bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When to increase or reduce sodium loading in the management of fluid volume status during acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Hirotani Shinichi , Masuyama Tohru
Published: December 2014

Sodium restriction has been believed to be indispensible to manage fluid overload during acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, recently, it was reported that a change in aggression of sodium and water restriction did not affect the outcome of ADHF. In contrast, current data suggest that small amount of hypertonic saline solution with high‐dose furosemide produces an improvement in haemodynamic and clinical parameters without any severe adverse effects. In this perspective, first, we are going to describe the effects of sodium loading on neurohormonal activation, body's sodium balance, and renal function in chronic heart failure and the efficacy of loop diuretics in ADHF. Then, we are going to explain the possible mechanisms by which sodium loading enhances the efficacy of loop diuretics and about the clinical conditions during which sodium loading should be avoided.
Comparing the effects of tetrabromobisphenol-A, bisphenol A, and their potential replacement alternatives, TBBPA-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) and bisphenol S, on cell viability and messenger ribonucleic acid expression in chicken embryonic hepatocytes
Authors: Ma Melissa , Crump Doug , Farmahin Reza , Kennedy Sean W.
Published: December 2014

A market for alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) has emerged recently due to the phase out of persistent and inherently toxic BFRs. Several of these replacement compounds have been detected in environmental matrices, including wild birds. A chicken embryonic hepatocyte (CEH) assay was utilized to assess the effects of the BFR, tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), and its replacement alternative, tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether [TBBPA-DBPE]) on cell viability and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression. Bisphenol A (BPA) and 1 of its replacement alternatives, bisphenol S (BPS), were also screened for effects. Both TBBPA and BPA decreased CEH viability with calculated median lethal concentration (LC50) values of 40.6 μM and 61.7 μM, respectively. However, the replacement alternatives, TBBPA-DBPE and BPS, did not affect cell viability (up to 300 μM). Effects on mRNA expression were determined using an Avian ToxChip polymerse chain reaction (PCR) array and a real-time (RT)-PCR assay for the estrogen-responsive genes, apolipoproteinII (ApoII) and vitellogenin (Vtg). A luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess dioxin-like effects. Tetrabromobisphenol-A altered mRNA levels of 4 genes from multiple toxicity pathways and increased luciferase activity in the luciferase reporter gene assay, whereas its alternative, TBBPA-DBPE, only altered 1 gene on the array, Cyp1a4, and increased luciferase activity. At 300 μM, a concentration that decreased cell viability for TBBPA and BPA, the BPA replacement, BPS, altered the greatest number of transcripts, including both ApoII and Vtg. Bisphenol A exposure did not alter any genes on the array but did up-regulate Vtg at 10 μM. Characterization of the potential toxicological and molecular-level effects of these compounds will ideally be useful to chemical regulators tasked with assessing the risk of new and existing chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;9999:1–11. © 2014 SETAC
An adaptive design to investigate the effect of ketoconazole on pharmacokinetics of GSK239512 in healthy male volunteers
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Hilpert Jan , Wu Kai , van Hecke Benjamin , Collins Gary , Patel Aarti , Mohindra Rajat , Davies Matt J. B. , Xu Yanmei , Thompson Paul
Published: December 2014

This open label drug‐drug interaction (DDI) study investigated the effect of a strong CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole on the PK and safety profile of GSK239512. To mitigate the tolerability concerns of high GSK239512 exposures resulting from CYP3A inhibition, a 2‐cohort adaptive design was used to facilitate a stepwise selection of dose levels and subject numbers. In Cohort 1, 6 subjects received a single dose of 20 μg GSK239512 alone and then 10 μg GSK239512 in combination with repeated once daily doses of 400 mg ketoconazole. The results from Cohort 1 demonstrated an approximately 1.5‐fold increase in GSK239512 exposure with a good tolerability profile. This led to the adoption of a 3‐session option in Cohort 2, in which 16 subjects received sequential single doses of 20 μg GSK239512 alone, 40 μg GSK239512 alone, and a single dose of 40 μg GSK239512 in combination with repeated once daily doses of 400 mg ketoconazole. The 2‐cohort adaptive design proved effective in mitigating any potentially significant DDI risk to healthy subjects. Final results showed a 1.3‐fold increase in GSK239512 exposure with ketoconazole, suggesting that in vivo metabolism of GSK239512 by CYP3A is unlikely to be the primary route of GSK239512 elimination.
Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: A review of 66 cases
Authors: Frisch Christopher D. , Carlson Matthew L. , Kahue Charissa N. , Pelosi Stanley , Haynes David S. , Lane John I. , Neff Brian A. , Link Michael J. , Driscoll Colin L. W.
Published: December 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Fibrous dysplasia is a condition of nonmalignant osseous change and may occur in a monostotic or polyostotic pattern, the latter potentially being associated with McCune‐Albright syndrome. Symptoms are highly variable and dependent upon lesion location and size.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Consecutive subjects with fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone were evaluated between 2000 and 2013 at two tertiary academic referral centers. Main outcome measures included disease presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management strategy, and outcome.

