bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering a Nanocarbon‐Based Artificial Peroxidase: Chemical Identification of the Catalytically Active and Substrate‐Binding Sites on Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Sun Hanjun , Zhao Andong , Gao Nan , Li Kai , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: May 2015

The design and construction of efficient artificial enzymes is highly desirable. Recent studies have demonstrated that a series of carbon nanomaterials possess intrinsic peroxidase activity. Among them, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have a high enzymatic activity. However, the catalytic mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, in this report, we chose to decipher their peroxidase activity. By selectively deactivating the ketonic carbonyl, carboxylic, or hydroxy groups and investigating the catalytic activities of these GQD derivatives, we obtained evidence that the CO groups were the catalytically active sites, whereas the OCO groups acted as substrate‐binding sites, and COH groups can inhibit the activity. These results were corroborated by theoretical studies. This work should not only enhance our understanding of nanocarbon‐based artificial enzymes, but also facilitate the design and construction of other types of target‐specific artificial enzymes.
Fluorescent In Situ Targeting Probes for Rapid Imaging of Ovarian‐Cancer‐Specific γ‐Glutamyltranspeptidase
Authors: Wang Feiyi , Zhu Ying , Zhou Li , Pan Liang , Cui Zhifen , Fei Qiang , Luo Sihang , Pan Dun , Huang Qing , Wang Rui , Zhao Chunchang , Tian He , Fan Chunhai
Published: May 2015

γ‐Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is a tumor biomarker that selectively catalyzes the cleavage of glutamate overexpressed on the plasma membrane of tumor cells. Here, we developed two novel fluorescent in situ targeting (FIST) probes that specifically target GGT in tumor cells, which comprise 1) a GGT‐specific substrate unit (GSH), and 2) a boron–dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moiety for fluorescent signalling. In the presence of GGT, sulfur‐substituted BODIPY was converted to amino‐substituted BODIPY, resulting in dramatic fluorescence variations. By exploiting this enzyme‐triggered photophysical property, we employed these FIST probes to monitor the GGT activity in living cells, which showed remarkable differentiation between ovarian cancer cells and normal cells. These probes represent two first‐generation chemodosimeters featuring enzyme‐mediated rapid, irreversible aromatic hydrocarbon transfer between the sulfur and nitrogen atoms accompanied by switching of photophysical properties.
StructuringTweets for improvingTwitter search
Authors: Luo Zhunchen , Yu Yang , Osborne Miles , Wang Ting
Published: May 2015

Spam and wildly varying documents make searching inTwitter challenging. MostTwitter search systems generally treat aTweet as a plain text when modeling relevance. However, a series of conventions allows users toTweet in structural ways using a combination of different blocks of texts. These blocks include plain texts, hashtags, links, mentions, etc. Each block encodes a variety of communicative intent and the sequence of these blocks captures changing discourse. Previous work shows that exploiting the structural information can improve the structured documents (e.g., web pages) retrieval. In this study we utilize the structure ofTweets, induced by these blocks, forTwitter retrieval andTwitter opinion retrieval. ForTwitter retrieval, a set of features, derived from the blocks of text and their combinations, is used into a learning‐to‐rank scenario. We show that structuringTweets can achieve state‐of‐the‐art performance. Our approach does not rely on social media features, but when we do add this additional information, performance improves significantly. ForTwitter opinion retrieval, we explore the question of whether structural information derived from the body ofTweets and opinionatedness ratings ofTweets can improve performance. Experimental results show that retrieval using a novel unsupervised opinionatedness feature based on structuringTweets achieves comparable performance with a supervised method using manually taggedTweets. Topic‐related specific structuredTweet sets are shown to help with query‐dependent opinion retrieval.
Brandverhalten von Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken aus Buchenholz
Authors: Klingsch Eike , Klippel Michael , Boccadoro Lorenzo , Frangi Andrea , Fontana Mario
Published: May 2015

Am Institut für Baustatik und Konstruktion (IBK) der ETH Zürich wurde das Brandverhalten von Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken aus Buchenholz untersucht. Die Verbunddecke besteht aus dünnen Furnierschichtholzplatten (Dicke 40 mm bzw. 80 mm) aus Buche (BauBuche) und einer darüberliegenden Betonschicht (Dicke 160 mm bzw. 120 mm). Die Furnierschichtholzplatten übernehmen sowohl die Funktion der Schalung als auch der Bewehrung. Dieses neuartige Deckensystem wurde im ETH House of Natural Resources an der ETH Zürich weltweit erstmals umgesetzt. Der Artikel fasst die Ergebnisse von zwei großmaßstäblichen Brandversuchen an belasteten Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken zusammen, die einem ISO‐Normbrand ausgesetzt wurden. Beide Brandversuche zeigen, dass die im Brandfall untersuchten Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken die tragende und brandabschnittsbildende Funktion über 90 min bzw. 60 min sicherstellen.

