bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Incidence of Smartphone Usage among Tourists
Authors: Mang Colin F. , Piper Linda A. , Brown Natalya R.
Published: May 2016

We explore smartphone utilization by tourists from 24 countries visiting either Rome, Italy or Athens, Greece. By extending a standard technology acceptance model, we identify common travel uses for smartphones, which include taking photos, social networking, viewing maps, finding transportation and searching for shops and restaurants. Younger cohorts utilize their phones more than older cohorts, but there is no difference in utilization between females and males. The most important factors affecting behaviour are how often the tourist normally utilizes their smartphone when at home, and whether or not the tourist has non‐WiFi data access. We conclude with recommendations for future research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Aminotelechelic Prepolymers to Circumvent the Carbonation of Amines in Epoxy Coatings
Authors: Blain Marine , Jean‐Gérard Ludivine , Benazet Dominique , Boutevin Bernard , Andrioletti Bruno , Caillol Sylvain
Published: May 2016

This article deals with the amine blush phenomenon in epoxy coatings. Amine blush is due to amine carbonation and weakens the visual aspect of room temperature epoxy coatings. This paper describes a way to avoid the carbonation by preparing aminotelechelic prepolymers is described. For the first time, the amine‐adduct impact over amine carbonation, as well as the amine decarbonation with temperature, has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, a range of epoxy materials displaying various Tg are synthesized from amine‐adducts and compared to polyurethane references generally used for transparent coating applications. Mechanical and thermal properties are also investigated.

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Exploring the directionality of Escherichia coli formate hydrogenlyase: a membrane‐bound enzyme capable of fixing carbon dioxide to organic acid
Authors: Pinske Constanze , Sargent Frank
Published: May 2016

During mixed‐acid fermentation Escherichia coli produces formate, which is initially excreted out the cell. Accumulation of formate, and dropping extracellular pH, leads to biosynthesis of the formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex. FHL consists of membrane and soluble domains anchored within the inner membrane. The soluble domain comprises a [NiFe] hydrogenase and a formate dehydrogenase that link formate oxidation directly to proton reduction with the release of CO2 and H2. Thus, the function of FHL is to oxidize excess formate at low pH. FHL subunits share identity with subunits of the respiratory Complex I. In particular, the FHL membrane domain contains subunits (HycC and HycD) that are homologs of NuoL/M/N and NuoH, respectively, which have been implicated in proton translocation. In this work, strain engineering and new assays demonstrate unequivocally the nonphysiological reverse activity of FHL in vivo and in vitro. Harnessing FHL to reduce CO2 to formate is biotechnologically important. Moreover, assays for both possible FHL reactions provide opportunities to explore the bioenergetics using biochemical and genetic approaches. Comprehensive mutagenesis of hycC did not identify any single amino acid residues essential for FHL operation. However, the HycD E199, E201, and E203 residues were found to be critically important for FHL function.
EPI Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion correction by two‐frame phase labeling
Authors: Xie Victor B. , Lyu Mengye , Wu Ed X.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To develop a new Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion correction method in echo planar imaging (EPI) using parallel imaging.

Methods

Two frames of EPI data are acquired with normal and phase‐labeled sequence. The phase label is applied by modifying the PE prephase gradient to shift the central echo by one echo spacing. GRAPPA weights are trained from both frames and used to reconstruct images from positive or negative echoes in each frame to remove Nyquist ghost. Geometric distortion is then corrected by the B0 field map generated from the phase difference between positive and negative echo images. Phantom and in vivo experiments at 7 Tesla (T) and 3T were performed to evaluate the proposed method.

Results

Nyquist ghost was greatly reduced in all images even under oblique imaging and poor eddy current conditions, yielding significant improvements over the existing reference scan and image entropy minimization based methods. Image geometries were fully restored after distortion correction. Phantom results indicated that the signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency was largely preserved while fMRI results showed no apparent degradation of temporal resolution.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides robust correction of both Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion in EPI, and it is particularly suitable for dynamic EPI applications. Magn Reson Med 77:1749–1761, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Fluoroquinolone‐Associated Tendinopathy: Does Levofloxacin Pose the Greatest Risk?
Authors: Bidell Monique R. , Lodise Thomas P.
Published: May 2016