Results

Sixty‐six patients with fibrous dysplasia of the skull were found to have involvement of the temporal bone. The mean age at diagnosis was 25 years, 39 (59%) were female, and the mean duration of follow‐up was 48 months. Six (11%) patients had monostotic disease, with the remaining 60 (89%) patients having the polyostotic form; 16 (24%) patients had McCune‐Albright syndrome. The most common presenting complaint was headache (59%), followed by hearing loss (29%). The most common exam finding was cosmetic deformity (50%). Cholesteatoma (3%) and spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula (1.5%) were found in a small percentage. No patients had evidence of motor cranial neuropathy by history or physical examination.

Conclusions

The clinical presentation of fibrous dysplasia involving the temporal bone is variable. A growing number of patients are diagnosed incidentally through imaging, and since most patients experience a benign course, the majority can be followed clinically without need for intervention.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:1438–1443, 2015
Kinetic Study on the Catalytic Effect of Ionic Liquids on the Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Co‐initiated by Imine Bases
Authors: Polenz Ingmar , Tchernook Ivan , Friedrich Joachim , Schmidt Friedrich Georg , Spange Stefan
Published: December 2014

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) co‐initiated by imine bases (IBA) is significantly accelerated by ionic liquids (ILs). IL traces added to an imine base/MMA mixture lead to both a significant decrease of the IBA polymerization activation temperature (as well as the Arrhenius activation energy) and an increase of the polymerization rate. The radical character of the polymerization is proved by copolymerization experiments of MMA with methacrylonitrile and comparison with literature known copolymerization parameters. The polymerization kinetics and temperature dependence of this process in the presence of the IL are quantified by the polymerization rate law, revealing the tremendous impact of the IL on the monomer consumption. The mechanistic interpretations are supported by DFT calculations. The activation of the IBA polymerization is strongly dependent on the IL interaction strengths with the IBA components, as suggested by correlation of kP with the empirically determined Kamlet–Taft parameters α and β of the IL. Complex interaction events are responsible for the acceleration.

image
Variability in pathogenicity prediction programs: impact on clinical diagnostics
Authors: Walters‐Sen Lauren C. , Hashimoto Sayaka , Thrush Devon Lamb , Reshmi Shalini , Gastier‐Foster Julie M. , Astbury Caroline , Pyatt Robert E.
Published: December 2014

Current practice by clinical diagnostic laboratories is to utilize online prediction programs to help determine the significance of novel variants in a given gene sequence. However, these programs vary widely in their methods and ability to correctly predict the pathogenicity of a given sequence change. The performance of 17 publicly available pathogenicity prediction programs was assayed using a dataset consisting of 122 credibly pathogenic and benign variants in genes associated with the RASopathy family of disorders and limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy. Performance metrics were compared between the programs to determine the most accurate program for loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function mechanisms. No one program correctly predicted the pathogenicity of all variants analyzed. A major hindrance to the analysis was the lack of output from a significant portion of the programs. The best performer was MutPred, which had a weighted accuracy of 82.6% in the full dataset. Surprisingly, combining the results of the top three programs did not increase the ability to predict pathogenicity over the top performer alone. As the increasing number of sequence changes in larger datasets will require interpretation, the current study demonstrates that extreme caution must be taken when reporting pathogenicity based on statistical online protein prediction programs in the absence of functional studies.
Alternative Natrium
Authors: Adelhelm Philipp
Published: December 2014

Lithium‐ und Natriumionenbatterien scheinen sich zunächst sehr zu ähneln. In Wirklichkeit verhalten sie sich aber oft unterschiedlich.
Mikrobielle Artenvielfalt unter dem Eis der Antarktis
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: December 2014

Die Oberfläche des kalten Kontinents gilt offiziell als Wüste. Doch in den zahllosen Gewässern, die sich unter dem Eis verbergen, gibt es Ökosysteme, die von der Chemosynthese leben.
Physikochemikerinnen vernetzen
Authors: Bande Annika
Published: December 2014

Bei der Bunsentagung in Hamburg gab es erstmals ein Treffen speziell für Wissenschaftlerinnen.
Surface nitridation for improved dielectric/III‐nitride interfaces in GaN MIS‐HEMTs
Authors: Chen Kevin J. , Yang Shu , Tang Zhikai , Huang Sen , Lu Yunyou , Jiang Qimeng , Liu Shenghou , Liu Cheng , Li Baikui
Published: December 2014

Effective interface engineering techniques in III‐nitride heterojunction power devices, aiming at yielding high VTH stability in insulated‐gate devices and suppressed current collapse in high‐voltage switching operation, are of critical significance to enhance device performance and reliability. In this work, we present an interface enhancement technology featuring in situ low‐damage NH3/Ar/N2 pre‐gate plasma treatment prior to the ALD‐Al2O3 deposition for high‐performance III‐nitride MIS‐HEMTs. It is manifest that this technology can effectively remove the native oxide while forming a monocrystal‐like nitridation interfacial‐layer (NIL) on the III‐nitride surface. The Al2O3(NIL)/GaN/AlGaN/GaN MIS‐heterostructures with high‐quality interface exhibit well‐behaved electrical characteristics, including a small subthreshold swing of ∼64 mV/dec, a small hysteresis of ∼0.09 V, tiny f/T dispersions in the C–V characteristics, and low interface trap density of ∼1 × 1012–6 × 1012 cm−2eV−1.

