bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical study of auroral omega bands
Authors: Partamies Noora , Weygand James M. , Juusola Liisa
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The presence of very few statistical studies on auroral omega bands motivated us to test-use a semi-automatic method for identifying large-scale undulations of the diffuse aurora boundary and to investigate their occurrence. Five identical all-sky cameras with overlapping fields of view provided data for 438 auroral omega-like structures over Fennoscandian Lapland from 1996 to 2007. The results from this set of omega band events agree remarkably well with previous observations of omega band occurrence in magnetic local time (MLT), lifetime, location between the region 1 and 2 field-aligned currents, as well as current density estimates. The average peak emission height of omega forms corresponds to the estimated precipitation energies of a few keV, which experienced no significant change during the events. Analysis of both local and global magnetic indices demonstrates that omega bands are observed during substorm expansion and recovery phases that are more intense than average substorm expansion and recovery phases in the same region. The omega occurrence with respect to the substorm expansion and recovery phases is in a very good agreement with an earlier observed distribution of fast earthward flows in the plasma sheet during expansion and recovery phases. These findings support the theory that omegas are produced by fast earthward flows and auroral streamers, despite the rarity of good conjugate observations.
Cataract surgery in a patient with cystic macular edema after central retinal vein occlusion? Combination with intravitreal dexamethasone implant
Authors: Kretz Florian Tobias Alwin , Auffarth Gerd Uwe
Published: September 2017

A 77 years old patient presented for cataract surgery. At first visit we found a cataract and hypertensive signs of the fundus. Six month later during pre-surgical examination a cystoid macular edema (CME) caused by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) was found. As the cataract had proceeded, we decided to perform a combined surgery with intravitreal application of a dexamethason implant. The biometry of the first visit was used for IOL calculation. The procedure was performed without complications. Pre-surgical BCVA [logMAR] increased from 0.3 to 0.1 ten days after surgery while the central retinal thickness decreased from 586µm to 353µm with a nearly complete disappearance of the CME. Cataract surgery in patients with CME after CRVO can be combined with an intravitreal dexamethason implant and so lead to a good visual rehabilitation. Further studies are needed to give better evidence of the effectivity and to predict the possible treatment duration.
Why Chinese Companies Go Abroad? A Theoretical Model to Explain the Drivers of the Internationalization Strategy of Chinese MNEs
Authors: Parmentola Adele
Published: September 2017

China is today considered the second power in the world after the USA and recently many Chinese companies became global leaders in their specific industries. This success is also realized thanks to the expansion strategy adopted by many Chinese multinationals that have realized FDIs both towards other developing countries and towards advanced economies. What are the determinants that push the Chinese companies to go abroad? Are the traditional internalization theories based on the concept of ownership advantage able to explain the internationalization of Chinese MNES? Accordingly aim of this paper is to describe the determinants that induce the Chinese companies to realize FDIs and the characteristics that distinguish their internationalization strategy by the strategy adopted by developed countries multinationals.
Potencjał infrastrukturalny portów morskich jako element konkurencyjności na rynku usług morskiej żeglugi wycieczkowej
Authors: Kizielewicz Joanna
Published: September 2017

Cel. Identyfikacja elementów infrastruktury portowej i supraportowej w morskich portach wycieczkowych na świecie niezbędnych w rozwoju rynku usług morskiej żeglugi wycieczkowej.

Metoda. Badania ankietowe przy wykorzystaniu kwestionariuszy skierowanych do zarządów portów w Polsce oraz na świecie. Składały się one z 15 pytań. Badaniami objęto łącznie 38 morskich portów, przy czym ankiety otrzymano z 15 portów.

Wyniki. Zarządy morskich portów wycieczkowych zapytano o najważniejsze ich zdaniem elementy infrastruktury portowej, które powinien posiadać przeciętny port morski, aby przyjmować statki wycieczkowe. Zarządy portów wskazały, że kluczowe znaczenie ma: zanurzenie przy nabrzeżu i długość nabrzeża, ale także nabrzeża dedykowane statkom wycieczkowym wyposażone w usługi i udogodnienia dla pasażerów. Z kolei w odniesieniu do udogodnień oferowanych w portach jako najważniejsze wymieniono zdolność portu do przyjmowania statków wycieczkowych o różnych rozmiarach, bezpieczny dostęp do portu ze strony morza i lądu oraz udogodnienia na nabrzeżach dla pasażerów. Istotne znaczenie ma także profesjonalna obsługa turystyczna w otoczeniu portu.

Ograniczenia badań i wnioskowania. Do badań wybrano porty morskie, które są bezpośrednio związane z obsługą rynku usług morskiej żeglugi wycieczkowej.

Implikacje praktyczne. Wyniki stanowią ciekawy materiał zarówno dla samorządów nadmorskich, jak i zarządów portów zainteresowanych rozwojem rynku usług morskiej żeglugi wycieczkowej.

Oryginalność pracy. W literaturze z zakresu ekonomiki turystyki i ekonomiki transportu morskiego zauważalna jest luka w zakresie publikacji nt. rynku usług morskiej żeglugi wycieczkowej. Od kilku lat obserwowany jest spadek liczby zawinięć statków wycieczkowych do portów w Polsce i poszukiwanie odpowiedzi na pytanie, jakie są tego przyczyny – stanowi wyzwanie badawcze.

