bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term Clinical Outcome of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ge Xiaolin , Yang Xi , Lu Xiaohu , Wen Wei , Zhen Fuxi , Ye Hongxun , Zhu Hongcheng , Cao Yuandong , Zhang Sheng , Cheng Hongyan , Ma Jianxin , Yang Baixia , Dai Shengbin , Guo Qing , Cai Jing , Sun Xinchen
Published: March 2015

Purpose

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Between August 2009 and December 2011, 112 patients with pathologically confirmed ESCC treated with IMRT at Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nantong Tumor Hospital were included in a retrospective analysis. Patients received either IMRT alone (group A) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (group B). A radiation dose of 60–66 Gy administered in 30–33 fractions was delivered to the tumor. The patients in group B simultaneously received 2 cycles of cisplatin-based doublets with either 5-fluorouracil or taxotere. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compute the survival time. Early and late toxicities were scored according to CTCAE v.3.0.

Results

The response rate of group B (91.07%) was not significantly greater than that of group A (89.29%) (X2 = 0.10, p = 0.75). The 1- and 3-year survival rates of group B (87.5% and 57.14%, respectively) were greater than those of group A (69.64% and 37.50%, respectively). The difference in overall survival was statistically significant between groups A and B (x2 = 5.30, p = 0.02; x2 = 4.33, p = 0.04). Hematological toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and treatment-related esophagitis were significantly higher in group B than group A (16.07% vs. 33.93%, p = 0.04; 10.71% vs. 26.79%, p = 0.03; 19.64% vs. 44.64%, p = 0.01). However, intergroup differences in terms of late toxicity were not significant.

Conclusions

IMRT was a practical and feasible technique to treat ESCC. Concurrent CRT could increase local tumor control and long-term survival. The CRT regimen was associated with a higher incidence of acute gastrointestinal and hematological toxicity.
Comparative Study of Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for Erectile Function Recovery in a Rat Model of Cavernous Nerve Injury
Authors: You Dalsan , Jang Myoung Jin , Kim Bo Hyun , Song Geehyun , Lee Chunwoo , Suh Nayoung , Jeong In Gab , Ahn Tai Young , Kim Choung-Soo
Published: March 2015

The abilities of intracavernous injection of autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to facilitate recovery of erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) injury were compared. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham and control groups (intracavernous injection of phosphate-buffered saline), SVF group (intracavernous injection of SVF), and ADSC group (intracavernous injection of ADSCs). Rats in the latter three groups underwent bilateral CN injury prior to injection. The evaluation of erectile function and histomorphometric studies were performed 4 weeks after injection. The ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in the control group than in the sham group (0.18 vs. 0.56, p < .001). Intracavernous injection of SVF (0.36, p = .035) significantly improved erectile function compared with that in the control group, whereas the ADSC group (0.35, p = .052) showed marginally significant improvement. The smooth muscle/collagen ratio, smooth muscle content, number of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase-positive nerve fibers, and expression of von Willebrand factor were significantly higher in the SVF and ADSC groups than in the control group. Expression of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase was significantly increased in the SVF group. The increases in the smooth muscle/collagen ratio and von Willebrand factor expression were larger in the SVF group than in the ADSC group. Intracavernous injection of SVF or ADSCs was equally effective in recovering penile erection in a rat model of CN injury.
Science économique et bien commun : un mariage impossible ?
Authors: Vermersch Dominique
Published: March 2015

En vouant sa prétention à la scientificité dans l’affermissement de l’autonomie morale des individus, la science économique contrecarre d’emblée non seulement la primauté mais la réalité même du bien commun. Ce faisant, elle se voit contrainte à suggérer des éthiques de substitution dont les écueils en viennent a contrario à démontrer la prégnance du bien commun ; et plus encore sa nécessité, rappelée impérieusement par la réalité même des faits économiques. S’illustre ainsi le constat sans concession de Jean-Pierre Dupuy, suivant lequel l’économie rationalise lourdement et retrouve ce que la morale a toujours su.
Finalité et affectivité
Authors: Larochelle Yves
Published: March 2015

Charles De Koninck, qui chercha à réconcilier la lecture thomiste d’Aristote avec la science contemporaine, et Michel Henry, qui voulut rénover la phénoménologie husserlienne et heideggérienne en restituant la place de l’affectivité dans le champ philosophique, ont connu des trajectoires intellectuelles très différentes. Pourtant, leurs parcours respectifs aboutissent ultimement aux deux mêmes conclusions déterminantes : le réductionnisme scientifique ambiant menace l’intégrité spirituelle de l’humanité et seul le constat d’une finalité d’ordre divin à la vie humaine peut restituer un sain équilibre.
Une vision universelle du bien commun dans un contexte mondial de pluralité et de diversité culturelle est-elle possible ?
Authors: Stanton-Jean Michèle
Published: March 2015

Le bien commun est un concept fréquemment utilisé pour aborder la question du vivre ensemble. Rarement défini, on l’utilise pour le critiquer comme le fruit d’une vision occidentale et chrétienne non applicable sur le plan universel ou encore pour en proposer une vision moderne affranchie de sa rigidité traditionnelle. Le texte qui suit se base sur une thèse qui a examiné les principes et les valeurs qui pourraient fonder une vision renouvelée du bien commun, susceptible d’être utilisée dans tous les contextes culturels et historiques, en prenant comme exemple l’élaboration de la Déclaration universelle sur la bioéthique et les droits de l’homme adoptée à la conférence générale de l’UNESCO en 2005.
Des étrangers issus du Royaume et de la lumière (EvTh 49-50)
Authors: Gagné André
Published: March 2015