Cross‐sectional TEM micrograph of the Al2O3/III‐nitride gate stack with a monocrystal‐like nitridation interfacial‐layer (NIL).
(In)formality: the meshwork of water service provisioning
Authors: Schwartz Klaas , Tutusaus Luque Mireia , Rusca Maria , Ahlers Rhodante
Published: December 2014

Cities in developing countries have for many decades been characterized by the co‐existence of different service provision modalities. These modalities usually include a formal water utility and an array of small‐scale private or community‐based service providers. In recent years, the topic of informality in water provisioning has been subject to an upsurge in interest of both policy makers and academics. Frequently, literature on the topic distinguishes between informal providers and formal providers suggesting that a provider belongs to either a formal or informal domain. By highlighting the infrastructure, financing, and regulatory institutions of small‐scale service provisioning in Greater Maputo, Mozambique, this article illustrates how informality and formality are interdependent and permeate throughout the water provisioning process creating a meshwork of service provisioning. Actors involved in service provisioning embody multiple identities and use these identities in various sites of governance in order to develop their water business. By adopting this approach to informality, it becomes impossible to distinguish convincingly between formal and informal providers. Instead, it leads to a focus on water provisioning rather than providers, in which informality and formality traverse through the service provision process. WIREs Water 2015, 2:31–36. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1056

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Water Governance
Transboundary hydro‐politics and climate change rhetoric: an emerging hydro‐security complex in the lake chad basin
Authors: Asah Stanley T.
Published: December 2014

The likelihood of conflict and consequent need for cooperation are soaring with increasing pressures on scarce and often exploited water resources in shared hydrologic units. Questions of equitable water allocation and distributions of social‐ecological costs and benefits—who gets what, how much, and why—are important for fostering cooperation and managing conflict in transboundary water management. Hydropolitics is an analytic tool for understanding how power shapes water claims and uses in transboundary hydrologic units. Through the lens of hydropolitics, I show how various forms of power explain water claims and uses by riparian nations within the Lake Chad Basin (LCB). I explain how rhetoric, including the rhetoric of climate change, mask local human‐driven causes of social‐ecological degradation, thereby misappropriating agency and responsibility for sustainable water management within the LCB. I show that water is a security issue within the basin and closely related to other regional security issues, and argue that the inter‐linkages of security issues, together with the differential evolution of state capabilities, may facilitate the emergence of a hydro‐security complex within the basin. A more nuanced understanding of hydropolitics, including rhetoric and hydrosecurity, is necessary for sustainable transbounadry water management and water use security. WIREs Water 2015, 2:37–45. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1057

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Rights to Water

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Human Water > Water Governance
Advances in synapse formation: forging connections in the worm
Authors: Cherra Salvatore J. , Jin Yishi
Published: December 2014

Synapse formation is the quintessential process by which neurons form specific connections with their targets to enable the development of functional circuits. Over the past few decades, intense research efforts have identified thousands of proteins that localize to the pre‐ and postsynaptic compartments. Genetic dissection has provided important insights into the nexus of the molecular and cellular network, and has greatly advanced our knowledge about how synapses form and function physiologically. Moreover, recent studies have highlighted the complex regulation of synapse formation with the identification of novel mechanisms involving cell interactions from non‐neuronal sources. In this review, we cover the conserved pathways required for synaptogenesis and place specific focus on new themes of synapse modulation arising from studies in Caenorhabditis elegans. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:85–97. doi: 10.1002/wdev.165

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation

Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling

Nervous System Development > Worms
Biocatalytic deracemisation of aliphatic β-hydroxy esters: Improving the enantioselectivity by optimisation of reaction parameters
Authors: Venkataraman Sowmyalakshmi , Chadha Anju
Published: December 2014

Optically pure aliphatic β-hydroxy esters were prepared from their racemates by deracemisation using the biocatalyst Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330. High optical purity (up to >99 %) and good yields (up to 71 %) of the product secondary alcohols were obtained. This study highlights the importance of optimization of reaction conditions using ethyl-3-hydroxybutanoate as the model substrate to improve the enantioselectivity (enantiomeric excess from 9 to 98 %). The present study emphasises the broad substrate scope of the biocatalyst towards deracemisation. This is the first report of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330-mediated deracemisation of various alkyl-3-hydroxybutanoates to produce either the (R)-enantiomers (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, t-butyl, allyl-3-hydroxybutanoates) or (S)-enantiomers (pentyl, iso-amyl and iso-propyl-3-hydroxybutanoates).
Public Health Genetic Counselors: Activities, Skills, and Sources of Learning
Authors: McWalter Kirsty M. , Sdano Mallory R. , Dave Gaurav , Powell Karen P. , Callanan Nancy
Published: December 2014