Fire behaviour of timber‐concrete composite slabs using beech

At the Institute of Structural Engineering of the ETH Zurich, the fire behaviour of timber‐concrete composite slabs made with beech LVL was investigated. This composite slab is made of a thin plate (depth: 40 mm or 80 mm) using beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL) (BauBuche) and a concrete layer on top (depth: 160 mm or 120 mm). The beech plate acts as both formwork and as tensile reinforcement. This innovative slab system was implemented for the first time in the ETH House of Natural Resources at ETH Zurich. This paper summarizes the results of two large‐scale fire tests on loaded timber‐concrete composite slabs exposed to standard ISO fire. Both fire tests show that the timber‐concrete composite slab using beech LVL reaches sufficient fire resistance and integrity for 90 min and 60 min, respectively.
Innovativer Brandschutz für große Einkaufszentren
Authors: Klinzmann Christoph , Upmeyer Jens
Published: May 2015

Das Einkaufen in Deutschland hat sich in den letzten Jahren gewandelt. Dadurch entstehen große Einkaufszentren am Rand oder außerhalb von Innenstädten. Sie beinhalten eine multifunktionale Nutzung, üblicherweise bestehend aus Verkauf, Veranstaltung und Gastronomie, sodass in diesen Gebäuden das Einkaufen idealerweise zu einer Freizeitbeschäftigung und einem Erlebnis werden soll. Diese multifunktionalen Nutzungen sind in der Regel durch die Verkaufsstättenverordnung nicht abschließend abgedeckt. Zur Bewertung dieser Gebäude müssen besondere schutzzielorientierte Brandschutzkonzepte aufgestellt werden, die bei zahlreichen komplexen Fragestellungen durch Ingenieurmethoden des Brandschutzes ergänzt und begründet werden müssen. Insbesondere werden ingenieurmäßige Berechnungen zur Gebäuderäumung oder zur Entrauchung durchgeführt. In diesem Beitrag werden anhand von Praxisbeispielen die Möglichkeiten und Lösungswege aufgezeigt, wie diese besonderen brandschutztechnischen Fragestellungen in den modernen und sehr großen Einkaufszentren gelöst werden können.

Innovative fire safety of large shopping centres

In Germany shopping malls have changed in recent times. This is the result of the fact that the operators of shopping malls are trying to drawing more and more people into their buildings and thus making them more attractive, leading to a multifunctional usage consisting of shopping, events and gastronomy. The main interest is to understand shopping as a part of leisure and make shopping an event. The multifunctional usage in most cases is not covered by the respective building law for special buildings, the Verkaufsstättenverordnung.

The article shows and summarizes the key points of the change of shopping centres and explains the resulting difficulties with building regulations with the regard to fire safety. In addition future changes of the building regulations affecting the flexible use of shopping centres are discussed. Furthermore main elements of the fire safety concepts of two large shopping centre projects, the “Milaneo” in Stuttgart and “The Squaire” in Frankfurt, are explained.
Paulifurtbrücke – Entwurf, Planung und Ausführung einer UHPC‐Schalenbrücke
Authors: Olipitz Michael
Published: May 2015

Dieser Aufsatz beinhaltet die Beschreibung der Planung und der Ausführung einer trogförmigen Rahmenbrücke mit einer Spannweite von 32 m, deren Riegel durch vorgespannte UHPC‐Elemente ausgeführt wurde. Beginnend mit der Entwurfsentscheidung bis zur fertigen Montage des Tragwerks sind die einzelnen Schritte in ihrem Ablauf beschrieben. Die Herstellung sowie das Versetzen der UHPC‐Elemente erfordert eine hohe Genauigkeit und Qualität der Fertigung. Der Einsatz dünnwandiger UHPC‐Bauteile subsumiert die Einbindung geometrischer Steifigkeiten in den Tragwerksentwurf und stellt eine besondere Herausforderung an den Tragwerksplaner. Das Fügen der Bauteile sowie die Besonderheiten im Zusammenhang mit der Vorspannung sind weitere Themen, deren Schwierigkeiten und Lösungen aufgezeigt werden. Um UHPC‐Bauteile konkurrenzfähig am Markt einsetzen zu können, bedarf es besonderer Rahmenbedingungen. Auf den formal ästhetischen Aspekt wurde bei diesem Entwurf besonderer Wert gelegt.

Paulifurt‐Bridge – design, planing and execution of a UHPC‐shell‐bridge

The following essay consists the describtion of the aspects of the planning and the execution of a trough shaped frame bridge with a span width of 32 meters. The beams of the frame are executed by pre‐stressed UHPC elements. Each steps in the process from the decision of design until the mounting of the construction are described. The production and the setting of the UHPC elements required high specifications concerning the precision and quality in the production line. The application of thin‐walled UHPC structural elements subsumed the integration of geometrical stiffness in the structural design and is a specific challenge for the structural engineer. The joining of the structural elements and the challenge in connection with the pre‐stressing were additional subjects. This challenges and solutions are presented. There is a need for special frame conditions to apply UHPC structural elements on a competitive basis in the market place. Of particular importance in the design were the formal aesthetic of the structural design.
Evaluating the Emergence of Reverse Intraverbals Following Intraverbal Training in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Dickes Nitasha R. , Kodak Tiffany
Published: May 2015

The purpose of the proposed study was to replicate and extend prior research on intraverbal training by evaluating whether teaching sets of original and reverse intraverbals from the same category (e.g., animal sounds) would result in the emergence of novel, reverse intraverbals. Three children with autism spectrum disorder participated in the study. We used a multiple baseline across categories design with a constant‐series control to evaluate the effects of training original and reverse intraverbals on subsequent trained and untrained reverse intraverbals. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SPH fluid control with self‐adaptive turbulent details
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyong , Liu Shiguang
Published: May 2015