Cet article s’intéresse à la signification et le rôle des solitaires–élus dans les logia 49-50 de l’Évangile selon Thomas. Après avoir répertorié les différents sens attribués au substantif monakhos par la recherche actuelle, nous proposons une interprétation nouvelle de l’expression au moyen d’une lecture synchronique et intratextuelle de l’EvTh. La conclusion est que les solitaires et les élus ne sont pas deux classes d’individus distincts, mais constituent plutôt un même groupe, une seule entité. L’EvTh caractérise les solitaires–élus comme ceux qui s’adonnent à la quête du sens des paroles de Jésus, afin de ne pas goûter la mort (EvTh 1). Étant issus du Royaume et de la lumière, ils sont aussi étrangers dans ce monde, à l’instar de Jésus, maître du plérôme.
La quête de reconnaissance professionnelle d’immigrants favorisant l’usage de l’anglais dans la région de montréal : entre dissonances et ressemblances
Authors: Arcand Sébastien , Najari Maher
Published: March 2015

Bien que la problématique de la reconnaissance des diplômes et des compétences des immigrants soit documentée dans la littérature, les immigrants faisant usage de l’anglais constituent une catégorie trop souvent oubliée. À partir de groupes de discussion menés auprès de ces immigrants, cet article soulève quelques-unes des difficultés auxquelles ces personnes sont confrontées dans leur quête de reconnaissance de leurs acquis et compétences. Les résultats montrent notamment qu’en dépit des similarités vécues avec les immigrants faisant usage du français, la faiblesse de la connaissance du français de notre échantillon favorise une connaissance inégale des programmes offerts et, par le fait même, génère l’existence d’obstacles propres à cette catégorie d’immigrants. L’analyse des témoignages des participants fait également ressortir des failles dans la coordination entre les institutions québécoises impliquées.
La fiction anglo-québécoise en traduction française depuis 1990 : agents, agences et textes
Authors: Lane-Mercier Gillian
Published: March 2015

Cet article s’inscrit dans une recherche plus vaste visant à consolider les bases méthodologiques de la sociologie de la traduction, tout en aménageant des points d’articulation entre celle-ci et la traductologie. Son objectif consiste à présenter les diverses difficultés d’ordre démographique, culturel, linguistique, esthétique et identitaire rencontrées dans le cadre d’un projet pilote, ainsi que les solutions retenues et quelques résultats préliminaires. Ce projet pilote portait sur les enjeux soulevés par la création et l’exploitation statistique d’une base de données de toutes les oeuvres de fiction anglo-québécoises traduites en français entre 1990 et 2013. Nous partions de l’hypothèse que les critères d’établissement et les variables retenus véhiculent une image tant des conditions sociales de production et de mise en circulation des traductions dans le contexte québécois contemporain que des rapports entre les communautés littéraires anglophone et francophone.
The polarity protein Baz forms a platform for the centrosome orientation during asymmetric stem cell division in the Drosophila male germline
Authors: Inaba Mayu , Venkei Zsolt G , Yamashita Yukiko M
Published: March 2015

Many stem cells divide asymmetrically in order to balance self-renewal with differentiation. The essence of asymmetric cell division (ACD) is the polarization of cells and subsequent division, leading to unequal compartmentalization of cellular/extracellular components that confer distinct cell fates to daughter cells. Because precocious cell division before establishing cell polarity would lead to failure in ACD, these two processes must be tightly coupled; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In Drosophila male germline stem cells, ACD is prepared by stereotypical centrosome positioning. The centrosome orientation checkpoint (COC) further serves to ensure ACD by preventing mitosis upon centrosome misorientation. In this study, we show that Bazooka (Baz) provides a platform for the correct centrosome orientation and that Baz-centrosome association is the key event that is monitored by the COC. Our work provides a foundation for understanding how the correct cell polarity may be recognized by the cell to ensure productive ACD.
Outcome of Cesarean Scar Pregnancies Diagnosed Sonographically in the First Trimester
Authors: Michaels Aya Y. , Washburn Erin E. , Pocius Katherine D. , Benson Carol B. , Doubilet Peter M. , Carusi Daniela A.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of cesarean scar pregnancies diagnosed during the first trimester.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all cesarean scar implantation pregnancies diagnosed by sonography before 14 weeks' gestation between 2000 and 2012 at our institution. We reviewed the patients' sonograms and medical records and recorded sonographic findings and pregnancy outcomes.

Results

Thirty‐four cases met study entry criteria. Ten patients presented with no embryonic cardiac activity, of whom 7 underwent interventions, and 3 were expectantly managed. One of the former 7 and none of the latter 3 required hysterectomy for bleeding. Among the 24 patients with embryonic cardiac activity, 8 were managed expectantly: 5 (62.5%) ultimately delivered a live‐born neonate, 3 (60.0%) of whom required hysterectomy due to placenta accreta; and 3 had fetal demise. Sixteen of the 24 underwent interventions, 2 opting for gravid hysterectomy (10 and 11 weeks' gestation, respectively) and 14 treated by a minimally invasive method: intrasac potassium chloride injection (3 cases); intrasac potassium chloride injection plus intramuscular methotrexate (4 cases); sonographically guided dilation and curettage (6 cases); and laparascopic resection (1 case). None of the latter 14 subsequently required hysterectomy.