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics recently have gained increased national attention due to safety concerns. A well‐described and serious adverse event associated with receipt of fluoroquinolones is tendinitis and tendon rupture. These tendon injuries can result in long‐term sequelae, including chronic pain and mobility restrictions, and may warrant surgery. Due to the severity of these adverse events, a black box warning is included in the product labeling of all fluoroquinolones. In light of the mounting concerns surrounding fluoroquinolone‐associated toxicities, the purpose of this clinical review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the risk of tendinopathy associated with levofloxacin, one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States, across in vitro, animal, and clinical studies, relative to other antibiotics. As part of this review, clinical presentation and onset, proposed mechanisms, patient‐specific risk factors, and management of fluoroquinolone‐induced tendon injury are summarized. Data were obtained from a comprehensive PubMed literature search and a review of U.S. Food and Drug Administration documents. Although tendinopathy is considered a fluoroquinolone class–wide toxicity, data from in vitro studies, animal studies, patient‐level analyses, and large national and international surveillance reports suggest that levofloxacin, as well as its parent compound ofloxacin, possess higher propensities to cause tendon damage relative to other fluoroquinolones. Risk with ofloxacin and levofloxacin appears to be exposure dependent, with higher doses and longer durations being most commonly associated with tendinopathy. Other well‐described patient risk factors for fluoroquinolone‐associated tendinopathy include older age (older than 60 yrs), receipt of concomitant corticosteroid therapy, presence of renal dysfunction, and history of solid organ transplantation. Given widespread use of levofloxacin across patient care settings, knowledge of both patient‐ and drug‐specific characteristics associated with increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture can promote safe use of levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones.
Applicability of the Schwartz Equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Bedside Equation for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Overweight Children
Authors: Lewis Teresa V. , Harrison Donald L. , Gildon Brooke L. , Carter Sandra M. , Turman Martin A.
Published: May 2016

Study Objective

To determine if significant correlations exist between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) prediction equation values, derived by using the original Schwartz equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) bedside equation with a 24‐hour urine creatinine clearance (Clcr) value normalized to a body surface area of 1.73 m2 in overweight and obese children.

Design

Prospective analysis (20 patients) and retrospective analysis (43 patients).

Setting

Pediatric inpatient ward and pediatric nephrology clinic at a comprehensive academic medical center.

Patients

Sixty‐three pediatric patients (aged 5–17 years), of whom 27 were overweight (body mass index [BMI] at the 85th percentile or higher) and 36 were not overweight (BMI lower than the 85th percentile [controls]) between 2007 and 2012.

Methods and Main Results

Data from the overweight patients were compared with nonoverweight controls. GFR values were calculated by using the original Schwartz equation and the CKiD bedside equation. Each patient's 24‐hour urine Clcr value normalized to a body surface area of 1.73 m2 served as the index value. A Pearson correlation coefficient model was used to determine association between the 24‐hour urine Clcr value (index value) with the Schwartz and CKiD GFR estimations. Significant correlation was found to exist between the Schwartz and CKiD bedside GFR estimations relative to the 24‐hour urine Clcr in the control subjects (r = 0.85, p<0.0001, and r = 0.85, p<0.0001, respectively). Significant correlation was also found to exist between the Schwartz and CKiD bedside GFR values with the 24‐hour urine Clcr value in overweight subjects (r = 0.86, p<0.0001, and r = 0.86, p<0.0001, respectively). The Schwartz equation estimated average GFR 21.75 ml/minute/1.73 m2 higher than 24‐hour urine Clcr (p<0.0001) in overweight children with a kidney disorder. The CKiD bedside GFR estimations were not significantly different compared with 24‐hour urine Clcr values for the overweight group with kidney disorder (p=0.85).

Conclusion

The Schwartz and CKiD bedside estimations of GFR correlated with 24‐hour urine Clcr values in both overweight and nonoverweight children. Compared with the Schwartz equation, which tended to overestimate renal function, the CKiD bedside equation appeared to approximate 24‐hour urine Clcr more closely in overweight children with kidney disorder.
A paradigm shift in rate determining step from single electron transfer between phenylsulfinylacetic acids and iron(III) polypyridyl complexes to nucleophilic attack of water to the produced sulfoxide radical cation: a non‐linear Hammett
Authors: Subramaniam Perumal , Janet Sylvia Jaba Rose Jebamoney , Jeevi Esther Rathinakumari Rajasingh
Published: May 2016

Mechanism of oxidative decarboxylation of phenylsulfinylacetic acids (PSAAs) by iron(III) polypyridyl complexes in aqueous acetonitrile medium has been investigated spectrophotometrically. An initial intermediate formation between PSAA and [Fe(NN)3]3+ is confirmed from the observed Michaelis–Menten kinetics and fractional order dependence on PSAA. Significant rate retardation with concentration of [Fe(NN)3]3+ is rationalized on the basis of coordination of a water molecule at the carbon atom adjacent to the ring nitrogen of the metal polypyridyl complexes by nucleophilic attack at higher concentrations. Electron‐withdrawing and electron‐releasing substituents in PSAA facilitate the reaction and Hammett correlation gives an upward ‘V’ shaped curve. The apparent upward curvature is rationalized based on the change in the rate determining step from electron transfer to nucleophilic attack, by changing the substituents from electron‐releasing to electron‐withdrawing groups. Electron‐releasing substituents in PSAA accelerate the electron transfer from PSAA to the complex and also stabilize the intermediate through resonance interaction leading to negative reaction constants (ρ). Conversely, electron‐withdrawing groups, while retarding the electron transfer exert an accelerating effect on the nucleophilic attack of H2O which leading to low magnitude of ρ+ compared to high ρ− values of electron‐releasing groups. Marcus theory is applied, and a fair agreement is seen with the experimental values. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Salt effects on macrophase separations in non‐stoichiometric mixtures of oppositely charged macromolecules: Theory and experiment
Authors: Machinskaya A. E. , Leclercq L. , Boustta M. , Vert M. , Vasilevskaya V. V.
Published: May 2016

