bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of an N‐glycosylated Bacillus subtilis leucine aminopeptidase expressed in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Xi Hongxing , Tian Yaping , Zhou Nandi , Zhou Zhemin , Shen Wei
Published: November 2014

Aminopeptidase is an important flavorsome especially in protein hydrolysate debittering by removing hydrophobic amino acid residue at the N‐terminal end. Besides, it is also applied to preparation of active peptides and analysis of protein sequence. In this study, leucine aminopeptidase from Bacillus subtilis was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris, a widely used heterologous protein expression host. Then it was purified and characterized. After methanol induction for 96 h, the aminopeptidase activity in culture supernatant reached 28.4 U ml−1, which was 7.1 times that of wild strain B. subtilis Zj016. The optimal temperature and pH of the purified recombinant enzyme were 60 °C and 8.5, respectively. The purified aminopeptidase was stable within 30–60 °C and pH 8.0–9.0. It was intensively inhibited by Ni2+, Ca2+, DL‐dithiothreitol (DTT) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), but activated by Co2+. The Km toward leucine‐p‐nitroanilines (Leu‐pNA) of the enzyme was 0.97 mM. The sequence analysis of aminopeptidase indicated three potential N‐glycosylation sites and it was further verified via MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis. Consequently, the N‐glycosylated aminopeptidase exhibited higher thermostability and catalytic efficiency. The purified enzyme exhibited two bands through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) while a single band can be identified when the enzyme was deglycosylated. Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that the secondary structure of recombinant aminopeptidase was similar to the wild‐type.
Analysis of human plasma lipids by using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with dual detection and with the support of high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for structural elucidation
Authors: Salivo Simona , Beccaria Marco , Sullini Giuseppe , Tranchida Peter Q. , Dugo Paola , Mondello Luigi
Published: November 2014

The main focus of the present research is the analysis of the unsaponifiable lipid fraction of human plasma by using data derived from comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with dual quadrupole mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection. This approach enabled us to attain both mass spectral information and analyte percentage data. Furthermore, gas chromatography coupled with high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was used to increase the reliability of identification of several unsaponifiable lipid constituents. The synergism between both the high‐resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry processes enabled us to attain a more in‐depth knowledge of the unsaponifiable fraction of human plasma. Additionally, information was attained on the fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of the plasma samples, subjected to investigation by using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with dual quadrupole mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection and high‐performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry, respectively.
Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with electrospray mass detection and 1H and 13C NMR characterization of new process‐related impurities, including forced degradants of Efavirenz: Related substances correlated to the synthetic pathway
Authors: Gadapayale Kamalesh , Kakde Rajendra , Sarma VUM
Published: November 2014

In this study, a stability‐indicating reversed‐phase liquid chromatographic electrospray mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the determination of process‐related impurities and forced degradants of Efavirenz in bulk drugs. Efavirenz was subjected to acid, alkaline hydrolysis, H2O2 oxidation, photolysis, and thermal stress. Significant degradation was observed during alkaline hydrolysis, and the degradants were isolated on a mass‐based purification system and characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Accurate mass measurement and NMR spectroscopy revealed the possible structure of process‐related impurities and degradant under stress conditions. The acceptable separation was accomplished on Waters bondapak C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm; 5 μm), using 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The eluents were monitored by diode array detector at 247 nm and quantitation limits were obtained in the range of 0.1–2.5 μg/mL for Efavirenz, degradants, and process‐related impurities. The liquid chromatography method was validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, and limits of detection and quantification as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.
Clinical cell therapy imaging using a perfluorocarbon tracer and fluorine‐19 MRI
Authors: Ahrens Eric T. , Helfer Brooke M. , O'Hanlon Charles F. , Schirda Claudiu
Published: November 2014

Purpose

Cellular therapeutics are emerging as a treatment option for a host of serious human diseases. To accelerate clinical translation, noninvasive imaging of cell grafts in clinical trials can potentially be used to assess the initial delivery and behavior of cells.

Methods

The use of a perfluorocarbon (PFC) tracer agent for clinical fluorine‐19 (19F) MRI cell detection is described. This technology was used to detect immunotherapeutic dendritic cells (DCs) delivered to colorectal adenocarcinoma patients. Autologous DC vaccines were labeled with a PFC MRI agent ex vivo. Patients received DCs intradermally, and 19F spin‐density‐weighted MRI at 3 Tesla (T) was used to observe cells.

Results

Spin‐density‐weighted 19F images at the injection site displayed DCs as background‐free “hot‐spot” images. 19F images were acquired in clinically relevant scan times (<10 min). Apparent DC numbers could be quantified in two patients from the 19F hot‐spots and were observed to decrease by ∼50% at injection site by 24 h. From 3T phantom studies, the sensitivity limit for DC detection is estimated to be on the order of ∼105 cells/voxel in this study.

