bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The C-terminal tail domain of metavinculin, vinculin’s splice variant, severs actin filaments
Authors: Janssen Mandy E.W. , Liu HongJun , Volkmann Niels , Hanein Dorit
Published: May 2012

Vinculin and its splice variant, metavinculin (MV), are key elements of multiple protein assemblies linking the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton. Vinculin is expressed ubiquitously, whereas MV is mainly expressed in smooth and cardiac muscle tissue. The only difference in amino acid sequence between the isoforms is a 68-residue insert in the C-terminal tail domain of MV (MVt). Although the functional role of this insert remains elusive, its importance is exemplified by point mutations that are associated with dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In vinculin, the actin binding site resides in the tail domain. In this paper, we show that MVt binds actin filaments similarly to the vinculin tail domain. Unlike its splice variant, MVt did not bundle actin filaments. Instead, MVt promoted severing of actin filaments, most efficiently at substoichiometric concentrations. This surprising and seemingly contradictory alteration of vinculin function by the 68-residue insert may be essential for modulating compliance of vinculin-induced actin bundles when exposed to rapidly increasing external forces.
Basement membrane assembly of the integrin α8β1 ligand nephronectin requires Fraser syndrome–associated proteins
Authors: Kiyozumi Daiji , Takeichi Makiko , Nakano Itsuko , Sato Yuya , Fukuda Tomohiko , Sekiguchi Kiyotoshi
Published: May 2012

Dysfunction of the basement membrane protein QBRICK provokes Fraser syndrome, which results in renal dysmorphogenesis, cryptophthalmos, syndactyly, and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that integrin α8β1 binding to basement membranes was significantly impaired in Qbrick-null mice. This impaired integrin α8β1 binding was not a direct consequence of the loss of QBRICK, which itself is a ligand of integrin α8β1, because knock-in mice with a mutation in the integrin-binding site of QBRICK developed normally and do not exhibit any defects in integrin α8β1 binding. Instead, the loss of QBRICK significantly diminished the expression of nephronectin, an integrin α8β1 ligand necessary for renal development. In vivo, nephronectin associated with QBRICK and localized at the sublamina densa region, where QBRICK was also located. Collectively, these findings indicate that QBRICK facilitates the integrin α8β1–dependent interactions of cells with basement membranes by regulating the basement membrane assembly of nephronectin and explain why renal defects occur in Fraser syndrome.
Impedance spectra and computation of chemical diffusion coefficients in CuIn3Te5 single crystals with a massive Cu motion
Authors: Diaz R , Cervera M , Rueda F
Published: May 2012

Two single crystals of the same ingot and a polycrystal with compositions close to CuIn2Te3.5, CuIn3Te5 and CuIn4Te6, respectively, have been studied using impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures in the 20–120 °C range. The negative imaginary impedance part, −Z
**, as a function of the real impedance part, Z
*, (Nyquist plots) can be fitted to one or two semicircles associated with the Warburg diffusion and related one or two mobile ions, depending on the slice composition. In dc current and using the current intensity decay method at 20 °C, the conductivity as a function of time permits one to compute the diffusion coefficients of one or two mobile ions observed in impedance spectroscopy. The diffusion coefficients of the Cu ion are higher than those in CuInSe2 and are associated with the number of copper vacancies, VCu, and indium–copper antisites, InCu, in the Cu sublattice. EDAX measurements in the slice profile, before and after the electrical analysis, confirm a massive motion of Cu atoms along the slice thickness. In all samples, there is a region with composition close to CuIn1.7Te3 and a new atomic distribution, different in each sample depending on the initial composition and their structure. The ionic motion permits one to understand the behaviour of chalcopyrite thin films when they are grown with a composition gradient (from a Cu-rich chalcopyrite to an In-rich one).
Combination effects of tilted electric and magnetic fields on donor binding energy in a GaAs/AlGaAs cylindrical quantum dot
Authors: Zeng Zaiping , Garoufalis Christos S , Baskoutas Sotirios
Published: May 2012

We have performed a systematic study on the ground-state binding energy of an on-center donor impurity confined in a GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As cylindrical quantum dot (QD), subjected to simultaneously applied electric and magnetic fields. The two fields are tilted with respect to the QD growth direction and they are either parallel or perpendicular to each other. All the calculations are based on the potential morphing method which is employed within the framework of the effective-mass approximation. Our results show that when the tilted electric and magnetic fields are parallel, the magnetic shift of the donor binding energy is a monotonic function of the magnetic field strength. On the other hand, when the two fields are perpendicular to each other, the magnetic shift of the donor binding energy varies nonmonotonically with respect to the magnetic field strength, exhibiting a minimum value at a critical magnetic field strength. The position of this minimum value and its dependence on the QD size, its aspect ratio and the orientation of the tilted magnetic field is systematically investigated. Moreover, we discuss in detail the competition effects which appear in the presence of the two fields, showing that the critical line which corresponds to zero shift of the donor binding energy can be manipulated by suitably adjusting the QD size, the aspect ratio and the relative orientation of the two fields.
Enhancing the performance of nanostructured zinc oxide/polymer-based hybrid solar cells using ammonia as a structural and interfacial modifier
Authors: Pradhan S , Karak S , Dhar A
Published: May 2012

