bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solid phase extraction of Pb(ii) and Cd(ii) ions based on murexide functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with the aid of experimental design methodology
Authors: Asgharinezhad Ali Akbar , Rezvani Mehdi , Ebrahimzadeh Homeira , Shekari Nafiseh , Ahmadinasab Nazanin , Loni Masood
Published: November 2015

A schematic model for modifying Fe3O4 nanoparticles with Mu.
Efficient and synergetic DNA delivery with pyridinium amphiphiles–gold nanoparticle composite systems having different packing parameters
Authors: Kizewski Adrian , Ilies Marc A.
Published: November 2015

Mixtures of highly curved pyridinium-decorated Au nanoparticles and standard pyridinium cationic lipids efficiently and synergetically transfected DNA in vitro, while displaying good cytotoxic profile.
Modulation of the coordination environment: a convenient approach to tailor magnetic anisotropy in seven coordinate Co(ii) complexes
Authors: Dey Mamon , Dutta Snigdha , Sarma Bipul , Deka Ramesh Ch. , Gogoi Nayanmoni
Published: November 2015

Subtle modulation of the coordination environment in seven coordinate Co(ii) complexes leads to a remarkable deviation in the axial zero field splitting parameter (D) in a predictable fashion.
Direct heptafluoroisopropylation of arylboronic acids via hexafluoropropene (HFP)
Authors: Li Yajun , Wang Xiaojun , Guo Yuwei , Zhu Zhentong , Wu Yongming , Gong Yuefa
Published: November 2015

A novel and straightforward strategy for heptafluoroisopropylation of arylboronic acids under mild reaction conditions has been developed, directly using hexafluoropropene (HFP). This method provides a new way to synthesize a variety of synthetically useful heptafluoroisopropylated arenes. No extra oxidant was used in this reaction.
Unexpected isocyanide-based three-component bicyclization for the stereoselective synthesis of densely functionalized pyrano[3,4-c]pyrroles
Authors: Gao Qian , Hao Wen-Juan , Liu Feng , Tu Shu-Jiang , Wang Shu-Liang , Li Guigen , Jiang Bo
Published: November 2015

A novel three-component bicyclization strategy for the efficient synthesis of densely functionalized pyrano[3,4-c]pyrroles has been established from readily accessible 3-aroylacrylic acids, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and isocyanides.
A theoretical study into a trans-dioxo MnV porphyrin complex that does not follow the oxygen rebound mechanism in C–H bond activation reactions
Authors: Cho Kyung-Bin , Nam Wonwoo
Published: November 2015

The C–H activation reaction by a trans-dioxo MnV porphyrin species was studied theoretically to show that multi-state reactivity may play a role in H-atom abstraction, followed by the dissociation of the substrate radical rather than a rebound reaction.
Interaction of nucleobases with silicon doped and defective silicon doped graphene and optical properties
Authors: Mudedla Sathish Kumar , Balamurugan Kanagasabai , Kamaraj Manoharan , Subramanian Venkatesan
Published: November 2015

The interaction of nucleobases (NBs) with the surface of silicon doped graphene (SiGr) and defective silicon doped graphene (dSiGr) has been studied using electronic structure methods.
Single molecule microscopy and spectroscopy: concluding remarks
Authors: van Hulst Niek F.
Published: November 2015