Conclusion

These results help to establish a clinically applicable means to track a broad range of cell types used in cell therapy. Magn Reson Med 72:1696–1701, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society of Medicine in Resonance.
Microsporidial polymyositis in human immunodeficiency virus−infected patients, a rare life‐threatening opportunistic infection: Clinical suspicion, diagnosis, and management in resource‐limited settings
Authors: Patel Atul K. , Patel Ketan K. , Chickabasaviah Yasha T. , Shah Shalin D. , Patel Drupad J. , Narayanappa Gayathri , Kumar Ambuj
Published: November 2014

Introduction: Microsporidial myositis is a rare opportunistic infection that has been reported in HIV‐infected and HIV‐uninfected immunocompromised patients. Methods: In this study we present a retrospective analysis of 5 cases of microsporidial myositis in HIV‐infected patients, including the clinical, laboratory, and histologic features, and a review of the literature. Results: Five young men with HIV infection [median CD4 count of 20 cells (range 14−144)/mm3] who presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of myositis underwent EMG‐NCV and muscle biopsy, which revealed signs compatible with microsporidial myositis. Early and aggressive treatment led to improvement in 3 patients. Two of the 5 patients died due to a delay in diagnosis, because the spores were mistaken for Candida without confirmatory stains or a high index of suspicion. Conclusions: Myositis in HIV‐infected patients with low CD4 counts should be evaluated using muscle biopsy. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis of microsporidial myositis in HIV‐infected patients. Early diagnosis and immediate, aggressive treatment are the keys to favorable outcomes in these patients. Muscle Nerve 51:775–780, 2015
A memetic algorithm for the weighted feedback vertex set problem
Authors: Carrabs Francesco , Cerrone Carmine , Cerulli Raffaele
Published: November 2014

Given an undirected and vertex weighted graph , the Weighted Feedback Vertex Set Problem consists of finding the subset of vertices, with minimum weight, whose removal results in an acyclic graph. Finding the minimum feedback vertex set in a graph is an important combinatorial problem that has a variety of real applications. In this article, we introduce a memetic algorithm for this problem. We propose an efficient greedy procedure that quickly generates chromosomes with specific characteristics and a wise application of recent local search procedures based on k‐diamonds. Computational results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the effectiveness of two other metaheuristics recently proposed in the literature for this problem. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 64(4), 339–356 2014
Polygonal finite elements for finite elasticity
Authors: Chi Heng , Talischi Cameron , Lopez‐Pamies Oscar , H.Paulino Glaucio
Published: November 2014

Nonlinear elastic materials are of great engineering interest, but challenging to model with standard finite elements. The challenges arise because nonlinear elastic materials are characterized by non‐convex stored‐energy functions as a result of their ability to undergo large reversible deformations, are incompressible or nearly incompressible, and often times possess complex microstructures. In this work, we propose and explore an alternative approach to model finite elasticity problems in two dimensions by using polygonal discretizations. We present both lower order displacement‐based and mixed polygonal finite element approximations, the latter of which consist of a piecewise constant pressure field and a linearly‐complete displacement field at the element level. Through numerical studies, the mixed polygonal finite elements are shown to be stable and convergent. For demonstration purposes, we deploy the proposed polygonal discretization to study the nonlinear elastic response of rubber filled with random and periodic distributions of rigid particles, as well as the development of cavitation instabilities in elastomers containing vacuous defects. These physically‐based examples illustrate the potential of polygonal finite elements in studying and modeling nonlinear elastic materials with complex microstructures under finite deformations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient and robust localization scheme on massively distributed systems
Authors: Shenoy Rajiv , Smith Marilyn , Park Michael
Published: November 2014

A parallel localization scheme is presented to enable solution transfers between unstructured grids. The scheme relies on neighbor walks to reduce the number of candidate elements that are visited to find the enclosing element. An advancing front method efficiently allows a subset of nodes to efficiently sweep through the grid, progressively reducing search spaces. The algorithm is parallelized permitting solution transfers over arbitrary grid decompositions. A hierarchical localization process helps prevent the neighbor walk algorithm from failing when encountering the boundaries of a concave domain by localizing the boundaries before the interior of the domain is localized. Random selections of the next step interrupt cyclic loops that may occur during a neighbor walk. The complexity of the search algorithm is verified over parallel decompositions and is effectively independent of the number of partitions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified approach for embedded boundary conditions for fourth‐order elliptic problems
Authors: Harari Isaac , Grosu Eran
Published: November 2014