We have investigated the effect of ammonia solution treatment on the ZnO nanostructure and its influence on the photovoltaic device performance of conjugated polymer/nanostructured ZnO-based hybrid solar cells (HSC). The ammonia solution was used as the etching agent on the ZnO nanostructure as well as the interface modifier between ZnO/polymer interfaces which led to a better open circuit voltage (V
OC). The etching of ZnO nanostructure provides better polymer infiltration inside the nanostructure arrays with higher effective donor–acceptor interface area. We have also investigated the absorption and photoluminescence behaviour of the NH3-treated device in comparison with an untreated device. The study showed that the NH3 etching with optimized time over ZnO nanostructure enhances the absorption, charge carrier separation, recombination suppression which leads to the improvement in the overall performance of the photovoltaic device.
Limitations of x-ray reflectometry in the presence of surface contamination
Authors: Gil D L , Windover D
Published: May 2012

Intentionally deposited thin films exposed to atmosphere often develop unintentionally deposited few-monolayer films of surface contamination. This contamination arises from the diverse population of volatile organics and inorganics in the atmosphere. Such surface contamination can affect the uncertainties in determination of thickness, roughness and density of thin-film structures by x-ray reflectometry (XRR). Here we study the effect of a 0.5 nm carbon surface contamination layer on thickness determination for a 20 nm titanium nitride thin film on silicon. Uncertainties calculated using Markov-chain Monte Carlo Bayesian statistical methods from simulated data of clean and contaminated TiN thin films are compared at varying degrees of data quality to study (1) whether synchrotron sources cope better with contamination than laboratory sources and (2) whether cleaning off the surface of thin films prior to XRR measurement is necessary. We show that, surprisingly, contributions to uncertainty from surface contamination can dominate uncertainty estimates, leading to minimal advantages in using synchrotron-over laboratory-intensity data. Further, even prior knowledge of the exact nature of the surface contamination does not significantly reduce the contamination's contribution to the uncertainty in the TiN layer thickness. We conclude, then, that effective and standardized cleaning protocols are necessary to achieve high levels of accuracy in XRR measurement.
Corrigendum: Electromagnetic-wave-absorption properties of wire-like structures self-assembled by FeCo nanocapsules
Authors: Liu X G , Geng D Y , Meng H , Li B , Zhang Q , Kang D J , Zhang Z D
Published: May 2012

The full text of this article is available in the PDF provided.
A metrical result on the approximation by continued fractions
Authors: Jager H.
Published: May 2012

Let

x
x

be a real irrational number and

p
n

/

q
n

,

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,
…

p_n/q_n, \,\,n=0,1,2,\ldots

its sequence of continued fraction convergents. Define

θ
n

=

q
n

|

q
n

x
−

p
n

|

.

\theta _n=q_n\big |q_nx-p_n\big |.

For almost all

x
x

the distribution function of the sequence

|

θ

n
+
1

−

θ

n
−
1

|

,

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,
…

\big |\theta _{n+1}-\theta _{n-1}\big |, \,\,n=0,1,2,\ldots

is determined and its expectation calculated.
A double‐blind, randomized, parallel, placebo‐controlled study examining the effect of cross‐linked polyelectrolyte in heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Costanzo Maria Rosa , Heywood J. Thomas , Massie Barry M. , Iwashita Julie , Henderson Lee , Mamatsashvili Merab , Sisakian Hamayak , Hayrapetyan Hamlet , Sager Philip , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Albrecht Detlef
Published: May 2012

Aims

This double‐blind, randomized, parallel, placebo‐controlled investigation evaluated the effects of cross‐linked polyelectrolyte (CLP) on serum potassium and measures of congestion in patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods and results

The primary endpoint was change in serum potassium over time. Exploratory endpoints included: weight, physician and patient assessment of exertional dyspnoea, effect on N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, 6 min walk test (6MWT), and quality of life by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Serum potassium was similar in CLP (n =59) and placebo (n =52) groups throughout the 8‐week study. Weight loss was greater in the CLP than in the placebo group at Weeks 1 (P =0.014) and 2 (P =0.004), and this trend continued until the end of the study. After 8 weeks, by physician assessment, the percentage of patients experiencing marked or disabling dyspnoea tended to be lower in the CLP than in the placebo group (7.3% vs. 23.9%, P =0.128). Fewer patients in the CLP than in the placebo group had NT‐proBNP levels >1000 pg/mL at Week 4 (P =0.039) and Week 8 (P =0.065). The proportion of patients improving by at least one NYHA functional class over the study was higher in the CLP than in the placebo group (48.8% vs. 17.4%; P =0.002). Effects on 6MWT at Week 8 (p =0.072) and quality of life (overall KCCQ score) at Week 4 (p =0.005) and 8 (P =0.062) all favoured the CLP cohort. Four treatment‐unrelated deaths occurred in the CLP group and none in the placebo group (P =0.056).

Conclusion

In advanced, symptomatic HF with CKD, CLP is associated with beneficial clinical effects without significant serum potassium changes.

