bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiogenic Type I Collagen Extracellular Matrix Integrated with Recombinant Bacteriophages Displaying Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Authors: Yoon Junghyo , Korkmaz Zirpel Nuriye , Park Hyun‐Ji , Han Sewoon , Hwang Kyung Hoon , Shin Jisoo , Cho Seung‐Woo , Nam Chang‐Hoon , Chung Seok
Published: December 2015

Here, a growth‐factor‐integrated natural extracellular matrix of type I collagen is presented that induces angiogenesis. The developed matrix adapts type I collagen nanofibers integrated with synthetic colloidal particles of recombinant bacteriophages that display vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The integration is achieved during or after gelation of the type I collagen and the matrix enables spatial delivery of VEGF into a desired region. Endothelial cells that contact the VEGF are found to invade into the matrix to form tube‐like structures both in vitro and in vivo, proving the angiogenic potential of the matrix.
Donor‐Acceptor Fluorescent Molecular Rotors Appended with Benzocrown Ethers as Doubly Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer Based Ratiometric Acidic pH Sensors
Authors: Umar Shahida , Jha Ajay Kumar , Goel Atul
Published: December 2015

A fascinating series of highly fluorescent donor‐acceptor‐appended molecular rotors based on benzocrown ethers has been synthesized. The dimethylamino‐based benzocrown ethers have interesting photophysical properties with good quantum yield and emitted dual fluorescence in polar solvents due to doubly twisted‐intramolecular charge transfer (DT‐ICT) character induced by the dimethylamino group and benzocrown ring. The unique dual fluorescence property of the molecular rotors was explored to develop a ratiometric acidic pH sensor.
Future flavour physics experiments
Authors: Harnew Neville
Published: December 2015

The current status of flavour physics and the prospects for present and future experiments will be reviewed. Measurements in B‐physics, in which sensitive probes of new physics are the CKM angle γ, the mixing phase , and the branching ratios of the rare decays , will be highlighted. Topics in charm and kaon physics, in which the measurements of and the branching ratios of the rare decays are key measurements, will be discussed. Finally the complementarity of the future heavy flavour experiments, the LHCb upgrade and Belle‐II, will be summarised.
Reduced Graphene Oxide–Ag3PO4 Heterostructure: A Direct Z‐Scheme Photocatalyst for Augmented Photoreactivity and Stability
Authors: Samal Alaka , Das D. P. , Nanda K. K. , Mishra B. K. , Das J. , Dash A.
Published: December 2015

A visible light driven, direct Z‐scheme reduced graphene oxide–Ag3PO4 (RGO–Ag3PO4) heterostructure was synthesized by means of a simple one‐pot photoreduction route by varying the amount of RGO under visible light illumination. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and growth of Ag3PO4 took place simultaneously. The effect of the amount of RGO on the textural properties and photocatalytic activity of the heterostructure was investigated under visible light illumination. Furthermore, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed 97.1 % mineralization of organic dyes over RGO–Ag3PO4 in just five minutes under visible‐light illumination. The use of different quenchers in the photomineralization suggested the presence of hydroxyl radicals (.OH), superoxide radicals (.O2−), and holes (h+), which play a significant role in the mineralization of organic dyes. In addition to that, clean hydrogen fuel generation was also observed with excellent reusability. The 4 RGO–Ag3PO4 heterostructure has a high H2 evolution rate of 3690 μmol h−1 g−1, which is 6.15 times higher than that of RGO.
Homodiselenacalix[4]arenes: Molecules with Unique Channelled Crystal Structures
Authors: Thomas Joice , Dobrzańska Liliana , Van Meervelt Luc , Quevedo Mario Alfredo , Woźniak Krzysztof , Stachowicz Marcin , Smet Mario , Maes Wouter , Dehaen Wim
Published: December 2015

A synthetic route towards homodiselenacalix[4]arene macrocycles is presented, based on the dynamic covalent chemistry of diselenides. The calixarene inner rim is decorated with either alkoxy or tert‐butyl ester groups. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of two THF solvates with methoxy and ethoxy substituents reveals the high similarity of their molecular structures and alterations on the supramolecular level. In both crystal structures, solvent channels are present and differ in both shape and capacity. Furthermore, the methoxy‐substituted macrocycle undergoes a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation during which the molecular structure changes its conformation from 1,3‐alternate (loaded with THF/water) to 1,2‐alternate (apohost form). Molecular modelling techniques were applied to explore the conformational and energetic behaviour of the macrocycles.
Total Synthesis and Biological Assessment of Mandelalide A
Authors: Brütsch Tobias Michael , Bucher Pascal , Altmann Karl‐Heinz
Published: December 2015

