bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of air pollution on daily morbidity in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Khwaja Haider A. , Fatmi Zafar , Malashock Daniel , Aminov Zafar , Kazi Ambreen , Siddique Azhar , Qureshi JahanZeb , Carpenter David O.
Published: May 2013

Levels of daily particulates (PM2.5) were monitored at two sites in Karachi, Pakistan. One site (Korangi) is an industrial and residential neighborhood, while the other (Tibet Center) is a commercial and residential area near a major highway. Monitoring was done daily for a period of six weeks during spring, summer, fall and winter. Particulate levels were extraordinarily high, with the great majority of days falling into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or “very unhealthy” categories. The mean PM2.5 levels in Karachi exceeded the WHO's 24 h air quality guideline almost every day and often by a factor of greater than 5-fold. Daily emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases were obtained by review of medical records at three major tertiary and specialized hospitals. ER and hospitalizations were reported relative to days in which the concentration of PM2.5 was less than 50 μg/m3, and by 50 μg/m3 increments up to 300 μg/m3. There were statistically significant elevations in rates of hospital admissions at each of the PM2.5 categories at the Korangi site, and at concentrations >150 μg/m3 at the Tibet Center site. ER visits were significantly elevated only at PM2.5 concentrations of between 151 and 200 μg/m3 at both sites. These results show that the extremely elevated concentrations of PM2.5 in Karachi, Pakistan are, as expected, associated with significantly elevated rates of hospital admission, and to a lesser extent, ER visits for cardiovascular disease.
¿Qué es el Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras?
Authors: Pineda de Carías María Cristina
Published: May 2013

En los momentos que la Comisión de Transición está estudiando el Modelo de Estructura que la UNAH debe tener para ubicar a cada unidad académica o administrativa en el sitio que le corresponde conforme a la nueva Ley Orgánica, y en momentos también cuando nosotros mismos al interior del OACS/UNAH tratamos de participar en procesos que hagan de la reforma universitaria un proceso permanente, es que voy a responder a la pregunta, ¿qué es el Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (OACS/UNAH)?DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.1077 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 128-144
Ciencias Espaciales, campo emergente en Honduras
Authors: Pineda de Carías María Cristina
Published: May 2013

En este artículo se presentan los principales hechos, argumentos y procedimientos que dieron lugar a la creación de la Facultad de Ciencias Espaciales de la UNAH. Como una consecuencia de que en el Acuerdo de aprobación de la nueva estructura académica universitaria no se hizo referencia explícita a la ubicación del Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa, surgió la necesidad de recurrir al Consejo Universitario para que no sólo le diera ubicación y reconocimiento a esta unidad universitaria, sino el espacio académico institucional para que sus profesores y estudiantes pudieran continuar trabajando en un campo científico emergente. Para poner en contexto los hechos, se explica qué son las Ciencias Espaciales y cuáles los esfuerzos de la comunidad científica internacional liderados por la Oficina de Asuntos del Espacio Ultraterrestre de las Naciones Unidas, en procura del desarrollo de las ciencias espaciales sobre todo para beneficio de los países en desarrollo. Se presentan logros importantes alcanzados por el Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa en Astronomía y Astrofísica, Ciencia y Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica, y Arqueoastronomía, campos todos éstos en los que sus profesores y estudiantes han tenido un reconocimiento nacional e internacional. Se citan los artículos de las nuevas leyes y reglamentos universitarios directamente relacionados con la creación y funcionamiento de una facultad o un centro universitario. Derivado de ello se incluye el procedimiento correspondiente, particularizando en el que dio lugar a la creación de la Facultad de Ciencias Espaciales. Entre las conclusiones se destacan, la flexibilidad de las nuevas leyes universitarias y el espacio que el Consejo Universitario como máximo organismo de gobierno universitario brinda al desarrollo académico institucional; los retos que profesores y estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Espaciales tienen para sacar adelante esta nueva unidad.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.1078 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 145-181
Mensaje al Futuro
Authors: Pineda de Carías Maria Cristina
Published: May 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.614 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 7-9
Una década de Astronomía Centroamericana en Honduras
Authors: Pineda de Carías Maria Cristina
Published: May 2013

Hacer una descripción de lo que se ha hecho por la Astronomía Centroamericana en Honduras en la última década del siglo XX, no es una tarea fácil. Sin embargo, reconociendo el valor de mostrarles a la actual y a las futuras generaciones todo este trabajo, se ha preparado el presente documento. En él se describen aquellas actividades que, año por año, desde 1991 hasta el 2000, han constituido los pilares fundamentales para el establecimiento de la Astronomía y la Astrofísica como campos académicos dentro de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras y por tanto, a nivel de Honduras, como país.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.616 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 17-65
El Programa Centroamericano de Maestría en Astronomía y Astrofísica
Authors: Pineda de Carías María Cristina
Published: May 2013