In the field of biological applications, polyelectrolyte complexes are proposed to encapsulate bioactive compounds, to deliver drugs, and also to transfect genes into cells under the name of polyplexes. Complex formation is obtained by addition of a polycation solution into a polyanion solution or vice‐versa. This work proposes a theoretical approach to describe complex formation in the case of non‐stoichiometric mixtures of oppositely charged macroions having different degrees of ionization and different degrees of polymerization under different salt conditions. In a second part, comparison was made with experimental data collected when a weak polybase, namely poly(l‐lysine) under its bromide form was added stepwise to solutions of various polyanions under their sodium salt form, namely poly(l‐lysine citramide imide), poly(l‐lysine citramide), and poly(β‐malic acid), the latter lacking hydroxyl groups attached to the main chain. The stability of stroichiometric complexes made of poly(l‐lysine) and poly(l‐lysine citramide) having different molecular masses is discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1717–1730
The intensity of caregiving is a more important predictor of adverse bereavement outcomes for adult–child than spousal caregivers of patients who die of cancer
Authors: McLean Sarah , Gomes Barbara , Higginson Irene J.
Published: May 2016

Increasing attention is being paid to specific difficulties experienced by bereaved family caregivers (FCs). Limited capacity within health and social care structures results in high intensity of informal caregiving. The focus of recent research is the identification of specific predictors of adverse FC outcomes, in order to identify those FCs who will benefit most from intervention and support. Research is challenged by multiple influencing and confounding variables. This study aimed to evaluate factors of care associated with higher grief intensity in bereaved adult–child (AC‐FCs) and spousal FCs (S‐FCs). Data from the Qualycare study, a mortality follow‐back study of bereaved FCs of patients who died of cancer, was analyzed. Four hundred eighty‐four patient–FC dyads were included: 246 AC‐FCs and 238 S‐FCs. S‐FCs received more formal (SPC) (p = 0.026), and AC‐FCs more informal (p < 0.001), support. AC‐FCs were more likely to continue to work while caregiving (p < 0.001). Patients with AC‐FCs were more likely to spend time in and die in a nursing home (p < 0.001). Higher grief intensity was associated with higher caregiving intensity (p < 0.001), as well as other factors. AC‐FCs whose relative died in NH experienced significantly lower grief intensity (p < 0.001). Intensity of caregiving predicted 11.6% of variance in grief intensity for AC‐FCs compared to 0.5% for S‐FCs. The ‘relief model’ of bereavement is relevant for AC‐FCs. The support needs of AC‐FCs and S‐FCs differ. AC‐FCs should be targeted for practical supports and interventions, in order to support home‐death, if desired by patient and FC, and optimize bereavement outcomes.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of SrxCa1‐xS: A first‐principles study
Authors: Labidi S. , Boudjendlia M. , Labidi M. , Zeroual J. , Bensalem R. , Hassan F. El Haj
Published: May 2016

The principal purpose of this work is to further the understanding of the structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the SrxCa1–xS alloys (0≤x ≤1) in Rock‐salt phase using the full potential augmented plane wave (FP‐LAPW) method within density functional theory. The exchange‐correlation potential for structural properties was calculated by the standard local density approximation (LDA) and GGA (PBE) and the new form of GGA (WC) which is an improved form of the most popular Perdew‐Burke‐Ernzerhof (PBE), while for electronic properties, the alternative form of GGA modified by Becke‐Johnson exchange correlation potential (MBJ) was also applied. It is shown that investigation on the effect of composition on lattice constant, bulk modulus, and band gap for ternary alloys shows almost nonlinear dependence on the composition. On the other hand, the thermodynamic stability of these alloys was investigated by calculating the excess enthalpy of mixing ΔHm as well as the phase diagram. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inhibitory Effects of the Standardized Extract of Phyllanthus amarus on Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Balb/C Mice
Authors: Ilangkovan Menaga , Jantan Ibrahim , Mesaik Mohamed Ahmed , Bukhari Syed Nasir Abbas
Published: May 2016

Phyllanthus amarus has been shown to have strong inhibitory effects on phagocytic activity of human neutrophils and on cellular immune responses in Wistar–Kyoto rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of daily treatment of standardized extract of P. amarus at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 14 days in Balb/C mice by measuring the myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), nitric oxide (NO) release, macrophage phagocytosis, swelling of footpad in delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), and serum immunoglobulins, ceruloplasmin and lysozyme levels. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the extract using validated reversed‐phase HPLC methods identified phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, corilagin and geraniin as the biomarkers. Significant dose‐dependent inhibitions of MPO activity and NO release were observed in treated mice. The extract also inhibited E. coli phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophages of treated mice and inhibited the sheep red blood cells (sRBC)‐induced swelling rate of mice paw in the DTH. There was also a significant decrease in non‐specific humoral immunity including ceruloplasmin and lysozyme levels in the extract‐fed groups as well as the release of serum level immunoglobulins. The strong inhibitory effects of the extract on the cellular and humoral immune responses suggest the potential of the plant to be developed as an effective immunosuppressive agent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A probabilistic climatology‐based analogue intensity forecast scheme for tropical cyclones
Authors: Chen Peiyan , Yu Hui , Brown Barbara , Chen Guoming , Wan Rijing
Published: May 2016