Specialization within genetic counseling is apparent, with 29 primary specialties listed in the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ 2012 Professional Status Survey (PSS). PSS results show a steady proportion of genetic counselors primarily involved in public health, yet do not identify all those performing public health activities. Little is known about the skills needed to perform activities outside of “traditional” genetic counselor roles and the expertise needed to execute those skills. This study aimed to identify genetic counselors engaging in public health activities, the skills used, and the most influential sources of learning for those skills. Participants (N = 155) reported involvement in several public health categories: (a) Education of Public and/or Health Care Providers (n = 80, 52 %), (b) Population‐Based Screening Programs (n = 70, 45 %), (c) Lobbying/Public Policy (n = 62, 40 %), (d) Public Health Related Research (n = 47, 30 %), and (e) State Chronic Disease Programs (n = 12, 8 %). Regardless of category, “on the job” was the most common primary source of learning. Genetic counseling training program was the most common secondary source of learning. Results indicate that the number of genetic counselors performing public health activities is likely higher than PSS reports, and that those who may not consider themselves “public health genetic counselors” do participate in public health activities. Genetic counselors learn a diverse skill set in their training programs; some skills are directly applicable to public health genetics, while other public health skills require additional training and/or knowledge.
Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer: Panel or Targeted Testing? Experience from a Clinical Cancer Genetics Practice
Authors: Doherty Jennifer , Bonadies Danielle C. , Matloff Ellen T.
Published: December 2014

Approaches to hereditary breast cancer testing are shifting as multi‐gene panels become more widely available. This paper describes our center's experience and outcomes of a 6‐gene panel test as a first‐tier approach in patients who were candidates for BRCA testing. Between July and December 2013, a 6‐gene panel test was ordered for patients meeting criteria for BRCA testing. A retrospective review detailed the mutation and variant of uncertain significance (VUS) rates for the genes analyzed. The mutation rate was 5.2 % (n = 7) and the VUS rate was 6.7 % (n = 9). A subsequent review determined the number of BRCA‐negative patients who would have been offered additional single gene testing had BRCA, only, been their first‐tier test. Applying consensus criteria revealed 7.1 % (n = 9) cases that met criteria for additional testing. Pedigree analysis by a certified genetic counselor revealed 26.8 % (n = 34) cases that would have been offered additional testing based on personal and/or family history. Our results suggest that this panel may be warranted as a first‐tier test for a small subset of patients, but likely represents over testing for the majority of patients who are candidates for BRCA testing. The genes selected for panels, the extra costs per patient and the chance of VUS must be considered before we uniformly switch from BRCA to full panel testing on all patients.
Perceptions of Latinas on the Traditional Prenatal Genetic Counseling Model
Authors: Thompson Stephanie , Noblin Sarah Jane , Lemons Jennifer , Peterson Susan K. , Carreno Carlos , Harbison Andrea
Published: December 2014

The traditional genetic counseling model encompasses an individualized counseling session that includes the presentation of information about genes, chromosomes, personalized risk assessment, and genetic testing and screening options. Counselors are challenged to balance the provision of enough basic genetic information to ensure clients’ understanding of the genetic condition in question with a personalized discussion of what this information means to them. This study explored the perceptions Latinas have about prenatal genetic counseling sessions and aimed to determine if they had preferences about the delivery of care. Data were collected through focus groups and one‐on‐one, semi‐structured interviews of 25 Spanish speaking Latinas who received genetic counseling during their current pregnancy. We implemented grounded theory to evaluate participant responses, and were able to identify common emergent themes. Several themes were identified including an overall satisfaction with their prenatal genetic counseling appointment, desire for a healthy baby, peace of mind following their appointment, lack of desire for invasive testing, and faith in God. Several participants stated a preference for group genetic counseling over the traditional individual genetic counseling model. Our data indicate that Latinas value the information presented at prenatal genetic counseling appointments despite disinterest in pursuing genetic testing or screening and suggest that group prenatal genetic counseling may be an effective alternative to the traditional genetic counseling model in the Latina population.
Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson
Authors: Hutchinson Lucy
Published: December 2014

These Memoirs, first published in 1806, show the determination of Lucy Hutchinson (1620–1681) to justify the stance of her husband Colonel John Hutchinson. In 1649 he had signed the death warrant of Charles I and went on to serve on the Council of State, but, after becoming disillusioned with Cromwell, was arrested and died in prison. Hutchinson turned her journal of the war years into a memoir, portraying her husband as a gentleman who stood by his convictions and whose allegiance to the Puritan cause was noble. The work is a significant document for the social history of the English Civil War period. It shows the author as a highly educated and accomplished woman who wrote poetry and religious works as well as translating Latin at a time when most women remained in the private sphere. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=hutclu
Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol use disorder: a pilot randomised control trial
Authors: Farren C. K. , Milnes J. , Lambe K. , Ahern S.
Published: December 2014

Background

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), generally in individual or group therapy, but not via computer.

Aim

This study examined the effectiveness of an interactive, personalised, computer-based CBT therapy in a randomised control trial.

Methods

We studied a group of 55 patients with AUD, randomised to either 5-hour-long computerised CBT sessions or a placebo cognitive-stimulating session, together with a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation treatment, and followed them for 3 months.