An efficient procedure for embedding kinematic boundary conditions in the biharmonic equation, for problems such as the pure streamfunction formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations and thin plate bending, is based on a stabilized variational formulation, obtained by Nitsche's approach for enforcing boundary constraints. The absence of kinematic admissibility constraints allows the use of non‐conforming meshes with non‐interpolatory approximations, thereby providing added flexibility in addressing the higher continuity requirements typical of these problems. Variationally conjugate pairs weakly enforce kinematic boundary conditions. The use of a scaling factor leads to a formulation with a single stabilization parameter. For plates, the enforcement of tangential derivatives of deflections obviates the need for pointwise enforcement of corner values in the presence of corners. The single stabilization parameter is determined from a local generalized eigenvalue problem, guaranteeing coercivity of the discrete bilinear form. The accuracy of the approach is verified by representative computations with bicubic B‐splines, providing guidance to the determination of the scaling and exhibiting optimal rates of convergence and robust performance with respect to values of the stabilization parameter. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exposure to prenatal smoking and early‐life body composition: The healthy start study
Authors: Harrod Curtis S. , Fingerlin Tasha E. , Chasan‐Taber Lisa , Reynolds Regina M. , Glueck Deborah H. , Dabelea Dana
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To examine associations between exposure to prenatal smoking and early‐life changes in fat mass (FM), fat‐free mass (FFM), and anthropometrics.

Methods

About 670 mother–offspring pairs were analyzed in the longitudinal Healthy Start study. Maternal smoking data were collected during prenatal research visits. Offspring body composition and size were measured by air displacement plethysmography at delivery and postnatal follow‐up (5 months) visits.

Results

Comparing exposed and unexposed offspring, exposure to prenatal smoking was significantly associated with reduced neonatal FM (P = 0.007) and FFM (P = 0.02). In contrast, at 5 months, exposed offspring had comparable FM (P = 0.61) and FFM (P = 0.41). After subsequent adjustment for birth weight, offspring exposed to prenatal smoking had significantly greater FFM (154.7 g, 0.5, 309.0; P = 0.049) and sum of skinfolds (2.7 mm, 0.06, 5.3; P = 0.04). From delivery to follow‐up, exposed offspring had significantly greater increases in FFM (156.4 g, 2.8, 310.1; P = 0.046) and sum of skinfolds (2.7 mm, 0.06, 5.3; P = 0.04), even after adjustment for respective delivery measures.

Conclusions

Exposure to prenatal smoking was significantly associated with rapid postnatal growth, which may increase the offspring's risk of metabolic diseases.
Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell aggressiveness by activating the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Dai Ting , Zhang Dongsheng , Cai Muyan , Wang Chanjuan , Wu Zhiqiang , Ying Zhe , Wu Jueheng , Li Mengfeng , Xie Dan , Li Jun , Song Libing
Published: November 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, in which the NF‐κB pathway plays an important role and is constitutively activated. Better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of HCC and the NF‐κB pathway are needed to improve patient outcomes. Herein, we identified an unappreciated protein involved in NF‐κB‐induced activation, Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3). The mRNA and protein expression levels of GOLPH3 were frequently up‐regulated in HCC and GOLPH3 expression correlated closely with clinical stage and survival in both the testing and validation cohorts. Ectopic over‐expression of GOLPH3 in PLC/PRF/5 (PLC) and Huh7 HCC cells protected against cisplatin‐induced apoptosis, promoted angiogenesis and proliferation and increased the aggressiveness of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas inhibition of GOLPH3 led to decreased aggressiveness. Through analysis of two published HCC patient profiles, GOLPH3 expression significantly correlated with NF‐κB signalling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GOLPH3 promoted K63‐linked polyubiquitination of tumour necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 2 (TRAF2), receptor interacting protein (RIP) and NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO) and substantially sustained the activation of NF‐κB in HCC cells. Taken together, our findings provided evidence that GOLPH3 is a prognostic and/or potential therapeutic biomarker for HCC patients and plays an important role in activation of the NF‐κB pathway during HCC progression. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methyl branching in polyethylene from homopolymerization of ethylene with N‐arylcyano‐β‐diketiminate methallyl nickel‐B(C6F5)3
Authors: Trofymchuk Oleksandra S. , Galland Griselda Barrera , Milani Marcéo A. , Rojas Rene S.
Published: November 2014

N‐Arylcyano‐β‐diketiminate methallyl nickel complexes activated with B(C6F5)3 were used in the polymerization of ethylene. The microstructure analysis of obtained polyethylene (PE) was done by differential scanning calorimetry and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The branched polymer structures produced by these catalysts were attributed to one step isomerization mechanism of the catalyst along the polymer chain. The ortho or para position of the cyano group with co‐ordinated B(C6F5)3 in both methallyl nickel catalysts influenced the polymer molecular weight, branching, and consequently melting and crystallization temperatures. NMR spectroscopic studies showed predominantly the formation of methyl branches in the obtained PE. Catalysts under study gave linear low‐density PEs with good crystallinities at temperatures of reaction between 50 °C and 70 °C at moderate pressures (12.3 atm). A propylene–ethylene copolymer produced by the metallocene catalyst had the same concentration of branches as the PE synthesized from methallyl nickel/B(C6F5)3. Comparing the two polyolefins with the same degree of branching, it was observed that the polymer obtained with the nickel catalyst proved to be twice more crystalline and had greater Tm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 452–458
Mobile middleware platform for secure vessel traffic system in IoT service environment
Authors: Park Namje , Bang Hyo‐Chan
Published: November 2014