Conclusions

If a woman has a first‐trimester diagnosis of a cesarean scar implantation pregnancy and embryonic cardiac activity is present, expectant management offers the possibility of delivering a live‐born neonate (62.5% in our study) but carries a substantial likelihood of hysterectomy at delivery due to placenta accreta (37.5% in our study), whereas minimally invasive therapy that interrupts the pregnancy largely eliminates the need for hysterectomy.
Sonographic Features of Thyroid Nodules That May Help Distinguish Clinically Atypical Subacute Thyroiditis From Thyroid Malignancy
Authors: Pan Fu-shun , Wang Wei , Wang Yan , Xu Ming , Liang Jin-yu , Zheng Yan-ling , Xie Xiao-yan , Li Xiao-xi
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sonographic features for distinguishing clinically atypical subacute thyroiditis from malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods

A total of 165 hypoechoic thyroid nodules without calcification in 135 patients with histologic diagnosis were included in this study. These nodules were classified into 2 groups: a thyroiditis group (55 nodules in 36 patients) and a malignancy group (110 nodules in 99 patients). The sonographic features of the groups were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

No significant differences were detected for the variables of marked echogenicity, a taller‐than‐wide shape, and mixed vascularity. However, a poorly defined margin was detected more frequently in the thyroiditis group than the malignancy group (P < .05); it yielded a high capability for differential diagnosis of atypical subacute thyroiditis, with sensitivity and specificity of 87.3% and 80.9%, respectively. Centripetal reduction echogenicity was observed exclusively in the thyroiditis group, with high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity (21.8%) for atypical subacute thyroiditis diagnosis. All of the thyroiditis nodules with a positive color signal showed noninternal vascularity (negative predictive value, 100%).

Conclusions

There is a considerable overlap between the sonographic features of atypical subacute thyroiditis and thyroid malignancy. However, the margin, echogenicity, and vascularity type are helpful indicators for differential diagnosis of atypical subacute thyroiditis.
Gel Pad Application for Automated Breast Sonography
Authors: Kim Yun Ju , Kim Sung Hun , Jeh Su Kyung , Choi Jae Jeong , Kang Bong Joo , Song Byung Joo
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to describe the technical aspects of gel pad application for automated breast sonography and to show its effects on pain relief, scan coverage, and image quality. Twenty patients underwent 2 sets of automated breast sonography with and without gel pad application and were then asked to provide feedback on the examination‐related pain. Scan coverage and image quality were compared quantitatively and qualitatively. The degree of pain was significantly decreased after gel pad application (P < .0001). The scan coverage was expanded particularly at the mid‐portion of the breast. Image quality was satisfactory without significant differences between the sets. Gel pad application for automated breast sonography is easy and provides significant pain relief. The scan coverage was expanded, while the image quality was maintained.
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound
Authors: Minardi Joseph , Marshall Tom , Massey Greta , Setzer Erin
Published: March 2015

Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in acute care require rapid, critical decision making, often with limited clinical information. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) can aid in diagnosis by providing information that may not be evident from a patient's medical history, physical examination, and ancillary tests. Eight cases are presented in which FOCUS drastically altered the management of patient care, shortened the differential diagnosis, or allowed for the development of a definitive diagnosis. In 3 cases, diagnoses that were not initially suspected were identified by FOCUS. In the remaining cases, uncommon yet critical diagnoses were established at early stages along the patients' courses of care.
Future beam experiments in the magnetosphere with plasma contactors: How do we get the charge off the spacecraft?
Authors: Delzanno G. L. , Borovsky J. E. , Thomsen M. F. , Moulton J. D. , MacDonald E. A.
Published: March 2015

The idea of using a high‐voltage electron beam with substantial current to actively probe magnetic field line connectivity in space has been discussed since the 1970s. However, its experimental realization onboard a magnetospheric spacecraft has never been accomplished because the tenuous magnetospheric plasma cannot provide the return current necessary to keep spacecraft charging under control. In this work, we perform Particle‐In‐Cell simulations to investigate the conditions under which a high‐voltage electron beam can be emitted from a spacecraft and explore solutions that can mitigate spacecraft charging. The electron beam cannot simply be compensated for by an ion beam of equal current, because the Child‐Langmuir space charge limit is violated under conditions of interest. On the other hand, releasing a high‐density neutral contactor plasma prior and during beam emission is critical in aiding beam emission. We show that after an initial transient controlled by the size of the contactor cloud where the spacecraft potential rises, the spacecraft potential can settle into conditions that allow for electron beam emission. A physical explanation of this result in terms of ion emission into spherical geometry from the surface of the plasma cloud is presented, together with scaling laws of the peak spacecraft potential varying the ion mass and beam current. These results suggest that a strategy where the contactor plasma and the electron beam operate simultaneously might offer a pathway to perform beam experiments in the magnetosphere.
Testing astronomically tuned age models
Authors: Zeeden Christian , Meyers Stephen R. , Lourens Lucas J. , Hilgen Frederik J.
Published: March 2015