A new convergent total synthesis of the marine macrolide mandelalide A (1) has been developed that is based on macrocyclic ring closure by a Shiina‐type macrolactonization and the construction of the requisite precursor seco acid by a highly efficient Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction between two fragments of comparable complexity. Key steps in the elaboration of the acid building block were the enantioselective, catalytic addition of a protected acetylene to crotonaldehyde and the construction of the tetrahydropyran unit that is embedded in the macrocycle by means of an acid‐catalyzed Prins reaction. The synthesis of the alcohol fragment features the formation of the trisubstituted tetrahydrofuran ring through an acetal cleavage/epoxide opening cascade reaction and a rarely used radical alkynylation of a primary alkyl iodide. Intriguingly, the dihydroxylation of a terminal double bond as part of the synthesis of this building block gave the same major product for both the α‐ and β‐AD‐mix reagents, albeit with moderate or low selectivity. Synthetic mandelalide A (1) was a potent proliferation inhibitor of A549, HT460, and H1299 human lung cancer cells in vitro, but not of SK‐N‐SH neuroblastoma cells. However, in no case did we observe complete cell kill even at the highest compound concentration tested (5 μm).
A Fluorination/Aryl Migration/Cyclization Cascade for the Metal‐Free Synthesis of Fluoro‐Benzoxazepines
Authors: Ulmer Anna , Brunner Christoph , Arnold Andreas M. , Pöthig Alexander , Gulder Tanja
Published: December 2015

Fluorinated organic molecules are of high interest for many applications across chemical and medical disciplines. Efficient methods for the synthesis of such compounds are thus needed. Within this work, application of the bench‐stable cyclic hypervalent iodine(III) fluoro reagent 1 facilitated the development of an efficient, metal‐free method for the preparation of the novel class of 4‐fluoro‐1,3‐benzoxazepines starting from readily available styrenes. The efficacy and broad applicability of this concept is demonstrated by the synthesis of 20 structurally diverse congeners in high yields, regio‐, and diastereoselectivities. The presented method provides complementary chemoselectivity when compared to the common, commercially available electrophilic fluorination reagents, such as selectfluor. First mechanistic investigations with isotopically labeled substrates reveal a complex reaction mechanism, proceeding via an unusual fluorination/1,2‐aryl migration/cyclization cascade.
B‐cell anergy induces a Th17 shift in a novel B lymphocyte transgenic NOD mouse model, the 116C‐NOD mouse
Authors: Carrascal Jorge , Carrillo Jorge , Arpa Berta , Egia‐Mendikute Leire , Rosell‐Mases Estela , Pujol‐Autonell Irma , Planas Raquel , Mora Conchi , Mauricio Dídac , Ampudia Rosa Maria , Vives‐Pi Marta , Verdaguer Joan
Published: December 2015

Autoreactive B lymphocytes play a key role as APCs in diaebetogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether B‐cell tolerance is compromised in NOD mice. Here, we describe a new B lymphocyte transgenic NOD mouse model, the 116C‐NOD mouse, where the transgenes derive from an islet‐infiltrating B lymphocyte of a (8.3‐NODxNOR) F1 mouse. The 116C‐NOD mouse produces clonal B lymphocytes with pancreatic islet beta cell specificity. The incidence of T1D in 116C‐NOD mice is decreased in both genders when compared with NOD mice. Moreover, several immune selection mechanisms (including clonal deletion and anergy) acting on the development, phenotype, and function of autoreactive B lymphocytes during T1D development have been identified in the 116C‐NOD mouse. Surprisingly, a more accurate analysis revealed that, despite their anergic phenotype, 116C B cells express some costimulatory molecules after activation, and induce a T‐cell shift toward a Th17 phenotype. Furthermore, this shift on T lymphocytes seems to occur not only when both T and B cells contact, but also when helper T (Th) lineage is established. The 116C‐NOD mouse model could be useful to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the generation of Th‐cell lineages.
Steric and Electronic Manipulation of the Anagostic Interaction in 1‐Tetralone Oxime and Imine Complexes of Rhodium(I)
Authors: Harrison John A. , Nielson Alastair J. , Sajjad M. Arif , Saunders Graham C. , Schwerdtfeger Peter
Published: December 2015

Structures and properties for the complexes [RhCl(CO)2(L)] (L = 1‐tetralone oximes and imines) containing anagostic C–H separations were obtained from density functional calculations using the dispersion corrected PBE‐D3 functional. Bench‐top syntheses were carried out for several complexes to obtain NMR spectral comparisons. The calculations show a ligand (N)–OH group positions the anagostic hydrogen (H8) more over the metal and (N)–OCMe3 and (N)–CMe3 groups more out towards the chloro ligand where weak H···Cl bonding is involved. This positioning is a result of varying Rh–N bond lengths and steric factors arising below the coordination plane where methyl‐group H atoms can form additional anagostic approaches to the metal and weak hydrogen bonds with the chloro ligand. QTAIM analysis indicates weak electrostatic repulsion for the Rh···H8 approaches. Disparity between the metal and C–H bond orbital energies precludes covalency. Both σ and π‐withdrawing substituents para to C8 increase the H8 positive charge lengthening the Rh···H8 separation; σ and π‐donating substituents decrease the charge and shorten the separation. For (N)–OH ligands, the C7‐alkyl groups Me, CHMe2 and CMe3 do not affect the lengths of the Rh···H8 separations by a steric effect and no significant electronic effects are observed for C7‐NO2, OMe or F substituents. A combination of an (N)‐CMe3 group and electron‐donating groups at C5 and C7 of the aromatic ring do not effect the Rh···H8 separation but the Rh···C8 separation decreases significantly leading to a C‐anagostic interaction. For all the complexes the ligand adapts to accommodate the anagostic approaches.
Biopsychosocial Correlates of Binge Eating Disorder in Caucasian and African American Women with Obesity in Primary Care Settings
Authors: Udo Tomoko , White Marney A. , Lydecker Janet L. , Barnes Rachel D. , Genao Inginia , Garcia Rina , Masheb Robin M. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: December 2015