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH)‐based fluid control is often involved in fluid animation. Because most of the existing SPH fluid control methods employ the strategy of control force to control fluid particles, the artificial viscosity introduced by control force would lead to the loss of fine‐scale details. Although the introduction of the low‐pass filter can add details, it may easily destroy the target shape. To remedy the previous problems, we sample the control particles with curvature information to represent the shape complexity. Because of the shape's complexity, we suppress the generation of turbulence in the high‐curvature areas and promote turbulence in the low‐curvature regions. Our self‐adaptive way to randomly generate turbulence can effectively prevent the lack of fluid dynamics caused by the artificial viscosity. Our new method can improve the visual quality of the fluid animation, and the shape control result is consistent to the target shape. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Image‐inspired haptic interaction
Authors: Zhang Xingzi , Sourin Alexei
Published: May 2015

We add new modality to image‐based visualization by converting ordinary photos into tangible images, which can be then haptically rendered. This is performed by interactive sketching haptic models on the photos so that the models match the image parts, which will become tangible. In contrast to common geometric modelling, we define the haptic models in a three‐dimensional haptic modelling space distorted by the central projection. Analytic FRep functions (variants of implicit functions) are mostly used for defining the haptic models. The tangible images thus created can realistically simulate some actual three‐dimensional scenes by implementing the principle “What You See Is What You Touch” while in fact still be 2D images. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Tyrosine Gate of the Bacterial Lectin FimH: A Conformational Analysis by NMR Spectroscopy and X‐ray Crystallography
Authors: Fiege Brigitte , Rabbani Said , Preston Roland C. , Jakob Roman P. , Zihlmann Pascal , Schwardt Oliver , Jiang Xiaohua , Maier Timm , Ernst Beat
Published: May 2015

Urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic E. coli are among the most prevalent infectious diseases. The mannose‐specific lectin FimH mediates the adhesion of the bacteria to the urothelium, thus enabling host cell invasion and recurrent infections. An attractive alternative to antibiotic treatment is the development of FimH antagonists that mimic the physiological ligand. A large variety of candidate drugs have been developed and characterized by means of in vitro studies and animal models. Here we present the X‐ray co‐crystal structures of FimH with members of four antagonist classes. In three of these cases no structural data had previously been available. We used NMR spectroscopy to characterize FimH–antagonist interactions further by chemical shift perturbation. The analysis allowed a clear determination of the conformation of the tyrosine gate motif that is crucial for the interaction with aglycone moieties and was not obvious from X‐ray structural data alone. Finally, ITC experiments provided insight into the thermodynamics of antagonist binding. In conjunction with the structural information from X‐ray and NMR experiments the results provide a mechanism for the often‐observed enthalpy–entropy compensation of FimH antagonists that plays a role in fine‐tuning of the interaction.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Theoretical Investigation of Two‐Coordinate Palladium(0) and Platinum(0) Complexes Utilizing π‐Accepting Carbenes
Authors: Roy Sudipta , Mondal Kartik Chandra , Meyer Jann , Niepötter Benedikt , Köhler Christian , Herbst‐Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar , Dittrich Birger , Andrada Diego M. , Frenking Gernot , Roesky Herbert W.
Published: May 2015

An elegant general synthesis route for the preparation of two coordinate palladium(0) and platinum(0) complexes was developed by reacting commercially available tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium/platinum with π‐accepting cyclic alkyl(amino) carbenes (cAACs). The complexes are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The palladium complexes exhibit sharp color changes (crystallochromism) from dark maroon to bright green if the C‐Pd‐C bond angle is sharpened by approximately 6°, which is chemically feasible by elimination of one lattice THF solvent molecule. The analogous dark orange‐colored platinum complexes are more rigid and thus do not show this phenomenon. Additionally, [(cAAC)2Pd/Pt] complexes can be quasi‐reversibly oxidized to their corresponding [(cAAC)2Pd/Pt]+ cations, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry measurements. The bonding and stability are studied by theoretical calculations.
Volatile Heterobimetallic Complexes from PdIIand CuIIβ‐Diketonates: Structure, Magnetic Anisotropy, and Thermal Properties Related to the Chemical Vapor Deposition of CuPd Thin Films
Authors: Krisyuk Vladislav V. , Baidina Iraida A. , Turgambaeva Asiya E. , Nadolinny Vladimir A. , Kozlova Svetlana G. , Korolkov Ilya V. , Duguet Thomas , Vahlas Constantin , Igumenov Igor K.
Published: May 2015

