bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of degradation of winery‐derived biomass waste by Ascomycetes
Authors: Karpe Avinash V. , Beale David J. , Harding Ian H. , Palombo Enzo A.
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Recently, winery wastes have been classified as pollutants by the European Union and post‐product processing is required to lower their hazards. Individual fungal enzymes have limited capacity so mixed fungal degradation combined with pre‐treatment can decrease biomass recalcitrance for more efficient breakdown, overcoming these limitations.

RESULTS

Winery biomass degradation by a mixture of Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and P. citrinum in submerged fermentation and solid state fermentation (SSF) was evaluated. Higher cellulase and β‐glucosidase activities were observed in SSF and submerged fermentation, respectively. Statistical modelling predicted the fungal percentage ratio of 60:14:4:2 for A. niger: P. chrysogenum: T. harzianum: P citrinum with a substrate:medium ratio of 0.39:1. Under the optimized conditions, cellulase, xylanase and β‐glucosidase activities increased to 78.5, 3544.7 and 250.9 U mL−1, respectively. Cellulases and xylanases activities increased more than two‐fold. Lignin degradation increased from 8% in submerged fermentation (P. chrysogenum) to 17.9% under optimized conditions. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis identified 78 significant metabolites, of which stigmasterol, glycerol, maleic acid, xylitol and citric acid were generated by fungal degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced degradation of winery‐derived biomass was achieved using mixed fungal cultures. GC‐MS analysis indicated the production of commercially important metabolites during the process. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthetic conantokin peptides potently inhibit N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor‐mediated currents of retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Huang Luoxiu , Balsara Rashna D. , Castellino Francis J.
Published: July 2014

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which are the sole output neurons of the retina, express N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs), rendering these cells susceptible to glutamate excitotoxicity, with implications for loss of normal RGC excitatory responses in disorders such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, antagonists that inhibit NMDAR‐mediated currents specifically by targeting the GluN2B component of the ion channel have the potential to serve as a basis for developing potential therapeutics. The roles of peptidic conantokins, which are potent brain neuronal NMDAR inhibitors, were studied. By using patch‐clamp whole‐cell analyses in dissociated RGCs and retinal whole‐mount RGCs, we evaluated the effects of synthetic conantokin‐G (conG) and conantokin‐T (conT), which are small γ‐carboxyglutamate‐containing peptides, on NMDA‐mediated excitatory responses in mouse RGCs. Both conG and conT inhibited the NMDA‐mediated currents of dark‐adapted dissociated and whole‐mount RGCs in a dose‐dependent, reversible, noncompetitive manner. Inhibition of NMDA‐mediated steady‐state currents by NMDAR nonsubunit‐selective conT was approximately threefold greater than GluN2B‐selective conG or ifenprodil, demonstrating its potential ability to inhibit both GluN2A‐ and GluN2B‐containing ion channels in RGCs. Because the extent of inhibition of NMDA‐evoked currents by conG and the pharmacologic GluN2B‐selective inhibitor ifenprodil were similar (40–45%) to that of the GluN2A‐selective antagonist NVP‐AAM0077, we conclude that the levels of GluN2A and GluN2B subunits are similar in RGCs. These results provide a novel basis for developing effective neuroprotective agents to aid in the prevention of undesired glutamatergic excitotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases of the retina and demonstrate functional assembly of NMDARs in RGCs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Care and career: A family identity‐based typology of dual‐earner couples
Authors: Masterson Courtney R. , Hoobler Jenny M.
Published: July 2014

The rise of dual‐earner couples challenges traditional gender stereotypes of women as “caregivers” and men as “breadwinners” and significantly impacts the ways in which partners define their roles as family members. The way in which individuals construe their family identities has implications not only for the decisions they make at home but also decisions in the workplace. In this paper, we propose an updated understanding of the different ways in which men and women can construe their family identity—specifically, in terms of care and/or career. Based upon this nuanced understanding of family identity, we outline five dual‐earner couple types—traditional,non‐traditional,family first,outsourced, andegalitarian—that stem from distinct combinations of partners' family identities. We also outline an agenda for theory and research that challenges scholars to further explore our proposed construals of family identity, work–family decisions at the couple level of analysis, and the interplay between family identity and social context. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in daily temperature extremes over the Basilicata region (southern Italy) from 1951 to 2010 in a Mediterranean climatic context
Authors: Piccarreta M. , Lazzari M. , Pasini A.
Published: July 2014

