/Python scripts for use with local processing pipelines.

Availability: Freely available on the web at http://seqdepot.net/. REST access via http://seqdepot.net/api/v1. Database files and scripts may be downloaded from http://seqdepot.net/download.

Contact:  ulrich.luke+sci@gmail.com
Renaissance of a caveat: Allee effects in marine fish
Authors: Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2013

The population dynamics of marine fish at low abundance has long been of interest. One century ago, Johan Hjort drew attention to the importance of understanding “the laws which govern the renewal of the animal population”. Integral to the current work on the recovery of collapsed fish stocks is the association between abundance and per capita population growth rate (r), a negative correlation being representative of compensation and a positive correlation indicative of an Allee effect, also termed depensation. Allee effects are predicted to slow the rate, and increase the uncertainty, of recovery. Based on studies having sufficient data at low abundance, the magnitude of depletion experienced by some fish populations appears to have been sufficient to have generated either an Allee effect or a transition from strong to weak (or absent) compensatory dynamics. To a first approximation, empirically based Allee-effect reference points are consistent with suggested thresholds for overfishing and stock collapse. When evaluating Allee effects in marine fish, it is important not to conflate causal mechanism(s) with the pattern between r and abundance; the latter is of greater practical import. An additional caveat is that the longer a population remains at low abundance, the more likely it is that the environment around it will change in ways that are unfavourable to recovery. It might be this “temporal tyranny” of small population size that is most likely to produce an emergent Allee effect and depensatory dynamics in some collapsed marine fish populations.
A p53 enhancer region regulates target genes through chromatin conformations in cis and in trans
Authors: Link Nichole , Kurtz Paula , O'Neal Melissa , Garcia-Hughes Gianella , Abrams John M.
Published: November 2013

We examined how a p53 enhancer transmits regulatory information in vivo. Using genetic ablation together with digital chromosome conformation capture and fluorescent in situ hybridization, we found that a Drosophila p53 enhancer region (referred to as the p53 response element [p53RE]) physically contacts targets in cis and across the centromere to control stress-responsive transcription at these sites. Furthermore, when placed at ectopic genomic positions, fragments spanning this element re-established chromatin contacts and partially restored target gene regulation to mutants lacking the native p53RE. Therefore, a defined p53 enhancer region is sufficient for long-range chromatin interactions that enable multigenic regulation.
Elimination of shelterin components bypasses RNAi for pericentric heterochromatin assembly
Authors: Tadeo Xavier , Wang Jiyong , Kallgren Scott P. , Liu Jinqiang , Reddy Bharat D. , Qiao Feng , Jia Songtao
Published: November 2013

The RNAi pathway is required for heterochromatin assembly at repetitive DNA elements in diverse organisms. In fission yeast, loss of RNAi causes pericentric heterochromatin defects, compromising gene silencing and chromosome segregation. Here we show that deletion of telomere shelterin components restores pericentric heterochromatin and its functions in RNAi mutants. We further isolated a separation-of-function mutant of Poz1 and revealed that defective telomere silencing, but not telomere length control, is critical for bypassing RNAi. Further analyses demonstrated that compromising shelterin-mediated heterochromatin assembly in RNAi mutants releases heterochromatin protein Swi6, which is redistributed to pericentric regions through RNAi-independent heterochromatin assembly pathways. Given the high mobility of Swi6 protein and that increased levels of Swi6 facilitates heterochromatin spreading as well as ectopic heterochromatin assembly, our results suggest that constitutive heterochromatin domains use multiple pathways to form high-affinity platforms to restrain Swi6, thus limiting its availability and avoiding promiscuous heterochromatin formation.
Nucleotide-induced asymmetry within ATPase activator ring drives σ54–RNAP interaction and ATP hydrolysis
Authors: Sysoeva Tatyana A. , Chowdhury Saikat , Guo Liang , Nixon B. Tracy
Published: November 2013

It is largely unknown how the typical homomeric ring geometry of ATPases associated with various cellular activities enables them to perform mechanical work. Small-angle solution X-ray scattering, crystallography, and electron microscopy (EM) reconstructions revealed that partial ATP occupancy caused the heptameric closed ring of the bacterial enhancer-binding protein (bEBP) NtrC1 to rearrange into a hexameric split ring of striking asymmetry. The highly conserved and functionally crucial GAFTGA loops responsible for interacting with σ54–RNA polymerase formed a spiral staircase. We propose that splitting of the ensemble directs ATP hydrolysis within the oligomer, and the ring's asymmetry guides interaction between ATPase and the complex of σ54 and promoter DNA. Similarity between the structure of the transcriptional activator NtrC1 and those of distantly related helicases Rho and E1 reveals a general mechanism in homomeric ATPases whereby complex allostery within the ring geometry forms asymmetric functional states that allow these biological motors to exert directional forces on their target macromolecules.
EBR1 genomic expansion and its role in virulence of Fusarium species
Authors: Jonkers Wilfried , Xayamongkhon Henry , Haas Matthew , Olivain Chantal , van der Does H. Charlotte , Broz Karen , Rep Martijn , Alabouvette Claude , Steinberg Christian , Kistler H. Corby
Published: November 2013