A novel approach for preparing volatile heterometallic complexes for use as precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of various materials is reported. New CuPd complexes based on β‐diketonate units were prepared, and their structures and compositions were determined. [PdL2*CuL2] (1) and [PdL2*Cu(tmhd)2] (2) (L=2‐methoxy‐2,6,6‐trimethylheptane‐3,5‐dionate; tmhd=2,2,6,6‐ tetramethylheptane‐3,5‐dionate) are 1D coordination polymers with alternating metal complexes, which are connected through weak interactions between the Cu atoms and the OCH3groups from the ligand of the Pd complexes. The volatility and thermal stability were studied using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses and mass spectrometry. Compound1vaporizes without decomposition into monometallic complexes. It exhibits magnetic anisotropy, which was revealed from the angular variations in the EPR spectrum of a single crystal. The vapor thermolysis process for1was investigated using mass spectrometry, allowing the process to be framed within the temperature range of 200–350 °C. The experimental data, supported by QTAIM calculations of the allowed intermolecular interactions, suggest that1likely exists in the gas phase as bimetallic molecules. Compound1proved to be suitable as a single‐source precursor for the efficient preparation of CuPd alloy films with tunable Cu/Pd ratio. A possible mechanism for the film growth is proposed based on the reported data.
Treatment of chronic plantar ulcer of the diabetic foot using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot: prospective study of 177 patients
Authors: Ha Van Georges , Michaux Caroline , Parquet Hugues , Bourron Olivier , Pradat‐Diehl Pascale , Hartemann Agnes
Published: May 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of healing of chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers, using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot, which is only opened after healing. A single‐centre prospective study of a cohort of 177 diabetic patients with chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers was carried out. The duration of neuropathic plantar ulcers was 604 ± 808 days, with a mean surface area of 4.6 ± 6.5 cm2, a mean depth of 1.04 ± 1.08 cm and a mean volume of 5.9 ± 17.7 cm3. After a mean of 96 days of wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot (min 9 days, max 664 days and median 68 days), the level of healing reached 83.6%, although 29 patients did not heal (16.4%). The compliance was at 95%. NPUs with bigger volumes (p = 0.037) and those located at the heels ( p = 0.004) had significantly lower healing levels. Twenty‐one patients had moderate peripheral arterial disease (12%), and 24 patients were ostectomized for underlying osteomyelitis (14%), before inclusion. Moderate peripheral arterial disease (p = 0.970) or operated osteomyelitis (p = 0.128) did not modify the level of healing significantly, which were of 81% and 70.8%, respectively. Complications include 12 ulcers due to the windowed fibreglass cast boot (i.e. 7%) and two other ulcers being moderately infected, resulting in 2% of toe amputation, but there was no major amputation or phlebitis. The treatment of old and deep NPUs of the diabetic foot by wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot without opening the boot prior to healing offers very high ulcer recovery levels. Windowed fibreglass cast boots were changed in only 26 cases (14.6%). In addition, compliance was excellent and of the order of 95%. Furthermore, moderate peripheral arterial disease or a recent ostectomy did not affect the efficacy of windowed fibreglass cast boot. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Riparian community structure and soil properties of restored urban streams
Authors: Beauchamp Vanessa B. , Swan Christopher M. , Szlavecz Katalin , Hu Jason
Published: May 2015

Community assembly and the resulting community structure reflect both local and regional processes. The relative importance, however, of each of these scales in most restoration contexts is unknown. Urban stream restoration, which often involves complete remodelling and replanting of the riparian zone, presents an opportunity to investigate the influences of local and regional processes on community assembly and local and regional biodiversity. Additionally, published outcomes of urban riparian restoration projects, particularly pertaining to plant community composition and soil properties, are lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the vegetation and soils of paired restored and unrestored urban stream reaches near Baltimore, Maryland. We found that the composition of the mature tree and sapling communities at restored sites differed significantly from that of unrestored sites, indicating that priority effects imposed via planting may dominate subsequent assembly of woody vegetation in urban riparian plant communities, at least in the short term. We also found disparate outcomes for both vegetation and soils at urban stream restoration sites in Baltimore as compared with other studies elsewhere in the mid‐Atlantic United States, but lack of long‐term data or information on specific restoration practices makes it difficult to draw connections between particular techniques and outcomes. Notably, both restored and unrestored reaches in the Baltimore area had very low levels of invasion by exotic tree species, and high levels of Pb and Zn in unrestored reaches and Ca in all reaches reflect the influence of the urban matrix on soil properties. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Green Electrodes” Modified with Au Nanoparticles Synthesized in Glycerol, as Electrochemical Nitrite Sensor
Authors: Gobelli Dino , Mariano Correa N. , Fátima Barroso M. , Moyano Fernando , Molina Patricia G.
Published: May 2015

A new environmentally friendly Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) synthesis in glycerol by using ultraviolet irradiation and without extra‐added stabilizers is described. The synthesis proposed in this work may impact on the non‐polluting production of noble nanoparticles with simple chemicals normally found in standard laboratories. These Au NPs were used to modify a carbon paste electrode (CPE) without having to separate them from the reaction medium. This green electrode was used as an electrochemical sensor for the nitrite detection in water. At the optimum conditions the green sensor presented a linear response in the 2.0×10−7–1.5×10−5 M concentration range, a good detection sensitivity (0.268 A L mol−1), and a low detection limit of 2.0×10−7 M of nitrite. The proposed modified green CPE was used to determine nitrite in tap water samples.
Use of the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis to assess toxicity and genotoxicity of Yenisei River sediments
Authors: Zotina Tatiana A. , Trofimova Elena A. , Medvedeva Marina Yu. , Dementyev Dmitry V. , Bolsunovsky Alexander Ya.
Published: May 2015

The toxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity of bulk sediments from the Yenisei River (Siberia, Russia) were estimated in laboratory bioassays based on several endpoints in the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis. The bottom sediment samples were collected in the Yenisei River upstream and downstream of the sources of chemical and radioactive contamination. The testing revealed different sensitivities of Elodea endpoints to the quality of the bottom sediment: weight of shoots < length of shoots < mitotic index < length of roots < percentage of abnormal cells. The response of the genotoxicity endpoint (percentage of cells with chromosome abnormalities in roots of Elodea) was the highest in sediments with chemical pollution, whereas the highest inhibition of toxicity endpoints (shoot and root length) occurred in sediments with the highest level of radioactive pollution. The extreme response of Elodea endpoints to the quality of certain sediment samples may be regarded as related to the possible presence of unknown toxicants. The results show that E. canadensis can be used as an indicator species in laboratory contact testing of bottom sediment. The responses of shoot and root length growth endpoints of Elodea can be recommended as basic sensitivity indicators of bottom sediment toxicity. Analysis of cells carrying abnormal chromosomes in the apical root meristem of Elodea can be performed optionally in the same test to assess the genotoxicity of sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2310–2321. © 2015 SETAC
Sleep variability and fatigue in adolescents: Associations with school‐related features
Authors: Matos M. G. , Gaspar T. , Tomé G. , Paiva T.
Published: May 2015

This study aims to evaluate the influences of sleep duration and sleep variability (SleepV), upon adolescents' school‐related situations. The Health Behaviour in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) survey is based on a self‐completed questionnaire. The participants were 3164 pupils (53.7% girls), attending the 8th and 10th grades, 14.9 years old, and were inquired about subjective sleep duration during the week and weekends, SleepV, fatigue, difficulties in sleep initiation, school achievement, feelings towards schools, pressure with school work and skipping classes. Multiple regression models used, as dependent variables: (a) school achievement, (b) disliking school, (c) pressure with school work and (d) skipping classes, using as independent variables, each of the remaining school‐related variables, fatigue, total sleep duration and difficulties in sleep initiation. The average sleep duration in the week and during weekdays was lower than recommended for these age groups, and almost half of students had high SleepV between weekdays and weekends. A logistic model revealed that the absence of SleepV was associated with lower perception of school work pressure, less frequent skipping classes, more infrequent fatigue and more infrequent difficulties in sleep initiation. Poor sleep quality, SleepV and insufficient sleep duration affected negatively school‐related variables.
Firm‐Level Productivity Spillovers in China's Chemical Industry: A Spatial Hausman‐Taylor Approach
Authors: Baltagi Badi H. , Egger Peter H. , Kesina Michaela
Published: May 2015

This paper assesses intra‐sectoral spillovers in total factor productivity (TFP) across Chinese producers in the chemical industry using panel data on 12,552 firms observed over 2004‐2006. We specify TFP as a composite of observable factors such as export market participation, foreign as well as public ownership, the extent of accumulated intangible assets, and unobservable components. We introduce spatial spillovers in TFP through contextual effects of observable variables as well as spatial dependence of the disturbances, extending the Hausman and Taylor (1981) estimator to account for spatial correlation in the error term which may be homoskedastic or heteroskedastic. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of wrist surgery on the kinematic consistency of joint axis reconstruction in a static posture
Authors: Kraszewski Andrew P. , Osei Daniel A. , Garg Rohit , Jang Eugene , Hillstrom Howard J. , Lenhoff Mark W. , Wolfe Scott W.
Published: May 2015

Three‐dimensional analysis of wrist motion is a growing focus in orthopedic research, however, our understanding of its validity (accuracy and reliability) remains limited. Nine human cadavers were tested to estimate wrist joint axes alignment in a postural static pose. The objective was to investigate a rater's ability to reliably align three skin‐ tracked wrist joint coordinate system (WJCS) definitions across baseline and reconstructive wrist states (intact, mid‐carpal arthrodesis, and proximal‐row carpectomy). Two WJCSs (legacy, anatomic) were based on palpated bony landmarks and the third (functional) was based on both landmarks and passive flexion‐extension motion. A coordinate frame based on the anatomic definition was tracked with bone pins and served as a reference. Each WJCS was tested in each wrist state and in three forearm position (45° pronation, neutral, 45° supination). The angular offset about each axis of the WJCS frames were calculated with respect to the reference in flexion‐extension, radial‐ulnar deviation, and pronation‐supination for every iteration. Reliability and root mean square deviation values were analyzed across wrist states. Our data suggest that no WJCS is uniformly more reliable than another. The functional WJCS definition was most consistent across intact and post‐operative states for pronation‐supination offset, but this was dependent on rater interpretation. It still however offers the practical benefit of requiring fewer landmarks. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1341–1347, 2015.
The etiology of cirrhosis is a strong determinant of brain reserve: A multimodal magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Ahluwalia Vishwadeep , Wade James B. , Moeller F. Gerard , White Melanie B. , Unser Ariel B. , Gavis Edith A. , Sterling Richard K. , Stravitz R. Todd , Sanyal Arun J. , Siddiqui Mohammad S. , Puri Puneet , Luketic Velimir , Heuman Douglas M. , Fuchs Michael , Matherly Scott , Bajaj Jasmohan S.
Published: May 2015

