bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The DPYSL2 gene connects mTOR and schizophrenia
Authors: Pham X , Song G , Lao S , Goff L , Zhu H , Valle D , Avramopoulos D
Published: November 2016

We previously reported a schizophrenia-associated polymorphic CT di-nucleotide repeat (DNR) at the 5′-untranslated repeat (UTR) of DPYSL2, which responds to mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with allelic differences in reporter assays. Now using microarray analysis, we show that the DNR alleles interact differentially with specific proteins, including the mTOR-related protein HuD/ELAVL4. We confirm the differential binding to HuD and other known mTOR effectors by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We edit HEK293 cells by CRISPR/Cas9 to carry the schizophrenia risk variant (13DNR) and observe a significant reduction of the corresponding CRMP2 isoform. These edited cells confirm the response to mTOR inhibitors and show a twofold shortening of the cellular projections. Transcriptome analysis of these modified cells by RNA-seq shows changes in 12.7% of expressed transcripts at a false discovery rate of 0.05. These transcripts are enriched in immunity-related genes, overlap significantly with those modified by the schizophrenia-associated gene, ZNF804A, and have a reverse expression signature from that seen with antipsychotic drugs. Our results support the functional importance of the DPYSL2 DNR and a role for mTOR signaling in schizophrenia.
Portable point-of-care diagnostic devices
Authors: Zhang Wei , Guo Siyuan , Pereira Carvalho Wildemar Stefânio , Jiang Yaxin , Serpe Michael J.
Published: November 2016

This review highlights key development of point-of-care diagnostics for detecting DNA, proteins, bacteria/pathogens, and other species in samples that can be used for diagnosing disease and detecting harmful chemical and biochemical contaminants in samples. These technologies have great promise for improving the quality of life for those in the developing world.
A selective and sensitive pre-column derivatization HPLC method for the trace analysis of genotoxic impurity hydroxylamine in active pharmaceutical ingredients
Authors: Song Min , Wu Sha , Lu Ping-bo , Qiao Ya-nan , Hang Tai-jun
Published: November 2016

A simple and robust high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the trace analysis of genotoxic impurity hydroxylamine in Vorinostat and Zileuton, two active pharmaceutical ingredients, is described.
Lanthanides post-functionalized indium metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for luminescence tuning, polymer film preparation and near-UV white LED assembly
Authors: Wu Jing-Xing , Yan Bing
Published: November 2016

In-MOF–Eu polymer thin films and a white light LED are prepared. The surface of the LED bulb is covered by the polymer and it can emit dazzling white light under a certain excitation wavelength.
Proteomics profiling of interactome dynamics by colocalisation analysis (COLA)
Authors: Mardakheh Faraz K. , Sailem Heba Z. , Kümper Sandra , Tape Christopher J. , McCully Ryan R. , Paul Angela , Anjomani-Virmouni Sara , Jørgensen Claus , Poulogiannis George , Marshall Christopher J. , Bakal Chris
Published: November 2016

A combined proteomics and bioinformatics strategy for mapping interactome dynamics via assessment of subcellular protein–protein colocalisations.
N–O linkage in carbohydrates and glycoconjugates
Authors: Chen N. , Xie J.
Published: November 2016

The synthesis and chemical and physicochemical properties as well as biological and medical applications of various hydroxylamine-functionalized carbohydrate derivatives are summarized.
Syntheses and properties of the V-shaped dimeric xanthene dyes
Authors: Yamagami Akari , Ishimura Hina , Katori Akane , Kuramochi Kouji , Tsubaki Kazunori
Published: November 2016

Two new types of V-shaped dimeric xanthene fluorescent dyes were synthesized and evaluated in terms of their optical properties.
The organocatalytic asymmetric Neber reaction for the enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindole 2H-azirines
Authors: Zhao Jian-Qiang , Yue Deng-Feng , Zhang Xiao-Mei , Xu Xiao-Ying , Yuan Wei-Cheng
Published: November 2016

The catalytic asymmetric Neber reaction of 3-O-sulfonyl ketoxime for the synthesis of chiral spirooxindole 2H-azirines by using (DHQD)2PHAL is reported.
Synthesis of microcapsules using inverse emulsion periphery RAFT polymerization via SPG membrane emulsification
Authors: Ishizuka Fumi , Kuchel Rhiannon P. , Lu Hongxu , Stenzel Martina H. , Zetterlund Per B.
Published: November 2016

Synthesis of polymeric capsules with good control over the particle size and size distribution is demonstratedviaa novel approach involving SPG membrane emulsification.
Engineered gold nanoparticles for photothermal cancer therapy and bacteria killing
Authors: Gharatape Alireza , Davaran Soodabeh , Salehi Roya , Hamishehkar Hamed
Published: November 2016

Gold nanoparticle mediated photothermal therapy in future medicine.
Preparation and evaluation of a separator with an asymmetric structure for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Zhu Shaoyin , Sun Deye , Jin Yongcheng
Published: November 2016