Astrochronology is fundamental to many paleoclimate studies, but a standard statistical test has yet to be established for validating stand‐alone astronomically tuned time scales (those lacking detailed independent time control) against their astronomical insolation tuning curves. Shackleton et al. (1995) proposed that the modulation of precession's amplitude by eccentricity can be used as an independent test for the successful tuning of paleoclimate data. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that eccentricity‐like amplitude modulation can be artificially generated in random data, following astronomical tuning. Here we introduce a new statistical approach that circumvents the problem of introducing amplitude modulations during tuning and data processing, thereby allowing the use of amplitude modulations for astronomical time scale evaluation. The method is based upon the use of the Hilbert transform to calculate instantaneous amplitude following application of a wide band precession filter and subsequent low‐pass filtering of the instantaneous amplitude to extract potential eccentricity modulations. Statistical significance of the results is evaluated using phase‐randomized surrogates that preserve the power spectrum structure of the data but have randomized amplitude modulations. Application of the new testing algorithm to two astronomically tuned data sets demonstrates the efficacy of the technique and confirms the presence of astronomical signals. Additionally, it is demonstrated that a minimal tuning approach using (at maximum) one precession cycle per ~100 kyr eccentricity cycle does not introduce systematic frequency modulations, even when a narrow band‐pass filter is applied, allowing direct comparison of data amplitudes and orbital eccentricity.
EpisodicHolocene eruption of theSaltonButtes rhyolites,California, from paleomagnetic,U‐Th, andAr/Ar dating
Authors: Wright Heather M. , Vazquez Jorge A. , Champion Duane E. , Calvert Andrew T. , Mangan Margaret T. , Stelten Mark , Cooper Kari M. , Herzig Charles , Schriener Alexander
Published: March 2015

In the Salton Trough, CA, five rhyolite domes form the Salton Buttes: Mullet Island, Obsidian Butte, Rock Hill, North and South Red Hill, from oldest to youngest. Results presented here include40Ar/39Ar anorthoclase ages,238U‐230Th zircon crystallization ages, and comparison of remanent paleomagnetic directions with the secular variation curve, which indicate that all domes are Holocene.238U‐230Th zircon crystallization ages are more precise than but within uncertainty of40Ar/39Ar anorthoclase ages, suggesting that zircon crystallization proceeded until shortly before eruption in all cases except one. Remanent paleomagnetic directions require three eruption periods: (1) Mullet Island, (2) Obsidian Butte, and (3) Rock Hill, North Red Hill, and South Red Hill. Borehole cuttings logs document up to two shallow tephra layers. North and South Red Hills likely erupted within 100 years of each other, with a combined238U‐230Th zircon isochron age of: 2.83 ± 0.60 ka (2 sigma); paleomagnetic evidence suggests this age predates eruption by hundreds of years (1800 cal BP). Rock Hill erupted closely in time to these eruptions. The Obsidian Butte238U‐230Th isochron age (2.86 ± 0.96 ka) is nearly identical to the combined Red Hill age, but its Virtual Geomagnetic Pole position suggests a slightly older age. The age of aphyric Mullet Island dome is the least well constrained: zircon crystals are resorbed and the paleomagnetic direction is most distinct; possible Mullet Island ages include ca. 2300, 5900, 6900, and 7700 cal BP. Our results constrain the duration of Salton Buttes volcanism to between ca. 5900 and 500 years.
Carbon Fiber/Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper Interply Hybrid Composites: Manufacturing Process and Tensile Properties
Authors: Wang Shaokai , Downes Rebekah , Young Charles , Haldane David , Hao Ayou , Liang Richard , Wang Ben , Zhang Chuck , Maskell Rob
Published: March 2015

This paper reports on a study of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film, or buckypaper (BP), integrated into carbon fiber (CF) prepreg composites to create hybrid composite materials with high CNT content. The autoclave process of manufacturing hybrid composite laminates was investigated to gain an understanding of nano/micro dual‐scale resin flow characteristics. The study found that resin bleeding along the through‐thickness direction was inhibited due to extra‐low permeability and high resin absorbing capacity of the BP. Resin matrix‐impregnated BP layers were much thicker than dry pristine BP due to high resin absorbency and swelling effects. The BP/unidirectional carbon fiber (UD‐CF) hybrid composites with local fiber volume fraction of 61.46 vol% in CF ply and local CNT volume fraction of 26.57 vol% in BP layer, had a tensile strength of 2519 ± 101 MPa and modulus of 149 ± 18 GPa. The dramatic improvements in both in‐plane and through‐thickness electrical conductivities demonstrate potential for both structural and multifunctional applications of the resultant hybrid composites.
Improved Stabilization for Continuous Dynamical Systems with Two Additive Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Xiong Lianglin , Li Yongkun , Zhou Weihong
Published: March 2015