Poor brain reserve in alcoholic cirrhosis could worsen insight regarding disease severity and increase the patients' vulnerability toward further deterioration. The aim of this study was to analyze brain reserve in abstinent alcoholic cirrhotic (Alc) patients compared to nonalcoholic cirrhotic (Nalc) patients in the context of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and to evaluate relative change in brain reserve between groups over time and before and after elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. The cross‐sectional study included 46 Alc and 102 Nalc outpatients with or without HE. Cognitive tests were followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS), diffusion tensor imaging, and T1‐weighted imaging. The prospective study included 1H‐MRS on a subset of 10 patients before and after TIPS placement. Another subset of 26 patients underwent 1H‐MRS at least 1 year apart. For the cross‐sectional study, Alc patients were worse on cognitive tests than Nalc patients. MRI results suggest a greater effect of hyperammonemia, brain edema, and significantly higher cortical damage in Alc as compared to Nalc patients. The effect of HE status on cognitive tests and brain reserve was more marked in the Nalc than in the Alc group. For the TIPS study, Nalc patients showed a greater adverse relative change after TIPS compared to the Alc group. At 1‐year follow‐up, both groups remained stable between the 2 visits. However, Alc patients continued to show poor brain reserve compared to Nalc patients over time. In conclusion, Alc patients, despite abstinence, have a poor brain reserve, whereas Nalc patients have a greater potential for brain reserve deterioration after HE and TIPS. Information regarding the brain reserve in cirrhosis could assist medical teams to refine their communication and monitoring strategies for different etiologies. Liver Transpl 21:1123℃1132, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
Enzymatic oxidative polymerization of para‐imine functionalized phenol catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase
Authors: Kumbul Altug , Gokturk Ersen , Turac Ersen , Sahmetlioglu Ertugrul
Published: May 2015

Enzymatic oxidative polymerization of a new para‐imine functionalized phenol derivative, 4‐(4‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzoic acid (HBBA), using horseradish peroxidase enzyme and hydrogen peroxide oxidizer has been investigated in an equivolume mixture of an organic solvent (acetone, methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, 1,4‐dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran) and phosphate buffer (pH = 5.0, 6.0, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2, 8.0, and 9.0) at different temperatures under air for 24 h. The resulting oligomer, oligo(4‐(4‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzoic acid) [oligo(HBBA)], was characterized using ultraviolet–visible, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cyclic voltammetry, size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analyses. Polymerization involved carbon dioxide and hydrogen elimination from the monomer, and terminal units of the oligomer structure consisted of phenolic hydroxyl (–OH) groups at the ends. The polymer is mainly composed of a mixture of phenylene and oxyphenylene units according to 1H NMR and FT‐IR analyses. Effects of solvent system, temperature and buffer pH on the polymerization have been investigated in respect to the yield and molecular weight (Mn) of the product. The best condition in terms of the highest molecular weight (Mn = 3000 g/mol, DP ~ 15) was achieved in an equivolume mixture of 1,4‐dioxane/pH 5.0 phosphate buffer condition at 35°C. Electrochemical characterization of oligo(HBBA) was investigated at different scan rates. The resulting oligomer has also shown relatively high thermal stability according to thermogravimetric analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minimal residual disease detection in autologous stem cell grafts from patients with high risk neuroblastoma
Authors: van Wezel Esther M. , Stutterheim Janine , Vree Florentien , Zappeij‐Kannegieter Lily , Decarolis Boris , Hero Barbara , Berthold Frank , Schumacher‐Kuckelkorn Roswitha , Simon Thorsten , Fiocco Marta , Voermans Carlijn , van Noesel Max M. , Caron Huib N. , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Tytgat Godelieve A. M. ,   for the GPOH MRD Study Group
Published: May 2015

Background

The clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) detected by real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in autologous stem cell grafts in high risk neuroblastoma is still controversial. In this retrospective multicenter study, autologous stem cell grafts of a large cohort were studied using a panel of RNA markers.

Procedure

From 104 patients with high risk neuroblastoma, who received autologous stem cell transplantation as first line treatment, 66 peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and 38 CD34+ selected grafts were retrospectively collected at 2 Dutch and 12 German centers between 1997 and 2010. To investigate graft contamination qPCR was performed by using 5 neuroblastoma specific markers (PHOX2B, TH, DDC, CHRNA3, and DBH).

Results

In PBSC 6/66 (9%) and in CD34+ selected grafts 3/38 (8%) samples were contaminated. Graft contamination was not associated with an unfavorable outcome (5‐years OS, 66% vs. 50.5%; P = 0.6 and 5‐years EFS, 22% vs. 35%, P = 0.7). In multivariate Cox analysis BM MRD at time of harvest was significantly associated with survival (P = 0.008 OS and P = 0.002 EFS), but graft contamination was still not associated with an unfavorable outcome (P = 0.9 OS and P = 1 EFS).

Conclusions

Graft contamination is very infrequent in this retrospective cohort of patients with no or minimal BM disease prior to stem cell collection and does not influence outcome in univariate and multivariate analysis. The presence of MRD at time of harvest is a strong outcome predictor. However, these results will have to be verified in a large prospective study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1368–1373. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical utility of bronchoalveolar lavage and respiratory tract biopsies in diagnosis and management of suspected invasive respiratory fungal infections in children
Authors: Batra Surabhi , Li Betty , Underhill Nicole , Maloney Rebekah , Katz Ben Z. , Hijiya Nobuko
Published: May 2015

Background

Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and respiratory tract biopsies are important tools for diagnosing fungal infections in children with cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of BAL and respiratory tract biopsies on the management of suspected fungal infections in oncology and HSCT patients.