This study examined racial differences in eating‐disorder psychopathology, eating/weight‐related histories, and biopsychosocial correlates in women (n = 53 Caucasian and n = 56 African American) with comorbid binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity seeking treatment in primary care settings. Caucasians reported significantly earlier onset of binge eating, dieting, and overweight, and greater number of times dieting than African American. The rate of metabolic syndrome did not differ by race. Caucasians had significantly elevated triglycerides whereas African Americans showed poorer glycaemic control (higher glycated haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), and significantly higher diastolic blood pressure. There were no significant racial differences in features of eating disorders, depressive symptoms, or mental and physical health functioning. The clinical presentation of eating‐disorder psychopathology and associated psychosocial functioning differed little by race among obese women with BED seeking treatment in primary care settings. Clinicians should assess for and institute appropriate interventions for comorbid BED and obesity in both African American and Caucasian patients. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Chemical and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of essential oil from Eucalyptus citriodora fruits growing in the Northwestern Himalaya, India
Authors: Koundal Rajkesh , Kumar Dharmesh , Walia Mayanka , Kumar Ashish , Thakur Soni , Chand Gopi , Padwad Yogendra S. , Agnihotri Vijai K.
Published: December 2015

Eucalyptus citriodora is a well‐known source of essential oil. Essential oil from the fruit's of E. citriodora was extracted using the hydrodistillation method with the help of a Clevenger‐type apparatus (yield 0.23%). The phytochemicals composition of the oil was evaluated using gas chromatography (GC), GC/ mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The essential oil was found to be a complex mixture of mono‐ and sesquiterpenoids. The major chemical constituents identified were α‐pinene (54.1 g/100 g), γ‐terpinene (8.6 g/100 g), E‐caryophyllene (6.6 g/100 g), β‐pinene (6.3 g/100 g), limonene (5.5 g/100 g) and 1,8‐cineole (4.3 g/100 g). In vitro cytotoxicity of the essential oil was evaluated using the sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay against human lung carcinoma (A549), human epithelial cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and Chinese hamster ovarian carcinoma (CHOK1) cells. The IC50 values of the E. citriodora fruits essential oil against A549, HeLa and CHOK1 cells ranged from 87.5 to 96.8 µg/ml. The toxicity of the isolated essential oil was also assessed against human lymphocytes using the [3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay. Essential oil possesses significant cytotoxic activity. The aim of the present study was to search the Northwestern Himalaya for the new potent source of toxicologically safe essential oils. This is a first report on the chemical composition and cytotoxicity of essential oil extracted from the fruit's of E. citriodora. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal size distribution analysis of plagioclase from gabbro‐anorthosite suite of Kuliana, Orissa, eastern India: implications for textural coarsening in a static magma chamber
Authors: Chakraborti Tushar Mouli , Ray Arijit , Deb Gautam Kumar
Published: December 2015

The layered gabbro‐anorthosite suite in the eastern Indian shield is ideal for a texture based study of the crystallization history of a mafic magma in a static magma chamber. The magmatic suite comprises 40–150 m thick persistent layers of different lithounits, which have been divided into two cycles. The lower cycle (I) is represented from bottom to top by gabbro, gabbronorite, leucogabbronorite, anorthositic gabbronorite and anorthositic gabbro. The upper cycle (II) is similar to cycle I, except that the anorthositic gabbronorite and anorthositic gabbro units are not present there. The characteristic textures of different lithounits in each cycle repeats with repetition in lithology. Distinctive textures observed in the suite have been classified into three categories, Types I, II and III. Adcumulus growth was the principle crystallization mechanism for Types I and III textures, which are characteristically present in the lower layers of cycle I and cycle II. The upper layers of cycle I show Type II texture, typically with bimodal size distribution of plagioclase, and pyroxene oikocrysts. Thus, Type II texture indicates a possible interplay between adcumulus growth and either polybaric crystallization or textural coarsening processes. Electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) data indicate uniform composition of plagioclase (An76–85), both from inclusions in pyroxene oikocrysts and from groundmass grains, hence ruling out the possibility of involvement of the polybaric crystallization in the layers with Type II texture. Crystal size distribution (CSD) analysis of plagioclase grains stands for textural coarsening process, and the graphical plots have been utilized to quantify the process. P‐T calculation using EPMA data from selected pyroxene grains suggests that the textural coarsening took place at about 13.3 kb pressure and 990 °C temperature. We propose that adcumulus growth operating in a static magma chamber for a long period of time might have created conditions conducive for textural coarsening process to take place. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Planetary scale modulations in aerosol properties at Delhi, in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain: a quantitative analysis from intra‐seasonal to inter‐annual timescales
Authors: Beegum S. Naseema , Lodhi Neelesh K. , Singh Sachchidanand
Published: December 2015