Rodzaj pracy. Artykuł prezentujący wyniki badań empirycznych.
Commentary: Meet Me in Azul's Room: Designing a Virtual Field Placement for Learning to Teach Mathematics
Authors: Amidon Joel , Chazan Daniel , Grosser-Clarkson Dana , Fleming Elizabeth
Published: September 2017

This article explores the ways in which a teacher educator uses digital technology to create a virtual field placement as a way to blur the boundaries between a university methods course and teacher candidates' field placements. After describing his goals for the course, the teacher educator provides a description of three LessonSketch experiences his teacher candidates complete in this virtual field placement site and how these experiences create opportunities for teacher candidates to learn to teach mathematics. The design process and choices of these virtual field placement experiences are explored via interviews with the first author. Reflecting on these LessonSketch experiences, all of the authors then explore affordances of virtual and hybrid placements as resources for supplementing real placements and bridging theory/practice divides in teacher education.
Synovial Lipoma of the Subtalar Joint
Authors: Whitaker Jeffrey M. , Richards Sarah , LeCastre Michael J. , Hooke Thomas G.
Published: September 2017

Lipomas are benign adipose masses that are rarely associated with synovial membranes. In addition, there are only a few reports describing synovial lipomas in the foot. No reported occurrence of this lesion in the subtalar joint currently exists. This case report documents the presentation, clinical evaluation, advanced imaging, and surgical management of a 45-year-old man with a large synovial lipoma of the subtalar joint.
Equivalent Hydrogen Fugacity during Electrochemical Charging of 980DP Steel Determined by Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Qinglong , Gray Evan , Venezuela Jeffrey , Zhou Qingjun , Tapia‐Bastidas Clotario , Zhang Mingxing , Atrens Andrej
Published: September 2017

Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) is used to analyze hydrogen in 980DP after (i) electrochemical charging, and (ii) gaseous charging. The hydrogen concentration increases with (i) a more negative charging potential and (ii) an increasing hydrogen gas pressure. For charging in 0.1 M NaOH, the hydrogen fugacity for 980DP is similar to that for (i) low interstitial steel, and (ii) MS1500, and is greater than that for the 3.5NiCrMoV steel. This indicates an influence of steel chemistry on the hydrogen evolution reaction. The de‐trapping activation energies are 40.5 and 50.2 kJ mol−1, indicating hydrogen traps at boundary defects.
Auf Lysin zielende, kovalente Inhibitoren
Authors: Pettinger Jonathan , Jones Keith , Cheeseman Matthew D.
Published: September 2017

Zielgerichtete kovalente Inhibitoren haben in der Wirkstoffentwicklung breite Beachtung gefunden, da sie in der Onkologie eine validierte Methode zur Verhinderung erworbener Resistenzen bieten. Dabei werden die Kristallstrukturen der Komplexe von Proteinen mit niedermolekularen Verbindungen verwendet, um fest bindende Liganden mit passend positionierten elektrophilen Gefechtsköpfen (“warheads”) zu entwickeln. Der Schwerpunkt liegt zwar auf Cysteinresten als Bindungsstellen, aber auch nukleophile Lysinreste können einen Zugang zu irreversibler Inhibierung bieten. Allerdings sind mit dieser Methode wegen der Basizität der ϵ‐Aminogruppe in Lysin eine Reihe spezifischer Herausforderungen verbunden. Wir besprechen hier die wichtigen Grundlagen für die Inhibitorplanung, geben historische Beispiele und stellen neue Entwicklungen vor, die das Potenzial von Lysin als Konjugationsstelle in der Wirkstoff‐Forschung belegen.
Highly Ordered, Ultralong Mn‐Based Nanowire Films with Low Contact Resistance as Freestanding Electrodes for Flexible Supercapacitors with Enhanced Performance
Authors: Zhou Junli , Yu Lin , Deng Yulin , Yang Yin , Hao Zhifeng , Sun Ming
Published: September 2017

Nanowires (NWs) have attracted considerable scientific interest in fabricating high‐performance electronic and optical devices. In particular, highly ordered NWs could exhibit unique properties such as good intrinsic electrical conductivity and fast electron transportation. In this work, freestanding films from ultralong manganese dioxide/polyaniline (MNW/PANI) coaxial NWs (ca. 200 μm) with a highly ordered structure have been fabricated at the oil/water interface and then used as flexible electrodes. The ultralong MNW/PANI coaxial NWs with highly ordered orientation provide a longer and continuous electron transportation pathway in the electrode compared to disordered NWs, which could greatly reduce the inter‐junction resistance between NWs in a film to achieve a high capacitance. The electrodes based on ordered NWs show a much lower contact resistance (10.8 Ω cm−2) compared with the randomly oriented ones (96.5 Ω cm−2). The thin film supercapacitor (TFSC) based on well‐ordered MNW/PANI NWs possesses mechanical flexibility, a high specific capacitance of 64.54 mF cm−2 (corresponding to 121.77 F g−1 at a mass loading density of 0.53 mg cm−2), a high energy/powder density (44.80 mWh cm−3, 580 mW cm−3), as well as good cycle stability with high capacitance retention (98 %) after 2000 cycles.
Heli(aza)cene: A Helical Molecular Tweezer with Tunable Intra‐ and Intermolecular Charge Transfer
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Semwal Shrivats , Choudhury Joyanta , Srivastava Aasheesh
Published: September 2017