El Programa de Maestría en Astronomía y Astrofísica para Centro América surgió como parte del proyecto de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras para contribuir al establecimiento de la Astronomía y la Astrofísica como un campo académico dentro de la región. En 1997, el mismo año que el Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa (OACS) fue oficialmente inaugurado (dentro del marco del VII Taller de las Naciones Unidas y la Agencia Europea Espacial sobre Ciencia Espacial Básica), un programa de Astronomía y Astrofísica a nivel de postgrado fue aprobado. En 1998 el programa fue formalmente abierto para estudiantes centroamericanos graduados en física, matemáticas o ingeniería. En el año 2000, se espera que el primer grupo de estudiantes finalice las asignaturas. En este documento presentamos las principales características del Programa de Maestría: el syllabus, los recursos, la organización. Una discusión de los resultados alcanzados y de las tendencias futuras es también incluida, junto con algunas recomendaciones acerca de cómo la comunidad internacional puede contribuir al engrandecimiento de este tipo de esfuerzos, y cómo este modelo puede ser útil para países en desarrollo.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.617 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 66-80
El Observatorio Astronómico de Honduras: Un Proyecto de Cooperación Internacional
Authors: Pineda de Carías María Cristina
Published: May 2013

Se describe la historia, la situación actual y los logros en Astronomía y Astrofísica como campos académicos de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. La primera actividad fue el Proyecto “Un Observatorio Astronómico para Centro América: una manera realista de fortalecer la ciencia espacial básica en países en desarrollo”, porque es el marco para incorporar todo el trabajo inicial para el desarrollo de las diferentes actividades académicas, sobre la base del cual el Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa fue sacado adelante como un proyecto de permanente cooperación internacional. La docencia, investigación y actividades de extensión asociada se describen para ilustrar el modelo bien organizado de esta unidad académica con reconocimiento internacional. Finalmente se comenta sobre el alcance regional e internacional de este Proyecto de Astronomía Centroamericana en Honduras.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.618 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 81-91
Sobre el ingreso de Honduras a la Unión Astronómica Internacional (IAU)
Authors: Pineda de Carías María Cristina
Published: May 2013

En agosto de 2009, Honduras fue aceptada como país Miembro Nacional de la Unión Astronómica Internacional (IAU, por sus siglas en inglés). Este fue un importante acontecimiento para la comunidad astronómica nacional, organizada en el Comité Hondureño de Astronomía (CHA) y Miembro de la Asamblea de Astrónomos de América Central. Aquí se describe brevemente lo que es la IAU, y se incluyen varios documentos de gran significado en la historia de la Astronomía Hondureña. Se incluye desde la Solicitud de Adherencia a la IAU, hasta la carta mediante la cual la IAU comunicó oficialmente la aceptación de Honduras como Miembro Nacional, con interim status, y al Observatorio Astronómico Centroamericano de Suyapa de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras como la Organización Adherente.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ce.v2i1.620 Ciencias Espaciales 2(1) 2009 108-127
A construção da universidade baiana: origens, missões e afrodescendência
Authors: Boaventura Edivaldo M.
Published: May 2013

A obra traz como questão central mostrar a formação do sistema estadual de educação superior na Bahia. O tema, que articula contextos local, regional e nacional, está estruturado em três blocos. O primeiro trata do surgimento das faculdades e universidades, destacando a origem do sistema estadual de educação na Bahia, entre 1968-1991. No segundo bloco, o livro aborda as experiências no exterior como título que agrupa as oportunidades de qualificação e intercâmbio, ressaltando experiências de cooperação com o Canadá, França, Estados Unidos e Portugal. No seu último bloco o Professor Boaventura faz uma análise sobre a Educação dos afrodescendentes, resgatando um tema vital da sociedade contemporânea, motivado pela necessidade de educação de largo contingente afro-baiano.
Educação inclusiva: o professor mediando para a vida
Authors: T. Sampaio Cristiane , Maria R. Sampaio Sônia
Published: May 2013

O livro traz texto de apresentação, onde se explicita como a temática se tornou objeto de estudo e trabalho destas duas profissionais, seguido de uma introdução em que se discutem educação, exclusão social, direitos humanos, a realidade das pessoas com deficiência e o papel da escola neste cenário. Um capítulo de Contextualização conceitua as ideias de deficiência, inclusão versus integração, educação inclusiva e formação do professor. Depois, o capítulo Refletindo sobre a educação inclusiva apresenta a psicologia histórico-cultural de Vygotsky e as contribuições da psicanálise. Análise da inclusão na prática faz um delineamento da pesquisa e discute qualificação e problematização da inclusão no cotidiano escolar, a atuação e a formação do professor, os paradoxos e sentimentos despertados pela convivência.
Dietário (1582-1815) do Mosteiro de São Bento da Bahia: edição diplomática
Authors: Lose Alicia Duhá , Paixão Dom Gregório , Oliveira Anna Paula Sandes de , Sanches Gérsica Alves , Telles Célia Marques
Published: May 2013