In this article, we develop an objective probabilistic climatology‐based intensity forecast (PCIF) scheme for tropical cyclones (TCs) over the northwestern Pacific region based on data from all TCs that occurred in the region between 1981 and 2010. The PCIF scheme has a forecast period of 120 h at 6‐hourly intervals and was developed using eight persistence predictors: the latitude and longitude of the TC centre, the initial minimum central pressure (PMIN) and its change during the last 12 h, the TC movement direction within the last 24 h, the Julian day of the initial time, the life span of the TC between the initial time and its first recording in the observations, and the underlying surface conditions at the TC centre. The PCIF was independently tested for all TCs over the northwestern Pacific from 2011 to 2013. The mean absolute errors of its ensemble mean predictions for PMIN were 8.0, 12.5, 15.2, 17.0 and 17.2 hPa at 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h, respectively. Comparisons with the Tropical Cyclone Statistical Prediction, a climatological baseline approach used by the China Meteorological Administration to assess the skill of TC intensity forecasts, indicated the PCIF has significant prediction skill for lead times of 12–48 h. The PCIF probabilistic intensity predictions had better performance for severe or dying TCs at most lead times, and for most categories at short lead times. The PCIF was also found to perform better than the output of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Ensemble Prediction System in the probabilistic prediction of intensity at lead times shorter than 72 h.
Influence of bath temperatures on the wettability of copper films surface prepared by electroless plating method on beech wood
Authors: Amer Jamal , Mrad Omar , Naddaf Munzer
Published: May 2016

Copper films were coated on beech wood substrates by electroless plating method. The influence of bath temperature on the copper films properties was studied by varying the bath temperatures 25, 35, 45 and 55 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro Raman spectroscopy and contact angle measurements were used to both characterize the physical and chemical copper films properties and understand the influence of bath temperature on the wettability of copper surface. In our studies, we have found that the gained copper mass significantly increased at 55 °C. The crystalline nature of the coated copper was confirmed by XRD. The presence of Cu2O and CuO was observed by XPS and micro Raman techniques, which confirms the oxidization of the coated copper surface. Also these characterization techniques have shown the big influence of bath temperature on the morphology, grain size, chemical composition and the film thickness of the coated copper. The wettability was highly influenced by increasing CuO on the coated copper, which is increased by the bath temperature. The contact angle measurements have demonstrated the influence of C―O, O―CO and CuO components of the surface on the wettability of the samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perioperative Blood Transfusion is Associated with an Increased Mortality in Older Surgical Patients
Authors: Roque‐Castellano Cristina , Marchena‐Gómez Joaquín , Fariña‐Castro Roberto , Acosta‐Mérida María Asunción , Armas‐Ojeda María Desirée , Sánchez‐Guédez María Isabel
Published: May 2016

Background

More surgical interventions are being performed on octogenarian patients. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with operative mortality and to determine if perioperative transfusions could affect mortality outcomes in a nonselected series of octogenarian patients undergoing surgery.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study was performed on a population of 413 consecutive patients over 80 years old, treated surgically, and divided into two groups: transfused and nontransfused patients. The following variables were recorded: sociodemographic characteristics, main diagnoses, surgical procedure and its characteristics, ASA score, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) index, transfusion requirements, the Clavien‐Dindo classification of surgical complications, and operative mortality.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 84.5 years (SD + 3.6). Transfused (25.2 %) and nontransfused patients had similar characteristics; except for neoplasia (P <0.001), NNIS (P = 0.008), operative mortality (P = 0.004), and complications according to Clavien‐Dindo score (P <0.001). Operative mortality was 20.1 % (83 patients). The predictive variables associated with operative mortality were ASA score (P <0.001), emergency surgery (P <0.001), and blood transfusion (P = 0.004). After adjusting for the variables age, ASA class, NNIS, emergency surgery, and neoplasia, the multivariate analysis showed that the perioperative transfusion in octogenarian patients continued to be significantly associated with operative mortality (P = 0.019; OR 1.97, 95 % CI 1.12–3.47).

Conclusion

Perioperative transfusion is an independent predictor of postoperative mortality in surgical octogenarian patients.
Process of Pancreas Head as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery
Authors: Kobayashi Nao , Shinohara Hisashi , Haruta Shusuke , Ohkura Yu , Mizuno Aya , Ueno Masaki , Udagawa Harushi , Sakai Yoshiharu
Published: May 2016

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF)—often caused by pancreatic injury during dissection of the peripancreatic lymph nodes—is a serious complication after gastric cancer surgery. We defined protruding pancreatic tissue on the anterior side of the pancreas head as “process of the pancreas head” (PPH) and investigated whether PPH is a predictable risk factor for POPF after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods

We reviewed 255 patients who underwent laparoscopic total or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The perioperative outcomes of 142 patients operated in the study’s early phase were investigated to evaluate the risk factors for POPF. To evaluate whether preoperative identification of PPH by computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative prediction of pancreas head outline could reduce the risk of POPF, the outcomes of 113 patients operated in the late phase were assessed.