Trial registration: NCT01265524.
catena-Poly[3,3′-diethyl-1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl)di(1H-imidazol-3-ium) [silver(I)-di-μ-iodido-silver(I)-di-μ-iodido]]
Authors: Huo Jian-Zhong , Zhao Zhi-Xiang , Shi Men-Chao , Li Hui-Long , Liu Qing-Xiang
Published: May 2012

The title compound, {(C13H22N4)[Ag2I4]}
n
, was prepared by reaction of 1,3-bis(N-ethylimidazolium-1-yl)propane iodide with silver (I) oxide. In the 3,3′-diethyl-1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl)di(1H-imidazol-3-ium) cation, the dihedral angle between the imidazole rings is 49.3 (1)°. In the [Ag2I4]2− anion, each AgI atom is bonded to three iodide anions, the two AgI atoms and two of the iodides forming Ag2I2 square-planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.01 Å) units·The remaining two iodides, which are placed on opposite sides of the square, together with their centrosymmetric counterparts, link the square-planar Ag2I2 units into {[Ag2I4]2−}
n
polymeric chains via Ag—I bonds.
(1S,5R,7R,30S)-14-Deoxyisogarcinol
Authors: Kaur Ranjeet , Vasudev Prema G. , Chattopadhyay Sunil K.
Published: May 2012

The title compound, C38H50O5 {systematic name: 10-(3-hydroxybenzoyl)-2,2,7,7-tetramethyl-3,6,8-tris(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-3,4,4a,5,6,7-hexahydro-4a,8-methano-2H-cycloocta[b]pyran-9,11(8H)-dione}, is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, isolated for the first time from the fruits of Garcinia indica during our investigation of bioactive compounds from this plant and their large-scale extraction. The relative configuration of the title compound was chosen based on comparison of its spectroscopic and optical rotation data with that of the isomorphous and isostructural compound isogarcinol, whose absolute configuration is known. The crystal packing features O—H...O hydrogen bonds. A Cambridge Structural Database analysis revealed that the crystal structure reported here is isomorphous and isostructural with that of isogarcinol.
1,3-Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride dichloromethane disolvate
Authors: Berger Matthias , Auner Norbert , Bolte Michael
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C27H37N2
+·Cl−·2CH2Cl2, the cation and the anion are each located on a crystallographic mirror plane. Both of the dichloromethane solvent molecules show a disorder across a mirror plane over two equally occupied positions. Additionally, one isopropyl group is also disordered. In the crystal, the cations are connected to the chloride ions via C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.
A bis-calixarene from olefin metathesis
Authors: Hailu Shimelis T. , Butcher Ray J. , Hudrlik Paul F. , Hudrlik Anne M.
Published: May 2012

A ring-closing olefin metathesis reaction of tetrakis(allyloxy)calix[4]arene gave the bis calixarene, (15E,40E,60E)-65,74-bis(prop-2-en-1-yloxy)-13,18,38,43,58,63-hexaoxadodecacyclo[28.26.8.720,36.111,45.151,55.05,57.07,12.019,24.026,64.032,37.044,49.168,72]tetraheptaconta-1,3,5(57),7,9,11,15,19(24),20,22,26,28,30(64),32,34,36,40,44(49),45,47,51,53,55(65),60,68,70,72(74)-heptacosaene, C74H68O8. It is a cage formed from two calix[4]arene units joined by butenyl groups at three of the O atoms on the narrow rim. The fourth O atom on each calixarene unit is joined with an allyl group. Each of the calix[4]arene units has a flattened cone conformation in which the allyloxy-substituted aryl group and the opposite aryl group are close together and almost parallel [dihedral angle between planes = 1.09 (11)°], and the other two aryl groups are splayed outward [dihedral angle between planes = 79.53 (11)°]. No guest molecule (e.g. solvent) was observed within the cage. The alkene C atoms of one of the links between the calixarene moieties are disordered over two orientations with occupancies of 0.533 (9) and 0.467 (9).
3-{2-[(1,3-Benzothiazol-2-yl)sulfanylmethyl]phenyl}-4-methoxy-5,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one
Authors: Duan Anna , Yang Haikui , Zhao Peiliang , You Wenwei
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C21H19NO3S2, the dihedral angles formed between the thiazole ring and the adjacent benzene ring and the other benzene ring are 1.58 (3) and 76.48 (6)°, respectively. The crystal structure features a weak C—H...O interaction.
6-Bromo-2-(diprop-2-ynylamino)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione
Authors: Lv Jing-Song , Wang Jun-Lei , Zhou Cheng-He
Published: May 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H11BrN2O2, contains two independent molecules in which the prop-2-ynylamino groups have different mutual orientations. In one molecule, the Br atom is disordered over two positions, with refined occupancies of 0.742 (2) and 0.258 (2).
1-{(E)-[3-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylpropylidene]amino}-3-(2-methylphenyl)urea
Authors: Attia Mohamed I. , Aboul-Enein Mohamed N. , El-Brollosy Nasser R. , Ng Seik Weng , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C20H21N5O, the conformation about the imine bond [1.289 (3) Å] is E. Overall, the molecule is disk-shaped with the imidazole ring located above the remainder of the molecule and with the dihedral angles of 10.97 (15) and 12.11 (15)°, respectively, between the imidazole ring and the phenyl and methylbenzene rings; the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 8.17 (14)°. Within the urea unit, the N—H atoms are anti to each other and one of the N—H atoms forms an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond. Helical supramolecular chains along [001] are formed via N—H...N(imidazole) hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure. These are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by C—H...O(carbonyl) and C—H...π interactions.
1,5-Bis(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)thiocarbonohydrazide tetrahydrofuran monosolvate
Authors: Pezeshkpour Shaghayegh , Khaledi Hamid , Mohd Ali Hapipah
Published: May 2012