O livro apresenta os resultados finais obtidos pelo projeto intitulado "Dietário (1582-1815) do Mosteiro de São Bento da Bahia: edição diplomática", a pesquisa em nível de pós-doutoramento é vinculada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras e Lingüística da Universidade Federal da Bahia. O trabalho apoiou-se sobre o documento manuscrito Dietario das vidas e mortes dos Monges, que faleceram neste Mosteiro de S. Sebastião da Bahia da Ordem do Príncipe dos Patriarchas S. Bento e procurou relatar a vida e morte de cada um dos monges que viveram e morreram nesta instituição religiosa. A narrativa vai de 1582, um ano após a fundação da instituição religiosa, e encerra em 1815. O Mosteiro bahiano é fruto da milenar história beneditina e sua grande tradição bibliográfica, possuindo, em seus arquivos grandes raridades e manuscritos do Brasil.
Block Randomization
Authors: McEntegart Damian
Published: May 2013

Simple unconstrained randomization is the yardstick for randomization techniques in clinical trials as it is completely unpredictable and provides an unambiguous basis for inference from statistical analysis. But simple randomization is rarely used because of the need to protect the trial from imbalance in the overall numbers allocated to treatment and from temporal bias in the allocations. For these reasons the randomization procedure is often restricted by some form of blocking, the most common being random permuted blocks. The methodology, issues and practical considerations relating to the use of blocked randomization are described. Particular attention is paid to the issue of potential selection bias, which may arise from the predictability of tail allocations towards the end of any block of treatment allocations if the past allocations in the block are known or can be guessed. The merits of using unequally sized blocks to avoid selection bias are discussed in detail. Inference following blocked randomization is also discussed. Alternative forms of blocking are described; these include lists generated from the maximal procedure, the use of rows from Hadamard matrices, Zelen's balanced blocks procedure and mixed randomization. Practical considerations relating to the use of blocked randomization are described including software used to generate random blocks. Also covered are considerations relating to the use of electronic systems to automatically perform allocation from a pre‐defined randomization list; the use of such systems is becoming increasingly common with the advent of telephone interactive voice response (IVR) and web based randomization systems.
Coronary Drug Project
Authors: Canner Paul L.
Published: May 2013

The Coronary Drug Project, which was conducted during 1966 to 1974, was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of five lipid‐modifying agents—estrogens at two dosage levels, dextrothyroxine, clofibrate, and niacin—in 8341 men with previous myocardial infarction. The primary efficacy outcome was all‐cause mortality for the entire follow‐up period. The first three named regimens were terminated early because of adverse effects. Only niacin significantly reduced the risk of (1) cardiovascular events during a mean follow‐up of 6.2 years and (2) all‐cause mortality during 6.2 years with study treatment plus an additional 9 years of post‐trial follow‐up. Analyses of treatment–placebo differences with respect to all‐cause mortality, subdivided by level of adherence to the study prescription and by amount of change in serum cholesterol level, could not be properly interpreted because reasons for good/poor adherence and for cholesterol changes in the placebo group were not well defined.
Dose Ranging Crossover Designs
Authors: Patterson Scott D. , Jones Byron , Zariffa Névine
Published: May 2013

Dose ranging trials are used frequently in drug development to learn about dose response for both desirable and undesirable effects and to provide sponsors with confidence that investment in confirmatory trials for market access is likely to be successful. The design of crossover studies and analysis of data that develops from such crossover trials are discussed.
Futility Analysis
Authors: Freidlin Boris
Published: May 2013

Most randomized clinical trials are designed to demonstrate benefit of experimental versus standard treatment. For ethical and economic reasons, it is important to stop a trial early for “futility” if there is no longer a reasonable chance that the experimental arm can be shown to be definitively better than the standard arm. Futility monitoring has become a widely accepted component of clinical trial methodology. We provide a review of commonly used futility procedures and discuss practical aspects of their implementation.
Gene Therapy
Authors: Ginn Samantha L , Alexander Ian E
Published: May 2013

Conducting a clinical trial poses a unique set of challenges that must be addressed to ensure the safety of human subjects. In this article, we discuss issues that relate in particular to gene therapy clinical trials. These issues include the choice of gene delivery system, the need for extensive preclinical testing to ensure the feasibility and safety of the approach, and careful monitoring of subjects for short‐ and long‐term toxicity associated with the gene transfer protocol.
Kaplan–Meier Plot
Authors: Holländer Norbert
Published: May 2013

The Kaplan–Meier plot or Kaplan–Meier curve is the standard method to describe and compare graphically the overall survival of groups of patients. This method is applied to survival time, which is defined as time from treatment start or date of randomization to death or last date of follow up, and, more general, to any type of time‐to‐event data, such as time‐to‐disease progression, time‐to‐detoriation, or time‐to‐first toxicity. Sometimes, the time‐to‐event is also called failure time. In the sequel, the term “survival time” is used as a synonym for any time‐to‐event.
Longitudinal Data
Authors: Li Hung‐Ir
Published: May 2013