Analysis of the long‐term time‐series data on aerosol parameters at Delhi, an urban city in the western part of Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP), brought out certain interesting findings. The time‐series data are observed to be a complex function of different periodicities varying from intra‐seasonal to inter‐annual timescales. Detailed investigations of the periodicities in conjunction with the meteorological data demonstrated the prevalence of four periodicities such as intra‐seasonal (periodicities of ∼2–3 months, significant at shorter wavelengths), semi‐annual oscillation (SAO, ∼6 months), annual oscillation (AO, ∼12 months) and quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO, ∼2 years) and quasi‐triennial oscillation (QTO, ∼3 years) at the measurement site in varying amplitudes. The AO and SAO are the dominant components in the aerosol optical depth (AOD) as well as in the Angstrom parameters with a combined contribution of ∼40% to the climatological mean and are attributed to the changes in the prevailing meteorological conditions, which are conducive for either production, transport and/or size‐transformation processes. Among the inter‐annual variability in aerosol parameters, the most significant mode observed is the QTO and is found to be associated with the ENSO variability in the tropical pacific region. While the intra‐seasonal fluctuations (∼2–3 months) observed in AOD (at shorter wavelengths) are associated with the eastward propagating Madden–Julian oscillations (MJO) in the lower troposphere, the biennial variability is related with variability in the meteorology of the upper and lower atmospheric regions. Periodicity analysis on aerosol parameters is useful to determine its predictability in the atmosphere.
Effect of Supramolecular Interchain Sticking on the Low‐Frequency Relaxation of Transient Polymer Networks
Authors: Seiffert Sebastian
Published: December 2015

Supramolecular polymer networks and gels often exhibit three effects in rheology as a function of increasing strength and extent of transient chain interlinkage: (i) the longest relaxation time increases, (ii) the elastic part of the complex shear modulus on timescales longer than that increases, and (iii) the frequency‐dependent power‐law scaling of this modulus gets shallower in this regime. In a recent report, these effects have been systematically assessed by comparing transient polymer networks derived from a common precursor modified with different extents of a common hydrogen‐bonding supramolecular sticker. In this communication, complementary studies are discussed that are based on a set of polymers also derived from a common precursor but all modified with the same extent (4.8%) of very different supramolecular crosslinking motifs. This comparison reveals that effect (iii) can be rationalized by exacerbation of polydispersity effects to the relaxation time spectrum if supramolecular interchain sticking is present. In addition, effect (ii) is addressable to a simple thermodynamic argument that appraises the supramolecular sticking contribution to the elastic part of the shear modulus in the relaxation regime.

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Modeling of isothermal recovery and recrystallization kinetics by means of hardness measurements
Authors: Farzadi A.
Published: December 2015

Recovery and recrystallization, which may happen during annealing of materials, are very important technological processes through which many properties of the material can be changed. Hence, reliable and efficient modeling of the softening process is vital. Hardness can be used as a simple and cheap measure to model the softening processes. In the present study, the isothermal recovery and recrystallization kinetics of a commercial purity aluminum alloy AA1050 is experimentally modeled using hardness test at four temperatures from 285 °C to 400 °C after cold rolling to various reductions. In order to achieve more accurate analysis, hardness data points are increased and a statistical method is used. The isothermal recovery and recrystallization kinetics are described by a logarithmic and the Johnson‐Mehl‐Avrami‐Kolmagorov relationships, respectively. It is found that hardness measurements can be performed as a parameter to quantify recovery and recrystallization kinetics. The constants of models and the activation energies for both processes are calculated in the different conditions. These constant parameters are dependent to the temperature. Also, the activation energies of recovery and recrystallization rise as these transformations proceed.
Urinary metabolites from mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt) galloyl derivatives and in vitro hydrolysis of gallotannins in physiological conditions
Authors: Barnes Ryan C. , Krenek Kimberly A. , Meibohm Bernd , Mertens‐Talcott Susanne U. , Talcott Stephen T.
Published: December 2015

Scope

The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of mango galloyl derivatives (GD) has not yet been investigated in humans, and studies investigating repeated dosages of polyphenols are limited.

Methods and results

In this human pilot trial, healthy volunteers (age = 21–38 y, n = 11) consumed 400 g/day of mango‐pulp (cv. Keitt) for 10 days, and seven metabolites of gallic acid (GA) were characterized and quantified in urine excreted over a 12 h period. Pyrogallol‐O‐sulfate and deoxypyrogallol‐O‐sulfate were found to be significantly more excreted between days 1 and 10 (p < 0.05) from 28.5 to 55.4 mg and 23.6 to 47.7 mg, respectively. Additionally, the in vitro hydrolysis of gallotannins (GTs) was monitored at physiological pH and temperature conditions, and after 4 h a significant (p < 0.05) shift in composition from relativity high to low molecular weight GTs was observed.

Conclusion

Seven metabolites of GA were identified in the urine of healthy volunteers, and two microbial metabolites were found to be significantly more excreted following 10 days of mango consumption. Mango GTs were also found to release free GA in conditions similar to the intestines. GTs may serve as a pool of pro‐GA compounds that can be absorbed or undergo microbial metabolism.
Urea and lipid extraction treatment effects on δ15N and δ13C values in pelagic sharks
Authors: Li Yunkai , Zhang Yuying , Hussey Nigel E. , Dai Xiaojie
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) provides a powerful tool to investigate diverse ecological questions for marine species, but standardized values are required for comparative assessments. For elasmobranchs, their unique osmoregulatory strategy involves retention of 15N‐depleted urea in body tissues and this may bias δ15N values. This may be a particular problem for large predatory species, where δ15N discrimination between predator and consumed prey can be small.