Non‐planar fluorophores offer unique avenues of intra‐ and intermolecular energy transfer not available in their planar counterparts. We have rationally designed a molecular tweezer based on the pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide framework having two structurally similar arms with extended π‐surface. We termed this molecular tweezer as Heli(aza)cene (HAC) due to its spontaneous adoption of helical conformation stabilized by the amide and imine moieties present in it. In the helical conformation, the two arms of HAC are twisted unequally. This asymmetry confers dissimilar electronic character to the two arms and results in intramolecular charge transfer interactions in HAC. Homochiral stacking of the P‐ and the M‐ helices in crystal, and profound redshifting of the emission at higher concentrations of HAC was attributed to intermolecular charge‐transfer interactions in aggregated/crystal state. Exposure of HAC, in solution as well as in the solid state, to Lewis/Brønsted acids results in rapid and vibrant color changes. This is the first example of a π‐layered helical molecule exhibiting tunable intra‐/intermolecular charge‐transfer characteristics.
Enhanced Photocurrent Generation of Graphene/Au@ZnO Honeycomb Film
Authors: Sun Hang , He Qinrong , Yin Shengyan , Xu Kongliang
Published: September 2017

A bio‐inspired graphene/Au@ZnO photoelectrode has been prepared via breath figure method, in which Au@ZnO nanospheres were uniformly distributed in the whole honeycomb film. The size of the honeycomb holes effects the light using efficiency. The honeycomb film with smaller holes in more ordered array shows better antireflective property. All the formed graphene/Au@ZnO honeycomb photoelectrodes show a fast, stable, and reversible response of photocurrent accompanied by each switch‐on and switch‐off event. Au@ZnO‐modified graphene honeycomb film can combine the advantages of increased light harvesting provided by honeycomb structure, efficient charge separation from Au nanoparticles (NPs), and efficient electron transfer provided by graphene. Au@ZnO‐ modified graphene honeycomb film shows a two‐fold increase of photocurrent generation than ZnO‐modified graphene honeycomb film and a three‐fold increase of photocurrent generation than Au@ZnO‐modified graphene smooth film, respectively. The rational design and engineering of multi components with different functions in a hybrid bio‐inspired structure hold great promise for further efficient solar energy conversion devices.
Cultivation and quantitative single‐cell analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on a multifunctional microfluidic device
Authors: Stratz Simone , Verboket Pascal Emilio , Hasler Karina , Dittrich Petra Stephanie
Published: September 2017

Here, we present a multifunctional microfluidic device whose integrative design enables to combine cell culture studies and quantitative single cell biomolecule analysis. The platform consists of 32 analysis units providing two key features; first, a micrometer‐sized trap for hydrodynamic capture of a single Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) yeast cell; second, a convenient double‐valve configuration surrounding the trap. Actuating of the outer valve with integrated opening results in a partial isolation in a volume of 11.8 nL, i.e. the cell surrounding fluid can be exchanged diffusion‐based without causing shear stress or cell loss. Actuation of the inner ring‐shaped valve isolates the trapped cell completely in a small analysis volume of 230 pL. The device was used to determine the growth rate of yeast cells (S. cerevisiae) under under optimum and oxidative stress conditions. In addition, we successfully quantified the cofactor beta‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) in single and few cells exposed to the different microenvironments. In conclusion, the microdevice enables to analyze the influence of an external stress factor on the cellular fitness in a fast and more comprehensive way as cell growth and intracellular biomolecule levels can be investigated.
Inhibition of fermentation evolution in bread doughs for aroma analyses
Authors: Pico Joana , Bernal José , Nozal María Jesús , Gómez Manuel
Published: September 2017

The inhibition of the residual fermentation in bread doughs, in order to avoid its evolution, could be crucial to achieve reliable qualitative aroma analyses. Several options have emerged up until now, but they present some drawbacks. In this study, a mixture of methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate (Fames) has been suggested as a non‐toxic alternative to the traditional use of mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Rheofermentometric analyses revealed that although HgCl2 is quicker, Fames solution is highly effective in less than 20 min. Moreover, when HgCl2 was added to 90 min fermented dough, it exhibited an unexpected behavior with a high release of CO2 without the generation of ethyl alcohol, which could affect the dough structure. SHS‐GC/MS analyses of ethyl alcohol and 2/3‐methyl‐1‐butanol corroborated the rheofermentometer's results, with a visible reduction in the peak areas and significant differences in the One‐way Anova between Fames doughs and blank doughs. The application of the Fames solution to SPME‐GC/MS‐QTof analyses involved a reduction in the areas regarding the blank without interferences, showing a logical progression of the volatile compounds over the fermentation time, increasing their concentration from 0 to 90 min. This progression was normally lost when the inhibitors were not added, since the yeast acted in an uncontrolled manner due to the changes of temperature during freezing, thawing or chromatographic analyses, leading to wrong aroma results.
Enantioselective syntheses and sensory properties of 2‐Alken‐4‐olides
Authors: Dai Yifeng , Liu Yongguo , Sun Baoguo , Yang Shaoxiang , Tian Hongyu
Published: September 2017