Asymmetric separators with high porosity and thermal stability can provide different functionalities corresponding to the different interface properties at the cathode and anode surfaces.
A highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probe for rapid detection of hypochlorite in tap water and cancer cells
Authors: Pang Lanfang , Zhou Yanmei , Gao Wenli , Song Haohan , Wang Xiao , Wang Yong
Published: November 2016

A fluorescence probe for the rapid detection of hypochlorite in tap water and cancer cells.
Antimony sulphoiodide (SbSI), a narrow band-gap non-oxide ternary semiconductor with efficient photocatalytic activity
Authors: Tamilselvan Muthusamy , Bhattacharyya Aninda J.
Published: November 2016

A highly crystalline 3D urchin-shaped SbSI with an ns2 cationic electronic configuration displays very high and efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.
“Green” nano-filters: fine nanofibers of natural protein for high efficiency filtration of particulate pollutants and toxic gases
Authors: Souzandeh Hamid , Wang Yu , Zhong Wei-Hong
Published: November 2016

By combining the significant properties of nanofibers and the multi-functionality of pure proteins, “green” multifunctional air-filters with high removal efficiency of particulates and toxic gases is achieved.
Protein-bound toxins: has the Cinderella of uraemic toxins turned into a princess?
Authors: Liabeuf Sophie , Villain Cédric , Massy Ziad A.
Published: November 2016

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a global public health problem. Although the incidence and prevalence of CKD vary from one country to another, the estimated worldwide prevalence is 8–16%. The complications associated with CKD include progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), mineral and bone disorders, anaemia, cognitive decline and elevated all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. As a result of progressive nephron loss, patients with late-stage CKD are permanently exposed to uraemic toxins. These toxins have been classified into three groups as a function of the molecular mass: small water-soluble molecules, middle molecules and protein-bound uraemic toxins. The compounds can also be classified according to their origin (i.e. microbial or not) or their protein-binding ability. The present review will focus on the best-characterized protein-bound uraemic toxins, namely indoxylsulfate (IS), indole acetic acid (IAA) and p-cresylsulfate (PCS, a cresol metabolite). Recent research suggests that these toxins accelerate the progression of CV disease, kidney disease, bone disorders and neurological complications. Lastly, we review therapeutic approaches that can be used to decrease toxin levels.
Trace formulas for the matrix Schrödinger operator on the half-line with general boundary conditions
Authors: Weder Ricardo
Published: November 2016

We prove Buslaev-Faddeev trace formulas for the matrix Schrödinger operator on the half-line, with general boundary conditions at the origin and with selfadjoint matrix potentials.
Multiblob coarse-graining for mixtures of long polymers and soft colloids
Authors: Locatelli Emanuele , Capone Barbara , Likos Christos N.
Published: November 2016

Soft nanocomposites represent both a theoretical and an experimental challenge due to the high number of the microscopic constituents that strongly influence the behaviour of the systems. An effective theoretical description of such systems invokes a reduction of the degrees of freedom to be analysed, hence requiring the introduction of an efficient, quantitative, coarse-grained description. We here report on a novel coarse graining approach based on a set of transferable potentials that quantitatively reproduces properties of mixtures of linear and star-shaped homopolymeric nanocomposites. By renormalizing groups of monomers into a single effective potential between a f-functional star polymer and an homopolymer of length N0, and through a scaling argument, it will be shown how a substantial reduction of the to degrees of freedom allows for a full quantitative description of the system. Our methodology is tested upon full monomer simulations for systems of different molecular weight, proving its full predictive potential.
Direct coevolutionary couplings reflect biophysical residue interactions in proteins
Authors: Coucke Alice , Uguzzoni Guido , Oteri Francesco , Cocco Simona , Monasson Remi , Weigt Martin
Published: November 2016

Coevolution of residues in contact imposes strong statistical constraints on the sequence variability between homologous proteins. Direct-Coupling Analysis (DCA), a global statistical inference method, successfully models this variability across homologous protein families to infer structural information about proteins. For each residue pair, DCA infers 21 × 21 matrices describing the coevolutionary coupling for each pair of amino acids (or gaps). To achieve the residue-residue contact prediction, these matrices are mapped onto simple scalar parameters; the full information they contain gets lost. Here, we perform a detailed spectral analysis of the coupling matrices resulting from 70 protein families, to show that they contain quantitative information about the physico-chemical properties of amino-acid interactions. Results for protein families are corroborated by the analysis of synthetic data from lattice-protein models, which emphasizes the critical effect of sampling quality and regularization on the biochemical features of the statistical coupling matrices.
On the sign of the relaxation activation energy for interfacial polarization in reduced graphene oxide–based nano-composites
Authors: Islam Rakibul , Papathanassiou Anthony N. , Chan-Yu-King Roch , Roussel Frédérick
Published: November 2016