Results

Of the 142 early‐phase patients, PPH was identified intraoperatively in 38 patients (26.8 %). A total of 13 patients (9.1 %) developed POPF > grade 2. PPH was identified as a risk factor for POPF (P < 0.01). In early‐phase patients with PPH, the POPF rate was 21.0 %; in the late phase, it decreased to 4.3 %. Further, the POPF rate in early‐phase patients with BMI > 25 and PPH was 42.6 %, decreasing to 0 % in the late‐phase patients.

Conclusions

The presence of PPH is a risk factor for POPF after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Identifying PPH using preoperative CT images and predicting the shape of the pancreas head during infrapyloric lymph node dissection are valuable in preventing POPF following laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.
The effect of phenotypic variation on metapopulation persistence
Authors: Gibert Jean P.
Published: May 2016

Demographic stochasticity (due to the probabilistic nature of the birth–death process) and demographic heterogeneity (between‐individual differences in demographic parameters) have long been seen as factors affecting extinction risk. While demographic stochasticity can be independent of underlying species traits, demographic heterogeneity may strongly depend on phenotypic variation. However, how phenotypic variation can affect extinction risk is largely unknown. Here, I develop a stochastic metapopulation model that takes into account the effects of demographic stochasticity and phenotypic variation in the traits controlling colonization rates to assess what the effect of phenotypic variation may be on the persistence of the metapopulation. Although phenotypic variation can lead to a decrease in metapopulation persistence under some conditions, it also may lead to an increase in persistence whenever phenotypic mismatch—or the distance between the optimal trait value and the population mean—is large. This mismatch can in turn arise from a variety of ecological and evolutionary reasons, including weak selection or a recent history of invasion. Last, the effect of phenotypic variation has a deterministic component on colonization rates, and a stochastic component on persistence through colonization rates, but both are important to understand the overall effect. These results have important implications for the conservation of threatened species and management practices that may historically have overlooked phenotypic variation as unimportant noise around mean values of interest.
Engineering of an L-arabinose metabolic pathway in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 for biofuel production
Authors: Xiong Xiaochao , Wang Xi , Chen Shulin
Published: May 2016

The oleaginous bacterium, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 has attracted considerable attention due to its capability to accumulate significant levels of triacylglycerol as renewable hydrocarbon. To enable the strain to utilize arabinose derived from lignocellulosic biomass, the metabolic pathway of L-arabinose utilization was introduced into R. jostii RHA1 by heterogenous expression of the operon, araBAD from Escherichia coli. The results showed that recombinant bearing araBAD could grow on L-arabinose as the sole carbon source, and additional expression of araFGH encoding the arabinose transporter from E. coli could improve the cell biomass yield from high contents of arabinose. We further increased the content of lipid produced from arabinose in the recombinants from 47.9 to 56.8 % of the cell dry weight (CDW) by overexpression of a gene, atf1 encoding a diglyceride acyltransferase from R. opacus PD630. This work demonstrated the feasibility of producing lipid from arabinose by genetic modification of the rhodococci strain.
[Aristotle], On Trolling
Authors: BARNEY RACHEL
Published: May 2016

That trolling is a shameful thing, and that no one of sense would accept to be called ‘troll’, all are agreed; but what trolling is, and how many its species are, and whether there is an excellence of the troll, is unclear. And indeed trolling is said in many ways; for some call ‘troll’ anyone who is abusive on the internet, but this is only the disagreeable person, or in newspaper comments the angry old man. And the one who disagrees loudly on the blog on each occasion is a lover of controversy, or an attention-seeker. And none of these is the troll, or perhaps some are of a mixed type; for there is no art in what they do. (Whether it is possible to troll one's own blog is unclear; for the one who poses divisive questions seems only to seek controversy, and to do so openly; and this is not trolling but rather a kind of clickbait.)
ISOMORPHISM ON HYP
Authors: FRIEDMAN SY-DAVID
Published: May 2016

We show that isomorphism is not a complete ${\rm{\Sigma }}_1^1$ equivalence relation even when restricted to the hyperarithmetic reals: If E1 denotes the ${\rm{\Sigma }}_1^1$ (even ${\rm{\Delta }}_1^1$) equivalence relation of [4] then for no Hyp function f do we have xEy iff f(x) is isomorphic to f(y) for all Hyp reals x,y. As a corollary to the proof we provide for each computable limit ordinal α a hyperarithmetic reduction of ${ \equiv _\alpha }$ (elementary-equivalence for sentences of quantifier-rank less than α) on arbitrary countable structures to isomorphism on countable structures of Scott rank at most α.
Elaborating time in space: the structure and function of space–motion metaphors of time
Authors: MOORE KEVIN EZRA
Published: May 2016