Genome sequencing of Fusarium oxysporum revealed that pathogenic forms of this fungus harbour supernumerary chromosomes with a wide variety of genes, many of which likely encode traits required for pathogenicity or niche specialization. Specific transcription factor gene families are expanded on these chromosomes including the EBR1 family (Enhanced Branching). The significance of the EBR1 family expansion on supernumerary chromosomes and whether EBR1 paralogues are functional is currently unknown. EBR1 is found as a single copy in F. graminearum and other fungi but as multiple paralogues in pathogenic F. oxysporum strains. These paralogues exhibit sequence and copy number variation among different host‐specific strains and even between more closely related strains. Relative expression of the EBR1 paralogues depends on growth conditions and on the presence of the single EBR1 gene in the core genome. Deletion of EBR1 in the core genome in different F. oxysporum strains resulted in impaired growth, reduced pathogenicity and slightly reduced biocontrol capacities. To identify genes regulated by EBR1, the transcriptomes of wild‐type and Δebr1 strains were compared for both F. oxysporum and F. graminearum. These studies showed that in both species, EBR1 regulates genes involved in general metabolism as well as virulence.
UBL1 of Fusarium verticillioides links the N‐end rule pathway to extracellular sensing and plant pathogenesis
Authors: Ridenour John B. , Smith Jonathon E. , Hirsch Robert L. , Horevaj Peter , Kim Hun , Sharma Sandeep , Bluhm Burton H.
Published: November 2013

Fusarium verticillioides produces fumonisin mycotoxins during colonization of maize. Currently, molecular mechanisms underlying responsiveness of F. verticillioides to extracellular cues during pathogenesis are poorly understood. In this study, insertional mutants were created and screened to identify genes involved in responses to extracellular starch. In one mutant, the restriction enzyme‐mediated integration cassette disrupted a gene (UBL1) encoding a UBR‐Box/RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the N‐end rule pathway. Disruption of UBL1 in F. verticillioides (Δubl1) influenced conidiation, hyphal morphology, pigmentation and amylolysis. Disruption of UBL1 also impaired kernel colonization, but the ratio of fumonisin B1 per unit growth was not significantly reduced. The inability of a Δubl1 mutant to recognize an N‐end rule degron confirmed involvement of UBL1 in the N‐end rule pathway. Additionally, Ubl1 physically interacted with two G protein α subunits of F. verticillioides, thus implicating UBL1 in G protein‐mediated sensing of the external environment. Furthermore, deletion of the UBL1 orthologue in F. graminearum reduced virulence on wheat and maize, thus indicating that UBL1 has a broader role in virulence among Fusarium species. This study provides the first linkage between the N‐end rule pathway and fungal pathogenesis, and illustrates a new mechanism through which fungi respond to the external environment.
Pre‐Eclampsia Affects Cord Blood NK Cell Expression of Activation Receptors and Serum Cytokine Levels but Not CB Monocyte Characteristics
Authors: Sohlberg Ebba , Saghafian‐Hedengren Shanie , Bachmayer Nora , Hamad Rangeen Rafik , Bremme Katarina , Holmlund Ulrika
Published: November 2013

Problem

Maternal immunopathology in pre‐eclampsia is well studied; however, less is known regarding the immunological effects on the newborns. Increased inflammation and activation of immune cells at the fetal–maternal interface in pre‐eclampsia could influence the neonatal immune compartment.

Method of Study

Monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells from cord blood (CB) of children with pre‐eclamptic or healthy mothers were analyzed by flow cytometry for surface markers and intracellular cytokines. In addition, serum cytokine profiles were investigated using ELISA or cytometric bead array.

Results

Neonates born to pre‐eclamptic mothers had an inflammatory serum cytokine profile. While CB monocyte characteristics seemed unaffected, CB NK cells from pre‐eclamptic pregnancies had higher NKp30, but borderline lower NKG2D expression.

Conclusion

In utero inflammatory priming of neonatal innate immunity taking place in pre‐eclamptic pregnancies might influence specific NK cell functions in newborns.