The dielectric relaxation mechanism associated with the interfacial polarization in polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide (PANI/RGO) nano-composites is found to shift towards lower frequencies on increasing temperature. Accordingly, the effective activation energy value is negative. Basic concepts of the Sillars dielectric theory of a heterogeneous medium are revisited for a material consisting of conducting platelets dispersed in a semi-insulating matrix in order to explain the negative sign of the relaxation energy. A plausible explanation to this observation involves a thermally activated de-trapping mechanism through the effective potential barrier at the interfaces between RGO and PANI. This results in an enhancement of the density of charge carriers which contributes to dc conductivity at the expense of the density of charge carriers that relax within RGO inclusions. Subsequently, the intensity of the dielectric peak is suppressed on heating which results in a systematic modification of the shapes of the dc conductivity vs temperature curves.
Magnetic structure and effect of magnetic field on its domain structure in magnetoelectric Ba1.3Sr0.7CoZnFe11AlO22
Authors: Ueda H. , Tanaka Y. , Nakajima H. , Mori S. , Ohta K. , Haruki K. , Hirose S. , Wakabayashi Y. , Kimura T.
Published: November 2016

The magnetic structure and the effect of a magnetic field on its domain structure were investigated in a magnetoelectric Y-type hexaferrite, Ba1.3Sr0.7CoZnFe11AlO22, by means of mapping with a micro-focused and circularly polarized X-ray beam in the resonant X-ray diffraction. It was revealed that this hexaferrite exhibits a magnetic order characterized by two distinct antiferromagnetic components: incommensurate helical and commensurate collinear ones, which can be explained as the development of the so-called alternating longitudinal conical structure. A multi-domain state due to the handedness of the helical component, i.e., spin-chirality, is transformed into nearly a mono-domain one by using only a magnetic field. Furthermore, the sign of the spin-chirality in the mono-domain state is reversed by reversing the sign of a magnetic field. These results demonstrate that the spin-chirality in this hexaferrite can be manipulated by a magnetic field alone at room temperature.
Magnetic properties of low-moment ferrimagnetic Heusler Cr2CoGa thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Jamer Michelle E. , Sterbinsky George E. , Stephen Gregory M. , DeCapua Matthew C. , Player Gabriel , Heiman Don
Published: November 2016

Recently, theorists have predicted many materials with a low magnetic moment and large spin-polarization for spintronic applications. These compounds are predicted to form in the inverse Heusler structure; however, many of these compounds have been found to phase segregate. In this study, ordered Cr2CoGa thin films were synthesized without phase segregation using molecular beam epitaxy. The present as-grown films exhibit a low magnetic moment from antiferromagnetically coupled Cr and Co atoms as measured with superconducting quantum interface device magnetometry and soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Electrical measurements demonstrated a thermally-activated semiconductor-like resistivity component with an activation energy of 87 meV. These results confirm spin gapless semiconducting behavior, which makes these thin films well positioned for future devices.
Ambipolar behavior in MoS2 field effect transistors by using catalytic oxidation
Authors: Choi J. H. , Jang H.-K. , Jin J. E. , Shin J. M. , Kim D.-H. , Kim G.-T.
Published: November 2016

Modulation of electrical properties in MoS2 flakes is an attractive issue from the point of view of device applications. In this work, we demonstrate that an ambipolar behavior in MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs) can be easily obtained by heating MoS2 flakes under air atmosphere in the presence of cobalt oxide catalyst (MoS2 + O2 → MoOx + SOx). The catalytic oxidation of MoS2 flakes between source-drain electrodes resulted in lots of MoOx nanoparticles (NPs) on MoS2 flakes with thickness reduction from 64 nm to 17 nm. Consequently, N-type behavior of MoS2 FETs was converted into ambipolar transport characteristics by MoOx NPs which inject hole carriers to MoS2 flakes.
Optimization of thermoelectric properties for rough nano-ridge GaAs/AlAs superlattice structure
Authors: Wu Chao-Wei , Wu Yuh-Renn
Published: November 2016

In this paper, optimizations of thermoelectric(TE) properties for the rough surface of the nano-ridge GaAs/AlAs superlattice(SL) structure are investigated. The nano-ridge featured with rough surface at both sides of the SL structure is introduced, where the modification of the phonon spatial confinement and phonon surface roughness scattering are taken into account. The elastic continuum model is employed to calculate the phonon dispersion relation and the related phonon group velocity. Reported experimental results with SL structures were used for verification of our model. The lattice thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and electronic thermal conductivity are calculated by Boltzmann transport equations and relaxation time approximation. Simulation results show that the nano-ridge SL structure with certain periodicity and phonon surface roughness scattering have strong influences on the TE properties. Highest ZT in our calculation is 1.285 at 300K and the ZT value of 3.04 is obtained at 1000K.
Superconducting single X-ray photon detector based on W0.8Si0.2
Authors: Zhang Xiaofu , Wang Qiang , Schilling Andreas
Published: November 2016

We fabricated a superconducting single X-ray photon detector based on W0.8Si0.2, and we characterized its basic detection performance for keV-photons at different temperatures. The detector has a critical temperature of 4.97 K, and it is able to be operated up to 4.8 K, just below the critical temperature. The detector starts to react to X-ray photons at relatively low bias currents, less than 1% of Ic at T = 1.8 K, and it shows a saturated count rate dependence on bias current at all temperatures, indicating that the optimum internal quantum efficiency can always be reached. Dark counts are negligible up to the highest investigated bias currents (99% of Ic) and operating temperature (4.8 K). The latching effect affects the detector performance at all temperatures due to the fast recovery of the bias current; however, further modifications of the device geometry are expected to reduce the tendency for latching.
Land’s complex role in climate change
Authors: Pielke Roger A. , Mahmood Rezaul , McAlpine Clive
Published: November 2016