Results

There was a high degree of patient adherence to the protocol. Both groups did well, with a significant fall in alcohol outcome measures including number of drinks per drinking day, and number of drinking days, and an increase in abstinence rates in both groups to an equivalent level. The CBT group attended alcoholics anonymous groups more frequently, and had significant alterations in their alcohol self-efficacy outcomes, which correlated with their drinking outcomes. We concluded that computerised CBT is a potentially useful clinical tool that warrants further investigation in different treatment settings for AUD.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression profile in obese boys who followed a moderate energy-restricted diet: differences between high and low responders at baseline and after the intervention
Authors: Rendo-Urteaga Tara , García-Calzón Sonia , González-Muniesa Pedro , Milagro Fermín I. , Chueca María , Oyarzabal Mirentxu , Azcona-Sanjulián M. Cristina , Martínez J. Alfredo , Marti Amelia
Published: December 2014

The present study analyses the gene expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from obese boys. The aims of the present study were to identify baseline differences between low responders (LR) and high responders (HR) after 10 weeks of a moderate energy-restricted dietary intervention, and to compare the gene expression profile between the baseline and the endpoint of the nutritional intervention. Spanish obese boys (age 10–14 years) were advised to follow a 10-week moderate energy-restricted diet. Participants were classified into two groups based on the association between the response to the nutritional intervention and the changes in BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS): HR group (n 6), who had a more decreased BMI-SDS; LR group (n 6), who either maintained or had an even increased BMI-SDS. The expression of 28 869 genes was analysed in PBMC from both groups at baseline and after the nutritional intervention, using the Affymetrix Human Gene 1.1 ST 24-Array plate microarray. At baseline, the HR group showed a lower expression of inflammation and immune response-related pathways, which suggests that the LR group could have a more developed pro-inflammatory phenotype. Concomitantly, LEPR and SIRPB1 genes were highly expressed in the LR group, indicating a tendency towards an impaired immune response and leptin resistance. Moreover, the moderate energy-restricted diet was able to down-regulate the inflammatory ‘mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway’ in the HR group, as well as some inflammatory genes (AREG and TNFAIP3). The present study confirms that changes in the gene expression profile of PBMC in obese boys may help to understand the weight-loss response. However, further research is required to confirm these findings.
Mired in Reservations: The Path-Dependent History of Electoral Quotas in India
Authors: Jensenius Francesca R.
Published: December 2014

Since independence, India has had electoral quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs, Dalits, “untouchables”). These quotas have been praised for empowering members of a deprived community, but have also been criticized for bringing to power SC politicians who are mere tools in the hands of the upper castes. Tracing the history of these quotas through four critical junctures, I show how a British attempt to strengthen their own control of India eventually resulted in one of the world's most extensive quota systems for minorities. The quota system was in the end a compromise between several political goals, and was not strongly supported by anyone. Also, while the quotas were designed to integrate SC politicians into mainstream politics, there was a subtle and gradual shift in the debate about them, to being about development for the SC community as such. This created a disjuncture between the design of the quota system and the expectation of what it would achieve. The case of quotas in India illustrates how policy choices often result from long path-dependent processes, how policy makers struggle with trade-offs when trying to design institutions, and also the power of expectations in shaping the perceptions of the outcomes of those institutions.
Syndromic surveillance of influenza activity in Sweden: an evaluation of three tools
Authors: MA T. , ENGLUND H. , BJELKMAR P. , WALLENSTEN A. , HULTH A.
Published: December 2014

An evaluation was conducted to determine which syndromic surveillance tools complement traditional surveillance by serving as earlier indicators of influenza activity in Sweden.Web queries, medical hotline statistics, andschool absenteeism datawere evaluated against two traditional surveillance tools. Cross-correlation calculations utilized aggregated weekly data for all-age, nationwide activity for four influenza seasons, from 2009/2010 to 2012/2013. The surveillance tool indicative of earlier influenza activity, by way of statistical and visual evidence, was identified. The web query algorithm and medical hotline statistics performed equally well as each other and to the traditional surveillance tools. School absenteeism data were not reliable resources for influenza surveillance. Overall, the syndromic surveillance tools did not perform with enough consistency in season lead nor in earlier timing of the peak week to be considered as early indicators. They do, however, capture incident cases before they have formally entered the primary healthcare system.
Case-control study of risk factors for human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Shanghai, China, 2013
Authors: LI J. , CHEN J. , YANG G. , ZHENG Y. X. , MAO S. H. , ZHU W. P. , YU X. L. , GAO Y. , PAN Q. C. , YUAN Z. A.
Published: December 2014

The first human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus was reported in Shanghai, China in March 2013. An additional 32 cases of human H7N9 infection were identified in the following months from March to April 2013 in Shanghai. Here we conducted a case-control study of the patients with H7N9 infection (n= 25) using controls matched by age, sex, and residence to determine risk factors for H7N9 infection. Our findings suggest that chronic disease and frequency of visiting a live poultry market (>10 times, or 1–9 times during the 2 weeks before illness onset) were likely to be significantly associated with H7N9 infection, with the odds ratios being 4·07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·32–12·56], 10·61 (95% CI 1·85–60·74), and 3·76 (95% CI 1·31–10·79), respectively. Effective strategies for live poultry market control should be reinforced and ongoing education of the public is warranted to promote behavioural changes that can help to eliminate direct or indirect contact with influenza A(H7N9) virus.
Moral Bioenhancement and the Utilitarian Catastrophe
Authors: AGAR NICHOLAS
Published: December 2014