The Inter‐VTS Data Exchange Format (IVEF) service is the draft standard designed for exchange of information on sea traffic between the vessel traffic systems and between the vessels. Standardization of this service is under way as a part of the next‐generation navigation system, called e‐Navigation. The International Association of Lighthouse Authorities suggests, on its recommendation V‐145, the IVEF service model and the protocol for provisioning of this service. But the detailed configuration of this service must be designed by the users. IVEF service is aimed at establishing a common framework to ensure exchange of ship information between vessel traffic service (VTS) centers gained via automatic ship identification device, closed‐circuit television, radar system and other devices. Robust exchange of marine traffic information between VTS centers through IVEF service will enable related authorities to identify location of domestic and international ships in the coastal waters real‐time and predict expected sea route, thus ensure effective sea route control and pre‐emptive response to potential disasters or accidents. This paper suggests, based on the basic service model and protocol provided in the recommendation V‐145, the implementation of the Jeju‐VTS middleware, which will facilitate exchange of information on sea traffic. This paper developed a system enabling IVEF service simulation under an Internet of Things environment made possible by improving IVEF software development kit, which is an open source. For this, a mobile phone loaded with Android platform and desk top PC has been used for emulation of a ship on voyage and VTS center. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomization, matching, and propensity scores in the design and analysis of experimental studies with measured baseline covariates
Authors: Loux Travis M.
Published: November 2014

In many experimental situations, researchers have information on a number of covariates prior to randomization. This information can be used to balance treatment assignment with respect to these covariates as well as in the analysis of the outcome data. In this paper, we investigate the use of propensity scores in both of these roles. We also introduce a randomization procedure in which the balance of all measured covariates is approximately indexed by the variance of the empirical propensity scores and randomization is restricted to those permutations with the least variable propensity scores. This procedure is compared with recently proposed methods in terms of resulting covariate balance and estimation efficiency. Properties of the estimators resulting from each procedure are compared with estimates which incorporate the propensity score in the analysis stage. Simulation results show that analytical adjustment for the propensity score yields results on par with those obtained through restricted randomization procedures and can be used in conjunction with such procedures to further improve inferential efficiency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct Numerical Simulation of Inclusion Cluster Floating Behavior in Molten Steel Using Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Wang Yao , Li Hong , Guo Luofang , Yu Xiaonan , Zhou Bao
Published: November 2014

A three‐dimensional fractal structure model was introduced to quantify the morphology of inclusion clusters, and the floating behavior of different inclusion clusters was simulated directly using lattice Boltzmann method to investigate the effect of morphology on the floating velocity in molten steel. It is found that the morphology, which can be described quantitatively by fractal dimension has a significant effect on the floating behavior of inclusions. The terminal floating velocity of inclusion clusters is smaller than that of spherical inclusions, which consist of same number of primary particles. The ratio between the floating velocity of inclusion clusters and that of spherical inclusions decreases with the increasing primary particle number. By introducing the fractal dimension, an equation for the floatation velocity of cluster‐shaped inclusions is derived from the simulation results.
Reduction Process of Pellet Containing High Chromic Vanadium–Titanium Magnetite in Cohesive Zone
Authors: Liu Jianxing , Cheng Gongjin , Liu Zhenggen , Chu Mansheng , Xue Xiangxin
Published: November 2014

In the present study, the reduction process of pellet containing high chromic vanadium–titanium magnetite in cohesive zone has been investigated. To elucidate the reduction process including the softening and melting properties, structure changes and migration processes of valuable components (Fe, V, Ti, and Cr) in pellet containing high chromic vanadium–titanium magnetite in cohesive zone, the experiment was carried out at different temperatures and the pellet samples were analyzed by the methods of XRD, SEM, and chemical analysis. The results of reduction process show that the temperature range of cohesive zone of pellet is from 1087.9 to 1338.3 °C and the maximum differential pressure of the burden is 15 859 Pa at the temperature of 1291 °C. The reduction process of pellet was gradually conducted from outside to inside, which could form a layer of iron shell on the outer surface of the pellet. A lot of wustite could be generated in the core of pellet when the reduction temperature exceeded 1100 °C. The migration process of iron is Fe2O3 → Fe3O4 → FeO → Fe, while the generated FeO could react with SiO2 forming 2FeO · SiO2. The reduction process of titanium is Fe2O3 · 3TiO2 → Fe5TiO8 → Fe2TiO4 → FeTiO3 → Ti(O0.19C0.53N0.32) → Ti(C,N) → [Ti] and MgO · TiO2 → Ti(C,N) → [Ti]. The migration process of vanadium is V2O3 → VN, VC → [V] and the chromium oxide was reduced as follows: (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3  → FeCr2O4 → [Cr].
Black holes with intrinsic spin
Authors: Cvetič Mirjam , Larsen Finn
Published: November 2014