To mitigate climate change at local, regional, and global scales, we must begin to think beyond greenhouse gases.
The carbon cycle in a changing climate
Authors: Graven Heather D.
Published: November 2016

As temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change, and land- and sea-ice extents shrink, scientists are learning how the exchanges of carbon between Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and land ecosystems respond to and feed back on climate change.
Recognition of the 3′ splice site RNA by the U2AF heterodimer involves a dynamic population shift
Authors: Voith von Voithenberg Lena , Sánchez-Rico Carolina , Kang Hyun-Seo , Madl Tobias , Zanier Katia , Barth Anders , Warner Lisa R. , Sattler Michael , Lamb Don C.
Published: November 2016

Significance

The splicing of human pre-mRNAs is tightly controlled and regulated during the assembly of the spliceosome onto pre-mRNA introns. Recognition of regulatory RNA sequence motifs by splicing factors is an essential early step during spliceosome assembly. We combine single-pair FRET and NMR to show that the recognition of the 3′ splice site in pre-mRNA introns by the essential heterodimeric splicing factor U2 auxiliary factor (U2AF) involves conformational dynamics and population shifts of its RNA binding domains between open and closed conformations. Unexpectedly, the small subunit U2AF35 facilitates the recognition of weak splice sites by a population shift of the RNA binding domains of U2AF65 toward the open conformation. Notably, disease-linked mutations in U2AF65 do not affect RNA or U2AF35 binding.
Drosophila
IRBP bZIP heterodimer binds P-element DNA and affects hybrid dysgenesis
Authors: Francis Malik Joseph , Roche Siobhan , Cho Michael Jeffrey , Beall Eileen , Min Bosun , Panganiban Ronaldo Paolo , Rio Donald C.
Published: November 2016

Significance

The P-element transposon is a mobile DNA that invaded the
Drosophila
genome approximately 100 y ago. P elements were identified by studying a genetic syndrome called “hybrid dysgenesis.” The elements use their encoded transposase for mobility, but rely on host-cell factors for essential parts of their life cycle. Here we demonstrate biochemically that a
Drosophila
-encoded bZIP heterodimer binds to the P-element terminal 31-bp sequences. We used genetics to show that these proteins play a role in repairing DNA breaks caused by P-element transposase activity during hybrid dysgenesis and other types of DNA damage. These results provide an example of the mechanisms that the host genome uses to combat genome instability caused by foreign DNA invasion.
Complex I assembly into supercomplexes determines differential mitochondrial ROS production in neurons and astrocytes
Authors: Lopez-Fabuel Irene , Le Douce Juliette , Logan Angela , James Andrew M. , Bonvento Gilles , Murphy Michael P. , Almeida Angeles , Bolaños Juan P.
Published: November 2016

Significance

Neurons depend on oxidative phosphorylation for survival, whereas astrocytes do not. Mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complexes can be organized in higher structures called supercomplexes, which dictate MRC electron flux and energy efficiency. Whether the specific metabolic shapes of neurons and astrocytes are determined by the specific organization of MRC complexes is unknown. Here, we found that, in astrocytes, most complex I is free, resulting in poor mitochondrial respiration but high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In contrast, neurons show complex I to be mostly embedded into supercomplexes, thus resulting in high mitochondrial respiration and low ROS production. Thus, MRC organization dictates different bioenergetics preferences of neurons and astrocytes impacting on ROS production, possibly playing a role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Calcium threshold shift enables frequency-independent control of plasticity by an instructive signal
Authors: Piochon Claire , Titley Heather K. , Simmons Dana H. , Grasselli Giorgio , Elgersma Ype , Hansel Christian
Published: November 2016

Significance

Instructive signals play an important role in synaptic plasticity and learning. For example, at cerebellar parallel fiber (PF)-Purkinje cell synapses, climbing fiber (CF) coactivation provides an instructive signal that promotes long-term depression (LTD) by amplifying spine calcium transients above a threshold level that, at these synapses, is higher than for LTP induction. Here, we show that the CF instructive signal maintains its control over PF plasticity regardless of the PF synaptic activation frequency, which, on its own, alters spine calcium signaling. We demonstrate that high-frequency stimulation reduces the calcium sensitivity of LTD, resulting from inhibitory calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II autophosphorylation at Thr305/306. We propose that this regulatory mechanism causes a horizontal shift of the long-term potentiation/LTD cross-over point, making plasticity independent from absolute calcium amplitudes.
Telomere shortening and metabolic compromise underlie dystrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chang Alex Chia Yu , Ong Sang-Ging , LaGory Edward L. , Kraft Peggy E. , Giaccia Amato J. , Wu Joseph C. , Blau Helen M.
Published: November 2016