In the thiocarbonohydrazide molecule of the title compound, C17H12N6O2S·C4H8O, the terminal indolin-2-one ring systems make a dihedral angle of 20.13 (6)° with each other. Two intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds are present, each of which generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds lead to a molecular chain running along the b axis. The tetrahydrofuran solvent molecule is disordered over two orientations in a 0.561 (11):0.439 (11) ratio.
N-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenyl)succinamic acid
Authors: Gowda B. Thimme , Foro Sabine , Chaithanya U.
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C11H12ClNO3, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the amide group is 44.9 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules form inversion dimers via pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds. These dimers are further linked into sheets parallel to (013) via N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Why promote sold‐out concerts? A Durkheimian analysis
Authors: Duffett Mark
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The aim of this research paper is to examine why concert promoters sometimes advertise sold‐out live music shows when nobody can buy tickets any longer.

Design/methodology/approach

Durkheim's theory of religion as a thrilling social activity is used to hypothesize that the advertising of sold‐out events reminds audiences that star performers are popular and therefore helps to generate the “buzz” around them. Interviews with a series of promoters from the USA, UK and Canada revealed, however, that they see more immediate and mundane reasons for advertising sold‐out shows, including building the artist's career profile and training consumers to buy next time round.

Findings

It was found that promoters could also organize the sales and advertising process to bring sold‐out events into being. While their explanations diverged from a Durkheimian schema, the results of their actions did not. In effect they serendipitously did cultural work to further the Durkheimian process without being consciously concerned by it as an explanation of motives.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the Durkheimian model illuminates a point of connection between commerce and affect in the reception of star performances. Further research on live music using the model as a hypothesis may therefore be useful.
Effects of stocking hatchery fish on the phenotype of indigenous populations in the amago salmonOncorhynchus masou ishikawaein Japan
Authors: Kawamura K. , Furukawa M. , Kubota M. , Harada Y.
Published: May 2012

The expression of colour marks (parr marks, red and black spots) of the amago salmonOncorhynchus masou ishikawaewas compared with microsatellite information, to see the effects of stocking hatchery fish on the phenotype of indigenous populations, which face extinction through extensive stocking. A Bayesian‐based assignment test suggested introgression of two exotic clusters into one indigenous cluster in the stocked area and its vicinity. The number of parr marks was significantly higher in one hatchery‐origin population, which exclusively comprised one exotic cluster. An increased number of red spots in stocked hatchery fish was probably a consequence of hatchery feeding conditions. The number of black spots was correlated with body size in many populations, except for hatchery and heavily introgressed populations. Coefficients of correlation and regression of black spots with body size, which were largest in indigenous populations, decreased with an increase of introgression by hatchery fish. As indigenous populations have low genetic diversity with high relatedness, it was inferred that the height of correlation and regression coefficients in black spots is caused by high genetic homogeneity and fixation of alleles in loci related to the increase of black spots, both of which might have collapsed with introgression by hatchery fish. These results suggest the possibility that introgression by stocked fish causes a change of phenotype in indigenous populations.
Meta‐analysis: IL‐28B genotype and sustained viral clearance in HCV genotype 1 patients
Authors: Rangnekar A. S. , Fontana R. J.
Published: May 2012

Background

Polymorphisms in the IL‐28B region are a strong predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR) in individual studies of HCV genotype 1 patients receiving peginterferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin.

Aim

To obtain a pooled odds ratio (OR) of SVR in patients of varying race with the favourable IL‐28B genotype compared to those with the unfavourable genotype.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using online databases and a review of conference abstracts. A random effects meta‐analysis was performed and study heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed.

Results

There were 21 individual studies of HCV genotype 1 patients of varying ethnicity treated with pegIFN and ribavirin. The pooled prevalence of the favourable IL‐28B genotype varied by race (73% vs. 41% vs. 13% in 2612 Asians, 3110 Caucasians and 452 African‐Americans, respectively, P < 0.001). However, the strength of association of the IL‐28B genotype with SVR was similar in all three racial groups (Caucasians: odds ratio (OR) 3.88, 2.75–5.49, African‐Americans: OR 4.63, 2.52–8.50 and Asians OR 5.66, 3.99–8.02, all P < 0.001). The IL‐28B genotype was also associated with SVR in 263 HIV/HCV co‐infected Caucasians (OR 5.49, 3.02–9.96, P < 0.001). Study quality score and anti‐viral treatment regimen did not impact the strength of the association in patient subgroups nor in the pooled population.