Changes in annual and seasonal temperatures were studied from 18 stations, distributed all over the Basilicata region (southern Italy), for the 1951–2010 period. The analysis is based on high‐quality and homogenous daily minimum and maximum temperatures. Both minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures increase, especially after 1971. Seasonal results show upward trends in Tmin in winter, spring and summer, whereas they show downward trends in Tmin in autumn, especially in the last normal 1981–2010. Tmax also shows upward trends in spring and summer, whereas it tends to decrease during winter and autumn. The intra‐annual extreme temperature range (ETR) index also shows a general positive trend, especially during spring. Eleven indices were used to assess the changes in both the cold and warm tails of the daily temperature distribution. The presence of trends was assessed by means of the Mann‐Kendall test. The results reveal a general upward tendency on warm days (TX90), warm nights (TN90) and tropical nights (T20) especially because of an increase in temperature after 1971. This datum is fully confirmed in summer which is the season mainly responsible for this trend. The annual occurrence of summer days (SU) and very warm days (TX99) is weakly increasing. The majority of cold extremes, i.e. very cold nights (TN1), cold days (TX10), cold nights (TN10), frost days (FD) and ice days (ID) showed negative trends, thus confirming the overall warming trend in the Basilicata region. This negative trend could stem from the strong increase of Tmin during winter, spring and summer.
Insights into the Chain and Local Mobility of Some Aromatic Polyamides and Their Influence on the Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Damaceanu Mariana‐Dana , Rusu Radu‐Dan , Cristea Mariana , Musteata Valentina‐Elena , Bruma Maria , Wolinska‐Grabczyk Aleksandra
Published: July 2014

This study refers to the relationship between the macromolecular structure of two aromatic fluorinated polyamides and their physical properties, with emphasis on the overall and local chain mobility and their influence upon thermal transitions, dielectric relaxations, and gas permeability/selectivity. One polyamide contains naphthalene and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole units in the main chain, while the other is based on an aromatic asymmetrical diamine containing a phenoxy‐substituted benzophenone segment. Free‐standing, tough, and defectless films, having a hydrophobic character are prepared from these polymers and used afterward for various measurements. The polyamide films show excellent thermal stability, their decomposition starting around 400 °C. The dielectric spectroscopy data corroborate the dynamic‐mechanical analysis, showing distinct γ and β sub‐glass relaxations, which are discussed in correlation with the chemical structure of each polymer. The permeability of several gases through these membrane‐forming materials are measured and discussed with respect to the structural variations in the polyamide repeating unit.

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Low‐Distortion Surface Functionalization of Polymeric Microstructures
Authors: Kuebler Stephen M. , Narayanan Ananthakrishnan , Karas Dale E. , Wilburn Kaley M.
Published: July 2014

Polymeric microstructures can be immersed in an organic solution containing a reactive linker to functionalize the surface for attachment of nanoparticles, fluorescent dyes, proteins, DNA, and other species. However, organic media can swell and distort polymeric microstructures. Swelling and distortion can be irreversible when the linkers are themselves low‐molecular‐weight organics like ethylenediamine, which can bind to unreacted monomer groups or other functionalities within the polymer matrix. This work introduces an alternative approach for surface functionalization based on aqueous processing using higher‐molecular‐weight amines, which causes less distortion, but is comparably effective. The processes are compared by aminating crosslinked SU‐8 thin films and 3D “woodpile” microstructures, electrolessly depositing copper onto these primed surfaces, and measuring the amount of copper deposited and the degree of distortion caused by amination. The method provides a new route to low‐distortion SU‐8 microstructures and identifies a path for improving related processing with other polymeric materials and structure types.

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A novel method to measure sensory nerve conduction of the supraclavicular nerve
Authors: Hemmi Shoji , Kurokawa Katsumi , Nagai Taiji , Murakami Tatsufumi , Sunada Yoshihide
Published: July 2014

Introduction: In this report we describe a reliable method for recording sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) of the supraclavicular nerve. Methods: Supraclavicular SNAPs were recorded by placing a surface active electrode at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at a distance of 6 cm from the sternoclavicular joint. The nerve was stimulated at the lower border of the clavicle 4.5 cm lateral to the sternoclavicular joint. Results: Supraclavicular SNAPs were recorded bilaterally from 20 healthy volunteers. Mean onset latency was 1.0 ± 0.2 ms, and mean peak latency was 1.4 ± 0.3 ms. Mean baseline‐to‐peak amplitude for the SNAPs was 6.1 ± 2.2 µV, and mean maximum conduction velocity was 59.8 ± 6.2 m/s. The mean percentage of side‐to‐side difference in amplitude was 12.9 ± 11.0%. Conclusions: Supraclavicular SNAPs could be obtained in all normal subjects. Assessment of supraclavicular nerve conduction is very useful in the diagnosis of supraclavicular neuropathy Muscle Nerve 50: 1005–1007, 2014
The individualized neuromuscular quality of life questionnaire: Cultural translation and psychometric validation for the Dutch population
Authors: Seesing Femke M. , van Vught Lisanne EWM , Rose Michael R. , Drost Gea , van Engelen Baziel G.M. , van der Wilt Gert‐Jan
Published: July 2014

Introduction

In this study we describe the translation and psychometric evaluation of the Dutch Individualized Neuromuscular Quality of Life (INQoL) questionnaire.

Methods

Backward and forward translation of the questionnaire was executed, and psychometric properties were assessed on the basis of reliability and validity.

Results

Two hundred six patients were included in the study. Reliability analyses resulted in Cronbach alpha values of >0.70 for all subdomains. Known‐group validity showed a significant correlation between INQoL scores and severity as well as age for the majority of subdomains. Item‐total correlation for overall quality of life was satisfactory. Concurrent validity with the SF‐36 and EQ‐5D was good (range of Spearman correlation coefficients −0.43 to −0.76).