Longitudinal data have been the focus in various research such as economy, social science, public health, and biomedical research in the past few decades. These data comprise outcome measures or responses prospectively collected or naturally accrued repeatedly from the same subjects across multiple time points along with subject characteristic measures. In some observational studies in epidemiology/public heath, the data accrued over a long period of time as recorded in medical charts and are retrospectively retrieved. The data are used to answer questions regarding the change or progression of the disease over time and/or potential risk factors for the disease. Although in other studies, the existing data could be used to identify subgroups with different background characteristics or traits. The identified groups are then followed up for their health conditions for a certain period of time prospectively. The data from these groups are then compared with answer questions set out for the studies. In the clinical research and development settings, most of the longitudinal data are collected via prospectively designed clinical trials in order to assess the changes in efficacy and/or safety of certain medical intervention, drug, biologics, or devices. The longitudinal data from clinical trials in phase III of product development are intended to confirm that the clinical benefit or desired changes over time are primarily due to the target product, can be maintained for an adequate amount of time, and are applicable to a well‐defined population before regulatory approval is granted and the product is registered for public use. This article provides a summary of the definitions, features, and various types of longitudinal data resulting from clinical trials in phase III medicinal product development. The respective characteristics and the related issues along with the rules of thumb in the selection of the statistical methods for the analyses will also be provided.
Non‐Inferiority Trial
Authors: Hung H. M. James , Wang Sue‐Jane , O'Neill Robert
Published: May 2013

Noninferiority trials employ a selected active‐control treatment, the effect of which has been established in historical placebo‐controlled trials. The active control serves as a comparator for evaluating the effect of an experimental treatment. A placebo arm may be either present in or absent from the noninferiority trial, depending on whether use of the placebo arm is feasible. In contrast with showing superiority, it is much more challenging to design a “show noninferiority” trial. The notion of noninferiority is extremely difficult to define, and a threshold termed “noninferiority margin” must be determined to define the noninferiority hypothesis for testing. The margin determination depends on many key factors: the objective of the noninferiority trial, critical assumptions pertaining to the ability of a trial to distinguish between an effective and an ineffective treatments, and the applicability of the historical estimate of the active control's effect to the noninferiority trial when the placebo cannot be used, and so forth. This article is intended to pinpoint the factors critically needing consideration for the viability of using a noninferiority trial to evaluate the effect of an experimental treatment.
Placebos
Authors: Holbrook Anne , Goldsmith Charles H. , Leung Mova
Published: May 2013

Placebos have a long and controversial history in clinical research and in practice. In this chapter, we review the meaning, the pharmacology, effectiveness, safety, influences on, and ethical issues involving placebos. Various international guidelines for the use of placebos in research are available and evolving. We then suggest novel factorial designs to allow a full assessment of efficacy and safety of a new therapy while minimizing patient exposure to placebo alone.
Treatment Interruption
Authors: Grund Birgit
Published: May 2013

Interruption of active drug treatment in clinical trials can be classified broadly as therapeutic treatment interruption (TI), in which the potential therapeutic benefit of supervised interruption of treatment is investigated, and analytic TI, in which participants are randomized to stopping versus continuing active treatment; the TI arm serves as control group. Design issues for therapeutic TI trials are discussed in the example of a trial in HIV/AIDS.

Analytic TIs are used in therapeutic HIV vaccine trials, in randomized discontinuation designs, and in other situations. The use of a randomized discontinuation design for a Phase II drug trial in cancer is discussed.
Students: Design a T‐Shirt or Submit a Video to Win 2013 Fall Meeting Registration
Authors: Noreika J. Matt
Published: May 2013

For the second consecutive year, AGU is holding its annual Student T‐Shirt Design and Student Video competitions. The two contests, running simultaneously, offer AGU student members a chance to express their creative side. The winners will receive free registration for the 2013 Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
Tracing nitrate in watersheds
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: May 2013

Plants need nitrogen to grow, and nitrate is a common fertilizer ingredient, but high levels of nitrate contamination in drinking water sources can cause health problems. It is generally known that nitrogen flows through watersheds from upslope areas down to streams, but the relationships between upslope soil solution or groundwater nitrate concentrations and stream water nitrate levels—and the ways in which land use changes may alter this relationship—are not fully understood.
Italian all‐sky imager tracks auroral red arcs over Europe
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: May 2013

During geomagnetic storms, stable auroral red (SAR) arcs reach down from polar latitudes, their faint glow stretching equatorward of the traditional auroral oval. Invisible to the naked eye, SAR arcs are an upper atmospheric occurrence produced by the emission of light from oxygen atoms in the thermosphere. The excitation of the ionospheric oxygen that produces SAR arcs is caused, in turn, by the conduction of heat from the magnetospheric ring current. Advances in camera optics, including more sensitive sensors and highly specific filters, have allowed researchers to track the occurrence of SAR arcs, opening a window into the dynamics of the inner magnetosphere.
Evolution of the Qin Mountains as part of the supercontinent Rodinia
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: May 2013