Abstract

We analyze the general black hole solutions to the four dimensional STU model recently constructed by Chow and Compère. We define a dilute gas limit where the black holes can be interpreted as excited states of an extremal ground state. In this limit we express the black hole entropy and the excitation energy in terms of physical quantities with no need for parametric charges. We discuss a dual microscopic CFT description that incorporates all electric and magnetic charges. This description is recovered geometrically by identification of a near horizon BTZ region. We construct the subtracted geometry with no restrictions on charges by analyzing the scalar wave equation in the full geometry. We determine the matter sources that support the subtracted geometry by studying a scaling limit and show that the general geometry permits a dilute gas description with parameters that we specify.
Cauchy theory for the gravity water waves system with non-localized initial data
Authors: Alazard T. , Burq N. , Zuily C.
Published: November 2014

In this article, we develop the local Cauchy theory for the gravity water waves system, for rough initial data which do not decay at infinity. We work in the context of

L^{2}

-based uniformly local Sobolev spaces introduced by Kato [22]. We prove a classical well-posedness result (without loss of derivatives). Our result implies also a local well-posedness result in Hölder spaces (with loss of

d/ 2

derivatives). As an illustration, we solve a question raised by Boussinesq in [9] on the water waves problem in a canal. We take benefit of an elementary observation to show that the strategy suggested in [9] does indeed apply to this setting.
RETRACTED: Up‐regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 by miRNAs and its implications in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Wang Chenghe , Chen Zhong , Ge Qiangqiang , Hu Junhui , Li Fan , Hu Jia , Xu Hua , Ye Zhangqun , Li Long-Cheng
Published: November 2014

We have previously reported that synthetic dsRNA can activate p21 expression by targeting the p21 promoter, thereby suppressing the proliferation of human bladder cancer cells. As complementarity between dsRNA and its target sequences is necessary for RNA activation, miRNAs may also trigger p21 expression through the same mechanism. Here, the expression levels of three miRNAs (miR‐370, miR‐1180 and miR‐1236) decreased in bladder cancer tissues compared to healthy controls and the levels of these mRNAs positively correlated with p21 mRNA levels. The three miRNAs induced nuclear p21 expression through p21‐promoter binding. Overexpression of the three miRNAs inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells mainly by regulating p21. Therefore, these miRNAs could be candidates for anti‐cancer drugs.
CaMKII isoforms differ in their specific requirements for regulation by nitric oxide
Authors: Coultrap Steven J. , Zaegel Vincent , Bayer K. Ulrich
Published: November 2014

The Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) mediates physiological and pathological functions by its Ca2+‐independent autonomous activity. Two novel mechanisms for generating CaMKII autonomy include oxidation and S‐nitrosylation, the latter requiring both Cys280 and Cys289 amino acid residues in the brain‐specific isoform CaMKIIα. Even though the other CaMKII isoforms have a different amino acid in the position homologous to Cys280, we show here that nitric oxide (NO)‐signaling generated autonomy also for the CaMKIIβ isoform. Furthermore, although oxidation of the Met280/281 residues is sufficient to generate autonomy for most CaMKII isoforms, oxidation‐induced autonomy was also prevented by a Cys289‐mutation in the CaMKIIα isoform. Thus, all CaMKII isoforms can be regulated by physiological NO‐signaling, but CaMKIIα regulation by oxidation and S‐nitrosylation is more stringent.
Human ficolin‐2 recognition versatility extended: An update on the binding of ficolin‐2 to sulfated/phosphated carbohydrates
Authors: Laffly Emmanuelle , Lacroix Monique , Martin Lydie , Vassal-Stermann Emilie , Thielens Nicole M. , Gaboriaud Christine
Published: November 2014

Ficolin‐2 has been reported to bind to DNA and heparin, but the mechanism involved has not been thoroughly investigated. X‐ray studies of the ficolin‐2 fibrinogen‐like domain in complex with several new ligands now show that sulfate and phosphate groups are prone to bind to the S3 binding site of the protein. Composed of Arg132, Asp133, Thr136 and Lys221, the S3 site was previously shown to mainly bind N‐acetyl groups. Furthermore, DNA and heparin compete for binding to ficolin‐2. Mutagenesis studies reveal that Arg132, and to a lesser extent Asp133, are important for this binding property. The versatility of the S3 site in binding N‐acetyl, sulfate and phosphate groups is discussed through comparisons with homologous fibrinogen‐like recognition proteins.
Pairing community health workers with HPV self‐sampling for cervical cancer prevention in rural Haiti
Authors: Mandigo Morgan , Frett Brigitte , Laurent Jean Robert , Bishop Ian , Raymondville Maxi , Marsh Sarah , Kobetz Erin
Published: November 2014

Objective

To assess a program in which community health workers (CHWs) provided women with self‐sampling devices to detect high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV).