Conclusions

This study resulted in a questionnaire that is appropiate for use in the Dutch‐speaking population to measure quality of life among patients with a wide variety of muscle disorders. This confirms and extends data obtained in the UK, US, Italy, and Serbia. Muscle Nerve 51: 496–500, 2015
Intraepidermal nerve fiber analysis using immunofluorescence with and without confocal microscopy
Authors: Provitera Vincenzo , Nolano Maria , Stancanelli Annamaria , Caporaso Giuseppe , Vitale Dino F. , Santoro Lucio
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) linear density is a reliable tool to detect small‐fiber neuropathies. In immunofluorescence, the IENF count is performed typically by computer‐assisted nerve tracing on confocal images. Alternatively, the count can be performed directly through the oculars of a standard epifluorescence microscope. We specifically compared measures obtained using the 2 methods.

Methods

We compared measures of IENF density in the same 50 skin samples using computer‐assisted image analysis and direct count.

Results

There was excellent agreement between the 2 methods. Linear regression showed a slope between paired measures virtually equal to 1 (β = 0.99). Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean difference (offset) between the measures of 0.46 ± 0.91 fibers/mm.

Conclusions

Direct observation with epifluorescence microscopy proved as reliable as the more time‐consuming 3‐dimensional computer‐assisted analysis of confocal digital images for determining IENF density. Muscle Nerve 51: 501–504, 2015
Performance of super‐SILAC based quantitative proteomics for comparison of different acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines
Authors: Aasebø Elise , Vaudel Marc , Mjaavatten Olav , Gausdal Gro , Van der Burgh Arthur , Gjertsen Bjørn Tore , Døskeland Stein Ove , Bruserud Øystein , Berven Frode S. , Selheim Frode
Published: July 2014

As a direct consequence of the high diversity of the aggressive blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia (AML), proteomic samples from patients are strongly heterogeneous, rendering their accurate relative quantification challenging. In the present study, we investigated the benefits of using a super‐SILAC mix of AML derived cell lines as internal standard (IS) for quantitative shotgun studies. The Molm‐13, NB4, MV4‐11, THP‐1, and OCI‐AML3 cell lines were selected for their complementarity with regard to clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular risk factors used for prognostication of AML patients. The resulting IS presents a high coverage of the AML proteome compared to single cell lines allied with high technical reproducibility, thus enabling its use for AML patient comparison. This was confirmed by comparing the protein regulation between the five cell lines and by applying the IS to patient material; hence, we were able to reproduce specific functional regulations known to be related to disease progression and molecular genetic abnormalities. The MS proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org) via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD000441.
Thermoresponsive Gold Polymer Nanohybrids with a Tunable Cross‐Linked MEO2MA Polymer Shell
Authors: Lapresta‐Fernández Alejandro , García‐García José Manuel , París Rodrigo , Huertas‐Roa Rafael , Salinas‐Castillo Alfonso , de la Llana Sabrina Anderson , Huertas‐Pérez José Fernando , Guarrotxena Nekane , Capitán‐Vallvey Luis Fermín , Quijada‐Garrido Isabel
Published: July 2014

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are functionalized with a thermoresponsive polymer shell of a cross‐linked poly(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate) (P(MEO2MA)). To provide a covalent attachment of the polymer to the NP surface, AuNPs are first modified using butanoic acid to develop the encapsulation with the biocompatible thermoresponsive polymer formed by free‐radical precipitation polymerization. Both the MEO2MA concentration and the shell cross‐linking density can be varied and, in turn, the thickness and the shells' free volume can be fine‐tuned. By downscaling the size of the polymeric shell, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) is decreased. The LCST in the nanohybrids changes from 19.1 to 25.6 °C when increasing the MEO2MA content; it reaches almost 26 °C for P(MEO2MA) (bulk). The maximum decrease in the volume of the nanohybrids is around 40%, resulting in a modification of the light scattering properties of the system and causing a change in the turbidity of the gel network. The sizes of the nanohybrids are characterized using both transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. Optical properties of the colloidal systems are determined using the derived count rate measurements as an alternative to absorbance or transmittance measurements, confirming the colloidal stability of the nanohybrid systems.
Summer Freeze: Engaging the Incoming Class to Reduce Admissions Melt
Authors: Allen‐Stuck Kimberly M. , McDevitt Daniel W.
Published: July 2014

Persistence to graduation begins with engaging the incoming class even before they have made a deposit. Saint Joseph's University developed a framework for combatting the admissions summer melt following a summer where 20% of the deposits were withdrawn. By employing tactics to monitor student engagement throughout the summer and connecting with students during the fall semester, the summer melt now averages 8% and retention to the second semester averages 96.5%. Spending time verifying the cohort of first‐time full‐time students and assisting students facing obstacles has greatly improved the student experience and retention. Tactics including University Connectors, a New Student Portal, pre‐enrollment surveys, and a 5th week check‐in are described.
Buffering and enabling: The impact of interlocking political ties on firm survival and sales growth
Authors: Zheng Weiting , Singh Kulwant , Mitchell Will
Published: July 2014