This paper studies the problem of stabilization criteria for systems with two additive time‐varying delays. First, the delay‐dependent stability condition for the systems is established through computing the more general Lyapunov functional. The Lyapunov functional is constructed by making full use of the property and the information of the systems, and the condition has advantages over the existing ones in the skillful combination of the delay decomposition and the reciprocal convex approach. Second, considered to be more flexible for the controller design with the introduced positive scalar, a new controller method is presented. Finally, two examples are provided to demonstrate the advantage of the results in this paper.
Choosing Across Cultures: The Effect of Choice Complexity on Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Brown Jill A. , Oikawa Masanori , Rose Jason P. , Haught Heather M. , Oikawa Haruka , Geers Andrew L.
Published: March 2015

Prior research has revealed that having choice over treatments can improve their efficacy. However, it is currently unknown if the benefits of treatment choice hold for complex decisions and different cultures. The effects of differing numbers of treatment options were explored across two cultural contexts: United States and Japan. Participants were exposed to an uncomfortable stimulus and provided with up to 15 placebo treatment options they believed would reduce discomfort. There was a significant interaction such that participants from Japan benefited most from fewer treatment options (2 and 5) compared with more treatment options (10 and 15). Participants from the United States, however, showed either no change in discomfort or less discomfort as the number of choices increased. Additionally, participants from Japan reported less satisfaction with the decision process when they had more treatment options to choose from whereas U.S. participants reported similar, if not slightly higher, satisfaction with more treatment options. Further, a second study indicated that a positive experience with the decision process mediated the relationship between choice complexity and treatment efficacy for Japanese participants. These data demonstrate the importance of culture and choice complexity when discussing treatment choice and resulting outcomes in the medical context. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consider whether body‐worn cameras are right for your unit
Authors: Gomez Cynthia
Published: March 2015

Have you considered body‐worn cameras for your campus safety officers? If not, the insights of four campus police chiefs who have implemented the use of such devices in their departments could prove valuable.
Show community ‘rape culture’ stereotypes don't apply to your campus
Authors: Gomez Cynthia
Published: March 2015

“Rape culture” seems to have become a favorite media buzzword these days. The growing list of colleges and universities across the country under federal scrutiny for their handling of sexual assault cases seems to support the idea that such a culture is truly alive and well throughout academia today, despite legislative efforts to address the problem.
Improve town‐gown relationships by extending programs, services to members of your surrounding community
Authors: Gomez Cynthia
Published: March 2015

After working for a park district for more than two decades, Kevin C. Whitlock decided to move into the higher education setting and accepted a position as director of public safety at St. Cloud State University.
Characterisation of Acetyl‐CoA Thiolase: The First Enzyme in the Biosynthesis of Terpenic Sex Pheromone Components in the Labial Gland of Bombus terrestris
Authors: Brabcová Jana , Demianová Zuzana , Kindl Jiří , Pichová Iva , Valterová Irena , Zarevúcka Marie
Published: March 2015

Buff‐tailed bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, use a male sex pheromone for premating communication. Its main component is a sesquiterpene, 2,3‐dihydrofarnesol. This paper reports the isolation of a thiolase (acetyl‐CoA thiolase, AACT_BT), the first enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathway leading to formation of isoprenoids in the B. terrestris male sex pheromone. Characterisation of AACT_BT might contribute to a better understanding of pheromonogenesis in the labial gland of B. terrestris males. The protein was purified to apparent homogeneity by column chromatography with subsequent stepwise treatment. AACT_BT showed optimum acetyltransferase activity at pH 7.1 and was strongly inhibited by iodoacetamide. The enzyme migrated as a band with an apparent mass of 42.9 kDa on SDS‐PAGE. MS analysis of an AACT_BT tryptic digest revealed high homology to representatives of the thiolase family. AACT_BT has 96 % amino acid sequence identity with the previously reported Bombus impatiens thiolase.
A Study on the Oxygen Vacancies in ZnPd/ZnO‐Al and their Promoting Role in Glycerol Hydrogenolysis
Authors: Li Xiaoru , Zhang Chao , Cheng Haiyang , Lin Weiwei , Chang Pingjing , Zhang Bin , Wu Qifan , Yu Yancun , Zhao Fengyu
Published: March 2015

The relationship between catalyst structure and catalytic activity is an important and challenging topic for researchers in the field of catalysis. In this work, the effect of oxygen vacancies on the activity of ZnPd/ZnO‐Al catalysts was studied in an important reaction—glycerol hydrogenolysis. Interestingly, the catalytic activity improved significantly with the addition of a small amount of Al, and high selectivity to 1,2‐propanediol (>90 %) was achieved in glycerol hydrogenolysis over ZnPd/ZnO‐Al catalysts. Importantly, the formation of oxygen vacancies benefits from the substitution of Al atoms, and the Al content in the ZnO lattice is related to the oxygen vacancies density and catalytic activity. Moreover, the important role played by oxygen vacancies in glycerol hydrogenolysis has been discussed in detail.
Development of Urea and Thiourea Kynurenamine Derivatives: Synthesis, Molecular Modeling, and Biological Evaluation as Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors
Authors: Chayah Mariem , Carrión M. Dora , Gallo Miguel A. , Jiménez Rosario , Duarte Juan , Camacho M. Encarnación
Published: March 2015