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, 13 CHWs visited homes in a rural area in Haiti's Central Plateau to recruit premenopausal women aged 30–50 years between July 2009 and April 2010. Eligible women had not undergone a cervical smear in the previous 3 years. Participants learned about cervical cancer and self‐sampling for HPV testing before using a self‐sampler in private. They then completed a questionnaire. CHWs later returned to provide results and advice about follow‐up care.

Results

CHWs enrolled 493 women. Among the 485 women for whom questionnaires were received, 468 (96.5%) were comfortable using the self‐sampler and 484 (99.8%) stated they would recommend it to others. Among 426 analyzed samples, 54 (12.7%) were positive for high‐risk HPV, of whom 46 (85.2%) received follow‐up care and 17 (31.5%) had precursor lesions and were treated.

Conclusion

Using a CHW‐led intervention, women at high risk for developing cervical cancer were identified and navigated to preventive care. Therefore, pairing CHWs with HPV self‐sampling is a promising strategy to combat cervical cancer in rural Haiti and similar settings.
The Sales Velocity Effect on Retailing
Authors: Ho Edward , Kowatsch Tobias , Ilic Alexander
Published: November 2014

In an increasingly crowded marketplace, retailers need innovative ways of promoting products to their consumers. E-commerce retailers have utilized to great effect lists of top ranked products to promote product sales; the higher the sales rank, the more likely consumers buy that product. This influence to buy, based on observing what others bought is known as observational learning (OL). Prior OL research assumed that OL arises from observing a static outcome, such as the current sales rank of a product. However, prior research on intertemporal choice showed that people prefer outcomes with increasing trends over stable or decreasing trends. This suggests that observing an increasing sales rank, denoted as sales velocity, would have a positive effect on purchase likelihood. We conducted three studies to test the sales velocity effect. Results show that sales velocity has a significant effect on likelihood of purchases, reversing even participant preferences for a product with a higher sales rank. This effect is consistent across four broad products tested. For researchers, by joining the two previously disparate branches of research in OL and intertemporal choice, we addressed a gap in OL research which previously ignored the velocity dimension of OL. For retailers, the study demonstrated the impact of the sales velocity metric on making choices, and thus they could use sales velocity data as a cost-effective marketing tool for specific products.
Equivalence classes of codimension-one cut-and-project nets
Authors: HAYNES ALAN
Published: November 2014

We prove that in any totally irrational cut-and-project setup with codimension (internal space dimension) one, it is possible to choose sections (windows) in non-trivial ways so that the resulting sets are bounded displacement equivalent to lattices. Our proof demonstrates that for any irrational ${\it\alpha}$, regardless of Diophantine type, there is a collection of intervals in $\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}$ which is closed under translation, contains intervals of arbitrarily small length, and along which the discrepancy of the sequence $\{n{\it\alpha}\}$ is bounded above uniformly by a constant.
A pinned or free-floating rigid plate on a thin viscous film
Authors: Trinh Philippe H. , Wilson Stephen K. , Stone Howard A.
Published: November 2014

A pinned or free-floating rigid plate lying on the free surface of a thin film of viscous fluid, which itself lies on top of a horizontal substrate that is moving to the right at a constant speed is considered. The focus of the present work is to describe how the competing effects of the speed of the substrate, surface tension, viscosity, and, in the case of a pinned plate, the prescribed pressure in the reservoir of fluid at its upstream end, determine the possible equilibrium positions of the plate, the free surface, and the flow within the film. The present problems are of interest both in their own right as paradigms for a range of fluid–structure interaction problems in which viscosity and surface tension both play an important role, and as a first step towards the study of elastic effects.
Transition through Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities in a breaking internal lee wave
Authors: Yakovenko Sergey N. , Thomas T. Glyn , Castro Ian P.
Published: November 2014

Results of direct numerical simulations of the transitional processes that characterise the evolution of a breaking internal gravity wave to a fully developed and essentially steady turbulent patch are presented. The stationary lee wave was forced by the imposition of an appropriate bottom boundary shape within a density-stratified domain having a uniform upstream velocity and density gradient, and with the ratio of momentum to thermal (or other) diffusivity defined by$\mathit{Pr}=1$. An earlier paper considered the eventual, fully developed turbulent patch arising after the breaking process is complete (Yakovenkoet al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 677, 2011, pp. 103–133); the focus in this paper is on the instabilities in the breaking process itself. The flow is analysed using streamlines, density contours and temporal and spatial spectra, as well as second moments of the velocity and density fluctuations, for a Reynolds number of 4000 based on the height of the bottom topography and the upstream velocity. The computations (on a grid using in excess of$10^{9}$mesh points) yielded sufficient resolution to capture the fine-scale transition processes as well as the subsequent fully developed turbulence discussed earlier. It is shown that the major instability is of Rayleigh–Taylor type (RTI) with a resulting mixing region depth growing in a manner consistent with more classical RTI studies, despite the much more complicated environment. The resolution was sufficient to capture secondary Kelvin–Helmholtz-type instabilities on the developing RTI structures. Overall evolution towards the fully turbulent state characterised by a significant region of$-\frac{5}{3}$subrange in both velocity and density spectra is very rapid. It is much faster than the long time scale characterising the subsequent evolution of the turbulent patch; this latter time scale is sufficiently large that the turbulent patch can itself be viewed as essentially steady.
Discussion of ‘The Triassic U–Pb age for the aquatic long-necked protorosaur of Guizhou, China’
Authors: Liu J.
Published: November 2014