This article challenges recent calls for moral bioenhancement—the use of biomedical means, including pharmacological and genetic methods, to increase the moral value of our actions or characters. It responds to those who take a practical interest in moral bioenhancement. I argue that moral bioenhancement is unlikely to be a good response to the extinction threats of climate change and weapons of mass destruction. Rather than alleviating those problems, it is likely to aggravate them. We should expect biomedical means to generate piecemeal enhancements of human morality. These predictably strengthen some contributors to moral judgment while leaving others comparatively unaffected. This unbalanced enhancement differs from the manner of improvement that typically results from sustained reflection. It is likely to make its subjects worse rather than better at moral reasoning.
Cognitive Diversity and Moral Enhancement
Authors: GYNGELL CHRIS , EASTEAL SIMON
Published: December 2014

One debate in contemporary bioethics centers on whether the development of cognitive enhancement technologies (CETs) will hasten the need for moral enhancement. In this article we provide a new argument in favor of pursuing these enhancement technologies together. The widespread availability of CETs will likely increase population-level cognitive diversity. Different people will choose to enhance different aspects of their cognition, and some won’t enhance themselves at all. Although this has the potential to be beneficial for society, it could also result in harms as people become more different from one another. Aspects of our moral psychology make it difficult for people to cooperate and coordinate actions with those who are very different from themselves. These moral failings could be targeted by moral enhancement technologies, which may improve cooperation among individuals. Moral enhancement technologies will therefore help society maximize the benefits, and reduce the costs, associated with widespread access to cognitive enhancements.
Moral Enhancement Requires Multiple Virtues
Authors: HUGHES JAMES J.
Published: December 2014

Some of the debates around the concept of moral enhancement have focused on whether the improvement of a single trait, such as empathy or intelligence, would be a good in general, or in all circumstances. All virtue theories, however, both secular and religious, have articulated multiple virtues that temper and inform one another in the development of a mature moral character. The project of moral enhancement requires a reengagement with virtue ethics and contemporary moral psychology to develop an empirically grounded model of the virtues and a fuller model of character development. Each of these virtues may be manipulable with electronic, psychopharmaceutical, and genetic interventions. A set of interdependent virtues is proposed, along with some of the research pointing to ways such virtues could be enhanced.
Narrative Ethics, Authentic Integrity, and an Intrapersonal Medical Encounter in David Foster Wallace’s “Luckily the Account Representative Knew CPR”
Authors: NASH WOODS
Published: December 2014

In Wallace’s short story “Luckily the Account Representative Knew CPR,” a vice president (VP) suffers cardiac arrest. As an account representative (AR) administers CPR, he discovers his own impersonality mirrored back to him by the VP—a disturbing vision of himself that the AR wishes to escape. Because modern moral theories would have the AR respond impersonally to the VP, those theories would only exacerbate his existential predicament. In contrast, by regarding the AR’s act as one that he, in particular, should perform, narrative ethics can discern a resolution for his predicament: because the AR still values his diminished capacities for care and spontaneity, this situation offers him an opportunity to revive those former traits. Doing so would give him greater authentic integrity, or narrative continuity with the most important aspects of his past. Authentic integrity can serve narrative ethics as a helpful starting point for understanding how the life stories of patients, clinicians, and others might appropriately unfold.
Visualizing and Correcting Dynamic Specimen Processes in TEM Using a Direct Detection Device
Authors: Bammes B.E. , Chen D.-H. , Jin L. , Bilhorn R.B.
Published: December 2014

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
State fiscal capacity and state failure
Authors: Thies Cameron G.
Published: December 2014

This paper develops a predatory theory approach to understanding state failure. Predatory theory expects that state revenue extraction is central to the ability of states to engage in any other activities. States that are able to maximize their revenue extraction subject to well-known constraints are therefore likely to avoid state failure. On the other hand, when state failure occurs, it should reduce state revenue extraction. These hypotheses receive mixed support in several two-stage least-squares time-series analyses that control for the endogenous relationship between state fiscal capacity and state failure. While state failure reduces state fiscal capacity, state fiscal capacity does not deter state failure onset or incidence. In the sub-Saharan African subsample, state fiscal capacity does reduce the incidence of state failure despite a reciprocal negative effect.
Formation of HNCO from carbon monoxide and atomic nitrogen in their fundamental states. Investigation of the reaction pathway in conditions relevant to the interstellar medium
Authors: Nourry Sendres , Zins Emilie-Laure , Krim Lahouari
Published: December 2014

Formation of HNCO from carbon monoxide and atomic nitrogen in their fundamental states.
Bio-inspired fabrication of hierarchical Ni–Fe–P coated skin collagen fibers for high-performance microwave absorption
Authors: Wang Xiaoling , Liao Xuepin , Zhang Wenhua , Shi Bi
Published: December 2014

Skin collagen fiber (CF) was employed for the bio-inspired fabrication of high-performance microwave absorption materials. To enhance the microwave absorption properties of CF, the well defined hierarchical 3D fibrous CF structure was covered with a Ni–Fe–P coating.
Ultrafast dynamics of a new class of highly fluorescent boron difluoride dyes
Authors: Wang L. , Tamgho I.-S. , Crandall L. A. , Rack J. J. , Ziegler C. J.
Published: December 2014