Several studies suggest that political ties help firms survive or perform but do not examine the boundary conditions concerning which types of firms and which type of ties help firms. We draw from resource dependence and resource‐based theories to argue that political ties can improve both firm survival (labeled “buffering”) and performance (labeled “enabling”), with weaker firms gaining more from buffering and stronger firms gaining more from enabling. We further examine the relative impact of local and central ties. We test our hypotheses on the television manufacturing industry in China between 1993 and 2003. Results demonstrate the buffering roles of political ties, and under narrower conditions, their enabling roles. Local ties account for these outcomes, while central ties do not provide buffering or enabling benefits. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating stochastic reasoning into Event-B development
Authors: Tarasyuk Anton , Troubitsyna Elena , Laibinis Linas
Published: July 2014

Dependability is a property of a computer system to deliver services that can be justifiably trusted. Formal modelling and verification techniques are widely used for development of dependable computer-based systems to gain confidence in the correctness of system design. Such techniques include Event-B—a state-based formalism that enables development of systems correct-by-construction. While Event-B offers a scalable approach to ensuring functional correctness of a system, it leaves aside modelling of non-functional critical properties, e.g., reliability and responsiveness, that are essential for ensuring dependability of critical systems. Both reliability, i.e., the probability of the system to function correctly over a given period of time, and responsiveness, i.e., the probability of the system to complete execution of a requested service within a given time bound, are defined as quantitative stochastic measures. In this paper, we propose an extension of the Event-B semantics to enable stochastic reasoning about dependability-related non-functional properties of cyclic systems. We define the requirements that a cyclic system should satisfy and introduce the notions of reliability and responsiveness refinement. Such an extension integrates reasoning about functional correctness and stochastic modelling of non-functional characteristics into the formal system development. It allows the designer to ensure that a developed system does not only correctly implement its functional requirements but also satisfies given non-functional quantitative constraints.
Comparison of FSH and hMG on ovarian stimulation outcome with a GnRH antagonist protocol in younger and advanced reproductive age women
Authors: Tabata Chisa , Fujiwara Toshihiro , Sugawa Miki , Noma Momo , Onoue Hiroki , Kusumi Maki , Watanabe Noriko , Kurosawa Takako , Tsutsumi Osamu
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To compare the embryo outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in 465 patients. Stimulation was started by daily FSH injection, and either FSH was continued (FSH alone group) or hMG was administrated (FSH‐hMG group) after administration of a GnRH antagonist. Primary outcomes were the embryo profile (number of retrieved, mature, and fertilized eggs, and morphologically good embryos on day 3) and endocrine profile. Secondary outcomes were the doses and durations of gonadotropin. Data were stratified by the patients’ age into two groups: <35 years and ≥35 years.

Results

In patients aged <35 years, the number of retrieved oocytes in the FSH alone group was significantly increased than that in the FSH‐hMG group (13.7 vs 9.2, P = 0.04), while there was no difference at other age groups. The FSH‐hMG group required a significantly greater amount of gonadotropins at any age (all ages, P < 0.001; <35 years, P = 0.013; ≥35 years, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Exogenous FSH alone is probably sufficient for follicular development and hMG may not improve the embryo profile in a GnRH antagonist protocol across all age.
Catalytic role of the calcium ion in GH97 inverting glycoside hydrolase
Authors: Okuyama Masayuki , Yoshida Takuya , Hondoh Hironori , Mori Haruhide , Yao Min , Kimura Atsuo
Published: July 2014

The role of calcium ion in the active site of the inverting glycoside hydrolase family 97 enzyme, BtGH97a, was investigated through structural and kinetic studies. The calcium ion was likely directly involved in the catalytic reaction. The pH dependence of kcat/Km values in the presence or absence of calcium ion indicated that the calcium ion lowered the pKa of the base catalyst. The significant decreases in kcat/Km for hydrolysis of substrates with basic leaving groups in the absence of calcium ion confirmed that the calcium ion facilitated the leaving group departure.
Holocene landscape evolution and geoarcheology of low-order streams in the Rio Grande basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA
Authors: Carver Daniel P. , Beeton Jared M.
Published: July 2014

This geoarcheological study investigates soil stratigraphy and geochronology of alluvial deposits to determine Holocene landscape evolution within the Hot Creek, La Jara Creek, and Alamosa River drainage basins in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Geomorphic mapping and radiocarbon dating indicate synchronicity in patterns of erosion, deposition, and stability between drainage basins. In all three basins, the maximum age of mapped alluvial terraces and fans is ~ 3300 cal yr BP. A depositional period seen at both Hot Creek and the Alamosa River begins ~ 3300 to 3200 cal yr BP. Based on soil development, short periods of stability followed by alluvial fan aggradation occur in the Alamosa River basin ~ 2200 cal yr BP. A period of landscape stability at Hot Creek before ~ 1100 cal yr BP is followed by a period of rapid aggradation within all three drainages between ~ 1100 and 850 cal yr BP. A final aggradation event occurred between ~ 630 and 520 cal yr BP at La Jara Creek. These patterns of landscape evolution over the past ~ 3300 yr provide the framework for an archeological model that predicts the potential for buried and surficial cultural materials in the research area.
An inclination lemma for normally hyperbolic manifolds with an application to diffusion
Authors: SABBAGH LARA
Published: July 2014