Methods

We evaluated three treatments (deionized water rinsing [DW], chloroform/methanol [LE] and combined chloroform/methanol and deionized water rinsing [LE+DW]) applied to white muscle tissue of 125 individuals from seven pelagic shark species to (i) assess urea and lipid effects on stable isotope values determined by IRMS and (ii) investigate mathematical normalization of these values.

Results

For all species examined, the δ15N values and C:N ratios increased significantly following all three treatments, identifying that urea removal is required prior to SIA of pelagic sharks. The more marked change in δ15N values following DW (1.3 ± 0.4‰) and LE+DW (1.2 ± 0.6‰) than following LE alone (0.7 ± 0.4‰) indicated that water rinsing was more effective at removing urea. The DW and LE+DW treatments lowered the %N values, resulting in an increase in C:N ratios from the unexpected low values of <2.6 in bulk samples to ~3.1 ± 0.1, the expected value of protein. The δ13C values of all species also increased significantly following LE and LE+DW treatments.

Conclusions

Given the mean change in δ15N (1.2 ± 0.6‰) and δ13C values (0.7 ± 0.4‰) across pelagic shark species, it is recommended that muscle tissue samples be treated with LE+DW to efficiently extract both urea and lipids to standardize isotopic values. Mathematical normalization of urea and lipid‐extracted δ15NLE+DW and δ13CLE+DW values using the lipid‐extracted δ15NLE and δ13CLE data were established for all pelagic shark species. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Total energy expenditure assessed by salivary doubly labelled water analysis and its relevance for short‐term energy balance in humans
Authors: Guidotti Stefano , Verstappen‐Dumoulin Berthe M. A. A. A. , Jansen Henk G. , Aerts‐Bijma Anita T. , van Vliet André A. , Scheurink Anton J. W. , Meijer Harro A. J. , van Dijk Gertjan
Published: December 2015

Rationale

The doubly labelled water (DLW) method is a stable isotopic technique for measuring total energy expenditure (TEE). Saliva is the easiest sampling fluid for assessing isotopic enrichments, but blood is considered superior because of its rapid exchange with body water. Therefore, we compared a large range of isotopic enrichments in saliva and blood, and related TEE in subjects with their ad libitum total energy intake (TEI). The relevance of these parameters to body weight and fat change over an 8‐day interval was also assessed.

Methods

Thirty subjects underwent DLW analysis over either 8 or 14 days, during which time initial and final blood and saliva enrichments were compared. TEI was assessed by dieticians over the 8‐day period only. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used for the measurement of δ2H and δ18O values.

Results

No discrepancies were observed between sampling fluids over a wide range of enrichments. During the 8‐day period, average TEI exceeded TEE by ~5% or less. Using saliva as sampling fluid, TEI and TEI‐TEE, but not TEE, were positively correlated to body weight change. TEI‐TEE and physical activity EE (AEE), but not TEI, correlated, respectively, positively and negatively to changes in fat mass.

Conclusions

The DLW method in humans can be reliably applied using saliva as sampling fluid. TEI‐TEE as well as AEE contributes significantly to changes in fat mass over an 8‐day period. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser desorption sample transfer for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Seneviratne Chinthaka A. , Ghorai Suman , Murray Kermit K.
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Ambient mass spectrometry can detect small molecules directly, but complex mixtures can be a challenge. We have developed a method that incorporates small molecule separation based on laser desorption with capture on a solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) fiber for injection into a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system.

Methods

Samples on a metal target were desorbed by a 3 µm mid‐infrared laser focused to a 250 µm spot and 1.2 mJ pulse energy. The desorbed material was aspirated into a metal tube suspended 1 mm above the laser spot and captured on a SPME fiber. The collected material was injected into a GC/MS instrument for analysis.

Results

We have developed a versatile approach for ambient laser desorption sampling onto SPME for GC/MS analysis. The performance of the laser desorption SPME capture GC/MS system was demonstrated for small molecule standards, a mixture of nitroaromatic explosives, and collected cigarette smoke.

Conclusions

The utility of ambient laser desorption sampling onto SPME for GC/MS was demonstrated. The performance of the method was evaluated by preparing calibration standards of caffeine over a range from 200 to 1000 ng. Laser desorption ambient sampling of complex mixtures was accomplished using SPME GC/MS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategies for the Distribution of Power in Brazil: A Proposal from the Perspective of the Viable System Model (VSM)
Authors: Terra Leonardo A. A. , Ventura Carla A. A. , Medeiros Mirna L. , Passador João L.
Published: December 2015

The instabilities experienced in Brazil, especially during 2014 when World Cup spending triggered a series of protests in the country, showed a weakness in the distribution of political power in the country. This study proposes an improved distribution of power that could ensure greater government autonomy and stability in the republic. This is accomplished by applying the principles of Stafford Beer's viable system model to the three state powers of Brazil: the executive, legislative and judiciary. We found that the current distribution of power requires greater autonomy of the judiciary, as well as breaking from the procedure of the political parties' pre‐selection. This would ensure greater representation of citizen demands. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quo Vadis? Where are the University and Science Going?
Authors: de Raadt J. D. R.
Published: December 2015