Chemistry is all about molecules: control, synthesis, interaction and reaction of molecules. All too easily on a blackboard, one draws molecules, their structures and dynamics, to create an insightful picture. The dream is to see these molecules in reality. This is exactly what “Single Molecule Detection” provides: a look at molecules in action at ambient conditions; a breakthrough technology in chemistry, physics and biology. Within the realms of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Faraday Discussion on “Single Molecule Microscopy and Spectroscopy” was a very appropriate topic for presentation, deliberation and debate. Undoubtedly, the Faraday Discussions have a splendid reputation in stimulating scientific debates along the traditions set by Michael Faraday. Interestingly, back in the 1830's, Faraday himself pursued an experiment that led to the idea that atoms in a compound were joined by an electrical component. He placed two opposite electrodes in a solution of water containing a dissolved compound, and observed that one of the elements of the compound accumulated on one electrode, while the other was deposited on the opposite electrode. Although Faraday was deeply opposed to atomism, he had to recognize that electrical forces were responsible for the joining of atoms. Probably a direct view on the atoms or molecules in his experiment would have convinced him. As such, Michael Faraday might have liked the gathering at Burlington House in September 2015 (Fig. 1). Surely, with the questioning eyes of his bust on the 1stfloor corridor, the non-believer Michael Faraday has incited each passer-by to enter into discussion and search for deeper answers at the level of single molecules. In these concluding remarks, highlights of the presented papers and discussions are summarized, complemented by a conclusion on future perspectives.The Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House in London. The entrance and the stained glass window on the stairway towards the first floor corridor where one finds the bronze bust representing Michael Faraday, protagonist of the early-day lively scientific discussions, which have inspired the “Faraday Discussions”.
Formation of hybrid core–shell microgels induced by autonomous unidirectional migration of nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Jianying , Song Kai , Wang Lei , Liu Yijing , Liu Ben , Zhu Jintao , Xie Xiaolin , Nie Zhihong
Published: November 2015

A facile and unconventional strategy has been developed for the fabrication of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs)-loaded hybrid core–shell microgels. The formation of core–shell microgels constitutes a novel mechanism in which the ionic crosslinking of charged polymers (e.g., alginate) drives the unidirectional migration of NPs towards the center of droplets.
Naphthyl “capped” triazole-linked calix[4]arene hosts as fluorescent chemosensors towards Fe3+and Hg2+: an experimental and DFT computational study
Authors: Rahman Shofiur , Assiri Yousif , Alodhayb Abdullah N. , Beaulieu Luc Y. , Oraby Ahmed K. , Georghiou Paris E.
Published: November 2015

The metal binding properties of four new “capped” 1,2,3-triazole linked receptors6a–dare reported.
Solid electron acceptor effect on biocatalyst activity in treating azo dye based wastewater
Authors: Sreelatha S. , Velvizhi G. , Reddy C. Nagendranatha , Modestra J. Annie , Mohan S. Venkata
Published: November 2015

Schematic representation of (a) BET, (b) AnT and (c) abiotic-control operations along with the electron flux mechanism occurring in presence and absence of electrode assembly.
Ni/SBA-15 catalysts for CO methanation: effects of V, Ce, and Zr promoters
Authors: Li Haidong , Ren Jun , Qin Xiang , Qin Zhifeng , Lin Jianying , Li Zhong
Published: November 2015

The addition of promoter species to 10Ni/SBA-15 catalysts is of significant importance for the CO methanation reaction.
Role of surface defects on visible light enabled plasmonic photocatalysis in Au–ZnO nanocatalysts
Authors: Bora T. , Myint M. T. Z. , Al-Harthi S. H. , Dutta J.
Published: November 2015

Visible light photocatalytic activity of the plasmonic gold–zinc oxide (Au–ZnO) nanorods (NRs) is investigated with respect to the surface defects of the ZnO NRs, controlled by annealing the NRs in ambient at different temperatures.
A new microporous layer material to improve the performance and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
Authors: Jiang Yongyi , Hao Jinkai , Hou Ming , Zhang Hongjie , Li Xiaojin , Shao Zhigang , Yi Baolian
Published: November 2015

Antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) modified by N-doped carbon coating has the good electrochemical durability and compromise conductivity, exhibiting a better cell performance as a microporous layer for PEMFC.
N- and S-doped mesoporous carbon as metal-free cathode catalysts for direct biorenewable alcohol fuel cells
Authors: Qiu Yang , Huo Jiajie , Jia Fan , Shanks Brent. H. , Li Wenzhen
Published: November 2015