A series of optically active 2‐alken‐4‐olides of C6‐C11 were obtained with 89–97% enantiomeric excess (ee) values by the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of methyl (E)‐3‐alkenoates, followed by elimination via mesylates. The odor features and thresholds of the enantiomers were determined by means of chiral gas chromatography‐olfactory (GC‐O). The data revealed that all the samples exhibited stereospecific differences in sensory properties. Both enantiomers of 2‐octen‐4‐olide had the two lowest odour thresholds, whereas two enantiomers of 2‐undecen‐4‐olide presented the two highest odour thresholds.
Double‐outlet left ventricle with a bicuspid pulmonary valve and aortic coarctation
Authors: Sun Feifei , Fan Miao , Huang Liping , Ren Weidong , Li Dongyu
Published: September 2017

A double‐outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. Here, we describe a case of DOLV with bicuspid pulmonary valve, aortic coarctation, and a subpulmonary ventricular septal defect in which both ventricles were well developed. The anatomic features were observed with echocardiography, and the diagnosis was confirmed at surgery. Many variations of DOLV have been described. The features of our case expand the spectrum of this entity and may provide new insight into its complex anatomy.
Levodopa treatment and dendritic spine pathology
Authors: Nishijima Haruo , Ueno Tatsuya , Funamizu Yukihisa , Ueno Shinya , Tomiyama Masahiko
Published: September 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Levodopa is the most effective treatment for the motor symptoms of PD. However, chronic oral levodopa treatment can lead to various motor and nonmotor complications because of nonphysiological pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation in the brain. Examinations of autopsy cases with PD have revealed a decreased number of dendritic spines of striatal neurons. Animal models of PD have revealed altered density and morphology of dendritic spines of neurons in various brain regions after dopaminergic denervation or dopaminergic denervation plus levodopa treatment, indicating altered synaptic transmission. Recent studies using rodent models have reported dendritic spine head enlargement in the caudate‐putamen, nucleus accumbens, primary motor cortex, and prefrontal cortex in cases where chronic levodopa treatment following dopaminergic denervation induced dyskinesia‐like abnormal involuntary movement. Hypertrophy of spines results from insertion of alpha‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐4‐isoxazolepropanoic acid receptors into the postsynaptic membrane. Such spine enlargement indicates hypersensitivity of the synapse to excitatory inputs and is compatible with a lack of depotentiation, which is an electrophysiological hallmark of levodopa‐induced dyskinesia found in the corticostriatal synapses of dyskinetic animals and the motor cortex of dyskinetic PD patients. This synaptic plasticity may be one of the mechanisms underlying the priming of levodopa‐induced complications such as levodopa‐induced dyskinesia and dopamine dysregulation syndrome. Drugs that could potentially prevent spine enlargement, such as calcium channel blockers, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonists, alpha‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐4‐isoxazolepropanoic acid receptor antagonists, and metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, are candidates for treatment of levodopa‐induced complications in PD. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A mathematical model for bovine tuberculosis among buffaloes and lions in the Kruger National Park
Authors: Assis Luciana Mafalda Elias de , Massad Eduardo , Assis Raul Abreu de , Martorano Silvia R. , Venturino Ezio
Published: September 2017

In this paper, a model for the spread of tuberculosis between buffaloes and lions is presented and analyzed. The most important system parameters are identified: vertical and horizontal disease transmission among the buffaloes and the influence of intraspecific competition between healthy and diseased buffaloes on the infected buffaloes population. Removal of diseased prey appears to be the most effective strategy to render the ecosystem disease free.
Fast simulations of multidimensional NMR spectra of proteins and peptides
Authors: Vosegaard Thomas
Published: September 2017

To simulate full multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of peptides and proteins in a reasonable time frame, a strategy for separating the time‐consuming full‐density matrix calculations from the chemical shift prediction and calculation of coupling patterns is presented. The simulation setup uses SIMulation Program for SOlid‐state NMR (SIMPSON) to calculate total correlation spectroscopy transfer amplitudes and average distances as a source for nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy transfer amplitudes. Simulated 1H 1D, 2D total correlation spectroscopy, and 2D nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of peptides with sequence Pro─Ala─Gly─Tyr─Asn and Asn─Phe─Gly─Ala─Ile─Leu and of ubiquitin are presented. In all cases, the simulations lasted from a few seconds to tens of seconds on a normal laptop computer.
The Circadian expression of Piezo1, TRPV4, Connexin26, and VNUT, associated with the expression levels of the clock genes in mouse primary cultured urothelial cells
Authors: Ihara Tatsuya , Mitsui Takahiko , Nakamura Yuki , Kanda Mie , Tsuchiya Sachiko , Kira Satoru , Nakagomi Hiroshi , Sawada Norifumi , Hirayama Yuri , Shibata Keisuke , Shigetomi Eiji , Shinozaki Yoichi , Yoshiyama Mitsuharu , Nakao Atsuhito , Takeda Masayuki , Koizumi Schuichi
Published: September 2017

Aims

To investigate circadian gene expressions in the mouse bladder urothelium to establish an experimental model and study the functions of the circadian rhythm.

Methods

The gene expression rhythms of the clock genes, mechano‐sensors such as Piezo1 and TRPV4, ATP release mediated molecules (ARMM) such as Cx26 and VNUT were investigated in mouse primary cultured urothelial cells (UCs) of wild‐type (WT) and Clock mutant (ClockΔ19/Δ19) mice using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blotting analysis. The long‐term oscillation of the clock genes in UC was investigated by measuring bioluminescence from UC isolated from Period2luciferase knock‐in mice (Per2::luc) and Per2::luc with ClockΔ19/Δ19 using a luminometer. The mRNA expression rhythms after treatment with Clock short interfering RNA (siRNA) were also measured to compare differences between Clock point mutations and Clock deficiency.