Significance

We have found that long telomeres protect mice from genetic cardiac diseases analogous to those found in humans, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Mice lacking dystrophin, similar to patients with DMD, exhibit only mild disease. In contrast, mice that lack dystrophin and have “humanized” telomere lengths (
mdx

4cv

/mTR

G2

) fully manifest both the severe human skeletal muscle wasting and cardiac failure typical of DMD. Remarkably, telomere shortening accompanies cardiac development even after cardiomyocyte division has ceased. This chronic proliferation-independent shortening in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes is associated with induction of a DNA damage response, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and metabolic failure. Our findings highlight an interplay between telomere length and mitochondrial homeostasis in the etiology of dystrophic heart failure.
Evolutionary switches between two serine codon sets are driven by selection
Authors: Rogozin Igor B. , Belinky Frida , Pavlenko Vladimir , Shabalina Svetlana A. , Kristensen David M. , Koonin Eugene V.
Published: November 2016

Significance

When a rare evolutionary event is observed, such as substitution of two adjacent nucleotides, the question emerges whether such rare changes are caused by mutational bias or by selection. Here we address this question through genome-wide analysis of double substitutions that lead to switch of the codon sets for the amino acid serine, the only one that is encoded by two disjoint sets of codons. We show that selection is the primary factor behind these changes. These findings suggest that short-term evolution of proteins is subject to stronger purifying selection than previously thought and has significant implications for methods of phylogenetic analysis.
Cryo-EM structure of a CD4-bound open HIV-1 envelope trimer reveals structural rearrangements of the gp120 V1V2 loop
Authors: Wang Haoqing , Cohen Alexander A. , Galimidi Rachel P. , Gristick Harry B. , Jensen Grant J. , Bjorkman Pamela J.
Published: November 2016

Significance

The HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein exists in multiple conformations on virion surfaces. Although the closed Env state is well characterized, less is known about open Env conformations stabilized by host receptor (CD4) binding. We solved an 8.9-Å structure of a partially open CD4-bound Env trimer by single particle cryo-EM. In the CD4-bound Env, the gp120 V1V2 loops were displaced by ∼40 Å from their positions at the trimer apex. The displaced V1V2 loops were at the sides of the open trimer in positions adjacent to, and interacting with, the three bound CD4s. These results are relevant to understanding CD4-induced conformational changes leading to coreceptor binding and fusion, and HIV-1 Env conformational dynamics, and describe a target structure relevant to drug design and vaccine efforts.
VEGF-B gene therapy inhibits doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by endothelial protection
Authors: Räsänen Markus , Degerman Joni , Nissinen Tuuli A. , Miinalainen Ilkka , Kerkelä Risto , Siltanen Antti , Backman Janne T. , Mervaala Eero , Hulmi Juha J. , Kivelä Riikka , Alitalo Kari
Published: November 2016

Significance

The cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines is a major problem in cancer chemotherapy, and its alleviation would improve the life expectancy of cancer patients. This study shows that vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) gene therapy can be used to prevent the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX). VEGF-B inhibited DOX-induced cardiac atrophy, protected endothelial cells from apoptosis, and preserved the myocardial capillary network. Importantly, DOX-induced whole body wasting (cachexia), which both impairs the quality of life and increases drug toxicity in patients as well as decreases their survival, was inhibited by VEGF-B treatment in the DOX-treated mice. Additional preclinical studies are needed for development of the VEGF-B gene therapy for cardiac protection in patients.
Information design in nautical charts
Authors: Porathe Thomas
Published: November 2016

Conspicuous grey shading or blue colours are traditionally used in printed nautical charts to represent shallow water. The problem is that what is “deep” water for one size of ship might not be so for another size. To understand the extent of navigable water the bridge crew has to make a number of relatively complicated mental calculations. This paper suggests an automatic way of displaying NoGo areas that will give the bridge officer an at-a-glance knowledge of his ship’s manoeuvrable space, present and along the future route. A prototype has been developed and was tested with professional mariners in the EU project ACCSEAS. The system was rated as good and acceptable from a professional point of view although further improvements are necessary.
The virtual railway station
Authors: Egger (is-design GmbH) Veronika
Published: November 2016

In a fully immersive virtual environment that modeled the new Vienna Central Station this research project investigated to what extent virtual reality might serve to evaluate the quality of orientation signage. From an information design point of view, two questions were particularly relevant: (1) How applicable are results from a virtual environment to the real world? and (2) Is this type of virtual environment suitable for testing with elderly people and people who are partially sighted? The article describes evaluation methods, limits and strengths of the virtual environment and lessons for real world application of results.
What next for legible cities
Authors: Fendley Tim
Published: November 2016

In this article, the forces that will impact the
development of cities as information hubs are assessed
and proposed. By analysing the recent direction and
trajectory of development, and using assessments
from other professions, this article outlines the
future of wayfinding as a distinct profession and set
of connected activities. It highlights the growing
influence of the need for optimization, and not just
the construction of cities transport systems. Finally,
it creates a blueprint for how Legible Cities will be built
in the future.
Continuity in travel information
Authors: Wrede Oliver
Published: November 2016