The 1970s mark a historical point of the rise of neo‐liberalism and of the gradual crumbling of socialism as a force to oppose it. Since then, neo‐liberalism has become the mainstream creed that permeates every institution in our global world in addition to, and of especial interest to us, the university and the formation of its students. Given its social and cultural impact in northern Europe following the Renaissance, we explore Erasmus' philosophy of Christ and its foundation on historical rather than on physical reason as a counterforce to reverse the ravages of neo‐liberalism. This philosophy does not rely on policy or power, or on religion or theology, to reform society, but on a humanist‐oriented science and the education of citizens. When implemented in the past, its benefits were not limited to northern Europe but were also evinced in the 17th century colony of Recife in Brazil. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring the Effectiveness of a Genetic Counseling Supervision Training Conference
Authors: Atzinger Carrie L. , He Hua , Wusik Katie
Published: December 2015

Genetic counselors who receive formal training report increased confidence and competence in their supervisory roles. The effectiveness of specific formal supervision training has not been assessed previously. A day‐long GC supervision conference was designed based on published supervision competencies and was attended by 37 genetic counselors. Linear Mixed Model and post‐hoc paired t‐test was used to compare Psychotherapy Supervisor Development Scale (PSDS) scores among/between individuals pre and post conference. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model and post‐hoc McNemar's test was used to determine if the conference had an effect on GC supervision competencies. PSDS scores were significantly increased 1 week (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p < 0.001) following the conference. For three supervision competencies, attendees were more likely to agree they were able to perform them after the conference than before. These effects remained significant 6 months later. For the three remaining competencies, the majority of supervisors agreed they could perform these before the conference; therefore, no change was found. This exploratory study showed this conference increased the perceived confidence and competence of the supervisors who attended and increased their self‐reported ability to perform certain supervision competencies. While still preliminary, this supports the idea that a one day conference on supervision has the potential to impact supervisor development.
Parkinson Disease: The Relationship Between Non-motor Symptoms and Motor Phenotype
Authors: Ba Fang , Obaid Mona , Wieler Marguerite , Camicioli Richard , Martin W.R. Wayne
Published: December 2015

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) presents with motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). The NMS often precede the onset of motor symptoms, but may progress throughout the disease course. Tremor dominant, postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD), and indeterminate phenotypes can be distinguished using Unified PD Rating scales (UPDRS-III). We hypothesized that the PIGD phenotype would be more likely to develop NMS, and that the non-dopamine–responsive axial signs would correlate with NMS severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional chart review to assess the relationship between NMS and PD motor phenotypes. PD patients were administered the NMS Questionnaire, the UPDRS-III, and the Mini-Mental State Examination score. The relationship between NMS burden and PD subtypes was examined using linear regression models. The prevalence of each NMS among difference PD motor subtypes was analyzed using chi-square test. Results: PD patients with more advanced disease based on their UPDRS-III had higher NMS Questionnaire scores. The axial component of UPDRS-III correlated with higher NMS. There was no correlation between NMS and tremor scores. There was a significant correlation between PIGD score and higher NMS burden. PIGD group had higher prevalence in most NMS domains when compared with tremor dominant and indeterminate groups independent of disease duration and severity. Conclusions: NMS profile and severity vary according to motor phenotype. We conclude that in the PD population, patients with a PIGD phenotype who have more axial involvement, associated with advanced disease and poor motor response, have a higher risk for a higher NMS burden.
Safety climate, strain and safety outcomes
Authors: Hicks Gemma , Buttigieg Donna , De Cieri Helen
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this study is to employ Koeske and Koeske’s stressor-strain-outcome model of stress to examine the extent to which strain, a central component of occupational stress, mediates the relationship between safety climate and safety-related outcomes. The relationship between safety climate, strain and safety outcomes has been relatively under tested where strain is a mediating variable. This study makes a contribution to the literature by examining the dynamics of these relationships. Questionnaires were sent to 1,800 employees of an electricity provider, with a 41.4% response rate. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. Analysis of the hypothesized model indicated that, while safety climate had a significant direct relationship with safety-related behaviors, the model was also partially mediated by the experience of strain. Understanding the relationship between safety climate, strain and safety outcomes is important. Support for the model verifies that safety climate is mediated by strain in terms of safety outcomes. Practical implications include the need to manage safety climate through management attitudes to safety, maintaining high safety standards and communication to reduce ambiguity on safety norms.
Migrant farmers and the Neolithic colonization of Crete
Authors: Broodbank Cyprian , Strasser Thomas F.
Published: December 2015

When did a human presence reach Crete, largest of the Aegean islands, and invitingly joined to the mainland by intervening stepping-stones? Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, or only in the Neolithic, when the deep sequence of occupations under the site of the later palace at Knossos began. How many sailed to Crete? What did they bring with them?
Dissimilarity Breeds Contempt: Ethnic Paternalism, Foreigners, and the State in Pas-de-Calais Coalmining, France, 1920s
Authors: Slaby Philip H.
Published: December 2015