Let ($M$, ${\rm\Omega}$) be a smooth symplectic manifold and $f:M\rightarrow M$ be a symplectic diffeomorphism of class $C^{l}$ ($l\geq 3$). Let $N$ be a compact submanifold of $M$ which is boundaryless and normally hyperbolic for $f$. We suppose that $N$ is controllable and that its stable and unstable bundles are trivial. We consider a $C^{1}$-submanifold ${\rm\Delta}$ of $M$ whose dimension is equal to the dimension of a fiber of the unstable bundle of $T_{N}M$. We suppose that ${\rm\Delta}$ transversely intersects the stable manifold of $N$. Then, we prove that for all ${\it\varepsilon}>0$, and for $n\in \mathbb{N}$ large enough, there exists $x_{n}\in N$ such that $f^{n}({\rm\Delta})$ is ${\it\varepsilon}$-close, in the $C^{1}$ topology, to the strongly unstable manifold of $x_{n}$. As an application of this ${\it\lambda}$-lemma, we prove the existence of shadowing orbits for a finite family of invariant minimal sets (for which we do not assume any regularity) contained in a normally hyperbolic manifold and having heteroclinic connections. As a particular case, we recover classical results on the existence of diffusion orbits (Arnold’s example).
Age of onset and course of major depressive disorder: associations with psychosocial functioning outcomes in adulthood
Authors: Wilson S. , Hicks B. M. , Foster K. T. , McGue M. , Iacono W. G.
Published: July 2014

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) that onsets by adolescence is associated with various deficits in psychosocial functioning. However, adolescent-onset MDD often follows a recurrent course that may drive its associated impairment.

Method

To tease apart these two clinical features, we examined the relative associations of age of onset (adolescentversusadult) and course (recurrentversussingle episodes) of MDD with a broad range of psychosocial functioning outcomes assessed in early adulthood. Participants comprised a large, population-based sample of male and female twins from the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS;n = 1252) assessed prospectively from ages 17 to 29 years.

Results

A recurrent course of MDD predicted impairment in several psychosocial domains in adulthood, regardless of whether the onset was in adolescence or adulthood. By contrast, adolescent-onset MDD showed less evidence of impairment in adulthood after accounting for recurrence. Individuals with both an adolescent onset and recurrent episodes of MDD represented a particularly severe group with pervasive psychosocial impairment in adulthood.

Conclusions

The negative implications of adolescent-onset MDD for psychosocial functioning in adulthood seem to be due primarily to its frequently recurrent course, rather than its early onset,per se. The results highlight the importance of considering both age of onset and course for understanding MDD and its implications for functioning, and also in guiding targeted intervention efforts.
Impanation, incarnation, and enabling externalism
Authors: ARCADI JAMES M.
Published: July 2014

I articulate a real presence theory of the Eucharist that is coherent, attractive, and utilizes the resources of contemporary Christology. First, I review some of the recent analytic discussions of the metaphysics of the incarnation. From this, I distinguish two types of impanation, which I name Type-H and Type-S Impanation. I then expound Type-S Impanation utilizing the notion of enabling externalism. I raise two potential objections to this view, the responses to which allow me to highlight the incarnation-like coherence and attractiveness of this view as an exposition of the liturgical utterance ‘This is my body.’
Die lustige Witwe and the Creation of the Silver Age of Viennese Operetta
Authors: Baranello Micaela
Published: July 2014

Franz Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe (1905) was conceived during a period of instability in both operetta and Viennese life. Considering the music and reception of both Witwe and some of its immediate, now-forgotten predecessors, this article argues that the operetta’s dramatic and musical dualism between urbane, Offenbach-like Paris and folksy, imaginary Pontevedro can be read both as a response to operetta’s conflicting priorities of satire and sentiment and as a depiction of the multi-ethnic world of working-class Vienna. The operetta’s unusual popularity, subsequent influence and exceptionally long performance history have tended to obscure these more immediate concerns.
Unplanned admissions and readmissions in older people: a review of recent evidence on identifying and managing high-risk individuals
Authors: Walsh Bronagh
Published: July 2014

Rising unplanned hospital admissions are a problem in ageing populations worldwide. These admissions are associated with poor outcomes for older people, contribute to rising health care costs and impede the provision of planned care. Policy and practice in recent years has focused on identification of those at risk of unplanned admission and early intervention via a range of admission avoidance services. Despite this, unplanned admissions in older people continue to rise, and managing demand for unplanned care remains a priority. Questions remain about the risk factors for unplanned admission and the best approaches to identifying and intervening with those at risk. This review explores recent evidence on admission rates, risk factors for unplanned admission in older people, identification of those at highest risk and interventions to avert unplanned admission.
Unusual cases of right-sided and left-sided May–Thurner syndrome
Authors: Vijayalakshmi I. B. , Setty H. S. Natraj , Narasimhan Chitra
Published: July 2014