This article discusses the contrast between the information
transportation companies provide to travellers and that
of their brand messaging. Companies’ brand messaging
often portrays the service they provide as pleasant, stress
free and perfect. Customers and users of the service, on
the other hand, often describe their experience of the
service as a negative one. This article suggests that the
brand value would be greater if transportation companies
paid more attention to the users’ experience when
designing their information systems, particularly in worst
case scenarios.
Phonological awareness in reading acquisition
Authors: Özata Hatice , Babür Nalan , Haznedar Belma
Published: November 2016

This study investigates phonological awareness skills of Turkish-English successive bilingual children in order to determine the predictors of success in word reading in English and Turkish. Fifty Turkish-English successive bilingual and sixteen monolingual English-speaking children participated in the study. The data were collected through multiple instruments, examining phonological awareness (PA) and word recognition in both languages. The results indicated that phonological awareness was a strong predictor of word level reading success in both Turkish and English. These data also revealed that PA followed a developmental pattern from syllables to phonemes. Additionally, both qualitative and quantitative analyses demonstrated that Turkish PA exerted an impact on English word recognition in bilingual children, suggesting cross-language transfer of PA between the two languages.
Second language exposure in the preschool
Authors: Aktan-Erciyes Aslı , Aksu-Koç Ayhan
Published: November 2016

An emerging situation in Turkey involves the acquisition of a second language (L2; English) in a context where the first language (L1; Turkish) is the majority language by children from advantaged social backgrounds. The present study explores the consequences of exposure to L2 in preschool on L1 and on executive functioning. One-hundred-four preschool children, attending Turkish-instruction preschools with one hour of English per day and English-instruction preschools with full-time English were assessed for their L1 and L2 competence and for executive functioning. An SEM model showed no difference in L1 competence between the two groups. Contrary to expectations, L2 competence did not have an effect on executive functioning in L2 preschools whereas an effect was observed in L1 preschools with fewer hours of exposure.
Singapore and Africa enhancing economic linkages
Authors: MacPherson Robert
Published: November 2016

With one of the highest trade to gross domestic product ratios globally, Singapore’s economy is highly susceptible to downturns in global trade volumes and, as such, maintains a strategic interest to achieve diversification among its trade partners. To that end, this small Southeast Asian city-state stands to benefit from its increasing trade and investment with African partners as the broader Southeast Asia–Africa corridor gains momentum. The growing seriousness and effort among Singapore’s private sector to better familiarize itself with African opportunities is compelling. Rising bilateral investment and trade flows, new co-operation frameworks and increasingly frequent trade missions are a testament to the extent to which there exists growing awareness and accessibility between Africa and Singapore. Indeed, such activities result from the growing realization that as African economies rise and turn an important corner in their development, there will be abundant opportunities accessible to economic partners beyond the common narratives with the United States, Europe and China. While Singapore may not offer the same level of scale or political clout on the continent, this paper explores early stage progress in identifying specific areas of meaningful co-operation and its attempt to define its role in Africa as a value-adding partner.
Natural History of Cryptosporidiosis in a Birth Cohort in Southern India
Authors: Kattula Deepthi , Jeyavelu Nithya , Prabhakaran Ashok D , Premkumar Prasanna S , Velusamy Vasanthakumar , Venugopal Srinivasan , Geetha Jayanthi C , Lazarus Robin P , Das Princey , Nithyanandhan Karthick , Gunasekaran Chandrabose , Muliyil Jayaprakash , Sarkar Rajiv , Wanke Christine , Ajjampur Sitara Swarna Rao , Babji Sudhir , Naumova Elena N , Ward Honorine D , Kang Gagandeep
Published: November 2016

Background

Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of moderate to severe childhood diarrhea in resource-poor settings. Understanding the natural history of cryptosporidiosis and the correlates of protection are essential to develop effective and sustainable approaches to disease control and prevention.

Methods

Children (N = 497) were recruited at birth in semiurban slums in Vellore, India, and followed for 3 years with twice-weekly home visits. Stool samples were collected every 2 weeks and during diarrheal episodes were tested for Cryptosporidium species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum samples obtained every 6 months were evaluated for seroconversion, defined as a 4-fold increase in immunoglobulin G directed against Cryptosporidium gp15 and/or Cp23 antigens between consecutive sera.

Results

Of 410 children completing follow-up, 397 (97%) acquired cryptosporidiosis by 3 years of age. PCR identified 1053 episodes of cryptosporidiosis, with an overall incidence of 0.86 infections per child-year by stool and serology. The median age for the first infection was 9 (interquartile range, 4–17) months, indicating early exposure. Although infections were mainly asymptomatic (693 [66%]), Cryptosporidium was identified in 9.4% of diarrheal episodes. The proportion of reinfected children was high (81%) and there was clustering of asymptomatic and symptomatic infections (P < .0001 for both). Protection against infection increased with the order of infection but was only 69% after 4 infections. Cryptosporidium hominis (73.3%) was the predominant Cryptosporidium species, and there was no species-specific protection.