N and S dual-doped carbon materials, N-S-CMK-3, are fabricated with >1000 m2 g−1 surface area and uniform mesoporous and macroporous structures, and exhibit outstanding ORR activity and durability in both half cell and direct biorenewable alcohol fuel cell tests.
Ethical Challenges: Less About Moral Wrongdoing and More About Communication Breakdown
Authors: Leslie Paula , Casper Mary
Published: November 2015

“My patient refuses thickened liquids, should I discharge them from my caseload?” A version of this question appears at least weekly on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Community pages. People talk of respecting the patient's right to be non-compliant with speech-language pathology recommendations. We challenge use of the word “respect” and calling a patient “non-compliant” in the same sentence: does use of the latter term preclude the former?

In this article we will share our reflections on why we are interested in these so called “ethical challenges” from a personal case level to what our professional duty requires of us. Our proposal is that the problems that we encounter are less to do with ethical or moral puzzles and usually due to inadequate communication. We will outline resources that clinicians may use to support their work from what seems to be a straightforward case to those that are mired in complexity. And we will tackle fears and facts regarding litigation and the law.
An ultrafast electron microscope gun driven by two-photon photoemission from a nanotip cathode
Authors: Bormann Reiner , Strauch Stefanie , Schäfer Sascha , Ropers Claus
Published: November 2015

We experimentally and numerically investigate the performance of an advanced ultrafast electron source, based on two-photon photoemission from a tungsten needle cathode incorporated in an electron microscope gun geometry. Emission properties are characterized as a function of the electrostatic gun settings, and operating conditions leading to laser-triggered electron beams of very low emittance (below 20 nm mrad) are identified. The results highlight the excellent suitability of optically driven nano-cathodes for the further development of ultrafast transmission electron microscopy.
Simulation of multipactor on the rectangular grooved dielectric surface
Authors: Cai Libing , Wang Jianguo , Cheng Guoxin , Zhu Xiangqin , Xia Hongfu
Published: November 2015

Multipactor discharge on the rectangular grooved dielectric surface is simulated self-consistently by using a two-and-a-half dimensional (2.5 D) electrostatic particle-in-cell (PIC) code. Compared with the electromagnetic PIC code, the former can give much more accurate solution for the space charge field caused by the multipactor electrons and the deposited surface charge. According to the rectangular groove width and height, the multipactor can be divided into four models, the spatial distributions of the multipactor electrons and the space charge fields are presented for these models. It shows that the rectangular groove in different models gives very different suppression effect on the multipactor, effective and efficient suppression on the multipactor can only be reached with a proper groove size.
A whole cloud of culture condensed into a drop of semantics
Authors: Wierzbicka Anna
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates the meaning and use of the German wordHerras a form of address, in a historical and cross-linguistic perspective. The paper argues that despite their apparent insignificance, generic titles used daily across Europe, and in all the parts of the world to which European languages have travelled, can reveal complex and intricate webs of cultural assumptions, attitudes, and values, as well as how these assumptions, attitudes, and values change across time and space. Terms of address available for everyday use in a particular language can provide keys to the inmost recesses of the speakers’ cultural and mental worlds. But if we are to use these keys effectively, we need some basic locksmith skills. Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) semantics, with its stock of primes and molecules and its mini-grammar for combining these into semantic texts, provides both the necessary tools and the necessary techniques. It allows us to practice semantic microanalysis with rigor and accountability, while at the same time exploring big questions of values, history, and culture. There has been an upsurge of interest in nominal terms of address in recent years, but as illustrated by the rich and valuable recent volumeS’adresser à autrui(2014), edited by Catherine Kerbrat-Orecchioni, research of this kind focuses on frequencies, forms, and functions, with virtually no mention of meaning — as if basic titles such asMonsieurandMadame,SignoreandSignora, orHerrandFrauhad no meaning at all. As a result, while formal and functional aspects are carefully examined, the secrets hidden in the meanings of such words (and in their semantic evolution) escape scholars’ attention. To uncover these secrets and to bring to light their cultural significance, we need an appropriate methodology. By putting the German wordHerrunder the microscope, this paper demonstrates that NSM is a methodology that allows it to be done in illuminating and empirically verifiable ways.
Visible emission spectroscopy of highly charged tungsten ions in LHD: II. Evaluation of tungsten ion temperature
Authors: Fujii K , Takahashi Y , Nakai Y , Kato D , Goto M , Morita S , Hasuo M
Published: November 2015