The Qinling‐Dabie orogenic complex, part of a large east‐west mountain range in the heart of China, plays a key role in helping scientists understand the formation and breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia, but the exact configuration and geodynamic history of the Qinling‐Dabie orogenic complex and the surrounding region are not fully known. Contributing a piece to the puzzle, Bader et al. use uranium‐thorium‐lead geochronology—both from published studies and new data—to investigate the Neoproterozoic (1 billion years ago to 700 million years ago) evolution of the Qinling‐Dabie orogenic collage. The authors outline a tectonic model for evolution of this orogen, placing it into the context of the evolution of Rodinia, which formed around 1 billion years ago and broke up around 700 million years ago. Their synthesis could help researchers gain a more complete understanding of the geologic history of one of Earth's supercontinents. (Tectonics, doi:10.1002/tect.20024, 2013)
Rotifera
Authors: Wallace Robert Lee , Smith Hilary April
Published: May 2013

Rotifera is a moderately sized phylum of minute, bilaterally symmetrical, unsegmented animals that live predominantly in freshwaters. The phylum name (Latin,
rota
, wheel;
ferre
, to bear), first used by Cuvier in 1798, refers to the anterior end that in many species resembles a rotating wheel due to the sequential beat of its cilia. Rotifers have been found on every continent, occupying a diverse array of habitats, including marine, brackish and freshwaters, as well as the film of water that coats terrestrial mosses and particles in damp soils. In lakes rotifers often achieve high population densities (>1000 individuals per litre); thus, as consumers of bacteria, algae and protists they are ecologically important in transferring energy to higher trophic levels. As rotifers are a good food for young fishes, they are grown in mass quantities in commercial aquaculture. They also serve as models for research on ageing, and as bioindicators for ecotoxicology.

Key Concepts:

Rotifers have been found in the inland waters (both fresh and saline) of every continent, in the moisture covering some plants such as mosses, and in damp soil. Although generally not as abundant as in continental waters, rotifers often flourish in nearshore marine waters and estuaries.

Many rotifers are capable of undergoing dormancy, either as adults or embryos, allowing them to disperse in space or time and often avoid harsh conditions.

Feeding mainly on other microscopic organisms, including bacteria, algae and protists, rotifers are important basal consumers in aquatic systems.

In certain lakes, rotifers play an important role connecting the microbial loop to the classic food web, whereby the dissolved organic carbon is taken up by the bacteria that are consumed by rotifers, which in turn are consumed by higher trophic levels. In this way, a portion of the energy in dissolved organic matter is returned to the food web.

As they are the first food for larval organisms, rotifers have been exploited by aquaculturists to maintain commercially important fishes, shrimps and crabs.

As they are comparatively inexpensive and easy to culture and possess relatively short life spans, rotifers are used in ageing studies and to assess the toxicity of compounds such as heavy metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

Some species of rotifers have specific ecological requirements making them useful as indicators of water quality.

The phylogenetic position of rotifers has not yet been resolved, but they appear to be related to a group of small, jawed metazoans (Gnathifera). Acanthocephala, an entirely parasitic phylum, are now considered to be highly aberrant rotifers.

Over the years rotifers have entered the collective culture ethos as subjects of poetry, science fiction and children's literature, artists' workings in glass and mixed media and pop music.
Entoprocta
Authors: Nielsen Claus
Published: May 2013

The Entoprocta are a small phylum of minute, solitary or colonial, sessile, aquatic animals. Approximately 200 species have been described worldwide, with only 1 species occurring in freshwater. The colonial species encrust stones, shells and algae. The solitary species are almost always less than one millimetre long; the individuals in the colonial species may reach several millimetres. Each individual consists of a globular body with a crown of tentacles around a concave, ventral area and a cylindrical stalk. The ciliated tentacles create a water current between the tentacles and away from the mouth. Food particles are captured from this current by compound cilia on the lateral sides of the tentacles. The solitary species are mostly associated with water‐current‐producing hosts, such as polychaetes, sponges and bryozoans; these species are not conspicuous and most of the reported distributions reflect specialists’ searches. Development is indirect with more or less typical trochophora larvae.

Key Concepts:

Entoprocts are small solitary or colonial aquatic organisms.

The colonial species grow on stones, shells or algae, whereas most of the solitary species are associated with other marine invertebrates, especially polychaetes and sponges.

Entoprocts are filter feeders that capture plankton particles with compound cilia on a horseshoe of tentacles.

Sexual reproduction is through spiral cleavage and trochophora larvae, which either settle and go through a metamorphosis or develop buds which detach from the larval body.

Asexual reproduction is through budding from the frontal side of the body in the solitary species and through budding from stolons or a basal plate in the colonial species.
Yeast (
YAC
) and Human (
HAC
) Artificial Chromosome Clones
Authors: Nagaraja Ramaiah , Kouprina Natalay , Larionov Vladimir , Schlessinger David
Published: May 2013

Artificial chromosome vector systems in yeast and bacteria have facilitated the increasingly rapid pace of mapping and sequencing of complex genomes. Traditional bacterial cloning systems have remained important for the study of relatively short clones, but for the cloning of very large
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
segments yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) have completely replaced earlier bacterial systems, including lambda phage‐based cosmids. YACs comprise cloned DNA fragments ranging from 50 kb to more than 1 million base pairs, along with sequences that render them capable of growth in yeast or bacteria. YACs provide the additional advantage of permitting direct isolation of a targeted genomic region as a circular molecule from complex genomes by transformation‐associated recombination. Moreover, YAC cloning has allowed the propagation of large tandem repeat arrays and entire bacterial genomes. By taking advantage of the efficient yeast recombination system, YAC clones can be further modified and used for functional studies of full‐length genes and for the study of huge centromeric DNA repeat regions that are not yet analysed or included in the genome assemblies of human and other organisms.