The first ultrafast study of the dimeric fluorescent BF2 dye BOPHY is presented.
Exploring the effect of axial ligand substitution (X = Br, NCS, CN) on the photodecomposition and electrochemical activity of [MnX(N–C)(CO)3] complexes
Authors: Agarwal Jay , Stanton III Charles J. , Shaw Travis W. , Vandezande Jonathon E. , Majetich George F. , Bocarsly Andrew B. , Schaefer III Henry F.
Published: December 2014

Four new Mn(i)-NHC compounds are tested for light stability and catalytic efficiency for reducing CO2 to CO.
A porous metal–organic framework containing multiple active Cu2+sites for highly efficient cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction
Authors: Zhu Shu-Lan , Ou Sha , Zhao Min , Shen Hong , Wu Chuan-De
Published: December 2014

A 3D porous metal–organic framework, containing multiple coordination unsaturated CuIIsites, is highly active in the catalytic cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction.
Accumulation and biotransformation of chitosan-modified selenium nanoparticles in exposed radish (Raphanus sativus)
Authors: Palomo-Siguero Maria , López-Heras Maria Isabel , Cámara Carmen , Madrid Yolanda
Published: December 2014

Biotransformation of chitosan-modified SeNPs (CS-SeNPs) in radish plants was investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) on line coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as well as TEM.
Large area CMOS bio-pixel array for compact high sensitive multiplex biosensing
Authors: Sandeau Laure , Vuillaume Cassandre , Contié Sylvain , Grinenval Eva , Belloni Federico , Rigneault Hervé , Owens Roisin M. , Fournet Margaret Brennan
Published: December 2014

Individual CMOS Bio-pixels with triplicate assay for cytokines TNFα, IL8 and IFN. Expansion shows a schematic of light emission confinement.
Dynamic acoustic field activated cell separation (DAFACS)
Authors: Skotis G. D. , Cumming D. R. S. , Roberts J. N. , Riehle M. O. , Bernassau A. L.
Published: December 2014

Advances in diagnostics, cell and stem cell technologies drive the development of application-specific tools for cell and particle separation.
Synthesis and evaluation of a boronate-tagged 1,8-naphthalimide probe for fluoride recognition
Authors: Xu Su-Ying , Sun Xiaolong , Ge Haobo , Arrowsmith Rory L. , Fossey John S. , Pascu Sofia I. , Jiang Yun-Bao , James Tony D.
Published: December 2014

A biocompatible fluoride receptor has been developed where the interaction between the boronic acid ester and amine (NH) results in fluoride ion selectivity and enhanced fluorescence quenching.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of PEG-conjugated ketal-based chitosan micelles as pH-sensitive carriers
Authors: Chen Daquan , Sun Jingfang
Published: December 2014

Novel ketal-based PEGylated chitosan conjugates (PCK) were fabricated as pH-sensitive micelles for curcumin delivery which could be released at tumor pH conditions and show good behavior in vivo.
Effect of glucose tolerance factor (GTF) from high chromium yeast on glucose metabolism in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Liu L. , Cui W. M. , Zhang S. W. , Kong F. H. , Pedersen M. A. , Wen Y. , Lv J. P.
Published: December 2014

Relative expression of IR, IRS-1, IRS-2 and GLUT4 mRNA was determined in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes with different treatments.
Highly fluorescent QD probes labeling hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Baiqi , Chen Hetao , Yang Rui , Wang Fang , Zhou Ping , Zhang Ning
Published: December 2014

The red signals from the cytoplasm of HCC cells reveal that the QD probes can specifically label liver cancer cells.
A push–pull organic semiconductor with efficient intramolecular charge transfer for solution-processed small molecule solar cells
Authors: Kim Yu Jin , Lee Gi Back , Jeon Chan Woo , Kim Yun-Hi , Chung Dae Sung , Park Chan Eon
Published: December 2014

DMF-BP-T-MMN exhibits superior intramolecular charge transfer and excellent solar cell performance with a PCE of 3.40%.
Efficient synthesis of zirconium poly(styrene-phenylvinylphosphonate)phosphate-supported proline as a recyclable catalyst for direct asymmetric aldol reactions in water
Authors: Wu Chuanlong , Long Xiaoqin , Fu Xiangkai , Wang Guangwei , Mirza Zakaria. A.
Published: December 2014

A completely non-chromatographic and highly large-scale adaptable synthesis of zirconium poly(styrene-phenylvinylphosphonate)phosphate-supported l-proline (ZrPS-PVPA-Pr) has been developed in only three steps overall.
One-step template-free electrodeposition of novel poly(indole-7-carboxylic acid) nanowires and their high capacitance properties
Authors: Ma Xiumei , Zhou Weiqiang , Mo Daize , Lu Baoyang , Jiang Fengxing , Xu Jingkun
Published: December 2014

Novel poly(indole-7-carboxylic acid) nanowires shows remarkable specific capacitance (373.2 F g−1) and excellent cycle life (91% retention after 1000 cycles).
A novel three-dimensional gold catalyst prepared by simple pulse electrodeposition and its high electrochemical performance for hydrogen peroxide reduction
Authors: Ye Ke , Zhang Dongming , Wang Xin , Cheng Kui , Cao Dianxue
Published: December 2014