We demonstrated a polarization-resolved high resolution spectroscopy of a visible emission line of highly charged tungsten ions (λ
0 = 668.899 nm, Shinohara et al Phys. Scr.

90 125402) for the large helical device (LHD) plasma, where the tungsten ions were introduced by a pellet injection. Its spectral profile shows broadening and polarization dependence, which are attributed to the Doppler and Zeeman effects, respectively. The tungsten ion temperature was evaluated for the first time from the broadening of visible the emission line, with its emission location determined by the Abel inversion of the chord-integrated emission intensities observed with multiple chords. The tungsten ion temperature was found to be close to the helium-like argon ion temperature, which is used as an ion temperature monitor in LHD.
Expansivity for measures on uniform spaces
Authors: Morales C. , Sirvent V.
Published: November 2015

We define positively expansive and expansive measures on uniform spaces extending the analogous concepts on metric spaces. We show that such measures can exist for measurable or bimeasurable maps on compact non-Hausdorff uniform spaces. We prove that positively expansive probability measures on Lindelöf spaces are non-atomic and their corresponding maps eventually aperiodic. We prove that the stable classes of measurable maps have measure zero with respect to any positively expansive invariant measure. In addition, any measurable set where a measurable map in a Lindelöf uniform space is Lyapunov stable has measure zero with respect to any positively expansive inner regular measure. We conclude that the set of sinks of any bimeasurable map with canonical coordinates of a Lindelöf space has zero measure with respect to any positively expansive inner regular measure. Finally, we show that every measurable subset of points with converging semiorbits of a bimeasurable map on a separable uniform space has zero measure with respect to every expansive outer regular measure. These results generalize those found in works by Arbieto and Morales and by Reddy and Robertson.
Shape component analysis: structure-preserving dimension reduction on biological shape spaces
Authors: Lee Hao-Chih , Liao Tao , Zhang Yongjie Jessica , Yang Ge
Published: November 2015

Motivation: Quantitative shape analysis is required by a wide range of biological studies across diverse scales, ranging from molecules to cells and organisms. In particular, high-throughput and systems-level studies of biological structures and functions have started to produce large volumes of complex high-dimensional shape data. Analysis and understanding of high-dimensional biological shape data require dimension-reduction techniques.

Results: We have developed a technique for non-linear dimension reduction of 2D and 3D biological shape representations on their Riemannian spaces. A key feature of this technique is that it preserves distances between different shapes in an embedded low-dimensional shape space. We demonstrate an application of this technique by combining it with non-linear mean-shift clustering on the Riemannian spaces for unsupervised clustering of shapes of cellular organelles and proteins.

Availability and implementation: Source code and data for reproducing results of this article are freely available at https://github.com/ccdlcmu/shape_component_analysis_Matlab. The implementation was made in MATLAB and supported on MS Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

Contact:  geyang@andrew.cmu.edu
TESS: an R package for efficiently simulating phylogenetic trees and performing Bayesian inference of lineage diversification rates
Authors: Höhna Sebastian , May Michael R. , Moore Brian R.
Published: November 2015

Summary: Many fundamental questions in evolutionary biology entail estimating rates of lineage diversification (speciation–extinction) that are modeled using birth–death branching processes. We leverage recent advances in branching-process theory to develop a flexible Bayesian framework for specifying diversification models—where rates are constant, vary continuously, or change episodically through time—and implement numerical methods to estimate parameters of these models from molecular phylogenies, even when species sampling is incomplete. We enable both statistical inference and efficient simulation under these models. We also provide robust methods for comparing the relative and absolute fit of competing branching-process models to a given tree, thereby providing rigorous tests of biological hypotheses regarding patterns and processes of lineage diversification.