Key Concepts:

Basic structure of vectors used in the construction of artificial chromosomes that can replicate in yeast, bacteria and human cells.

Utilities of artificial chromosomes.

Isolation of complete genes and large DNA segments, including repetitive chromosomal regions.

Targeted recombination‐based cloning of genes and highly repetitive regions.

Reconstruction of large DNA regions by recombination among multiple YAC clones.
Chlorophyll‐Binding Proteins
Authors: Lokstein Heiko , Grimm Bernhard
Published: May 2013

Chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls are the dominant pigments on Earth and serve – noncovalently bound to specific proteins – as principal light‐harvesting as well as energy‐transforming cofactors in photosynthetic organisms. The major groups of (bacterio)chlorophyll‐binding proteins are the photosynthetic reaction centres (RCs) and the associated light‐harvesting (antenna) complexes. Other proteins include water‐soluble chlorophyll‐binding proteins as well the chlorophyll biosynthetic and degrading enzymes. Although all RCs show structural homologies and appear to have evolved from a common ancestor, light‐harvesting antenna designs vary considerably. The enormous progress that has been achieved in the elucidation of structures and functions of chlorophyll‐binding proteins is reviewed. It has become increasingly clear that light‐harvesting complexes do not only serve to enlarge the absorption cross‐sections of the RCs but are important in the adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus and regulation of the energy‐transforming processes in response to environmental and endogenous conditions.

Key Concepts:

Chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls serve – noncovalently bound to specific proteins – as principal energy‐transforming cofactors in photosynthesis.

Light‐harvesting antenna complexes ensure optimised light harvesting and transfer of excitation energy to the reaction centres of the photosystems.

Reaction centre proteins remained fairly conserved during evolution, whereas photosynthetic organisms developed many distinct forms of light‐harvesting complexes.

Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved to two different photosystems that have most likely emerged from a common ancestor.

The antenna system of plants and algae can ‘switch’ from effective light harvesting to photoprotective excess excitation dissipation to prevent photo‐oxidative damage.
Epigenetics of Obesity and Diabetes
Authors: Sheen Jean‐Ju , Heo Hye J , Einstein Francine H
Published: May 2013

The unprecedented rise in the number of people who are obese and/or diabetic poses increasing demands on healthcare worldwide. Current research is turning towards factors other than genotype that may predispose people to such diseases. The sum total of lifetime environmental exposures, the exposome, combines with
deoxyribonucleic acid
sequences to influence phenotypic expression. The epigenome, or the chemical processes that alter gene expression without changing the underlying genetic sequence, is at the interface of the genome and exposome. Early epigenetic influences may cause a predisposition for adult diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Limited human studies, complemented by animal studies, have demonstrated that

in utero

‘programming’ may alter adult metabolic profiles. New technologies, such as layered omics, may provide tools that will allow predictions for disease susceptibility, and may be crucial for the early prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Key Concepts:

The exposome complements the genome in its influence of phenotypic expression.

The epigenome is at the interface of the genome and the exposome.

The hypothesis of the fetal origins of adult disease may describe early epigenetic influences for adult diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Animal studies have demonstrated that
in utero
‘programming’ may alter adult metabolic profiles.

Layered omic technologies may be the tool that will allow predictions for disease susceptibility, which will be crucial to early prevention/treatment for disease epidemics such as diabetes and obesity.
Sodium Storage and Transport Properties in Layered Na2Ti3O7 for Room‐Temperature Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Pan Huilin , Lu Xia , Yu Xiqian , Hu Yong‐Sheng , Li Hong , Yang Xiao‐Qing , Chen Liquan
Published: May 2013

Layered sodium titanium oxide, Na2Ti3O7, is synthesized by a solid‐state reaction method as a potential anode for sodium‐ion batteries. Through optimization of the electrolyte and binder, the microsized Na2Ti3O7 electrode delivers a reversible capacity of 188 mA h g−1 in 1 M NaFSI/PC electrolyte at a current rate of 0.1C in a voltage range of 0.0–3.0 V, with sodium alginate as binder. The average Na storage voltage plateau is found at ca. 0.3 V vs. Na+/Na, in good agreement with a first‐principles prediction of 0.35 V. The Na storage properties in Na2Ti3O7 are investigated from thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. By reducing particle size, the nanosized Na2Ti3O7 exhibits much higher capacity, but still with unsatisfied cyclic properties. The solid‐state interphase layer on Na2Ti3O7 electrode is analyzed. A zero‐current overpotential related to thermodynamic factors is observed for both nano‐ and microsized Na2Ti3O7. The electronic structure, Na+ ion transport and conductivity are investigated by the combination of first‐principles calculation and electrochemical characterizations. On the basis of the vacancy‐hopping mechanism, a quasi‐3D energy favorable trajectory is proposed for Na2Ti3O7. The Na+ ions diffuse between the TiO6 octahedron layers with pretty low activation energy of 0.186 eV.
The synthesis, structural characterization and biological evaluation of N‐(ferrocenylmethyl amino acid) fluorinated benzene‐carboxamide derivatives as potential anticancer agents
Authors: Butler William E. , Kelly Paula N. , Harry Andy G. , Tiedt Rachel , White Blanaid , Devery Rosaleen , Kenny Peter T. M.
Published: May 2013