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of oncology and HSCT patients with possible, probable, or proven fungal infection of the respiratory tract and determined whether BAL or biopsy following computed tomography (CT) prompted a change in management.

Results

Among 101 patients (0.5–29 years of age), 24 underwent a BAL and 31 had biopsies (27 lung and 4 sinus). The remaining 46 patients had CT scans only. Of these, there were radiographic findings suggestive of a fungal infection in 38 patients (83%). Thirty of these 38 patients (79%) had a change in management. BAL provided a diagnosis in 6 of 24 patients (25%). There was a change in management in 2 of the 6 (33%). Respiratory tract biopsy provided a diagnosis in 12 of 31 patients (39%). Biopsy results led to a change in management in 4 of the 12 patients (33%). Significant postoperative morbidity attributed to biopsy occurred in 3 of 31 patients (10%); 2 patients had pneumothorax requiring chest tube and intubation and a patient had prolonged intubation.

Conclusion

BAL and biopsy in children with an oncological diagnosis or those undergoing HSCT only infrequently lead to changes in management in the era of empiric therapy with broad‐spectrum anti‐fungal agents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1579–1586. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Das menschliche Auge
Authors: Ehrmann Andrea , Błachowicz Tomasz
Published: May 2015

Unser Auge funktioniert physikalisch wie eine Kamera mit Linse und Blende. Sehfehler wie Kurz‐ oder Weitsichtigkeit können heutzutage durch Brillen mit geschliffenen Gläsern oder Kontaktlinsen ausgeglichen werden. Ohne Sehhilfen können Kurzsichtige sich durch Zusammenkneifen der Augen helfen, was Schlitzblenden formt. Diese blenden die Randstrahlen aus und erhöhen so die Schärfe des Bildes auf der Netzhaut – auf Kosten der Helligkeit. Noch stärker ist dieser Effekt beim Blick durch eine Lochblende. Sogenannte Rasterbrillen versuchen, durch viele kleine Löcher den Nachteil des Lichtverlusts teilweise auszugleichen. Sie funktionieren aber unbefriedigend und können medizinische Probleme verursachen.
Messung atomarer elektrischer Felder
Authors: Müller‐Caspary Knut
Published: May 2015

Dank der enormen Weiterentwicklung aberrationskorrigierter Elektronenoptik erreicht die Raster‐Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie (STEM) heute eine Auflösung von 50 pm (1 pm = 10–12 m). Damit eröffnet sich der Blick in subatomare Details, wie atomare elektrische Felder oder Ladungstransfers bei chemischen Bindungen.
Milch‐Ingwer‐Pudding à la minute
Authors: Vilgis Thomas
Published: May 2015

Die traditionelle chinesische Küche ist immer für Überraschungen gut: Aus heißer, frischer Milch, einem Stück Ingwer und etwas Zucker lässt sich ein stichfester Pudding zaubern. Das Dessert entsteht ganz von selbst, denn ein proteinspaltendes Enzymgemisch (Zingibain) destabilisiert und geliert die Milch in weniger als 30 Minuten.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics and Content Analysis of Gnetol in Foodstuffs
Authors: Remsberg Connie M. , Martinez Stephanie E. , Akinwumi Bolanle C. , Anderson Hope D. , Takemoto Jody K. , Sayre Casey L. , Davies Neal M.
Published: May 2015

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the bioavailability in rats and content analysis of gnetol in Gnetum gnemon products reported to contain gnetol and to examine the pharmacological properties of gnetol in in vitro models including anti‐inflammatory/analgesic, antidiabetic, anti‐adipogenesis, and anticancer activity. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were cannulated and dosed either intravenously with gnetol (10 mg/kg) or orally (100 mg/kg). Various methanolic extractions of G. gnemon products were quantified. Gnetol's effect on cell viability in selected cell lines with or without inflammatory stimulus was assessed. α‐Amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibition was evaluated. Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1, COX‐2, and histone deacetylase inhibition and adipogenesis inhibition were examined. After oral and intravenous administration, gnetol was detected in both serum and urine as the parent compound and as a glucuronidated metabolite. The bioavailability of gnetol was determined to be 6%. Gnetol is rapidly glucuronidated and is excreted in urine and via nonrenal routes. Gnetol was found to exist as an aglycone and as a glycoside in G. gnemon products. Gnetol showed concentration‐dependent reductions in cell viability in cancer cell lines with greatest activity in colorectal cancer and potent COX‐1, histone deacetylase, and weak COX‐2 activities along with limited reduction in inflammation. Gnetol also possessed concentration‐dependent alpha‐amylase, alpha‐glucosidase, and adipogenesis activities. Pretreatment of mice with gnetol was able to increase the latency period to response in analgesia models. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a Small Unmanned Aerial System for the SR‐530 Mudslide Incident near Oso, Washington
Authors: Murphy Robin R. , Duncan Brittany A. , Collins Tyler , Kendrick Justin , Lohman Patrick , Palmer Tamara , Sanborn Frank
Published: May 2015