Results

The UCs from WT mice showed the time‐dependent gene expressions for clock genes, mechano‐sensors, and ARMM. The abundances of the products of these genes also correlated with the mRNA expression rhythms in UCs. The bioluminescence of Per2::Luc in UCs showed a circadian rhythm. By contrast, all the gene expressions rhythms observed in WT mice were abrogated in the ClockΔ19/Δ19 mice. Transfection with Clock siRNA in UCs had the same effect as the Clock mutation.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the time‐dependent gene expressions, including clock genes, mechano‐sensors, and ARMM, were reproducible in UCs. These findings demonstrated that UCs have the potential to progress research into the circadian functions of the lower urinary tract regulated by clock genes.
The Impact of Power and Civic Engagement in the Decentralized Management of Natural Resources: The Case of Turkey
Authors: Kadirbeyoglu Zeynep
Published: September 2017

Decentralization is an extensively discussed topic within academic and institutional circles worldwide. While a common argument for decentralization is that it fosters democratic deepening, counterarguments cautiously point to unequal access to resources and distribution of power as factors that inhibit democratization. This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between decentralization and democratization through a comparative study of Water User Associations in two provinces of Turkey and shows in line with the literature that resource and power inequalities hamper the link between decentralization and democratization. However, as this article shows, civic engagement can generate “countervailing power” that can overcome the negative impact of such inequalities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Study on Set Process and Its Influence on Performance of Resistive Switching
Authors: Yan Hui‐Yu , Li Zhi‐Qing
Published: September 2017

In this paper, it has been found that resistive switching (RS) types are dominated by magnitude and polarities of set voltage (Vset). The difference in Vset and its influences on RS behaviors between bipolar and unipolar RS are studied. There are two types of polarity dependence of Vset in devices, which comes from the influence of defects on breakdown. The resistances of low resistance state (LRS) of bipolar are much smaller than these of unipolar RS under the same current compliance. The LRS resistances of bipolar RS show complex dependence on Vset. It reveals that the oxygen vacancy (VO) filaments properties and RS types are controlled by the intrinsic properties of breakdown and remnant defects.
Inhibition of retroviral Gag assembly by non-silencing miRNAs promotes autophagic viral degradation
Authors: Qu Na , Ma Zhao , Zhang Mengrao , Rushdi Muaz N , Krueger Christopher J , Chen Antony K
Published: September 2017

We recently reported an unconventional mechanism by which miRNAs inhibit HIV-1 viral production. This occurs when miRNAs bind nonspecifically to the viral structural protein Gag, interfering with viral RNA-mediated Gag assembly at the plasma membrane. Consequently, misassembled viral complexes are redirected into the endocytic pathway where they are delivered to lysosomes for degradation. In this study, we demonstrate that autophagy is a critical mediator of the viral degradation pathway and that this pathway is not HIV-1 specific. Misassembled viral complexes were found to colocalize extensively with LC3 and p62 in late endosomes/lysosomes, demonstrating a convergence of autophagy with functional degradative compartments. Knocking down autophagosome formation machineries reduced this convergence, while treatment with autophagy-inducer rapamycin enhanced the convergence. Furthermore, similar autophagy-dependent nonspecific miRNA inhibition of murine leukemia virus (MLV) assembly was shown. Overall, these results reveal autophagy as a crucial regulator of the retroviral degradation pathway in host cells initiated by nonspecific miRNA-Gag interactions. These findings could have significant implications for understanding how cells may regulate retroviral complex assembly by miRNA expression and autophagy, and raise the possibility that similar regulations can occur in other biological contexts.
Human Rights Experimentalism
Authors: de Búrca Gráinne
Published: September 2017

Human rights in general and the international human rights system in particular have come under increasing attack in recent years. Quite apart from the domestic and global political events since 2016, including an apparent retreat from international institutions, the human rights system has in recent times come in for severe criticism from academic scholars. Amongst the various criticisms levelled have been: (1) the ineffectiveness and lack of impact of international human rights regimes, (2) the ambiguity and lack of specificity of human rights standards, (3) the weakness of international human rights enforcement mechanisms, and (4) the claim to universalism of human rights standards coupled with the hegemonic imposition of these standards on diverse parts of the world. This article responds to several of those criticisms by introducing the idea of experimentalist governance, interpreting key aspects of the functioning of certain international human rights treaties from the perspective of experimentalist governance theory, and surveying a body of recent scholarship on the effectiveness of such treaties. Contrary to the depiction of international human rights regimes as both ineffective and top-down, the article argues that they function at their best as dynamic, participatory, and iterative systems. Experimentalist governance offers a theory of the causal effectiveness of human rights treaties, brings to light a set of features and interactions that are routinely overlooked in many accounts, and suggests possible avenues for reform of other human rights treaty regimes with a view to making them more effective in practice.
Development of drug-loaded polymer microcapsules for treatment of epilepsy
Authors: Chen Yu , Gu Qi , Yue Zhilian , Crook Jeremy M. , Moulton Simon E. , Cook Mark J. , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: September 2017