A series of N‐(ferrocenylmethyl amino acid) fluorinated benzene‐carboxamide derivatives 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i and 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i have been synthesized by coupling ferrocenylmethyl amine 3 with various substituted N‐(fluorobenzoyl) amino acid derivatives using the standard N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole protocol. The amino acids employed in this study were glycine and L‐alanine. All of the compounds were fully characterized using a combination of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT)‐135, 1H–1H correlation spectroscopy (COSY) and 1H–13C COSY (heteronuclear multiple‐quantum correlation) spectroscopy. The compounds were biologically evaluated on the oestrogen‐positive MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. Compounds 4g, 4i, 5h and 5i exhibited cytotoxic effects on the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. N‐(Ferrocenylmethyl‐L‐alanine)‐3,4,5‐trifluorobenzene‐carboxamide (5h) was the most active compound, with an IC50 value of 2.84 μm. Compounds 4i, 5h and 5i had lower IC50 values than that found for the clinically employed anticancer drug cisplatin (IC50 = 16.3 μm against MCF‐7). Guanine oxidation studies confirmed that 5h was capable of generating oxidative damage via a reactive oxygen species‐mediated mechanism. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High dielectric constant polyaniline/sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) composite membranes with good thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Zhang Yunhe , Huo Pengfei , Liu Xiao , Rong Changru , Wang Guibin
Published: May 2013

All‐organic polyaniline (PANI)/sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) (SPAEK) composite membranes consisting of a PANI (conducting) filler evenly distributed in an SPAEK (insulating) matrix were prepared with a solution‐blending technique. The dielectric properties, electrical conductivity, and thermal and mechanical performances of the all‐organic PANI/SPAEK composite membranes were investigated as a function of different PANI loading levels. The composite membrane containing 30 wt % PANI exhibited a high dielectric constant of about 600, a low dielectric loss tangent of about 0.6 (at 1 kHz), and good thermal properties (temperature for 5% weight loss > 250°C) and mechanical properties (tensile strength ≈ 35 MPa). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1990–1995, 2013
How a museum knows? Structures, work roles, and infrastructures of information work
Authors: Huvila Isto
Published: May 2013

Even if knowledge is a commodity that a museum offers asHooper‐Greenhill () has argued, the mechanisms of how a museum comes to know what it mediates are not well understood. Using a case study approach, the aim of this study is to investigate what types of sources and channels, with a special emphasis on social processes and structures of information, support collaborative information work, and the emergence of knowledge in a museum environment. The empirical study was conducted using a combination of ethnographic observation of and interviews with staff members at a medium‐sized museum in a Nordic country. The study shows that much of the daily information work is routinized and infrastructuralized in social information exchange and reproduction of documented information and museum collections.
Electric Double‐Layer Capacitor Based on an Ionic Clathrate Hydrate
Authors: Lee Wonhee , Kwon Minchul , Park Seongmin , Lim Dongwook , Cha Jong‐Ho , Lee Huen
Published: May 2013

Herein, we suggest a new approach to an electric double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) that is based on a proton‐conducting ionic clathrate hydrate (ICH). The ice‐like structures of clathrate hydrates, which are comprised of host water molecules and guest ions, make them suitable for applications in EDLC electrolytes, owing to their high proton conductivities and thermal stabilities. The carbon materials in the ICH Me4NOH⋅5 H2O show a high specific capacitance, reversible charge–discharge behavior, and a long cycle life. The ionic‐hydrate complex provides the following advantages in comparison with conventional aqueous and polymer electrolytes: 1) The ICH does not cause leakage problems under normal EDLC operating conditions. 2) The hydrate material can be utilized itself, without requiring any pre‐treatments or activation for proton conduction, thus shortening the preparation procedure of the EDLC. 3) The crystallization of the ICH makes it possible to tailor practical EDLC dimensions because of its fluidity as a liquid hydrate. 4) The hydrate solid electrolyte exhibits more‐favorable electrochemical stability than aqueous and polymer electrolytes. Therefore, ICH materials are expected to find practical applications in versatile energy devices that incorporate electrochemical systems.
Geometrical constraints limiting the poly(ADP‐ribose) conformation investigated by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: D'Annessa Ilda , Coletta Andrea , Desideri Alessandro
Published: May 2013