Conclusions

IL‐28B genotype is significantly associated with SVR in HCV genotype 1 patients of varying race, as well as in HIV co‐infected patients, receiving pegIFN and ribavirin. IL‐28B testing in conjunction with other pre‐treatment parameters may prove useful in counselling HCV patients.
Climate change and voltinism in Californian insect pest species: sensitivity to location, scenario and climate model choice
Authors: Ziter Carly , Robinson Emily A. , Newman Jonathan A.
Published: May 2012

Experimental studies of the impact of climatic change are hampered by their inability to consider multiple climate change scenarios and indeed often consider no more than simple climate sensitivity such as a uniform increase in temperature. Modelling efforts offer the ability to consider a much wider range of realistic climate projections and are therefore useful, in particular, for estimating the sensitivity of impact predictions to differences in geographical location, and choice of climate change scenario and climate model projections. In this study, we used well‐established degree‐day models to predict the voltinism of 13 agronomically important pests in California, USA. We ran these models using the projections from three Atmosphere–Ocean Coupled Global Circulation Models (AOCGCMs or GCMs), in conjunction with the SRES scenarios. We ran these for two locations representing northern and southern California. We did this for both the 2050s and 2090s. We used anova to partition the variation in the resulting voltinism among time period, climate change scenario, GCM and geographical location. For these 13 pest species, the choice of climate model explained an average of 42% of the total variation in voltinism, far more than did geographical location (33%), time period (17%) or scenario (1%). The remaining 7% of the variation was explained by various interactions, of which the location by GCM interaction was the strongest (5%). Regardless of these sources of uncertainty, a robust conclusion from our work is that all 13 pest species are likely to experience increases in the number of generations that they complete each year. Such increased voltinism is likely to have significant consequences for crop protection and production.
Unintentional extrusion of mineral trioxide aggregate: a report of three cases
Authors: Nosrat A. , Nekoofar M. H. , Bolhari B. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: May 2012

Aim

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is the material of choice for apical barrier techniques during root canal treatment of teeth with open apices. However, the precise control of MTA during the placement of an apical plug is challenging. This article describes the outcomes of unintentional extrusion of MTA into the periradicular tissue during apical barrier treatment in three cases.

Three cases of maxillary central incisors in adult patients with open apices were referred for treatment. After conventional access and canal preparation, MTA was placed into the apical portion of the root canals to act as an apical barrier/plug. A large increment of MTA was extruded in all cases. In Case 1, after a 4‐year follow‐up, the extruded MTA had resorbed and the periradicular lesion had healed. In Cases 2 and 3, after follow‐up, the patients remained symptomatic and were scheduled for periradicular surgery. In Case 2, soft unset particles of MTA were present in the lesion and were curetted. In Case 3, the extruded MTA had set hard but was sandwiched between the oral mucosa and bone; its removal relieved the pain experienced on buccal palpation.

Key learning points

Extruded MTA may not harden and may be associated with ongoing periapical irritation;

Extruded set MTA when encapsulated in the mucosa and not surrounded by bony matrix may act as a mechanical irritant on palpation;

Mineral trioxide aggregate should be confined to the root canal system;

Teeth where MTA has been extruded beyond the foramen should be followed‐up to monitor the outcome.
Influences of superheated steaming and roasting on the quality and antioxidant activity of cooked sweet potatoes
Authors: Wang Tzu‐Ching , Chen Bang‐Yuan , Shen Ying‐Pei , Wong Jhen‐Jhan , Yang Chi‐Ching , Lin Ta‐Chen
Published: May 2012

Roasted sweet potato is a popular food because of the attractive aroma produced by the Maillard reaction. However, the roasting process may lead to charred skin. Cooking with superheated (saturated) steam provides a solution to this problem. As the results show, when comparing sweet potatoes cooked by superheated steam, and those roasted for 40 min, respectively, the degree of gelatinisation could reach as high as 95% with only 140 °C superheated steam, while roasting required temperatures up to 240 °C. Moreover, in appearance, the skins of the sweet potatoes cooked using superheated steam were not charred like the roasted ones. However, sweet potatoes roasted at 240 °C for 60 min had the highest overall sensory score. When comparing the antioxidant activity, the sweet potatoes cooked by superheated steam had the highest content of total phenol and flavonoids, the best scavenging ability of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the highest ferric‐reducing ability of plasma (FRAP).
Explaining variation in perceived team effectiveness: results from eleven quality improvement collaboratives
Authors: Strating Mathilde MH , Nieboer Anna P
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  Explore effectiveness of 11 collaboratives focusing on 11 different topics, as perceived by local improvement teams and to explore associations with collaborative‐, organisational‐ and team‐level factors.

Background.  Evidence underlying the effectiveness of quality improvement collaboratives is inconclusive and few studies investigated determinants of implementation success. Moreover, most evaluation studies on quality improvement collaboratives are based on one specific topic or quality problem, making it hard to compare across collaboratives addressing different topics.