Fibre- and sphere-based microcapsules have been developed, exhibiting controllable uniform morphologies, predictable drug release profiles, and neuro-cytocompatibility.
Core–shell and alloy integrating PdAu bimetallic nanoplates on reduced graphene oxide for efficient and stable hydrogen evolution catalysts
Authors: Jiang Yi , Yan Yucong , Han Yu , Zhang Hui , Yang Deren
Published: September 2017

PdAu nanoplates with different core–shell structures on rGO were generated by manipulating the competition between galvanic replacement and chemical reduction with the alloy and core–shell integrating nanoplates exhibiting superior HER properties.
Mo-doped BiVO4 thin films – high photoelectrochemical water splitting performance achieved by a tailored structure and morphology
Authors: Rohloff Martin , Anke Björn , Zhang Siyuan , Gernert Ulrich , Scheu Christina , Lerch Martin , Fischer Anna
Published: September 2017

Facile sol–gel synthesis of Mo:BiVO4 thin films with optimized morphology results in reduced surface recombination and enhanced hole transfer efficiency.
Transport in polymer-supported chemically-doped CVD graphene
Authors: Kang Moon H. , Qiu Guangyu , Chen Bingan , Jouvray Alex , Teo Kenneth B. K. , Cepek Cinzia , Wu Lawrence , Kim Jongmin , Milne William I. , Cole Matthew T.
Published: September 2017

In this study we report on the electron transport in flexible-transparent polymer supported chemically doped chemical vapour deposited (CVD) graphene.
Highly efficient green, blue, and white phosphorescent inverted organic light-emitting diodes by improving charge injection and balance
Authors: Lee Hyunkoo , Maeng Min-Jae , Hong Jong-Am , Najnin Rokeya , Moon Jaehyun , Cho Hyunsu , Lee Jonghee , Yu Byoung-Gon , Park Yongsup , Cho Nam Sung
Published: September 2017

Highly efficient green, blue, and white phosphorescent inverted organic light-emitting diodes were demonstrated by improving charge injection and balance.
Emulating single point bearing faults with the use of an active magnetic bearing
Authors: Corne Bram , Vervisch Bram , Derammelaere Stijn , Knockaert Jos , Desmet Jan
Published: September 2017

The propagation of evolving mechanical faults in rotating electric machinery and their corresponding signatures in the machines’ electrical signals is still not elucidated thoroughly. This deficiency implies serious obstructions in the development of using those signals as a complete and reliable condition monitoring technology. This study presents a new method to translate single point outer and inner race bearing faults into specific movements of the rotor with respect to the stator. The method contains the excitation of a simplified mass‐spring‐damper bearing model by analytical constructed fault‐related force functions. Furthermore, a novel approach in order to emulate those obtained specific fault‐related rotor movements with the use an experimental test setup is described, dimensioned, simulated and validated. Replacing the drive‐end bearing of the induction machine under test by an active magnetic bearing creates the opportunity to continuously manipulate the rotor's position. The estimated single point bearing fault‐related rotor movements serve as set‐point for the magnetic bearing, resulting in the achievement of a single point bearing fault emulator with high relevance and reproducibility. This study includes experimental results of an emulated single point outer race bearing fault on an 11 kW induction machine.
Die Therapie und Prognose des refraktären und super-refraktären Status epilepticus
Authors: Gollwitzer Stephanie , Hamer Hajo
Published: September 2017

Ein Status epilepticus, der über 60 Minuten andauert und durch die Gabe von Benzodiazepinen und nicht-sedierenden Antikonvulsiva der Stufe 2 nicht beendet werden kann, wird als refraktär bezeichnet. Wenn der Status auch nach i. v.-Anästhetikagabe über 24 Stunden nicht durchbrochen werden kann, wird er als super-refraktär definiert. Zur Therapie des refraktären Status epilepticus (RSE) wird eine Kombination aus nicht-sedierenden Antikonvulsiva und i. v.-Anästhetika eingesetzt; Medikamente der ersten Wahl sind dabei Midazolam, Propofol und Thiopental. Zur Behandlung des super-refraktären Status epilepticus (SRSE) existieren keine klaren evidenz-basierten Empfehlungen, Therapieerfahrungen stützen sich überwiegend auf Einzelfallberichte und kleine Fallserien. Eingesetzt werden Ketamin, Inhalationsanästhetika, Steroide und Immunglobuline. An nicht-medikamentösen Verfahren kommen die ketogene Diät, die Elektrokonvulsionstherapie und die Epilepsiechirurgie in Betracht. Ein neues, vielversprechendes Behandlungskonzept stellt das Neurosteroid Allopregnanolon dar. Die Mortalität des RSE und SRSE hängt von der Ätiologie des Status ab und ist insgesamt deutlich höher als die des nicht-refraktären Status. In publizierten Fallserien lag sie bei ca. 30 % bzw. 50 %.
Sind Ansätze zur Verbesserung der Gehirnplastizität bei
schizophrenen Psychosen theoretisch fundiert?
Authors: Falkai Peter
Published: September 2017