Availability and implementation: The source code for TESS is freely available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/TESS/.

Contact:  Sebastian.Hoehna@gmail.com
Use of Placebo in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Turner Dan , Koletzko Sibylle , Griffiths Anne M. , Hyams Jeffrey , Dubinsky Marla , de Ridder Lissy , Escher Johanna , Lionetti Paolo , Cucchiara Salvatore , Lentze Michael J. , Koletzko Berthold , van Rheenen Patrick , Russell Richard K. , Mack David , Veereman Gigi , Vermeire Séverine , Ruemmele Frank
Published: November 2015

Performing well‐designed and ethical trials in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is a priority to support optimal therapy and reduce the unacceptable long lag between adult and pediatric drug approval. Recently, clinical trials in children have been incorporating placebo arms into their protocols under conditions that created controversy. Therefore, 4 organizations (the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; European Crohn's and Colitis Organization; the Canadian Children IBD Network; and the Global Pediatric IBD Network) jointly provide a statement on the role of placebo in pediatric IBD trials. Consensus was achieved by 94 of 100 (94%) voting committees’ members that placebo should only be used if there is genuine equipoise between the active treatment and placebo; for example, this may be considered in trials of drugs with new mechanisms of action without existing adult data, especially when proven effective alternatives do not exist outside the trial. Placebo may also be used in situations where it is an “add‐on” to an effective therapy or to evaluate exit‐strategies of maintenance therapy after long‐term deep remission. It has been, however, agreed that no child enrolled in a trial should receive a known inferior treatment both within and outside the trial. This also includes withholding therapy in children who show clinical response after a short induction therapy. Given the similarity between pediatric and adult IBD regarding pathophysiology and response to treatments, drugs generally cannot be considered being in genuine equipoise with placebo if it has proven efficacy in adults. Continued collaboration of all stakeholders is needed to facilitate drug development and evaluation in pediatric IBD.
Decreased Expression of Enterocyte Nutrient Assimilation Genes and Proteins in the Small Intestine of Cystic Fibrosis Mouse
Authors: De Lisle Robert C.
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has major effects on the intestinal tract with potential consequences on nutrition, but these are not fully understood. I investigated the possibility of altered enterocyte maturation in CF, as suggested by decreased enterocyte nutrient assimilation gene expression in published transcriptome analysis of the small intestine of CF mouse.

Methods:

In CF and wild‐type (WT) mice, enterocyte gene/protein expression was analyzed by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. One group of mice was maintained on a control liquid diet; to manipulate the gut microbiota, a second group was treated with oral antibiotics; to improve hydration of the gut lumen, a third group was given a laxative drinking solution.

Results:

On the control diet in the CF intestine, there were decreased levels (67%–85% reduction of WT levels) of enterocyte genes/proteins. Antibiotics did not normalize the expression of enterocyte markers in the CF mouse. In contrast, the laxative treatment of CF mice significantly increased expression to near WT levels.

Conclusions:

These studies suggest that the environment of the CF intestinal lumen plays a role in reduced maturation of enterocytes. Because changing the gut lumen environment can affect enterocyte maturation, this is not a cell‐autonomous effect of loss of CF transmembrane conductance regulator.
Endoscopic Versus Histological Disease Extent at Presentation of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Ashton James J. , Coelho Tracy , Ennis Sarah , Vadgama Bhumita , Batra Akshay , Afzal Nadeem A. , Beattie R. Mark
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

The Paris classification (PC) of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease categorises disease extent and therefore affects treatment decisions. Histological (microscopic) disease extent is not incorporated, and endoscopic (macroscopic) findings may underrepresent disease extent when compared with histological findings; this study compares disease extent at presentation.