First, I would like to congratulate Wang et al. (2014) for their important work on the dating of the Panxian fauna, a Triassic fossil Lagerstätte that has produced many exquisitely preserved marine reptiles (Motani et al. 2008) and that marks the full recovery of the marine ecosystem (Jiang et al. 2009) following the Permian–Triassic marine mass extinction (PTME). Papers by Wang et al. (2014) and alike are especially welcomed by vertebrate palaeontologists since they provide precise dating results for some of the most important vertebrate fossils in the world, such as the bizarre protorosaur Dinocephalosaurus orientalis (Li, Rieppel & LaBarbera, 2004) and the earliest marine archosaur Qianosuchus mixtus (Li et al. 2006). This related topic is also interesting because of the very recent debate about the timing of recovery from the PTME, the largest biodiversity crash during the Phanerozoic, from the predators’ perspective (Chen & Benton, 2012; Scheyer et al. 2014).
See-in: A case of lexically-governed, non-clausal predication
Authors: HAZOUT ILAN
Published: November 2014

Thesee-inconstruction, exemplified in sentences likeJohn sees/finds in Mary his best friendinvolves a relation of predication between the DPsMaryandhis best friend. It provides evidence against the hypothesis that predication relations are established uniformly within the syntactic context of clausal structure. The empirical facts show that [in Mary] and [his best friend] in this example are both complements ofsee/find. It follows thatMaryandhis best friendcould not possibly be syntactically related as the subject and predicate of a clause, despite the fact that they are engaged in a semantic relation of predication.
Ampharetidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from Japan. Part III: the genusAmphicteisGrube, 1850 and closely related genera
Authors: Reuscher Michael G. , Fiege Dieter , Imajima Minoru
Published: November 2014

In the third paper about Ampharetidae from Japan, we describe six species that belong to the ‘Amphicteisgenus complex’. We divide this complex into the generaAmphicteisGrube, 1850,ParamphicteisCaullery, 1944,PhyllamphicteisAugener, 1918 andWatatsumigen. nov.Paramphicteisis considered senior synonym ofPseudoamphicteisHutchings, 1977 and is characterized by pinnate buccal tentacles.Watatsumigen. nov. with its type speciesWatatsumi grubeisp. nov. is characterized by the lack of prostomial glandular ridges, the presence of pinnate buccal tentacles, and inconspicuous nuchal ridges. Two of theAmphicteisspecies are new to science, includingA. spinosasp. nov. andA. taurussp. nov.Paramphicteis weberi(Caullery, 1944) comb. nov. was transferred fromAmphicteisbecause we found pinnate buccal tentacles in addition to four pairs of foliose branchiae.Paramphicteis foliata(Haswell, 1883) comb. nov. was transferred fromPhyllamphicteisbecause it has pinnate buccal tentacles.Amphicteis uncopaleaChamberlin, 1919 andParamphicteis angustifolia(Grube, 1878) are newly recorded from Japanese waters.Amphicteis orphniusChamberlin, 1919 is considered senior synonym ofA. obscuriorChamberlin, 1919. A comprehensive table with diagnostic characters of all species of theAmphicteiscomplex with pinnate buccal tentacles is provided.
Non-invasive genetic identification confirms the presence of the Endangered okapi Okapia johnstoni south-west of the Congo River
Authors: Stanton David W. G. , Hart John , Vosper Ashley , Kümpel Noëlle F. , Wang Jinliang , Ewen John G. , Bruford Michael W.
Published: November 2014

The okapi Okapia johnstoni, a rainforest giraffid endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo, was recategorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2013. Historical records and anecdotal reports suggest that a disjunct population of okapi may have occurred south-west of the Congo River but the current distribution and status of the okapi in this region are not well known. Here we describe the use of non-invasive genetic identification for this species and assess the success of species identification from dung in the wild, which varied throughout the range. This variation is probably attributable to varying okapi population densities and/or different sample collection strategies across the okapi's distribution. Okapi were confirmed to occur south-west of the Congo River, in scattered localities west of the Lomami River. We demonstrated that non-invasive genetic methods can provide information on the distribution of cryptic, uncommon species that is difficult to obtain by other methods. Further investigation is required to genetically characterize the okapi across its range and to investigate the biogeographical processes that have led to the observed distribution of okapi and other fauna in the region.
The role and status of English in Turkish higher education
Authors: Arik Beril T. , Arik Engin
Published: November 2014