Seit Beginn der Beschreibung der Demetia Praecox (später Schizophrenie) Ende des
19. Jahrhunderts hat diese das Interesse neurobiologisch orientierter Forscher
auf sich gezogen. Von jeher stand die Frage im Raum, ob dieser Erkrankungsgruppe
nicht hirnstrukturelle Veränderungen zugrunde liegen, die neurodegenerativer
Natur sein könnten. Aufgrund der Schwere und der ungünstigen Prognose ist dies
ein nachvollziehbarer Gedanke, dem allerdings diverse Argumente widersprechen:
Erstens scheint es keine Progression von kognitiven Defiziten oder allgemein der
Negativsymptomatik mit dem Krankheitsverlauf zu geben, zweitens fehlen Hinweise
auf einen klassisch neurodegenerativen Prozess und drittens scheint eine
Reversibilität hirnstruktureller Veränderungen vorzuliegen, was alles
zusammengenommen dafür spricht, dass der Schizophrenie kein (klassisch)
degenerativer Prozess, sondern den hirnstrukturellen und hirnfunktionellen
Veränderungen eine Störung regenerativer Prozesse zugrunde liegt.
What Is the Optimal Time to Retest Patients With a Urogenital Chlamydia Infection? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van der Helm Jannie J. , Koekenbier Rik H. , van Rooijen Martijn S. , Schim van der Loeff Maarten F. , de Vries Henry J.C.
Published: September 2017

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common, often recurring sexually transmitted infection, with serious adverse outcomes in women. Current guidelines recommend retesting after a chlamydia infection, but the optimum timing is unknown. We assessed the optimal retest interval after urogenital chlamydia treatment.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial among urogenital chlamydia nucleic acid amplification test positive heterosexual clients of the Amsterdam sexually transmitted infection clinic. After treatment, patients were randomly assigned for retesting 8, 16, or 26 weeks later. Patients could choose to do this at home (and send a self-collected sample by mail) or at the clinic. Retest uptake and chlamydia positivity at follow-up were calculated.

Results

Between May 2012 and March 2013, 2253 patients were included (45% men; median age, 23 years; interquartile range, 21–26). The overall uptake proportion within 35 weeks after the initial visit was significantly higher in the 8-week group (77%) compared with the 16- and 26-week groups (67% and 64%, respectively, P < 0.001), and the positivity proportions among those retested were comparable (P = 0.169). The proportion of people with a diagnosed recurrent chlamydia infection among all randomized was similar between the groups (n = 69 [8.6%], n = 52 [7.4%], and n = 69 [9.3%]; P = 0.4).

Conclusions

Patients with a recent urogenital chlamydia are at high risk of recurrence of chlamydia and retesting them is an effective way of detecting chlamydia cases. We recommend inviting patients for a re-test 8 weeks after the initial diagnosis and treatment.
Comparison of Postoperative Pain and Residual Gas Between Restrictive and Liberal Fluid Therapy in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Yao Lei , Wang Yulan , Du Boxiang , Song Jie , Ji Fuhai
Published: September 2017

Background:

Different fluid regimens are used in the clinical management of perioperative fluid therapy, but there still is the argument about which fluid regimen is better for patients. This study was mainly designed to compare different fluid regimens on postoperative pain and residual gas in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

A total of 100 patients were equally randomized to receive restrictive fluid infusion (n=50) with lactated Ringer (LR) solution 5 mL/kg/h or liberal fluid infusion (n=50), with 30 mL/kg/h lactated Ringer solution. Postoperative pain was evaluated at 1, 6, and 24 hours after surgery using a visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative subdiaphragmatic residual gas was monitored by x-ray at 24 hours after surgery.

Results:

Patients in the restrictive group had significantly higher VAS pain scores at 6 hours after surgery than those in the liberal group (P=0.009). The incidence of subdiaphragmatic residual gas in the restrictive group was higher than in the liberal group (P=0.045). Patients who had residual gas had higher VAS pain scores than those with no residual gas in the restrictive group at 6 hours after surgery (P=0.02).

Conclusions:

Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with restrictive fluid therapy may suffer more severe postoperative pain than those receiving liberal fluid therapy. It suggests that the higher incidence of subdiaphragmatic residual gas may have occurred with restrictive fluid therapy.
Poor microcirculatory flow dynamics are associated with endothelial cell damage and glycocalyx shedding after traumatic hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Naumann David N. , Hazeldine Jon , Midwinter Mark J. , Hutchings Sam D. , Harrison Paul
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Endothelial cell damage and glycocalyx shedding after trauma can increase the risk of inflammation, coagulopathy, vascular permeability, and death. Bedside sublingual video-microscopy may detect worse flow and perfusion associated with this endotheliopathy. We compared markers of endotheliopathy with physical flow dynamics after traumatic hemorrhagic shock.

METHODS

Sublingual incident dark field video-microscopy was performed at three time points after injury (<10 hours, 10–30 hours, and 30–50 hours). Values for microcirculatory flow index (MFI), Point Of carE Microcirculation assessment (POEM) score, proportion of perfused vessels (PPV), microcirculatory heterogeneity index (MHI), perfused vessel density (PVD), and total vessel density (TVD) were obtained. ELISAs were performed to measure concentrations of thrombomodulin and syndecan-1 as biomarkers of endothelial cell damage and glycocalyx shedding respectively. Flow parameters were dichotomized to above and below average, and biomarkers compared between groups; below average MFI, POEM, PPV, PVD, and TVD, and above average MHI were considered poor microcirculatory flow dynamics.