Design.  A multiple‐case cross‐sectional study.

Methods.  Quality improvement teams in 11 quality improvement collaboratives focusing on 11 different topics. Team members received a postal questionnaire at the end of each collaborative. Of the 283 improvement teams, 151 project leaders and 362 team members returned the questionnaire.

Results.  Analysis of variance revealed that teams varied widely on perceived effectiveness. Especially, members in the Prevention of Malnutrition and Prevention of Medication Errors collaboratives perceived a higher effectiveness than other groups. Multilevel regression analyses showed that educational level of professionals, innovation attributes, organisational support, innovative culture and commitment to change were all significant predictors of perceived effectiveness. In total, 27·9% of the individual‐level variance, 57·6% of the team‐level variance and 80% of the collaborative‐level variance could be explained.

Conclusion.  The innovation’s attributes, organisational support, an innovative team culture and professionals’ commitment to change are instrumental to perceived effectiveness. The results support the notion that a layered approach is necessary to achieve improvements in quality of care and provides further insight in the determinants of success of quality improvement collaboratives.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding which factors enhance the impact of quality improvement initiatives can help professionals to achieve breakthrough improvement in care delivery to patients on a wide variety of quality problems.
The metabolic regulator PGC‐1α links anti‐cancer cytotoxic chemotherapy to reactivation of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Mouler Rechtman M. , Burdelova E. O. , Bar‐Yishay I. , Ben‐Yehoyada M. , Fishman S. , Halpern Z. , Shlomai A.
Published: May 2012

Summary.  Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are at an increased risk for a severe and a potentially fatal viral reactivation following anti‐cancer therapy. The molecular mechanism for this induction of HBV expression is still unclear. Here, we show that treating hepatoma cell line expressing HBV with various anti‐cancer cytotoxic agents results in a significant up‐regulation of HBV expression. This HBV induction is at the transcriptional level and is time dependent. Interestingly, treating hepatoma cells with anti‐cancer cytotoxic agents results in a robust induction of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), a metabolic and energy regulator that is normally induced in the liver under starvation conditions and that has been previously shown to strongly coactivate HBV transcription. Most importantly, HBV up‐regulation following anti‐cancer therapy depends on PGC‐1α induction, because PGC‐1α knock‐down abolishes HBV induction. Finally, pretreatment of HBV‐expressing cells with the antioxidant agent N‐acetylcysteine attenuates the induction of both PGC‐1α and HBV in response to anti‐cancer treatment, suggesting that chemotherapy‐associated PGC‐1α induction is mediated by cellular oxidative stress that ultimately leads to HBV up‐regulation. We conclude that cytotoxic anti‐cancer chemotherapy has a direct and an immune system‐independent effect on HBV gene expression, which is mediated by PGC‐1α. Our results attribute to this metabolic regulator an unexpected role in linking anti‐cancer treatment to HBV reactivation and make PGC‐1α a potential target for future anti‐HBV therapy, especially under conditions in which it is robustly induced, such as following anti‐cancer treatment.
Review: analysis of parasite and other skewed counts
Authors: Alexander Neal
Published: May 2012

Objective To review methods for the statistical analysis of parasite and other skewed count data.

Methods Statistical methods for skewed count data are described and compared, with reference to a 10‐year period ofTropical Medicine and International Health (TMIH). Two parasitological datasets are used for illustration.

Results The review ofTMIHfound 90 articles, of which 89 used descriptive methods and 60 used inferential analysis. A lack of clarity is noted in identifying the measures of location, in particular the Williams and geometric means. The different measures are compared, emphasising the legitimacy of the arithmetic mean for the skewed data. In the published articles, thettest and related methods were often used on untransformed data, which is likely to be invalid. Several approaches to inferential analysis are described, emphasising (1) non‐parametric methods, while noting that they are not simply comparisons of medians, and (2) generalised linear modelling, in particular with the negative binomial distribution. Additional methods, such as the bootstrap, with potential for greater use are described.

Conclusions Clarity is recommended when describing transformations and measures of location. It is suggested that non‐parametric methods and generalised linear models are likely to be sufficient for most analyses.
Frequency of antibodies to Toxocara in Cuban schoolchildren
Authors: Sariego I. , Kanobana K. , Junco R. , Vereecken K. , Núñez F. A. , Polman K. , Bonet M. , Rojas L.
Published: May 2012

Objective  The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxocara in Cuban schoolchildren.

Methods  The frequency of antibodies to Toxocara canis was assessed with a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays kit in school‐aged children from two municipalities of Cuba. Univariate analysis and a multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, municipality and co‐infection with helminth and/or protozoa were conducted.

Results  The percentage of children with antibodies to Toxocara was 38.8% (392/1011; 95% CI = 36.8–42.8). Antibody positivity was significantly associated with gender and co‐infections with intestinal parasites, but not with age or municipality.