Recently, historians have begun to illuminate further the role that ethnicity played in integrating immigrants into mining societies. Ethnicity, they show, shaped foreign−native relations in complex ways. Migrant culture and local norms both affected the assimilation process. This essay, focusing on France’s premiere coalfield of Pas-de-Calais during the 1920s, a period of mass influx of Polish laborers, explores employers’ often underappreciated influence over inter-ethnic relations, and it reveals the far-reaching effects of managerial policies. Management’s ethnic paternalism influenced, though often unintentionally, relations between Poles and French miners and officials. Employer strategies to manage Poles led natives to see themselves as distinct from and even superior to immigrants. Beyond the workplace, employers used ethnic notions to attract and control Poles, yet in doing so they highlighted the dissimilarities between Poles and Frenchmen. Ultimately, coal companies reinforced foreigners’ isolation from local society and roused the suspicions of officials, who strictly policed the Polish community.
Waiters, Waitresses, and their Tips in Western Europe before World War I
Authors: Eeckhout Patricia Van den
Published: December 2015

In nineteenth-century restaurants and cafés, customers’ tips provided the income of an increasing number of waiters and waitresses. Not only did employers refrain from paying serving staff a fixed wage, the latter had to share their employers’ general expenses, while some even had to pay a fee for the privilege of working. Exploring newspapers, pamphlets, reports, and union sources, the article discusses in a comparative way how and why these practices were deployed in Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, London, and French and German cities. As a result of the overcrowding of the labour market in hospitality, hiring workers became not only a cost-free transaction, it even developed into a source of income. Serving staff paid for the opportunity to collect tips, even if their increasing number reduced individual income. However, as a result of the tipping system, such staff often managed to secure higher “wages” than they would normally have earned.
The role of red meat in the diet: nutrition and health benefits
Authors: Wyness Laura
Published: December 2015

Red meat has been an important part of the human diet throughout human evolution. When included as part of a healthy, varied diet, red meat provides a rich source of high biological value protein and essential nutrients, some of which are more bioavailable than in alternative food sources. Particular nutrients in red meat have been identified as being in short supply in the diets of some groups of the population. The present paper discusses the role of red meat in the diets of young infants, adolescents, women of childbearing age and older adults and highlights key nutrients red meat can provide for these groups. The role of red meat in relation to satiety and weight control is discussed as the inclusion of lean red meat in a healthy, varied diet may help weight loss as part of an energy-reduced diet. A summary of the UK advice on the amount of red meat that can be consumed as part of a healthy, varied diet is also provided.
Language Teachers’ Target Language project: Language for specific purposes of language teaching
Authors: Korenev Alexey , Westbrook Carolyn , Merry Yvonne , Ershova Tatiana
Published: December 2015

The Language Teachers’ Target Language project (LTTL) aims to describe language teachers’ target language use domain (Bachman & Palmer 2010) and to develop a language test for future teachers of English. The team comprises four researchers from Moscow State University (MSU) and Southampton Solent University.
What Should We Learn from Recent Earthquakes in Asia?
Authors: de Ville de Goyet Claude
Published: December 2015

This keynote on lessons to be learned from the recent natural disasters in Asiawill complement and elaborate further on the points already made eloquently by the first two keynote speakers during this session: Dr. M. Gilbert on building local resilience and competencies, and the call from Prof. E. Rahardjo towards a more efficient, multi-national work on rescue and aid to disasters.

Both speakers stressed the importance of strengthening external aid rather than substituting the national- or community-level capacity. I share the concern of the Indonesian medical professionals feeling marginalized in their own country, as said by Prof. Rahardjo. I also agree with Dr. Gilbert on our duty to build on the remarkable resilience and abilities of local communities. It is feasible, as he clearly demonstrated in local projects.
Disaster Public Health Considerations
Authors: Abbott David
Published: December 2015

This paper provides an overview of disaster public health preparedness, response, and recovery activities with particular reference to examples that have occurred in California. It discusses the public health considerations from two aspects: 1) general public health effects; and 2) public and environmental health control measures. The latter discussion is divided into: 1) drinking water; 2) human wastes; 3) food; 4) personal hygiene; 5) mass care and shelter; 6) solid waste and debris; 7) hazardous materials; 8) injury prevention programs and public health information; 9) vector control; and 10) disease control and surveillance. Two tables summarize the disaster medical and health functions as they relate to public health.
Disclosure of Psychiatric Disabilities in Vocational Rehabilitation
Authors: Waghorn Geoff R. , Lewis Stephen J.
Published: December 2015

Vocational professionals aware of the stigma associated with psychiatric disability, generally exercise caution when disclosing psychiatric or disability related information to employers. However, few professionals directly address stigma or specify disclosure strategies in vocational rehabilitation plans. Integrated information tailored to vocational professionals is needed to guide this aspect of vocational rehabilitation practice. We review recent evidence with legal and ethical information relevant to vocational rehabilitation. Key elements of disclosure and stigma-countering strategies are identified which can be incorporated into the career planning, job preparation, job securing and job retaining phases of vocational rehabilitation plans.
Michael R. Raupach (1950–2015)
Authors: Canadell Josep , Jackson Robert
Published: December 2015