Methods:

Data were obtained of patients <17 years of age diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease from 2010 to 2013 at University Hospital Southampton. Data are presented as percentage of patients undergoing endoscopy. PC was performed alongside a modified PC by histological disease location.

Results:

A total of 172 patients were identified (median age at diagnosis 13.5 years, 115 boys); Crohn disease (CD) 107, ulcerative colitis (UC) 50, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU) 15; 159 had undergone upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, 163 had undergone lower GI endoscopy. Histological disease was more extensive at all points for CD, UC, and IBDU. CD—endoscopic ileal disease in 49% of patients compared with histological disease in 71.3%. Comparing PC—a 10% increase in L3 disease (ileocolonic), a 24% increase in L3 + L4a disease (ileocolonic plus upper GI), and a 27% increase in all of the upper GI involvement if histological disease extent was used. UC—the most common disease location was the rectum (endoscopic 91.5% vs histological 93.6%) and descending colon (endoscopic 89.4% vs histological 95.7%). Comparing PC—a 19% increase in E4 disease (pancolitis) if histological disease extent was used.

Conclusions:

These data confirm that histological disease extent is greater than endoscopic disease extent. This should be considered when the PC is used. Further study is needed to elucidate which classification would better predict disease outcome.
Dynamical state of the network determines the efficacy of single neuron properties in shaping the network activity
Authors: Sahasranamam Ajith , Vlachos Ioannis , Aertsen Ad , Kumar Arvind
Published: November 2015

Spike patterns are among the most common electrophysiological descriptors of neuron types. Surprisingly, it is not clear how the diversity in firing patterns of the neurons in a network affects its activity dynamics. Here, we introduce the state-dependent stochastic bursting neuron model allowing for a change in its firing patterns independent of changes in its input-output firing rate relationship. Using this model, we show that the effect of single neuron spiking on the network dynamics is contingent on the network activity state. While spike bursting can both generate and disrupt oscillations, these patterns are ineffective in large regions of the network state space in changing the network activity qualitatively. Finally, we show that when single-neuron properties are made dependent on the population activity, a hysteresis like dynamics emerges. This novel phenomenon has important implications for determining the network response to time-varying inputs and for the network sensitivity at different operating points.
On characterizing membrane protein clusters withmodel-freespatial correlation approaches
Authors: Shivanandan Arun , Unnikrishnan Jayakrishnan , Radenovic Aleksandra
Published: November 2015

Spatial aggregation or clustering of membrane proteins could be important for their functionality, e.g., in signaling, and nanoscale imaging can be used to study its origins, structure and function. Such studies require accurate characterization of clusters, both for absolute quantification and hypothesis testing. A set ofmodel-freequantification approaches —freeof specific cluster models— have been proposed for this purpose. They include the radius of maximal aggregationraobtained from the maxima of the empirical BesagL(r) –rfunction as an estimator of cluster size, and the estimation of various cluster parameters based on an exponential approximation for the Pair Correlation Function(PCF). However, the parameter identifiability and bias and scaling due to theirmodel-freenature are not clear. In practice, the clusters might exhibit specific patterns, and the behavior of these estimators in such cases must be studied. Here, we theoretically analyze these approaches for a set of cluster models, and obtain information about their identifiability and bias. We find that theratiobetweenraand true cluster size depends on both the true size as well as the number of clusters per unit area, or other corresponding parameters, in a model-dependent manner. In particular,rascales with respect to the true size by a factor that can be arbitrarily large, depending on models and parameter values. For the method based on PCF approximation, for most models we analyzed, the ratios between approximate and true model parameters were found to be constants that depend only on models and independent of other parameters. For the models analyzed, this ratio was within ±100%. Our theoretical approach was validated by means of simulations. We also discuss some general issues in inference using second-order spatial properties. While precision could also be key, such information on identifiability and accuracy provides clarity on estimation, can lead to better inference, and can also fuel more accurate method development.
CALML5 is a ZNF750- and TINCR-induced protein that binds stratifin to regulate epidermal differentiation
Authors: Sun Bryan K. , Boxer Lisa D. , Ransohoff Julia D. , Siprashvili Zurab , Qu Kun , Lopez-Pajares Vanessa , Hollmig S. Tyler , Khavari Paul A.
Published: November 2015