Conclusion  Cuban children are highly exposed to the Toxocara parasite, corresponding well with reported environmental contamination with Toxocara parasite eggs and T. canis prevalences in dogs in Cuba. Relevant policy makers and the Cuban population need to be better informed about this preventable infection.
Novel SNP development and analysis at a NADP+‐specific IDH enzyme gene in a four species mixed oak forest
Authors: Vidalis A. , Curtu A. L. , Finkeldey R.
Published: May 2012

Closely related Quercus species generally exhibit low levels of genetic differentiation despite their ecological and morphological differences. However, at a few so‐called ‘outlier’ loci they seem to remain genetically distinct. Isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDH) are key enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway of the citrate cycle. IDH has also been characterised as an ‘outlier’ marker, significantly differentiating the closely related Q. robur and Q. petraea with the isozyme technique. This ability to differentiate the species was tested here at molecular level: 13 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were identified and developed within a NADP+‐specific IDH gene in Quercus spp. and applied as molecular markers in a four species mixed oak forest in eastern Europe, where Q. robur, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens and Q. frainetto naturally co‐exist. From the 13 developed SNPs, three groups were formed: non‐synonymous, synonymous and non‐coding SNPs. The levels of total gene diversity were moderate for all species investigated. The non‐synonymous SNPs showed lower levels of gene diversity. Overall, the four closely related Quercus spp. were significantly differentiated (except Q. petraea with Q. frainetto). Analysis of non‐random association of alleles revealed no clear physical clustering of the SNP sites in significant linkage disequilibrium (LD). However, separate LD analysis for each species showed a lower number of sites in significant LD for Q. robur than for the other species, possibly reflecting the history of the species in this specific geographical site and less efficient recombination effect due to the larger effective population size of Q. robur. Eleven statistically significant associations were found between seven SNPs and morphological traits that are commonly used to differentiate oak species.
Amount of hemorrhage during vaginal delivery correlates with length from placental edge to external os in cases with low‐lying placenta whose length between placental edge and internal os was 1–2 cm
Authors: Nakamura Masamitsu , Hasegawa Junichi , Matsuaka Ryu , Mimura Takashi , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Sekizawa Akihiko , Okai Takashi
Published: May 2012

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether amount of hemorrhage during a vaginal delivery associates with the cervical length, length from the placental edge to the os and the sum of the two in cases with a low‐lying placenta.

Material and Methods:  A retrospective study was performed on cases with low‐lying placenta diagnosed at 35–36 weeks of gestation based on a distance of 1–2 cm from the lower placental edge to the internal os, and subject to the trial of labor. The total amount of intrapartum hemorrhage in association with the distance from the placental lowest edge to the internal os (placenta–internal os distance, A); cervical length, B; and sum of the two (placenta–external os distance; A + B) were reviewed from our medical records.

Results:  Twenty‐three cases of low‐lying placenta that underwent trial of labor were analyzed. Twenty (87%) of 23 patients with low‐lying placenta delivered transvaginally and patients underwent emergency cesarean section due to intrapartum bleeding. The length from the placental edge to the external os (length from placental edge to internal os + cervical length) was correlated significantly with the total amount of hemorrhage during delivery (r = −0.598, P = 0.004), though neither the length from the placental edge to the internal os nor the cervical lengths correlated with it.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the length from the placental lowest edge to the external os negatively correlated with the amount of hemorrhage during vaginal delivery, but did not correlate with cervical length and distance from the placental edge to the internal os.
Deciduosis can cause remarkable leukocytosis and obscure abdominal pain
Authors: Kondoh Eiji , Shimizu Misao , Kakui Kazuyo , Mikami Yoshiki , Tatsumi Keiji , Konishi Ikuo
Published: May 2012

Remarkable leukocytosis with obscure abdominal pain during pregnancy is clinically challenging for obstetricians. A 31‐year‐old pregnant woman developed persistently elevated white blood cell (approximately 30 000/µL) and C‐reactive protein (3.0 mg/dL) with occasional moderate abdominal pain. At 29 gestational weeks, she underwent emergency cesarean section due to suspected abruptio placentae. Hemoperitoneum was observed with extensive hemorrhagic nodules on the peritoneal and omental surfaces. White blood cells rose 87 200/µL, and C‐reactive protein peaked at 44.9 mg/dL after surgery. Pathologically, biopsies showed deciduosis, and decidual cells on the omental surface showed immunohistochemical staining for granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF). Serum G‐CSF concentration was 339 pg/mL at 28 weeks, and that of ascites was 312 000 pg/mL at cesarean section. G‐CSF‐producing deciduosis can induce leukocytosis as well as abdominal pain during pregnancy and postpartum.
Predicting the distribution of the two bark beetlesTomicus destruensandTomicus piniperdain Europe and the Mediterranean region
Authors: Horn Agnès , Kerdelhué Carole , Lieutier François , Rossi Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2012

Various factors such as climate and resource availability influence the geographical distributions of organisms. Species sensitive to small temperature variations are known to experience rapid distribution shifts as a result of current global warming, sometimes leading to new threats to agriculture and forests.Tomicus piniperdaandTomicus destruens(Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) cause economic damage to pines in Europe and around the Mediterranean Basin. However, their respective potential distributions have not yet been studied at a large scale. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of climatic and host factors on the geographical distributions of bothTomicusspecies in Europe and around the Mediterranean Sea, and to establish maps of suitable areas.