May–Thurner syndrome is a rare clinical entity involving venous obstruction of the left lower extremity. The May–Thurner syndrome is a phenomenon commonly described as an acquired stenosis of the left common iliac vein secondary to compression of the left common iliac vein between the right common iliac artery and the underlying vertebral body. We report one case of May–Thurner syndrome, and another rare case of reverse May–Thurner syndrome, incidently detected during intervention, in a case of aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis with dextrocardia and situs inversus.
Chromosome Interior Observation by Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) Using Ionic Liquid Technique
Authors: Hamano Tohru , Dwiranti Astari , Kaneyoshi Kohei , Fukuda Shota , Kometani Reo , Nakao Masayuki , Takata Hideaki , Uchiyama Susumu , Ohmido Nobuko , Fukui Kiichi
Published: July 2014

Attempts to elucidate chromosome structure have long remained elusive. Electron microscopy is useful for chromosome structure research because of its high resolution and magnification. However, biological samples such as chromosomes need to be subjected to various preparation steps, including dehydration, drying, and metal/carbon coating, which may induce shrinkage and artifacts. The ionic liquid technique has recently been developed and it enables sample preparation without dehydration, drying, or coating, providing a sample that is closer to the native condition. Concurrently, focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) has been developed, allowing the investigation and direct analysis of chromosome interiors. In this study, we investigated chromosome interiors by FIB/SEM using plant and human chromosomes prepared by the ionic liquid technique. As a result, two types of chromosomes, with and without cavities, were visualized, both for barley and human chromosomes prepared by critical point drying. However, chromosome interiors were revealed only as a solid structure, lacking cavities, when prepared by the ionic liquid technique. Our results suggest that the existence and size of cavities depend on the preparation procedures. We conclude that combination of the ionic liquid technique and FIB/SEM is a powerful tool for chromosome study.
Transformational Leadership in the Local Police in Spain: a Leader-Follower Distance Approach
Authors: Álvarez Octavio , Lila Marisol , Tomás Inés , Castillo Isabel
Published: July 2014

Based on the transformational leadership theory (Bass, 1985), the aim of the present study was to analyze the differences in leadership styles according to the various leading ranks and the organizational follower-leader distance reported by a representative sample of 975 local police members (828 male and 147 female) from Valencian Community (Spain). Results showed differences by rank (p< .01), and by rank distance (p< .05). The general intendents showed the most optimal profile of leadership in all the variables examined (transformational-leadership behaviors, transactional-leadership behaviors,laissez-fairebehaviors, satisfaction with the leader, extra effort by follower, and perceived leadership effectiveness). By contrast, the least optimal profiles were presented by intendents. Finally, the maximum distance (five ranks) generally yielded the most optimal profiles, whereas the 3-rank distance generally produced the least optimal profiles for all variables examined. Outcomes and practical implications for the workforce dimensioning are also discussed.
Perceptual Priming and Reading Speed among Fourth Grade Children
Authors: Soler Maria José , Dasí Carmen , Bellver Vicente , Ruiz Juan Carlos
Published: July 2014

This study evaluated the perceptual priming in fourth grade primary school children using a word-fragment completion task. The children were classified into two categories according to their reading speed: high and low. Using several sub-scales of the WISC-IV, their working memory was measured, and their total IQ was estimated, in order to control for their effects on priming. The statistical analyses showed that children with high reading speed were significantly better at word-fragment completion and showed greater priming (p< .01); in other words, the prior processing of the words from which the fragments came produced a greater benefit in the performance of the word-fragment completion task. A regression model was developed to explain reading speed based on the following variables: perceptual priming, working memory and percentage of completed fragments belonging to words not previously processed (adjustedR2= 0.64).
Antecedents of Moral Pride: the Harder the Action, the Greater the Pride?
Authors: Etxebarria Itziar , Ortiz M José , Apodaca Pedro , Pascual Aitziber , Conejero Susana
Published: July 2014

The study’s aim was to analyze if some specific types of action generate higher levels of moral pride. Three variables were analyzed: whether the actions involved going against the group majority, whether they involved a personal cost of a different kind and whether they were the result of a prior intention. Participants were 160 adolescents aged between 14 and 16. Sixteen scenarios were designed (two for each combination of the three variables) in which someone needed help. Half of the participants were presented with 8 of these scenarios, and half with the other 8. In each scenario, participants were asked to state what they would feel and do and how much pride they would feel if they helped. Curiously enough, both prosocial behaviors which involved going against the majority,F(1, 140) = 60.36,p= .001, η2= .301 and those which involved a personal cost of a different kind,F(1, 140) = 10.17,p= .002, η2= .068 generated less moral pride.
Effect of Zinc Intake on Mental and Motor Development in Infants: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nissensohn Mariela , Sánchez-Villegas Almudena , Fuentes Lugo Daniel , Henríquez Sánchez Patricia , Doreste Alonso Jorge , Skinner Anna L. , Medina Marisol W. , Lowe Nicola M. , Hall Moran Victoria , Serra-Majem Lluis
Published: July 2014