Herein we describe the synthesis of a new family of kynurenamine derivatives with a urea or thiourea moiety, together with their in vitro biological evaluation as inhibitors of both neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthases (nNOS and iNOS, respectively), enzymes responsible for the biogenesis of NO. These compounds were synthesized from a 5‐substituted‐2‐nitrophenyl vinyl ketone scaffold in a five‐step procedure with moderate to high chemical yields. In general, the assayed compounds show greater inhibition of iNOS than of nNOS, with 1‐[3‐(2‐amino‐5‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐oxopropyl]‐3‐ethylurea (compound 5 n) being the most potent iNOS inhibitor in the series and the most iNOS/nNOS‐selective compound. In this regard, we performed molecular modeling studies to propose a binding mode for this family of compounds to both enzymes and, thereby, to elucidate the differential molecular features that could explain the observed selectivity between iNOS and nNOS.
Exploiting the Lactose–GM3 Interaction for Drug Delivery
Authors: Murthy Raghavendra Vasudeva , Bavireddi Harikrishna , Gade Madhuri , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: March 2015

Protein–protein and protein–carbohydrate interactions as a means to target the cell surface for therapeutic applications have been extensively investigated. However, carbohydrate–carbohydrate interactions (CCIs) have largely been overlooked. Here, we investigate the concept of CCI‐mediated drug delivery. Lactose‐functionalized β‐cyclodextrin (L‐β‐CD) hosting doxorubicin (Dox) was evaluated for site‐specific delivery to cancer cells via interaction with GM3, a cell‐surface carbohydrate. The host–guest complex was evaluated in B16 melanoma cells, which express exceptionally high levels of GM3, and acute monocytic leukemia (THP‐1) and mouse fibroblast (NIH‐3T3) cells, which lack GM3 on the cell surface. Doxorubicin (Dox) was delivered more efficiently into B16 cells compared with NIH‐3T3 and THP‐1 cells. In B16 cells pretreated with sialidase or sodium periodate, thus preventing CCI formation, drug uptake was significantly decreased. Taken together, the results of these studies strongly support CCI‐mediated uptake via the GM3–lactose interaction as the mechanism of controlled drug delivery.
Zeeman truncation in NMR. II. Time averaging in the rotating frame
Authors: Edén Mattias
Published: March 2015

The truncation of NMR interactions by the Zeeman Hamiltonian is here examined from a different perspective than that of our previous article [Concepts Magn. Reson., vol. 43A, pages 91–108 (2015)]: a Zeeman‐truncated Hamiltonian is arranged by transforming the initially stationary operator of the NMR interaction into the rotating frame, followed by a time‐averaging procedure over one Larmor period (
). We review the concept of an interaction frame, with focus on the rotating frame relevant for the Zeeman interaction, as well as the time‐averaging procedure and the criteria for application of the resulting stationary Hamiltonian. A decisive advantage of this approach is its suitability for truncating time‐dependent Hamiltonians, such as that of a radio‐frequency (RF) field. Various options for reducing the time‐dependent RF Hamiltonian into its stationary form are contrasted and thoroughly discussed. The role of Zeeman truncation is illustrated by examining the rotating‐frame RF Hamiltonian associated with both on‐resonance and off‐resonance irradiation, where the time‐independent operator character allows for applying the approximation strategies reviewed in our previous article. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 43A: 109–126, 2015.
DFT‐Aided Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy Study of (−)‐S‐cotinine
Authors: Rodríguez Ortega Pilar G. , Montejo Manuel , Márquez Fernando , López González Juan J.
Published: March 2015

The implementation of a strategy comprising the use of vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy and DFT calculations allows determination of the solution‐state conformational distribution in (−)‐S‐cotinine, giving further proof of the extra conformer‐discriminating potential of this experimental technique, which may offer unique molecular fingerprints of subtly dissimilar molecular conformers of chiral samples. Natural bond orbital electronic structure calculations of the rotational barrier height between the two main conformers of the species indicate that hyperconjugative effects are the key force governing the conformational equilibrium. The negligible effect of the solvent’s polarity over both structure and conformational energy profile supports this result.
Explaining Level Inversion of the La and Lb States of Indole and Indole Derivatives in Polar Solvents
Authors: Brisker‐Klaiman Daria , Dreuw Andreas
Published: March 2015

Quantum chemical methods are used to study the solvent effects on the spectra of indole and a series of methyl‐substituted indoles. We focus on the low‐lying La and Lb states and study their interplay. We find that the solvent mainly affects emission from the La state, by stabilizing its energy in its excited‐state geometry. The stabilization of the La state increases with increasing solvent polarity, which accounts for the large fluorescence shift observed in indoles and leads to an inversion in the nature of the lowest emitting state, from Lb in vacuum to La in water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first theoretical evidence for level inversion done for a series of indoles. The underlying mechanism of level inversion is analyzed in detail. The usual interpretation of level inversion in terms of their static dipole moment is criticized and an improved predictive measurement is suggested.
An Exploration of the Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Version of the ‘Voice and You’ (VAY): A Scale for Measuring the Relationship with Voices
Authors: Perona‐Garcelán S. , Úbeda‐Gómez J. , León‐Palacios M. G. , Barros‐Albarrán M. D. , Escudero‐Pérez S. , López‐Jiménez A. M. , Vallina‐Fernández O. , Jiménez‐García‐Bóveda R. , Diez‐Alegría C. , Rodríguez‐Testal J. F. , Ruiz‐Veguilla M. , García‐Montes J. M. , Pérez‐Álvarez M. , Hayward M.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to adapt the ‘Voice and You’ Scale (VAY) (Hayward, Denney, Vaughan, & Fowler, 2008) to Spanish and explore its psychometric properties for measuring the perceived relationship with voices. A sample of 50 psychiatric patients with verbal auditory hallucinations (48 had a psychotic disorder and two a borderline personality disorder) was used. Its reliability was calculated using the Cronbach's α and test–retest, and concurrent validity by the Pearson correlation coefficient of the VAY with the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales. The results showed that internal consistency of the Spanish version of the VAY ranged from 0.74 to 0.84 on the various subscales, and test–retest reliability varied from 0.74 to 0.83 on three subscales (voice ‘dominance’, ‘intrusiveness’ and hearer ‘dependence’), and was lower (0.68) on the hearer ‘distance’ subscale. Concurrent validity was acceptable as significant associations were found with the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales subscales. It is concluded that the Spanish version of the VAY is a reliable and valid instrument that can assist the exploration of voices within relational frameworks across research and clinical domains. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