abstract

This paper studies the principles according to which spatial and motion concepts metaphorically structure temporal concepts in some languages. There are two types of space–motion metaphor of time, distinguished by whether or not the metaphor is structured by a person’s perspective. “Christmas isapproaching” and “We areapproachingChristmas” are perspectival. “New Year’sfollowsChristmas” is not. This contrast in deixis and frame of reference is linguistically relevant whether the contrast has to do with imagination or external reality. Study of experiential motivations and analysis into primary metaphors helps reveal the particular ways spatial and motion concepts function in each type of metaphor. One focus is accounting for the contrasting temporal meanings that words forin-frontandbehindcan have. For example, “Aheadof us” islaterthan Now, while “aheadof Christmas” isearlierthan Christmas. We find that the temporal ‘directions’ expressed in the contrasting frames of reference are not opposites. Rather, they are motivated by different kinds of temporal experience. This project investigates the fundamental spatial relations that structure temporal concepts; for example co-location vs. separation. But since motion involves time, purely spatial structure is limited. Conceptual blending analysis reveals that the source and target frames of the perspectival metaphors share an aspectual – i.e., temporal – generic structure. Thus a dichotomy between ‘space’ and ‘time’ is of limited utility in describing space–motion metaphors of time. Instead, the analysis has to deal with the specific spatial and temporal concepts that function in each metaphor.
Spatial memory impairment in Morris water maze after electroconvulsive seizures
Authors: Svensson Maria , Hallin Thord , Broms Jonas , Ekstrand Joakim , Tingström Anders
Published: May 2016

Objective

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most efficient treatments for severe major depression, but some patients suffer from retrograde memory loss after treatment. Electroconvulsive seizures (ECS), an animal model of ECT, have repeatedly been shown to increase hippocampal neurogenesis, and multiple ECS treatments cause retrograde amnesia in hippocampus-dependent memory tasks. Since recent studies propose that addition of newborn hippocampal neurons might degrade existing memories, we investigated whether the memory impairment after multiple ECS treatments is a cumulative effect of repeated treatments, or if it is the result of a delayed effect after a single ECS.

Methods

We used the hippocampus-dependent memory task Morris water maze (MWM) to evaluate spatial memory. Rats were exposed to an 8-day training paradigm before receiving either a single ECS or sham treatment and tested in the MWM 24 h, 72 h, or 7 days after this treatment, or multiple (four) ECS or sham treatments and tested 7 days after the first treatment.

Results

A single ECS treatment was not sufficient to cause retrograde amnesia whereas multiple ECS treatments strongly disrupted spatial memory in the MWM.

Conclusion

The retrograde amnesia after multiple ECS is a cumulative effect of repeated treatments rather than a delayed effect after a single ECS.
CORRUPTION, TRANSPARENCY, AND REPUTATION: THE ROLE OF PUBLICITY IN REGULATING POLITICAL DONATIONS
Authors: Rowbottom Jacob
Published: May 2016

This article looks at the public disclosure of political donations as a case study to examine the role of transparency in addressing concerns about undue influence and corruption. The article will explore three issues. The first is to understand what it means to say that a political donation is corrupt. There is considerable disagreement on the ethics of political fundraising and this article will show how public opinion has a role in setting the standards expected of politicians. The second issue is what role the public disclosure of political donations plays in deterring and detecting corruption. While the disclosure requirements were introduced to promote greater trust in politics, it will be argued that increases in transparency have fed a growing culture of mistrust. The logic of the transparency requirements also requires the free public discussion of particular political donations and related ethical issues. The third issue is how that process of free discussion can come into tension with rights to privacy and reputation. The article will explore how the attempts to reconcile the different areas of law both reflect and shape the political culture.
SIXTY YEARS OF BREEDING IN CAMEROON IMPROVED FIBRE BUT NOT SEED COTTON YIELD
Authors: LOISON ROMAIN , AUDEBERT ALAIN , CHOPART JEAN-LOUIS , DEBAEKE PHILIPPE , DESSAUW DOMINIQUE , GOURLOT JEAN-PAUL , GOZÉ ERIC , JEAN JANINE , GÉRARDEAUX EDWARD
Published: May 2016

Seed cotton yield in Northern Cameroon has been declining since the 80s despite breeding efforts. In order to evaluate the impact of genetic improvement on this decline, we conducted field experiments in two locations with 10 widely grown cotton cultivars released in Cameroon between 1950 and 2009. The rate of genetic gain (GG) was estimated with a linear regression of the cultivar mean on its year of release (YR). Contrasts between rates of GG observed with different planting dates were estimated and tested. Our results revealed a rate of GG on fibre yield of 3.3 kg ha−1year−1due to increased ginning out-turn (3.9% and 6.2% in 60 years in Garoua and Maroua, respectively). There was no GG on leaf area index (LAI), radiation use efficiency (RUE), aerial biomass, harvest index and on seed cotton yield. We concluded that cotton breeding efforts in Cameroon have successfully improved cotton fibre yield but there is still some room for seed cotton yield improvement.
The extensive geographical range of several species ofTeloschistaceae: evidence from Russia
Authors: VONDRÁK Jan , FROLOV Ivan , DAVYDOV Evgeny A. , URBANAVICHENE Irina , CHESNOKOV Sergey , ZHDANOV Ilya , MUCHNIK Evgenia , KONOREVA Ludmila , HIMELBRANT Dimitry , TCHABANENKO Svetlana
Published: May 2016