Using 114 published localities where the presence or absence of both species was unambiguously recorded, we gathered WorldClim meteorological records to correlate the occurrence of insects with bioclimatic variables and to build potential distribution maps.

The two studiedTomicusspecies presented parapatric distributions and opposite climate demands, withT. destruensoccurring in locations with warmer temperatures, whereasT. piniperdaoccurs under a colder climate. Amongst the investigated climate variables, temperature appeared to be most correlated with both species distributions.

The potential ranges of both species were further restricted by the availability of pine hosts. It appeared that setting new pine plantations in regions whereT. destruensorT. piniperdaare still absent could favour a rapid expansion of their distributions. Our data will be useful when aiming to apply management strategies adapted to each species, and to forecast their potential range expansions/contractions as a result of climate warming.
Facilitating children’s contributions in clinic? Findings from an in‐depth qualitative study with children with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Curtis‐Tyler K.
Published: May 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1303–1310 (2012)

Aims  There is a policy drive for children to contribute more directly in clinic visits. However, this has yet to be routinely achieved in practice and relatively little is known to date about younger children’s views of their illness and care. This in‐depth qualitative study set out to explore the experiences of children 10 years or younger living with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  The sample of 17 children was self‐selecting from a population of 140 children under 11 years receiving treatment for Type 1 diabetes at two outpatient clinics in a large, multicultural city. Fieldwork comprised home visits, discussion groups and observation in outpatient clinics.

Results  Children’s strong experiential understandings of their condition, the impact of their social position on experiences of care and their active role in maintenance of the regimen were at odds with how they were positioned, and how the disease was discussed, in clinic.

Conclusion  Findings have implications for facilitating children’s contributions in clinic, understanding how ideas about children are reproduced in clinical settings and supporting clinicians to engage with the capacities and priorities of children living with long‐term illness.
Confidentiality over fishing effort data threatens science and management progress
Authors: Hinz H , Murray L G , Lambert G I , Hiddink J G , Kaiser M J
Published: May 2012

Understanding the effects of fishing fleets on both target and non‐target species and managing these effects are essential to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) for marine ecosystems. The use of high resolution fishing effort data in environmental studies has allowed significant scientific progress with respect to the environmental impacts of real fishing fleets and provided a more realistic perspective on the wider ecological consequences of fishing disturbance. A new EU council regulation and its interpretation, aimed at protecting the confidentiality rights of individual fishers, are currently hampering scientific access to this high‐resolution effort data and thus are endangering the provision of management advice based on best available knowledge. This study argues that the withholding of this information will seriously undermine the quality and accuracy of scientific output and ultimately damage fishers' livelihoods through poorly advised management. Furthermore, the council regulation runs contrary to the EU's initiative for greater transparency and its commitment to implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management and the preservation of ecosystem services. The interpretation of the new EU council regulation by local administrations can thus only be viewed as a significant step back from these aims. Ultimately, while trying to protect fishers' rights it may work to their disadvantage and that of society.
WikiLeaks, Anarchism and Technologies of Dissent
Authors: Curran Giorel , Gibson Morgan
Published: May 2012

Abstract:  WikiLeaks is a controversial organisation that attracts polarised responses. This is not unexpected given its key objective of exposing the secrets and social control ambitions of the powerful. While its supporters laud its pursuit of an informational commons, its detractors condemn its antisocial character, its megalomania—and its anarchism. It is the latter that particularly interests us here. This paper treats the “charge” of anarchism seriously, however, giving it the analytical attention it warrants. It does this by first identifying those characteristics of the organisation that would render it anarchist, and then to conceptualise what this anarchism means. It highlights two important elements of the WikiLeaks story: the anarchical character of the technologies it utilises to foment its dissent; and the anarchical ethos of the organisation's radical politics. We conclude by also considering the tensions and contradictions in WikiLeaks that temper both its anarchism and its social change objectives.
A review of earnings management in China and its implications
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Chi Jing , Young Martin
Published: May 2012

This paper discusses the motivations behind the earnings management of listed firms in China and provides evidence on earnings management using various accounting measures. The literature shows that earnings management occurs most often before the issue of securities or when a firm is facing the risk of being delisted. While non‐core income was widely used to measure earnings management in China, as it is easily detected, researchers are now focusing on accrual‐based models. We explore the underlying causes of earnings management in China, and conclude that the two main causes are the concentrated ownership structure and the strong political and economic connections between government and the listed companies. We review the impact of corporate governance mechanisms and government supervision on earnings management in China.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIVATE BENEFITS IN FUNDRAISING OF LOCAL CHARITIES*
Authors: Sieg Holger , Zhang Jipeng
Published: May 2012

This article provides an empirical analysis of the role that private benefits play in explaining charitable donations to large cultural and environmental organizations. We develop a multiple discrete choice model with differentiated products. We estimate the model using a unique data set of donor lists for the 10 largest cultural and environmental charitable organizations in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. We find that some private benefits such as invitations to private dinner parties and special events are effective tools for fundraising. Our policy simulations suggests that the composition of private benefits has a potentially large impact on donor behavior.