The Spanish version of the VAY is a reliable, valid instrument for evaluating the perception a person can have about his or her relationship with the voices and how the person relates to them.

Voices that are perceived as relating dominantly and intrusively, and from whom distance is sought, seem to be distressing and cause disturbance.

Voices that are related to dependently are perceived as having benevolent intent and are engaged with.

Benevolent or neutral voices may be considered as intrusive because of the intensity and frequency with which they are experienced.
Nanocomposite Membranes based on Polybenzimidazole and ZrO2 for High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Nawn Graeme , Pace Giuseppe , Lavina Sandra , Vezzù Keti , Negro Enrico , Bertasi Federico , Polizzi Stefano , Di Noto Vito
Published: March 2015

Owing to the numerous benefits obtained when operating proton exchange membrane fuel cells at elevated temperature (>100 °C), the development of thermally stable proton exchange membranes that demonstrate conductivity under anhydrous conditions remains a significant goal for fuel cell technology. This paper presents composite membranes consisting of poly[2,2′‐(m‐phenylene)‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole] (PBI4N) impregnated with a ZrO2 nanofiller of varying content (ranging from 0 to 22 wt %). The structure–property relationships of the acid‐doped and undoped composite membranes have been studied using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy, and broadband electrical spectroscopy. Results indicate that the level of nanofiller has a significant effect on the membrane properties. From 0 to 8 wt %, the acid uptake as well as the thermal and mechanical properties of the membrane increase. As the nanofiller level is increased from 8 to 22 wt % the opposite effect is observed. At 185 °C, the ionic conductivity of [PBI4N(ZrO2)0.231](H3PO4)13 is found to be 1.04×10−1 S cm−1. This renders membranes of this type promising candidates for use in high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Soft‐switching converter with low circulating current and wide range of ZVS turn‐on
Authors: Lin Bor‐Ren , Nian Yu‐Bin
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a new hybrid dc–dc converter with low circulating current within the freewheeling interval, wide range of zero‐voltage switching and reduced output current ripple is presented. The proposed hybrid circuit includes two three‐level pulse‐width modulation converters and a series resonant converter with the shard lagging‐leg switches. Series resonant converter is operated at fixed switching frequency (close to series resonant frequency) to extend the zero‐voltage switching range of lagging‐leg switches. The output of series resonant converter is connected to the secondary sides of three‐level converters to produce a positive rectified voltage instead of zero voltage. Hence, the output inductances can be reduced. The reflected positive voltage is used to decrease the circulating current to zero during the freewheeling interval. Therefore, the circulating current losses in three‐level converters are improved. Finally, experiments are presented for a 1.44 kW prototype circuit converting 800 V input to an output voltage 24 V/60A. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
pH‐Responsive and CO2‐responsive vesicles can be formed by N‐decylimidazole
Authors: Zheng Zhibo , Liu Chenyu , Qiao Weihong
Published: March 2015

Responsive vesicles have attracted great attention because they can undergo reversible changes in response to external stimuli and possess prospective applications in different environments. A pH‐responsive and CO2‐responsive vesicle formed by N‐decylimidazole was prepared. By dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it is shown that spherical vesicles are formed spontaneously in N‐decylimidazole aqueous solution at pH 5.8∼6.2. By HCl/NaOH adjustment, the vesicle radius increases from 73.8 to 100.8 nm as the solution pH increases from 5.8 to 6.2. By CO2/Ar adjustment, the vesicles also can be formed in N‐decylimidazole aqueous solution at suitable pH. The CO2‐responsive vesicle can be repeatedly formed without change of vesicle size.

Practical applications: The vesicles can be spontaneously formed in N‐decylimidazole aqueous solution at pH 5.8∼6.2 either by HCl/NaOH adjustment or CO2/Ar stimuli. Therefore, they can be used as pH‐responsive or CO2‐responsive vesicles for potential applications in drug‐delivery, size‐selective release, biochemical reactions, and so on.