The Center for Robot‐Assisted Search and Rescue deployed three commercially available small unmanned aerial systems (SUASs)—an AirRobot AR100B quadrotor, an Insitu Scan Eagle, and a PrecisionHawk Lancaster—to the 2014 SR‐530 Washington State mudslides. The purpose of the flights was to allow geologists and hydrologists to assess the eminent risk of loss of life to responders from further slides and flooding, as well as to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the event. The AirRobot AR100B in conjunction with PrecisionHawk post‐processing software created two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D reconstructions of the inaccessible “moonscape” region of the slide and provided engineers with a real‐time remote presence assessment of river mitigation activities. The AirRobot was able to cover 30–40 acres from an altitude of 42 m (140 ft) in 48 min of flight time and generate interactive 3D reconstructions in 3 h on a laptop in the field. The deployment is the 17th known use of SUAS for disasters, and it illustrates the evolution of SUASs from tactical data collection platforms to strategic data‐to‐decision systems. It was the first known instance in the United States in which an airspace deconfliction plan allowed a UAS to operate with manned vehicles in the same airspace during a disaster. It also describes how public concerns over SUAS safety and privacy led to the cancellation of initial flights. The deployment provides lessons on operational considerations imposed by the terrain, trees, power lines, and accessibility, and a safe human:robot ratio. The article identifies open research questions in computer vision, mission planning, and data archiving, curation, and mining.
Sox2 Deacetylation by Sirt1 Is Involved in Mouse Somatic Reprogramming
Authors: Mu Wen-Li , Wang Ya-Jun , Xu Peng , Hao De-Long , Liu Xiu-Zhen , Wang Ting-Ting , Chen Feng , Chen Hou-Zao , Lv Xiang , Liu De-Pei
Published: May 2015

Mouse somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells by defined factors known to regulate pluripotency, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. Together with Oct4, Sox2 plays a major role as a master endogenous pluripotent genes trigger in reprogramming. It has been reported that Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a member of the Sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases, is involved in embryonic stem cell antioxidation, differentiation, and individual development. However, as a deacetylation enzyme, whether Sirt1 influences reprogramming through its post-translational modification function remains unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that deacetylation of Sox2 by Sirt1 is required for reprogramming. We found that a low level of Sox2 acetylation could significantly increase reprogramming efficiency. Furthermore, we found that Sox2 can be deacetylated by Sirt1 in an Oct4-mediated manner. Compared with wild-type cells, Sirt1-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibit decreased reprogramming efficiency, and overexpression of Sirt1 rescues this defect. In addition, Sirt1 functions in the regulation of reprogramming through deacetylating Sox2. Taken together, we have identified a new regulatory role of Sirt1 in reprogramming and provided a link between deacetylation events and somatic cell reprogramming. Stem Cells 2015;33:2135–2147
The research works of Coulomb and Amontons and generalized laws of friction
Authors: Popova Elena , Popov Valentin L.
Published: May 2015

The paper is devoted to the contributions of Coulomb and Amontons to the physics of friction from the viewpoint of current discussions and attempts to formulate generalized laws of friction.
Substrate binding properties of potato tuber ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry
Authors: Cakir Bilal , Tuncel Aytug , Green Abigail R. , Koper Kaan , Hwang Seon-Kap , Okita Thomas W. , Kang ChulHee
Published: May 2015

Substrate binding properties of the large (LS) and small (SS) subunits of potato tuber ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase were investigated by using isothermal titration calorimetry. Our results clearly show that the wild type heterotetramer (SWTLWT) possesses two distinct types of ATP binding sites, whereas the homotetrameric LS and SS variant forms only exhibited properties of one of the two binding sites. The wild type enzyme also exhibited significantly increased affinity to this substrate compared to the homotetrameric enzyme forms. No stable binding was evident for the second substrate, glucose‐1‐phosphate, in the presence or absence of ATPγS suggesting that interaction of glucose‐1‐phosphate is dependent on hydrolysis of ATP and supports the Theorell–Chance bi bi reaction mechanism.
Neoproterozoic collisional S-type granitoids of the Yenisei Ridge: petrogeochemical composition and U–Pb, Ar–Ar, and Sm–Nd isotope data
Authors: Nozhkin A.D. , Popov N.V. , Dmitrieva N.V. , Storozhenko A.A. , Vasil’ev N.F.
Published: May 2015

Collisional granitoid magmatism caused by the Early Neoproterozoic orogeny in the west of the Siberian craton is considered. New data on the petrogeochemical composition, U–Pb (SHRIMP II), Ar–Ar, and Sm–Nd isotopic ages of the Middle Tyrada granitoid massif in the northwestern Yenisei Ridge are presented. Plagiogranites, granodiorites, and quartz diorites of the massif are of calcareous and calc-alkalic composition. The elevated alumina contents and presence of accessory garnet permit them to be assigned to S-type granitoids. Their spidergrams show Rb, Ba, and Th enrichment, minimum Nb, P, and Ti contents, and no Sr depletion. The granitoids formed through the melting of plagioclase-enriched graywacke source, obviously Paleoproterozoic metaterrigenous rocks of the Garevka Formation and Teya Group (TNd(DM) = 2.0–2.5 Ga), judging from the isotope composition of the granitoids (TNd(DM-2st) = 2200 Ma and εNd(T) = –6.0) and the presence of ancient zircon cores (1.80–1.85 Ga). Formation of granitoids took place in the final epoch of the Grenville collision events in the late Early Neoproterozoic (U–Pb zircon age is 857.0 ± 9.5 Ma). In the Late Neoproterozoic, the granitoids underwent tectonothermal reworking caused by Vendian accretion and collision events on the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, which explain the younger K–Ar biotite age, 615.5 ± 6.3 Ma.