Outward migration of epidermal progenitors occurs with induction of hundreds of differentiation genes, but the identities of all regulators required for this process are unknown. We used laser capture microdissection followed by RNA sequencing to identify calmodulin-like 5 (CALML5) as the most enriched gene in differentiating outer epidermis. CALML5 mRNA was up-regulated by the ZNF750 transcription factor and then stabilized by the long noncoding RNA TINCR. CALML5 knockout impaired differentiation, abolished keratohyalin granules, and disrupted epidermal barrier function. Mass spectrometry identified SFN (stratifin/14-3-3σ) as a CALML5-binding protein. CALML5 interacts with SFN in suprabasal epidermis, cocontrols 13% of late differentiation genes, and modulates interaction of SFN to some of its binding partners. A ZNF750–TINCR–CALML5–SFN network is thus essential for epidermal differentiation.
A new route for the synthesis of phosphate esters: 2,2′-[benzene-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]bis(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane) 2,2′-dioxide
Authors: Said Musa A. , Ali Adeeb Al-Sheikh , Hughes David L.
Published: November 2015

Podand-type ligands are an interesting class of acyclic ligands which can form host–guest complexes with many transition metals and can undergo conformational changes. Organic phosphates are components of many biological molecules. A new route for the synthesis of phosphate esters with a retained six-membered ring has been used to prepare 2,2′-[benzene-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]bis(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane) 2,2′-dioxide, C6H4{O[cyclo-P(O)OCH2CMe2CH2O]}2or C16H24O8P2, (1), 2-[(2′-hydroxybiphenyl-2-yl)oxy]-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane 2-oxide, [cyclo-P(O)OCH2CMe2CH2O](2,2′-OC6H4–C6H4OH), (2), and oxybis(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane) 2,2′-dioxide, O[cyclo-P(O)OCH2CMe2CH2O]2, (3). Compound (1) is novel, whereas the results for compounds (2) and (3) have been reported previously, but we record here our results for compound (3), which we find are more precise and accurate than those currently reported in the literature. In (1), twocyclo-P(O)OCH2CMe2CH2O groups are linked through a catechol group. The conformations about the two catechol O atoms are quite different,viz.one C—C—O—P torsion angle is −169.11 (11)° and indicates atransarrangement, whereas the other C—C—O—P torsion angle is 92.48 (16)°, showing agaucheconformation. Both six-membered POCCCO rings have good chair-shape conformations. In both thetransandgaucheconformations, the catechol O atoms are in the axial sites and the short P=O bonds are equatorially bound.
Monitoring earnings management in emerging markets
Authors: Hessayri Manel , Saihi Malek
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption complements corporate governance factors (e.g. ownership structure) in monitoring managers’ discretional behavior in an emerging market context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper relies on a sample of listed companies in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, South Africa and the Philippines during an eight-year period on average (four years of pre-adoption period and four years of post-adoption period).

Findings

– The authors find no evidence of lower earnings management after the switch to IFRS reporting, suggesting that managerial discretional behavior is insensitive to a firm’s IFRS adoption. However, the authors document effective monitoring role of a firm’s ownership structure on earnings management. More interestingly, institutional investors are effective in constraining earnings management when holding a high level of ownership. Moreover, the effect of blockholders and institutional blockholders varies as their ownership rises following a non-linear pattern.

Research limitations/implications

– First, the assumption that discretionary accruals are adequate measure of earnings management may be criticized in different ways. Second, the findings, performed on listed companies in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, South Africa and the Philippines, should be interpreted with caution and cannot be generalized to all emerging market countries.