In order to fabricate pH‐responsive and CO2‐responsive vesicles, the authors studied vesicle formation using N‐decylimidazole, by HCl/NaOH or CO2/Ar adjustment. These vesicles have potential applications in drug delivery and other biochemical applications.
Diastereoselective Overman Rearrangement of an L‐Ascorbic‐Acid‐Derived Allylic Alcohol: Application in the Synthesis of (+)‐1,2‐Di‐epi‐swainsonine and a Tetrahydroxypyrrolizidine
Authors: Rajasekaran Parasuraman , Ansari Alafia A. , Vankar Yashwant D.
Published: March 2015

Differently substituted ascorbic‐acid‐derived allylic alcohols were used to study the Overman rearrangement under thermal and palladium‐catalysed conditions. It was found that protection of the δ alcohol substituent as a a tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether followed by Overman rearrangement using PdCl2(MeCN)2 and p‐benzoquinone at room temperature gave the best yield of the rearranged product in a highly diastereoselective manner. This rearrangement has been applied in the synthesis of (+)‐1,2‐di‐epi‐swainsonine and a tetrahydroxypyrrolizidine.
Whatever happened to Kony2012? Understanding a global Internet phenomenon as an emergent social identity
Authors: Thomas Emma F. , McGarty Craig , Lala Girish , Stuart Avelie , Hall Lauren J. , Goddard Alice
Published: March 2015

Kony2012 was a viral Internet video that attracted unprecedented online interest in promoting a campaign to arrest the leader of an African militant group. The current research considers the social psychological bases of social media‐based collective action. In three cross‐sectional surveys (N = 304) collected before, on, and after the key action date of 20 April 2012, we consider the nature (opinion based or global) and function (emergent or transforming) of social identity in modern forms of social action. Multigroup structural equation modelling showed that Kony2012 action was best captured by an emergent opinion‐based social identity. Moreover, the same factors that predicted Kony2012 action generally also predicted engagement in new repertoires of protest (involving the use of social media) and an observable traditional socio‐political action (signing a letter to a government minister). The results suggest that there is no sharp dividing line between traditional and new forms of collective action and that both may be understood as valid expressions of collective selfhood. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous Determination of Ascorbic Acid, Dopamine and Uric Acid, at a Graphene Paste Electrode Modified with Functionalized Graphene Sheets
Authors: Parvin Mohammad Hadi
Published: March 2015

The present study reports the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) using graphene paste electrode modified with functionalized graphene sheets (GPE‐MFGSs). The presence of FGS inhibited the adsorption of AA owing to the electrostatic repulsion, but was favorable for the affinity adsorption of DA and UA via the ion exchange and hydrogen bonding mechanisms, respectively. This led to the decrease in the oxidation potential of AA and the significantly enhanced oxidation peak currents of DA and UA at the GPE‐MFGSs. By cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, the oxidation potentials of AA, DA, and UA, at the GPE‐MFGSs in a ternary mixture were found to be well resolved so that their simultaneous determination could be achieved. Furthermore, the influence of some experimental variables such as graphene paste composition, working solution pH, scan rate and pulse amplitude was studied. In addition, by differential pulse voltammetry, the linear dependence of peak current on the concentration was obtained in the ranges of 0.05–9.0, 0.03–13, and 0.03–5.5 µM with the lowest detection limits of 0.02, 0.01, and 0.01 µM for AA, DAand UA, , respectively.
Advances in process monitoring tools for cell culture bioprocesses
Authors: Zhao Liang , Fu Hsu‐Yuan , Zhou Weichang , Hu Wei‐Shou
Published: March 2015

The productivity of cell culture manufacturing for biologics has increased momentously in the past decades. Increasingly, the process research efforts are devoted into improving product quality and consistency. Consistent process performance and successful implementation of quality by design practice requires well‐utilized process analytical technology. This review summarizes recent progress and current status of bioprocess monitoring. Many sensors for bioprocess monitoring have been available for decades while new ones, especially spectrometric sensors, are making their way into cell culture bioprocesses. On‐line sampling devices have grown mature in the past decade thus making many instruments traditionally used for off‐line analysis available for at‐line use. With a general trend of using better defined medium for cell cultivation and increasing emphasis of process analytical tools, the spectrometric methods are also making headway in cell culture process monitoring. The integration of those sensing technologies will be important to advance the real‐time monitoring of the state of cellular physiology for the control for process consistency and product quality.
Geochemical Characterization of Irati And Palermo Formations (Paraná Basin–Southern Brazil) for Shale Oil/Gas Exploration
Authors: da S. Ramos Alessandro , Rodrigues Luiz F. , de Araujo Gabriel E. , Pozocco Caroline T. M. , Ketzer João M. M. , Heemann Roberto , Lourega Rogerio V.
Published: March 2015

Shale gas/oil currently are two of the most important unconventional energy resources. Their exploitation has caused an energy revolution in USA, and many countries are investing in it. Brazil has large areas covered with sedimentary basins, but little attention has been devoted to the study of shale containing oil and gas. The parameters analyzed and studied for geochemical data evaluation are: clay mineral identification, mineral matter analysis, elemental analysis (including total organic carbon, total carbon, H, N, and S), and the methane adsorption capacity of shale. Adsorption in Palermo Formation samples (depth 238.5 m) was 13.72 cm3 g−1 and for samples from Irati Formation (depth 218.45, 95.3, and 107.5 m) 11.73, 6.17, and 4.61 cm3 g−1.