The current view of the geographical ranges of lichens is often distorted by overly narrow or overly broad applications of names and by insufficient survey of most regions of the world. Here we present several cases where species ofTeloschistaceaeformerly thought to be limited to rather small territories in the western or eastern parts of Eurasia are in fact widespread in northern Eurasia. We support our findings with ITS nrDNA data in several new trees showing relationships in the generaAthallia,Calogaya,Caloplaca,FlavoplacaandGyalolechia. The widespread species have little in common, except that most of them reproduce both sexually and asexually, and we discuss the possible influence of the combined reproduction on geographical range.Calogaya bryochrysion,Calogaya saxicola,Gyalolechia epiphytaandGyalolechia ussuriensisare new combinations.Calogaya alaskensisis a younger synonym forC. bryochrysion. The generally arctic-alpineCalogaya bryochrysionalso occurs on the bark of solitary trees in dry parts of the Altai Mountains. The AustralianFlavoplaca cranfieldiiis a younger synonym ofF. flavocitrina.Gyalolechia epiphytahas been described numerous times, from different regions and substrata, asCaloplaca juniperi,C. laricina,C. tarani,Gyalolechia arizonicaandG. juniperina. The nameGyalolechia xanthostigmoideahas recently been used forG. epiphyta, but it represents a distinct taxon.Gyalolechia ussuriensisis closely related to and morphologically indistinguishable fromG. persimilis, but they have a different ecology and distribution and we regard them as distinct species.Caloplaca juniperinaTomin is lectotypified.
UNIT ROOT INFERENCE FOR NON-STATIONARY LINEAR PROCESSES DRIVEN BY INFINITE VARIANCE INNOVATIONS
Authors: Cavaliere Giuseppe , Georgiev Iliyan , Taylor A.M.Robert
Published: May 2016

The contribution of this paper is two-fold. First, we derive the asymptotic null distribution of the familiar augmented Dickey-Fuller [ADF] statistics in the case where the shocks follow a linear process driven by infinite variance innovations. We show that these distributions are free of serial correlation nuisance parameters but depend on the tail index of the infinite variance process. These distributions are shown to coincide with the corresponding results for the case where the shocks follow a finite autoregression, provided the lag length in the ADF regression satisfies the sameo(T1/3) rate condition as is required in the finite variance case. In addition, we establish the rates of consistency and (where they exist) the asymptotic distributions of the ordinary least squares sieve estimates from the ADF regression. Given the dependence of their null distributions on the unknown tail index, our second contribution is to explore sieve wild bootstrap implementations of the ADF tests. Under the assumption of symmetry, we demonstrate the asymptotic validity (bootstrap consistency) of the wild bootstrap ADF tests. This is done by establishing that (conditional on the data) the wild bootstrap ADF statistics attain the same limiting distribution as that of the original ADF statistics taken conditional on the magnitude of the innovations.
On deformation spaces of nonuniform hyperbolic lattices
Authors: KIM SUNGWOON , KIM INKANG
Published: May 2016

Let Γ be a nonuniform lattice acting on the real hyperbolicn-space. We show that in dimension greater than or equal to 4, the volume of a representation is constant on each connected component of the representation variety of Γ in SO(n, 1). Furthermore, in dimensions 2 and 3, there is a semialgebraic subset of the representation variety such that the volume of a representation is constant on connected components of the semialgebraic subset. Combining our approach with the main result of [2] gives a new proof of the local rigidity theorem for nonuniform hyperbolic lattices and the analogue of Soma's theorem, which shows that the number of orientable hyperbolic manifolds dominated by a closed, connected, orientable 3-manifold is finite, for noncompact 3-manifolds.
Realizability algebras III: some examples
Authors: KRIVINE JEAN-LOUIS
Published: May 2016

We use the technique of “classical realizability” to build new models of ZF + DC in which R is not well ordered. This gives new relative consistency results, which are not obtainable by forcing. This gives also a new method to get programs from proofs of arithmetical formulas with dependent choice.
Modification of membrane cholesterol and its impact on frozen–thawed chicken sperm characteristics
Authors: Partyka Agnieszka , Bonarska-Kujawa Dorota , Sporniak Marta , Strojecki Maciej , Niżański Wojciech
Published: May 2016

This study was conducted to determine the changes in chicken sperm plasma membranes fluidity and polarity as lipid packing arrangement induced by cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD) and how sperm cryopreservation outcomes are improved by these changes. Treatment with 2 mg HBCD supported the highest (P< 0.01) percentage of viable spermatozoa compared with the control and CLCs groups after cryopreservation. The percentage of post-thaw progressive and rapid sperm motility was highest in 2 mg HBCD (P< 0.01). After thawing, sperm treated with 1 or 2 mg CLC showed the highest anisotropy at 5, 21, 25 and 40°C (P< 0.01). At 25°C, the lowest anisotropy was observed in the thawed semen from the control group. The highest value (P< 0.01) of generalized polarization (GP) (0.5) at 5°C was observed in the 1 mg CLC treated sample. After 2 h of incubation, the highest percentage of viable spermatozoa was observed in the HBCD group in relation to the other treatments (P< 0.01). Exposure to 1 mg or 2 mg of CLC significantly decreased the percentage of live spermatozoa after thawing (P< 0.01). In conclusion, HBCD appears to play a role in the modification of sperm membranes, increasing their fluidity and preventing them against membrane phase transition to gel, thus minimizing freezing-thaw sperm damage. HBCD treatment enhances chicken sperm viability and motility after cryopreservation and subsequent storage. This novel procedure may be useful for improving the technology for cryopreservation of fowl spermatozoa.
Loss of Bmal1 decreases oocyte fertilization, early embryo development and implantation potential in female mice
Authors: Xu Jian , Li Yan , Wang Yizi , Xu Yanwen , Zhou Canquan
Published: May 2016