A pioneer in fields ranging from plant-atmosphere interactions to the carbon cycle, this Australian climate scientist transformed modern micrometeorology and cofounded the Global Carbon Project.
SF3B1 mutant MDS-initiating cells may arise from the haematopoietic stem cell compartment
Authors: Mian Syed A. , Rouault-Pierre Kevin , Smith Alexander E. , Seidl Thomas , Pizzitola Irene , Kizilors Aytug , Kulasekararaj Austin G. , Bonnet Dominique , Mufti Ghulam J.
Published: December 2015

Despite the recent evidence of the existence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) stem cells in 5q-MDS patients, it is unclear whether haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) could also be the initiating cells in other MDS subgroups. Here we demonstrate that SF3B1 mutation(s) in our cohort of MDS patients with ring sideroblasts can arise from CD34+CD38−CD45RA−CD90+CD49f+ HSCs and is an initiating event in disease pathogenesis. Xenotransplantation of SF3B1 mutant HSCs leads to persistent long-term engraftment restricted to myeloid lineage. Moreover, genetically diverse evolving subclones of mutant SF3B1 exist in mice, indicating a branching multi-clonal as well as ancestral evolutionary paradigm. Subclonal evolution in mice is also seen in the clinical evolution in patients. Sequential sample analysis shows clonal evolution and selection of the malignant driving clone leading to AML transformation. In conclusion, our data show SF3B1 mutations can propagate from HSCs to myeloid progeny, therefore providing a therapeutic target.
Effects of sample storage and shell orientation on LA-ICPMS trace element measurements on deep-sea mussels
Authors: Génio Luciana , Simon Klaus , Kiel Steffen , Cunha Marina R.
Published: December 2015

Geochemical markers are being increasingly applied to fundamental questions in population and community ecology in marine habitats because they allow inferences on individuals dispersal, but vital effects, small sample size and instrumental limitation are still challenging particularly in deep-sea studies. Here we use shells of the deep-sea bivalve Idas modiolaeformis to assess potential effects of sample storage, mineralogy and valve orientation on LA-ICPMS measurements. Trace element concentrations of 24Mg, 43Ca, 88Sr, 137Ba, 208Pb and 238U are not affected by the two most commonly used storage methods of biologic deep-sea samples (frozen at –20°C and fixed in 95% ethanol); thus combined analysis of differently preserved specimens is possible when the number of individuals is insufficient and distinct sample fixation is needed for multiple purposes. Valve orientation had a strong impact on quantification of trace elements in the calcitic but not in the aragonitic layer of adult shells. Hence, to enable comparisons between adult shells and entirely aragonitic embryonic shells, a reference map of site-specific signatures can potentially be generated using the aragonitic layer of the adult shells. Understanding ontogenetic changes and environmental effects in trace element incorporation is critical before geochemical fingerprinting can be used as a tool for larval dispersal studies in the deep-sea.
From cholera to corals: Viruses as drivers of virulence in a major coral bacterial pathogen
Authors: Weynberg Karen D. , Voolstra Christian R. , Neave Matthew J. , Buerger Patrick , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: December 2015

Disease is an increasing threat to reef-building corals. One of the few identified pathogens of coral disease is the bacterium Vibrio coralliilyticus. In Vibrio cholerae, infection by a bacterial virus (bacteriophage) results in the conversion of non-pathogenic strains to pathogenic strains and this can lead to cholera pandemics. Pathogenicity islands encoded in the V. cholerae genome play an important role in pathogenesis. Here we analyse five whole genome sequences of V. coralliilyticus to examine whether virulence is similarly driven by horizontally acquired elements. We demonstrate that bacteriophage genomes encoding toxin genes with homology to those found in pathogenic V. cholerae are integrated in V. coralliilyticus genomes. Virulence factors located on chromosomal pathogenicity islands also exist in some strains of V. coralliilyticus. The presence of these genetic signatures indicates virulence in V. coralliilyticus is driven by prophages and other horizontally acquired elements. Screening for pathogens of coral disease should target conserved regions in these elements.
Transcription Factor Runx3 Is Induced by Influenza A Virus and Double-Strand RNA and Mediates Airway Epithelial Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Gan Huachen , Hao Qin , Idell Steven , Tang Hua
Published: December 2015

Influenza A virus (IAV) targets airway epithelial cells and exploits the host cell machinery to replicate, causing respiratory illness in annual epidemics and pandemics of variable severity. The high rate of antigenic drift (viral mutation) and the putative antigenic shift (reassortant strains) have raised the need to find the host cell inducible factors modulating IAV replication and its pathogenesis to develop more effective antiviral treatment. In this study, we found for the first time that transcription factor Runx3, a developmental regulator and tumor suppressor, was induced by IAV H1N1 and H3N2, viral RNA, a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and type-II interferon-γ (IFNγ) in human airway epithelial cells. Whereas Runx3 was essentially not induced by type-I IFNα and type-III IFNλ, we show that Runx3 induction by IAV infection and viral RNA is mediated through the innate immune receptor MDA5 and the IκB kinase-β−NF-κB pathway. Moreover, we provide substantial evidence indicating that Runx3 plays a crucial role in airway epithelial cell apoptosis induced by IAV infection and dsRNA through the activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Thus, we have identified Runx3 as an inducible and important transcription factor modulating IAV-induced host epithelial cell apoptosis.