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on mental and motor development in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 5 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on mental and motor development was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of Zn intake, intervention duration, nutritional situation, and risk of bias. Indices of mental and motor development assessed were the Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI). Additionally we carried out a sensitivity analysis. The pooled β was -0.01 (95 %CI -0.02, 0) for MDI and 0 (95 %CI -0.03, 0.02) for PDI, with a substantial heterogeneity in both analyses. When we performed a meta-regression, the effect of Zn supplementation on MDI changed depending on the dose of supplementation. Regarding PDI, there was a differential effect of Zn intake depending on intervention duration, dose of supplementation, nutritional situation, and risk of bias. Zn supplementation showed a negative, weak and significant effect on PDI score in those studies with a length of 4 to 20 weeks (β= -0.05; CI 95 % -0.06 to -0.04). In conclusion, no association was found between Zn intake and mental and motor development in infants. Further standardized research is urgently needed to clarify the role of Zn supplementation upon infant mental and motor development, particularly in Europe.
Complementary Treatment of Obesity and Overweight with Salacia Reticulata and Vitamin D
Authors: Ofner Michael , Tomaschitz Andreas , Wonisch Manfred , Litscher Gerhard
Published: July 2014

Background: The Indian plant root Salacia reticulata, which is rich in alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, is used for metabolic disorders in Ayurvedic medicine. Vitamin D3 is also used in the treatment of some metabolic diseases. Our goal was to determine its potential effect for humans with obesity. Material: In a randomized open-label study, we investigated 40 healthy participants aged 30 - 60 years, physically active, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 - 45. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Body weight, BMI, and body composition were measured. Both groups (A and B) received a guideline for lifestyle and fitness training for 4 weeks. Group B additionally took one capsule containing 200 mg of Salacia reticulata and 1.6 µg (i. e. 64 IU) Vitamin D3 (SRD) 3 times/day with the meals. Results: Significant weight and body-fat reduction within 4 weeks was observed. Group A lost 1.8 kg or 2.1 %, group B lost 5.3 kg or 6.1 % (p = 0.03), therefore BMI reduction was achieved. While Group A lost 1.4 % of body fat, group B reduced it by 4.5 % (p = 0.01). Conclusion: These promising results suggest that the combination of Salacia reticulata and Vitamin D3 might be highly valuable and potent to treat overweight and obesity, especially in addition to a modifying lifestyle program. Further research is needed in addition to this study to clarify pathways and effect mechanisms.
Proposal and Validation of a Quick Question to Rate the Influence of Diet in Geriatric Epidemiological Studies on Vitamin D
Authors: Chevallereau Gaëlle , Gleyses Xavier , Roussel Laurène , Hamdan Sarah , Beauchet Olivier , Annweiler Cédric
Published: July 2014

Background: Diet is a major exogenous source of vitamin D. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the yes/no answer to a simple question exploring diet (Do you eat fatty fish at least once a week and/or eggs several times per week?) could be associated with serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D status among 261 older in- and outpatients (mean ± standard deviation, 83.5 ± 8.1 years). Methods: Two groups were distinguished based on the binary yes/no answer. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≤ 75 nmol/L. Results: More participants with hypovitaminosis D answered No to the question on diet compared to their counterparts (p = 0.002). Answering No was associated with hypovitaminosis D (OR = 3.22, p = 0.001) after adjustment for potential confounders, with a positive predictive value = 79 %. Conclusion: A simple dietary question may identify older patients with hypovitaminosis D who should receive vitamin D supplements.
Impact of compression stockings on calf-vein diameters and on quality of life parameters in subjects with painful legs
Authors: Jeanneret Christina , Karatolios Konstantinos , von Planta Irene
Published: July 2014

Background: Calf vein diameters during compression with two different stocking brands are assessed as well as quality of life. Patients and methods: 60 subjects (53 female) with painful legs were randomized to either wearing the Venotrain micro® (VM) or the Venotrain ulcertec® (VU) compression stocking for 2 weeks. All calf - veins were assessed in cross - sectional plane by Duplexsonography native and through the compression stockings. The diameters of 2 gastrocnemius muscle - veins (GV), the short saphenous vein (SSV) and the posterior tibial vein (PTV) were compared intra - individually, with and without compression. Results: Mean diameters (± SD) decreased significantly under compression (p < 0.0001) in the standing position: in the antero-posterior (ap) plane of the GV by 6.5 (± 16.6) % under VU and 8.2 (± 16.5) % under VM, in the SSV 9.7 (± 15.8) % under VU and 5.7 (± 19.2) % under VM. No significant change (p = 0.48) was seen in the PTV. In the prone position the relative ap - diameter changes in the medial GV were significantly smaller for the VM (37.5 ± 51.0 %) compared to the VU compression stocking (52.4 ± 51.8 %) (p = 0.016). The quality of life assessment scores improved significantly for the VU - and the VM - compression stocking. Venous diameters did not correlate with quality of life scores. Conclusions: Intra - individually tested the calf muscle vein diameters decrease under compression, more pronounced in the prone than in the standing position. In the ankle area the PTV does not decrease in standing subjects. Quality of life assessed increases for both compression stockings.
Assessment of extracranial-intracranial bypass in Moyamoya disease using 3T time-of-flight MR angiography: Comparison with CT angiography
Authors: Chen Qian , Qi Rongfeng , Cheng Xiaoqing , Zhou Changsheng , Luo Song , Ni Ling , Huang Wei
Published: July 2014