Biological clock genes expressed in reproductive tissues play important roles in maintaining the normal functions of reproductive system. However, disruption of female circadian rhythm on oocyte fertilization, preimplantation embryo development and blastocyst implantation potential is still unclear. In this study, ovulation, in vivo and in vitro oocyte fertilization, embryo development, implantation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ovary and oviduct were studied in female Bmal1+/+ and Bmal1−/− mice. The number of naturally ovulated oocyte in Bmal1−/− mice decreased (5.2 ± 0.8 vs 7.8 ± 0.8, P < 0.001), with an increasing abnormal oocyte ratio (20.4 ± 3.5 vs 11.7 ± 2.0%, P = 0.001) after superovulation. Significantly lower fertilization rate and obtained blastocyst number were observed in Bmal1−/− female mice either mated with wild-type in vivo or fertilized by sperm from wild-type male mice in vitro (all P < 0.05). Interestingly, in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes derived from Bmal1−/− increased significantly compared with in vivo study (P < 0.01). After transferring blastocysts derived from Bmal1+/+ and Bmal1−/− female mice to pseudopregnant mice, the implantation sites of the latter decreased 5 days later (8.0 ± 0.8 vs 5.3 ± 1.0, P = 0.005). The intracellular ROS levels in the ovary on proestrus day and in the oviduct on metestrus day increased significantly in Bmal1−/− mice compared with that of Bmal1+/+ mice. Deletion of the core biological clock gene Bmal1 significantly decreases oocyte fertilization rate, early embryo development and implantation potential in female mice, and these may be possibly caused by excess ROS levels generated in ovary and oviduct.
Clinical utility of the list sign as a predictor of non-demyelinating disorders in a multiple sclerosis (MS) practice
Authors: Anbarasan Deepti , Campion Gabriel , Campion Paul , Howard Jonathan
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Not all patients referred for evaluation of multiple sclerosis (MS) meet criteria required for MS or related entities. Identification of markers to exclude demyelinating disease may help detect patients whose presenting symptoms are inconsistent with MS. In this study, we evaluate whether patients who present a self-prepared list of symptoms during an initial visit are less likely to have demyelinating disease and whether this action, which we term the “list sign,” may help exclude demyelinating disease.

Methods

Using chart review, 300 consecutive new patients who presented for evaluation to a neurologist at a tertiary MS referral center were identified retrospectively. Patients were defined as having demyelinating disease if diagnosed with MS or a related demyelinating condition.

Results

Of the 233 enrolled subjects, 157 were diagnosed with demyelinating disease and 74 did not meet criteria for demyelinating disease. Fifteen (8.4%) subjects had a positive list sign, of which 1 patient had demyelinating disease. The 15 subjects described a mean of 12.07 symptoms, and 8 of these patients met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for somatic symptom disorder. The specificity and positive predictive value of the list sign for non-demyelinating disease were 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.66–0.99), respectively.

Conclusion

A positive list sign may be useful to exclude demyelinating disease and to guide diagnostic evaluations for other conditions. Patients with a positive list sign also have a high incidence of somatic symptom disorder.
The Edinburgh Biruni Manuscript: a mirror of its time?
Authors: HILLENBRAND ROBERT
Published: May 2016

TheChronology of Ancient Nationsmirrors both al-Biruni the polymath and Mongol Iran in its wide calendrical, geographical and historical horizons. The pictorial programme highlights multi-ethnicity, Iranian national sentiment and religion: orthodox and heretical Islam, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Christianity (Annunciation and Baptism).1
The Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation in Environmental Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy of Whole Cells in Liquid
Authors: Hermannsdörfer Justus , Tinnemann Verena , Peckys Diana B. , de Jonge Niels
Published: May 2016

Whole cells can be studied in their native liquid environment using electron microscopy, and unique information about the locations and stoichiometry of individual membrane proteins can be obtained from many cells thus taking cell heterogeneity into account. Of key importance for the further development of this microscopy technology is knowledge about the effect of electron beam radiation on the samples under investigation. We used environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) detection to examine the effect of radiation for whole fixed COS7 fibroblasts in liquid. The main observation was the localization of nanoparticle labels attached to epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). It was found that the relative distances between the labels remained mostly unchanged (<1.5%) for electron doses ranging from the undamaged native state at 10 e−/Å2 toward 103 e−/Å2. This dose range was sufficient to determine the EGFR locations with nanometer resolution and to distinguish between monomers and dimers. Various different forms of radiation damage became visible at higher doses, including severe dislocation, and the dissolution of labels.