RESULTS

A total of 155 sublingual video-microscopy clips corresponding to 39 time points from 17 trauma patients were analyzed. Median age was 35 (IQR 25–52); 16/17 were men. Within 10 hours of injury, syndecan-1 concentrations were significantly higher compared to 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (30 [IQR 20–44] ng/mL) for worse TVD (78 [IQR 63–417] ng/mL), PVD (156 [IQR 63–590] ng/mL), PPV (249 [IQR 64–578] ng/mL), MFI (249 [IQR 64–578] ng/mL), MHI (45 [IQR] 38–68) ng/mL), and POEM scores (108 [IQR 44–462] ng/mL) (all p < 0.01). Thrombomodulin was also raised within 10 hours of injury when compared to healthy controls (2.9 [IQR 2.2–3.4] ng/mL) for worse PPV (4.1 [IQR 3.4–6.2] ng/mL) and MFI (4.1 [IQR 3.4–6.2] ng/mL) (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial cell damage and glycocalyx shedding are associated with worse flow, density, and heterogeneity within microvessels after traumatic hemorrhagic shock. The clinical utility of these biomarkers and flow parameters at the bedside are yet to be elucidated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level III.
A multipath model of salesperson performance in the financial services industry
Authors: Varghese Jose , Edward Manoj , Sahadev Sunil
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The study looks at how salesperson’s customer orientation (SCO) mediates the impact of a host of organisational, job-related and personality-related factors on salesperson performance. Previous studies that have considered the impact of customer orientation on performance have often considered a limited number of antecedent variables which has led to inconsistent results. The purpose of this paper is to address this concern by considering the multiple effects of several independent variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model was tested through a large-scale survey of financial services salespersons in India. A total of 1,106 respondents participated in the survey. The data were analysed through structural equations modelling. Sobel’s test was employed to test the mediating effects.

Findings

The study found that customer orientation has a significant mediating effect in the case of several antecedent variables. The impact of variables like perceived supportive work environment, experienced meaningfulness, organisational identification, salesperson agreeableness and salesperson instability on salesperson performance is seen to be partially or fully mediated by SCO.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design and the convenience sampling methodology are the main limitations of the study.

Practical implications

The study develops a more holistic, multipath model which can help managers as a guideline in recruiting and selecting salespersons. The importance of customer orientation points towards the need for better attitudinal training.

Originality/value

Theoretically, the paper highlights the need for developing more comprehensive models for considering the consequences of customer orientation and related issues. The multipath model addresses several calls for research on testing different antecedents of customer orientation as well as how customer orientation enhances salesperson performance.
Drug repurposing to treat asthma and allergic disorders: Progress and prospects
Authors: Kruse R. L. , Vanijcharoenkarn K.
Published: September 2017

Allergy and atopic asthma have continued to become more prevalent in modern society despite the advent of new treatments, representing a major global health problem. Common medications such as antihistamines and steroids can have undesirable long‐term side‐effects and lack efficacy in some resistant patients. Biologic medications are increasingly given to treatment‐resistant patients, but they can represent high costs, complex dosing and management, and are not widely available around the world. The field needs new, cheap, and convenient treatment options in order to bring better symptom relief to patients. Beyond continued research and development of new drugs, a focus on drug repurposing could alleviate this problem by repositioning effective and safe small‐molecule drugs from other fields of medicine and applying them toward the treatment for asthma and allergy. Herein, preclinical models, case reports, and clinical trials of drug repurposing efficacy in allergic disease are reviewed. Novel drugs are also proposed for repositioning based on their mechanism of action to treat asthma and allergy. Overall, drug repurposing could become increasingly important as a way of advancing allergy and atopic asthma therapy, filling a need in treatment of patients today.
Latent Risk Subtypes Based on Injection and Sexual Behavior Among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural Puerto Rico
Authors: Hautala Dane , Abadie Roberto , Thrash Courtney , Reyes Juan Carlos , Dombrowski Kirk
Published: September 2017

Background

People who inject drugs (PWID) in Puerto Rico engage in high levels of injection and sexual risk behavior, and they are at high risk for HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infection, relative to their US counterparts. Less is known, however, about the clustering of risk behavior conducive to HIV and HCV infection among rural Puerto Rican communities.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine concurrent injection and sexual risk subtypes among a rural sample of PWID in Puerto Rico.

Methods

Data were drawn from a respondent‐driven sample collected in 2015 of 315 PWID in 4 rural communities approximately 30‐40 miles from San Juan. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to examine risk subtypes using 3 injection and 3 sexual risk indicators. In addition, demographic and other PWID characteristics were examined as possible predictors of latent class membership.

Results

Four LCA subtypes were identified: low risk (36%), high injection/low sexual risk (22%), low injection/high sexual risk (20%), and high risk (22%). Younger age and past year homelessness predicted high risk latent class membership, relative to the other classes. In addition, daily speedball use predicted membership in the high injection/low sexual risk class, relative to the low risk and low injection/high sexual risk classes.

Conclusion/Importance

The findings suggest ways in which PWID risk clusters can be identified for targeted interventions.
Postdocs power research
Authors: Wallach Rob
Published: September 2017

Later this month, postdoctoral researchers and representatives from research associations around the United Kingdom will gather in Cambridge, UK, for the first National Postdoc Meeting, also the inaugural event of the latest Postdoc Centre of the University of Cambridge. This gathering coincides with the United States National Postdoc Appreciation Week and marks increasing, though long overdue, attention for this group of early-career researchers. What are the major challenges?