Conclusions

There is a high burden of endemic cryptosporidiosis in southern India. Clustering of infection is suggestive of host susceptibility. Multiple reinfections conferred some protection against subsequent infection.
Automatic health record review to help prioritize gravely ill Social Security disability applicants
Authors: Abbott Kenneth , Ho Yen-Yi , Erickson Jennifer
Published: November 2016

Objective: Every year, thousands of patients die waiting for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Some qualify for expedited service under the Compassionate Allowance (CAL) initiative, but CAL software focuses exclusively on information from a single form field. This paper describes the development of a supplemental process for identifying some overlooked but gravely ill applicants, through automatic annotation of health records accompanying new claims. We explore improved prioritization instead of fully autonomous claims approval.

Materials and Methods: We developed a sample of claims containing medical records at the moment of arrival in a single office. A series of tools annotated both patient records and public Web page descriptions of CAL medical conditions. We trained random forests to identify CAL patients and validated each model with 10-fold cross validation.

Results: Our main model, a general CAL classifier, had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.915. Combining this classifier with existing software improved sensitivity from 0.960 to 0.994, detecting every deceased patient, but reducing positive predictive value to 0.216.

Discussion: True positive CAL identification is a priority, given CAL patient mortality. Mere prioritization of the false positives would not create a meaningful burden in terms of manual review. Death certificate data suggest the presence of truly ill patients among putative false positives.

Conclusion: To a limited extent, it is possible to identify gravely ill Social Security disability applicants by analyzing annotations of unstructured electronic health records, and the level of identification is sufficient to be useful in prioritizing case reviews.
The End of Epilepsy?
Authors: Schmidt Dieter , Shorvon Simon
Published: November 2016

Epilepsy is a common disease of the brain, occurring in roughly 1% of all people, and although repeated epileptic seizures are its clinical hallmark, epilepsy is not just a medical phenomenon, but a social construct, with cultural, political, and financial consequences. People with epilepsy are exposed to stigma and burdened with disadvantages which can be far reaching. There are indeed many remedies, but no cure. This book provides a biography of modern epilepsy in the form of a brief and selective narrative of some of the important developments in medical and social epilepsy research, with its many ups and downs, over the period since 1860. Its anatomy of modern epilepsy in eight chapters is, inevitably in this short book, selective, and intentionally provocative. The book’s main objective is to provide both a survey of the evolution of epilepsy and its treatment in the post-Jacksonian era, and also a critical look at where we are today and how we got there. This book tries to make an effort to separate the wheat from the chaff in the development of better epilepsy care. Good and bad events and concepts of historic consequence are discussed. It is acknowledged that, although the end of epilepsy is in reach of some, there is at present no prescribed scientific path to the end of epilepsy for others. Regardless of the severity of epilepsy, patients, with the support of their physicians and modern medicine, must create their own solutions to the multiple issues they face.
Paediatric Palliative Medicine
Authors: Hain Richard , Jassal Satbir
Published: November 2016

Looking after children with life-limiting conditions can be very difficult for both parents and health-care professionals. This second edition of Paediatric Palliative Medicine is full of easily accessible, detailed information on medical conditions and symptoms, and includes specific management plans in order to guide the practising clinician through treatment of children requiring palliative care. Using the bestselling Oxford Specialist Handbook format to deliver practical and concise information, this handbook facilitates bedside delivery of effective palliative medicine. It includes detailed information on symptom control and the philosophy and models that support delivery of palliative medicine to children, while also covering practical delivery of palliative medicine relating to other professionals and families, and the learning and coping skills required in palliative care. It also contains a quick-reference drug formulary. Fully updated with an expanded formulary and a new chapter on the intensive care unit, this new edition continues to be the authoritative reference tool in paediatric palliative care.
Chemical Composition, Pasting, and Thermal Properties of 22 Different Varieties of Peas and Lentils
Authors: Li Chongjun , Ganjyal Girish M.
Published: November 2016

Eleven green pea, five yellow pea, and six lentil varieties were analyzed for their composition and pasting and thermal properties. Lentils had higher protein content (25.8–28.6%) than peas (22.2–27.6%). However, peas had higher fiber content (19.8–31.4%) than lentils (17.8–21.8%). Both peas and lentils showed similar starch content (41.5–52.3 and 43.5–50.0%, respectively), and they were both low in fat (<1.6%). Micro‐Visco‐Amylograph tests showed C‐type amylograph patterns, except for Richlea variety. Thermal properties of flours were measured at 20, 40, 60, and 80% moisture content with a differential scanning calorimeter. Linear trends with a decrease in peak temperatures (Tp) were observed with an increase in moisture from 20 to 60%, and beyond 60% Tp was constant. Currently, peas and lentils are sold by mixing different varieties into classes based on the similarities in color and size of the seeds. However, significant differences were observed in chemical compositions and pasting and thermal properties among varieties tested. This suggests that it may be a good practice to use single varieties or group varieties based on their composition and functional properties, so that the end user may have a consistent final product when using the peas.
Resolution of Probabilistic Weather Forecasts with Application in Disease Management
Authors: Hughes G. , McRoberts N. , Burnett F. J.
Published: November 2016