Poly(ADP‐ribosylation) is a post‐transductional modification that regulates protein's function. Most of the proteins subjected to this control mechanism belong to machineries involved in DNA damage repair, or DNA interacting proteins. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymers are long chains of even 100 monomer length that can be branched at several positions but, not withstanding its importance, nothing is known concerning its structure. To understand, which are the geometrical parameters that confer to the polymer the structural constraints that determine its interaction with the target proteins, we have performed molecular dynamics of three chains of different length, made by 5, 25, and 30 units, the last one being branched. Analysis of the simulations allowed us to identify the main intra‐ and inter‐monomer dihedral angles that govern the structure of the polymer that however, does not reach a unique definite conformation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 78–86, 2014.
Preventive Detention in Germany: An Overview and Empirical Data from Two Federal States
Authors: Basdekis‐Jozsa Raphaela , Mokros Andreas , Vohs Knut , Briken Peer , Habermeyer Elmar
Published: May 2013

Eighty years ago, preventive detention for dangerous offenders was implemented in the German Penal Code (Section 66). In 2011, about 500 individuals were incarcerated under a preventive detention order in Germany. Through semi‐structured clinical interviews and/or collateral file review, the present investigators assessed the sociobiographic, criminological, and clinical characteristics of 58 men for whom preventive detention had been ordered in two German federal states. In addition, risk assessment instruments were administered. The majority of the inmates were sexual offenders. The main mental health problems were antisocial personality disorder (APD), substance abuse/disorder, and paraphilias. Most individuals had a history of poor socialization. Structured clinical judgment as well as actuarial risk assessment instruments identified all inmates as high‐risk offenders. Future development of preventive detention in Germany must emphasize treatment interventions. Given the life histories and the mental health problems of the detainees assessed in the present study, the implementation of effective treatment will prove difficult. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the Effects of Repeated Miranda Warnings: Do They Perform a Curative Function on Common Miranda Misconceptions?
Authors: Rogers Richard , Fiduccia Chelsea E. , Robinson Emily V. , Steadham Jennifer A. , Drogin Eric Y.
Published: May 2013

In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the Supreme Court of the United States required that custodial suspects be apprised of their Constitutional rights against self‐incrimination. The Court could not have anticipated the rampant popularization of Miranda warnings in subsequent movies and television dramas. Influenced by public media, many arrestees assume that they already “know” their rights, with no awareness of their misconceptions. The current investigation examines whether repeated exposures to Miranda warnings performs any “curative” function (i.e., dispelling common Miranda misconceptions held by pretrial defendants). The accumulative effects of five different Miranda warnings were tested over a several‐hour period on 260 detainees. For the nearly half (113 or 43.5%) with three or more misconceptions, improvement (i.e., ≥2 fewer misconceptions) occurred for only 35 defendants. Predictably, this improved group also tended to display a better understanding of Miranda‐relevant vocabulary words and a better recall of the administered Miranda warnings than their unimproved counterparts. On average, the improved group also performed better on general measures of intelligence, and listening and reading comprehension, while still evidencing substantial cognitive deficits. The curative function of Miranda advisements is considered in light of these findings. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introducing tangible objects into motion controlled gameplay using Microsoft® Kinect TM
Authors: Bozgeyikli Gamze , Bozgeyikli Evren , İşler Veysi
Published: May 2013

Improvements in ways of game controlling in recent years yielded higher level of interaction. Release of motion controller devices changed conventional ways of controlling games that have been used so far. Microsoft ®; Kinect™ (Microsoft Corporation, WA, USA) recognizes motions of the players as game controlling inputs. Although touchless interaction is perceived to be attractive, games mimicking real life activities may benefit from hand‐held tangible objects for the player to get more involved into game. In this study, a tangible gameplay interaction method is developed using Microsoft ®; Kinect™ that senses hand‐held objects with their dimensions and incorporates them into gameplay. Proposed algorithm is implemented on an experimental game, and a user study is performed to measure effects of tangible interaction on Kinect gameplay experience. Results revealed that an improved gameplay with more natural and accurate motion controlling is achieved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Future Production Concepts in the Chemical Industry: Modular – Small‐Scale – Continuous
Authors: Bieringer T. , Buchholz S. , Kockmann N.
Published: May 2013

Modular continuous production concepts are already successfully applied in research, development, and piloting of a series of chemical compounds in the markets of fine chemistry and pharmaceutical products. Besides, first case studies for the application of those concepts in industrial scale are reported. Current European research projects focus to proof their applicability in a broader range. The elaborated know‐how will be commercially used in a franchise between BTS, INVITE, Ehrfeld Mikrotechik BTS, and further partners in the product Flonamic®. One core element of these production concepts are micro‐ and milli‐structured devices assisting continuous‐flow processes due to their superior transport characteristics and small holdup. In small‐scale production concepts, these special devices have to be considered together with conventional technology. The platform concept developed by TU Dortmund University for chemical manufacturing simplifies the scale‐up process from lab to container scale and beyond on different levels in flow rate, temperature, or other process conditions.