Novel Au nanoparticles, pinecones and nanodendrites supported on C@TiO2 nanoarrays were successfully obtained through a facile chemical vapor deposition coupled with potential pulse electrodeposition of Au.
Modulating the photo-exciting process of photosensitizer to improve in vitro phototoxicity by preparing its self-assembly nanostructures
Authors: Zhou Lin , Ge Xuefeng , Zhou Jiahong , Wei Shaohua , Shen Jian
Published: December 2014

Self-assembled photosensitizer nanostructures preparation by controlling the charge property of drug and ion strength of environment to improve photodynamic activity.
A tertiary amine in two competitive processes: reduction of graphene oxide vs. catalysis of atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Ilčíková M. , Mrlík M. , Špitalský Z. , Mičušík M. , Csomorová K. , Sasinková V. , Kleinová A. , Mosnáček J.
Published: December 2014

Graphene oxide can be reduced by tertiary amine in one step during ATRP to directly obtain conductive hybrids and/or composites.
Multi-stacked PDMS-based triboelectric generators with conductive textile for efficient energy harvesting
Authors: Ko Yeong Hwan , Nagaraju Goli , Yu Jae Su
Published: December 2014

Facile fabrication of multi-stacked triboelectric generators with the PDMS coated CT and bare CT, and enhancement of output performance due to the increased friction area for triboelectric charge generation.
Mechanism, reactivity, and selectivity of the iridium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H borylation of chlorosilanes
Authors: Huang Genping , Kalek Marcin , Liao Rong-Zhen , Himo Fahmi
Published: December 2014

DFT calculations are used to elucidate the reaction mechanism, the role of the chlorosilyl group, and primary vs. secondary and C(sp3)–H vs. C(sp2)–H selectivity of the iridium-catalyzed borylation of chlorosilanes.
Photochemical oxidation on nanorod photocatalysts
Authors: Kalisman Philip , Kauffmann Yaron , Amirav Lilac
Published: December 2014

The combination of photochemical oxidation with colloidal synthesis enables us to re-think the design of photocatalysts with an eye towards overall water splitting.
An in situ-forming zwitterionic hydrogel as vitreous substitute
Authors: Chang Jing , Tao Yong , Wang Bin , Guo Bao-hua , Xu Hong , Jiang Yan-rong , Huang Yanbin
Published: December 2014

An in situ-forming zwitterionic gel as vitreous substitute.
Involvement of neurotrophins and related signaling genes in TiO2 nanoparticle – induced inflammation in the hippocampus of mice
Authors: Su Mingyu , Sheng Lei , Zhao Xiaoyang , Wang Ling , Yu Xiaohong , Hong Jie , Xu Bingqing , Liu Dong , Jiang Hao , Ze Xiao , Zhu Yunting , Long Yi , Zhou Junling , Cui Jingwen , Li Kai , Ze Yuguan , Hong Fashui
Published: December 2014

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been widely used in industry and daily life; their potential neurotoxic effects are of great concern.
Structural and functional consequences of removing the N-terminal domain from the magnesium chelatase ChlH subunit of Thermosynechococcus elongatus
Authors: Adams Nathan B. P. , Marklew Christopher J. , Qian Pu , Brindley Amanda A. , Davison Paul A. , Bullough Per A. , Hunter C. Neil
Published: December 2014

Magnesium chelatase (MgCH) initiates chlorophyll biosynthesis by catalysing the ATP-dependent insertion of Mg2+ into protoporphyrin. This large enzyme complex comprises ChlH, I and D subunits, with I and D involved in ATP hydrolysis, and H the protein that handles the substrate and product. The 148 kDa ChlH subunit has a globular N-terminal domain attached by a narrow linker to a hollow cage-like structure. Following deletion of this ~18 kDa domain from the Thermosynechoccus elongatus ChlH, we used single particle reconstruction to show that the apo- and porphyrin-bound forms of the mutant subunit consist of a hollow globular protein with three connected lobes; superposition of the mutant and native ChlH structures shows that, despite the clear absence of the N-terminal ‘head’ region, the rest of the protein appears to be correctly folded. Analyses of dissociation constants shows that the ΔN159ChlH mutant retains the ability to bind protoporphyrin and the Gun4 enhancer protein, although the addition of I and D subunits yields an extremely impaired active enzyme complex. Addition of the Gun4 enhancer protein, which stimulates MgCH activity significantly especially at low Mg2+ concentrations, partially reactivates the ΔN159ChlH–I–D mutant enzyme complex, suggesting that the binding site or sites for Gun4 on H do not wholly depend on the N-terminal domain.
Critical field for dynamic transitions in two-dimensional electron crystals under liquid helium
Authors: Syvokon V. E. , Nasyedkin K. A. , Sharapova I. V.
Published: December 2014

Dynamic transitions in two-dimensional Wigner crystals over a liquid helium surface are studied under conditions of incomplete screening of the holding potential. The critical electric field that produces a transition is found to depend on the surface density of the electron layer and not on the holding field. It is assumed that the dynamic transition is associated primarily with the destruction of the spatial order of the system, which leads to delocalization of electrons and, thereby, to a change in the electro-ripplon interaction.