Background: To evaluate the value of time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF MRA) for the assessment of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass in Moyamoya disease in comparison with computed tomography angiography (CTA). Patients and methods: A consecutive series of 23 patients with Moyamoya disease were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty three patients underwent 25 procedures of extracranial-intracranial bypass. Cranial CTA was performed within one week after the surgery to assess bypass patency. Then TOF MRA was scanned within 24 h after CTA on a 3T MRI system. Using 5-point scales (0 = poor to 4 = excellent), two radiologists rated the image quality and vessel integrity of bypass for three segments (extracranial, trepanation, intracranial). Results: Image quality was high in both CTA and TOF MRA (mean quality score 3.84 ± 0.37 and 3.8 ± 0.41), without statistical difference (p = 0.66). Mean scores of TOF MRA with respect to bypass visualization were higher than CTA in the intracranial segment (p = 0.026). No significant difference of bypass visualization regarding the extracranial and trepanation segments was found between TOF MRA and CTA (p = 0.66 and p = 0.34, respectively). For the trepanation segment, TOF MRA showed pseudo lesions in 2 of all 25 cases. Conclusions: 3T TOF MRA, a non-contrast technique not exposing the patients to radiation, proved to be at least equal to CTA for the assessment of EC-IC bypass, and even superior to CTA with respect to the intracranial segment. In addition, readers should be aware of a potential overestimation showing focal pseudo lesions of the bypass at the trepanation segment in TOF MRA.
Fam40b is required for lineage commitment of murine embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wagh V , Doss M X , Sabour D , Niemann R , Meganathan K , Jagtap S , Gaspar J A , Ardestani M A , Papadopoulos S , Gajewski M , Winkler J , Hescheler J , Sachinidis A
Published: July 2014

FAM40B (STRIP2) is a member of the striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex that is involved in the regulation of various processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Its role for differentiation processes in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is till now completely unknown. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated silencing of Fam40b expression in ESCs and differentiating embryoid bodies (EBs) led to perturbed differentiation to embryonic germ layers and their derivatives including a complete abrogation of cardiomyogenesis. Pluripotency factors such as Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2 as well as epigenetic factors such as histone acetyltransferase type B (HAT1) and DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3-β(Dnmt3b) were highly upregulated in Fam40b knockdown EBs as compared with control and scrambled EBs. To examine the relevance of Fam40b for developmentin vivo, Fam40b was knocked down in developing zebrafish. Morpholino-mediated knockdown of Fam40b led to severe abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, including an impaired expression of ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) and of cardiac myosin light chain 2 (cmlc2) in the heart. We identified the gene product of Fam40b in ESCs as a perinuclear and nucleolar protein with a molecular weight of 96 kDa. We conclude that the expression of Fam40b is essential for the lineage commitment of murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into differentiated somatic cells via mechanisms involving pluripotency and epigenetic networks.
Quantum Rectennas for Photovoltaics
Authors: Yu Feng , Moddel Garret , Corkish Richard
Published: July 2014

This chapter reviews the current status of reach into quantum rectennas for photovoltaics. These are optical antennas coupled to rectifiers that could couple optical solar radiation to a load via a rectifier. In principle, there should be no reason why the electromagnetic wave technologies which are so successfully used for radio communications cannot be scaled to optical frequencies, although quantum models may be necessary for at least some aspects. However, there are significant theoretical and practical issues, especially concerning the sub-mm size scales involved but also associated with lack of polarization of sunlight, its partial coherence and impedance matching requirements. The fundamental efficiency limit for the rectenna solar cell is still under investigation. Two different approaches are discussed here, corresponding to the respective scenarios of incoherent and coherent sources. The first approach is to treat it as a heat engine. The rectification efficiency increases towards the Carnot efficiency for a larger temperature contrast, reaching 49% for 6000 K. Alternatively, in quantum rectification in optical rectennas, the operating voltage plays the role that bandgap plays in semiconductor solar cells and the limit the efficiency for rectifying broadband solar radiation is estimated as 44%.
Real World Efficiency Limits: the Shockley–Queisser Model as a Starting Point
Authors: Nayak Pabitra K. , Cahen David
Published: July 2014

We survey published experimental data on the performance of cells and modules to compare all types of today's solar cells and with these find solar cell efficiencies that we can strive towards. Such an approach allows identifying limits that need to be considered for real solar cells on top of the Shockley–Queisser (S-Q) limit, as the latter applies strictly to an ideal model system. Prominent among the additional limits is the degree of disorder of the absorber, strongest for amorphous Si-based cells, and minimal for II–V-based cells (and hopefully, for the new perovskite ones). While adding extra limits lead to lower numbers than the S-Q ones, normally used, the results help us to see what we can hope to reach in practice, in terms of technological progress and in terms of champion cells.
Self-assembly of NH2-(α,l-lysine)5-COOH and SDS into nanodiscs or nanoribbons regulated by pH
Authors: Zhang S. , Yang S. , Zang J. , Yang R. , Zhao G. , Xu C.
Published: July 2014

NH2-(α,l-lysine)5-COOH and SDS can self-assemble into nanodiscs or nanoribbons regulated by pH.