Kachru's (1992) Eccentric Circles framework has been very influential in understanding and explaining trends in the unprecedented spread of English around the world. However, so far the research within the World Englishes paradigm has focused mostly on Inner and Outer Circle countries and their English varieties (Seidlhofer, 2009), rather than Expanding Circle countries. While Expanding Circle countries in Asia (e.g. Chang, 2006) or parts of the European Union (e.g. Coleman, 2006) have been gaining increasing attention in recent years, Expanding Circle countries like Turkey have not been examined to the same degree. Notable exceptions include Doğançay-Aktuna (1998), Büyükkantarcı (2004), and Selvi (2011), which we summarize below. As in many Expanding Circle countries, the spread of English has not been equally distributed in all domains of life in Turkey. For example, little is known in the field regarding English in the higher education context compared with other domains, such as language policy, business, or media, both in Turkey and in other Expanding Circle countries. We address this issue through this study.
The nativization of English in the Korean context: Uncharted territory for World Englishes
Authors: Rüdiger Sofia
Published: November 2014

In recent years it has become increasingly popular to study Englishes in countries traditionally belonging to the Expanding Circle of World Englishes, such as China (see e.g. He & Li, 2009), Russia (see e.g. Davydova, 2012) or the Netherlands (Edwards, 2010, 2011). South Korea (henceforth Korea) belongs to the Expanding Circle as well, which means that English has the official status of a foreign language. Active use of English among Koreans themselves is limited but English has a very prestigious status in Korean society. In the following discussion, the sociolinguistic situation in Korea will be introduced, with a special focus on the status of English. Using data from a pilot corpus, I will argue for the development of several patterns of Koreanized English which seem to be partly influenced by the Korean language but are also possible results of the language learning process in general and idiosyncratic features.
Back to basics: Cracking a nut in using English indefinite articles
Authors: Yang Ping
Published: November 2014

This paper is focused on basic English language knowledge and skills by looking at the circumstances in which English indefinite article, either ‘a’ or ‘an’, is selectively used with authentic examples cited from a few widely read Australian newspapers. Three fundamental elements of a language consist of its pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar in language teaching terms (phonetics, lexicology and syntax are respectively used in linguistic terms). These terms are used in this discussion which is oriented to general ESL (English as a Second Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) users. The fact is that most of them tend to pay less attention to pronunciation than to vocabulary or grammar, and approach these fundamental language elements in isolation rather than reflect on their connections. To address this issue, the author shows that pronunciation and grammar are connected and that it is important to get back to basics in language learning through investigating distinctions between two indefinite articles. There are four reasons for this investigation. First, examination of their distinctions in context crosses over the knowledge boundary between pronunciation and grammar. Making connection and association between the two language elements helps ESL/EFL learners develop analytical skills and enables reflective learning experience (Brockbank & McGill, 2007).
Having fun with words while taking them seriously
Authors: Rajagopalan Kanavillil
Published: November 2014

This is the third edition, revised and updated as well as greatly embellished with a number of additional attractive features, of a book first published in 2005. This fact alone speaks volumes for the book's immense popularity amongst its target readership primarily composed of students with no specialist knowledge about its subject matter. As part of the series “Oxford Textbooks in Linguistics,” of which there already are over a score of widely appreciated titles on the market, the book is true to the stated objective of the series which is to cater to “second and third-year undergraduate, and postgraduate university students” who “have completed a first-year introductory course in general linguistics.”
Cognitive Vulnerabilities for Depression and Anxiety in Childhood: Specificity of Anxiety Sensitivity and Rumination
Authors: Brown Hannah M. , Meiser-Stedman Richard , Woods Harriet , Lester Kathryn J.
Published: November 2014

Background: Childhood anxiety and depression frequently co-occur. Exploring specificity in cognitive processes for anxiety and depression in childhood can provide insight into cognitive vulnerabilities contributing to the development of anxiety and depressive disorders and inform targeted psychological interventions. Anxiety sensitivity and rumination are robust cognitive vulnerabilities for anxiety and depression, respectively. However, despite conceptual similarities, they are rarely considered together within a single study. Aims: The current study explored specific and shared associations between anxiety sensitivity subscales and rumination and anxiety and depressive symptoms in unselected children. Method: Multiple regression analyses explored to what extent specific self-reported anxiety sensitivity subscales (physical, social and mental concerns) and rumination predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms in 147 unselected children, aged 7–11 years. Results: Physical and social concern subscales of anxiety sensitivity were specifically associated with anxiety, whilst rumination was specifically associated with depressive symptoms. The mental concerns subscale of anxiety sensitivity was independently associated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. These associations were only partially mediated by rumination. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression in young people are characterized by specific and shared cognitions. Evidence for shared and specific associations between the cognitive vulnerabilities of anxiety sensitivity and rumination, and anxiety and depression highlight the utility of transdiagnostic research and confirm that cognitive therapies may benefit from targeting cognitive concerns relating specifically to the patient's presenting symptoms.