Predictive systems in disease management often incorporate weather data among the disease risk factors, and sometimes this comes in the form of forecast weather data rather than observed weather data. In such cases, it is useful to have an evaluation of the operational weather forecast, in addition to the evaluation of the disease forecasts provided by the predictive system. Typically, weather forecasts and disease forecasts are evaluated using different methodologies. However, the information theoretic quantity expected mutual information provides a basis for evaluating both kinds of forecast. Expected mutual information is an appropriate metric for the average performance of a predictive system over a set of forecasts. Both relative entropy (a divergence, measuring information gain) and specific information (an entropy difference, measuring change in uncertainty) provide a basis for the assessment of individual forecasts.
Benign Glandular Schwannoma With Ancient Change
Authors: Holliday Alex C. , Mazloom Sean E. , Coman Garrett C. , Kolodney Michael S. , Chavan Rahul N. , Grider Douglas J.
Published: November 2016

Benign glandular schwannomas are rare and should be distinguished from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with similar divergent tissue differentiation. The authors present a benign glandular schwannoma with ancient change that developed in the subcutis of a 46-year-old man's posterior calf. He lacked stigmata of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The glandular elements stained positively for epithelial membrane antigen and pancytokeratin. The spindled cells stained positively for SOX10 and S100 protein, supporting schwannian (neural crest) differentiation. The tumor's location and histopathology suggest that the pathogenesis stems from entrapment of sweat glands. Finally, it must be recognized that ancient change may mimic malignancy in these neoplasms as the malignant counterparts have a greater association with NF1 and a poorer prognosis.
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Support of the Medical Home for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Nolan Robyn , Walker Tarik , Hanson Janice L. , Friedman Sandra
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To identify challenges primary care providers (PCPs) experience providing a Medical Home for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and to describe the role developmental behavioral pediatricians (DBPs) play in the Medical Home Neighborhood.

Methods:

The authors used purposeful sampling to recruit 25 PCPs from around Colorado to participate in 4 focus groups. Member checking was performed at the end of each group. Sampling continued until themes repeated and saturation was achieved. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were analyzed using content analysis; an outside reviewer audited the data.

Results:

Qualitative analysis yielded 30 codes that fell into 7 themes: provider education, shared model of care, initial diagnostic evaluation by the DBP, communication, office factors, cost and coverage, and access. PCPs identified knowledge gaps that led to decreased comfort and desired ongoing education and a centralized resource for providers. They envisioned a shared care model with ongoing specialist collaboration and improved communication within the care team. A specific role desired of the DBP was to provide the initial diagnostic evaluation and treatment plan with specific resources. Office factors, high cost and variable coverage, and poor access to services were barriers to providing a Medical Home for children with ASD.

Conclusion:

Working to remove barriers to shared care as well as providing continued educational opportunities will help improve access to a Medical Home Neighborhood for children with ASD. Advocacy is needed to help remove barriers related to cost, coverage, and access to services.
Development of a Simple and Rapid Method to Measure the Free Fraction of Tacrolimus in Plasma Using Ultrafiltration and LC-MS/MS
Authors: Stienstra Nicolaas A. , Sikma Maaike A. , van Dapperen Anouk L. , de Lange Dylan W. , van Maarseveen Erik M.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant mainly used in the prophylaxis of solid organ transplant rejection. Therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus is essential for avoiding toxicity related to overexposure and transplant rejection from underexposure. Previous studies suggest that unbound tacrolimus concentrations in the plasma may serve as a better predictor of tacrolimus-associated nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity compared to tacrolimus concentration in whole blood. Monitoring the plasma concentrations of unbound tacrolimus might be of interest in preventing tacrolimus-related toxicity. Therefore, the aim was to develop a method for the measurement of total and unbound tacrolimus concentrations in plasma.

Methods:

The sample preparation for the determination of the plasma concentrations of unbound tacrolimus consisted of an easy-to-use ultrafiltration method followed by solid-phase extraction. To determine the total concentration of tacrolimus in plasma, a simple method based on protein precipitation was developed. The extracts were injected into a Thermo Scientific HyPurity C18 column using gradient elution. The analytes were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with positive ionization.

Results:

The method was validated over a linear range of 1.00–200 ng/L for unbound tacrolimus concentrations in plasma and 100–3200 ng/L for total plasma concentrations. The lower limit of quantification was 1.00 ng/L in ultrafiltrate and 100 ng/L in plasma. The inaccuracy and imprecision for the determination of unbound tacrolimus concentrations in ultrafiltrate and plasma showed a maximum coefficients of variation (CV) of 11.7% and a maximum bias of 3.8%.

Conclusions:

A rapid and easy method based on ultrafiltration and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established to measure the total and unbound tacrolimus concentrations in plasma. This method can facilitate further investigations on the relationship between plasma concentrations of unbound tacrolimus and clinical outcomes in transplant recipients.