Practical implications

– Standards setters and market authorities should be aware of earnings management determinants to set adequate and fitting accounting standards limiting opportunistic behavior of managers and mainly to set up training programs to accounting professionals improving the IFRS implementation. Moreover, considering specific features of firms in emerging market countries related to ownership structure, international investors may rely on such criteria to evaluate firms. Finally, auditors should be aware of different incentives for earnings management in order to be able to detect eventual manipulation of accounting earnings.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a timely contribution to the continuous debate of the effect of IFRS adoption on earnings management in a poorly exploited setting, emerging market context. When investigating, additionally, the eventual non-linear effect of institutional ownership, block ownership, institutional block ownership and non-institutional block ownership on earnings management, a major contribution is that it brings to light the finding of a differential influence of ownership levels on earnings management.
Recommending research articles using citation data
Authors: Vellino Andre
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical comparison between the recommendations generated by a citation-based recommender for research articles in a digital library with those produced by a user-based recommender (ExLibris “bX”).

Design/methodology/approach

– For these computer experiments 9,453 articles were randomly selected from among 6.6 M articles in a digital library as starting points for generating recommendations. The same seed articles were used to generate recommendations in both recommender systems and the resulting recommendations were compared according to the “semantic distance” between the seed articles and the recommended ones, the coverage of the recommendations and the spread in publication dates between the seed and the resulting recommendations.

Findings

– Out of the 9,453 test runs, the recommendation coverage was 30 per cent for the user-based recommender vs 24 per cent for the citation-based one. Only 12 per cent of seed articles produced recommendations with both recommenders and none of the recommended articles were the same. Both recommenders yielded recommendations with about the same semantic distance between the seed article and the recommended articles. The average differences between the publication dates of the recommended articles and the seed articles is dramatically greater for the citation-based recommender (+7.6 years) compared with the forward-looking user-based recommender.

Originality/value

– This paper reports on the only known empirical comparison between the Ex Librix “bX” recommendation system and a citation-based collaborative recommendation system. It extends prior preliminary findings with a larger data set and with an analysis of the publication dates of recommendations for each system.
College cops: a study of education and policing in California
Authors: Gardiner Christie
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the state of police education in California. There is limited national data on the topic and this study aims to improve our knowledge by studying the state with the highest number of law enforcement officers in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 162 local law enforcement agencies (police and sheriffs’ departments) in California completed a 32-question electronic survey about police education and training.

Findings

– Findings reveal that California agencies are more likely than agencies nationwide to offer incentives to encourage officers to pursue higher education. Although most departments require only a high school diploma, 35 percent of sworn officers are college graduates. Most college-educated officers are employed by medium and large sized agencies in urban counties which pay above-average salaries.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper demonstrates how the prevalence of educated police officers varies and that higher education requirements do not adversely affect the hiring of female officers. It also provides insight from police managers regarding their concerns about requiring a four-year degree and perceptions of whether college-educated officers are actually better officers than non-college-educated officers.

Practical implications

– Research findings may be instructive to police managers wanting to increase the number of sworn officers in their agency who hold a college degree.

Originality/value

– It adds to the literature by describing the education level of police officers in California and providing information about the educational requirements and incentives offered to officers by law enforcement agencies. No previous study has addressed this topic, even though California employs 12 percent of all sworn peace officers in the USA.
What police leaders learned from “Lincoln on leadership”
Authors: Vito Anthony G. , Vito Gennaro F.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– One of the most popular texts on his subject, Donald T. Phillips’ Lincoln on Leadership – Executive Strategies for Tough Times, offers a superb examination of the President’s views on how to lead an organization. The purpose of this paper is to outline Lincoln’s leadership principles (15 chapters, 126 principles), illustrated and supported by 14 stories that narrated by Lincoln himself. This analysis is based upon papers submitted by police managers who analyzed Lincoln on Leadership that considered his examples through the lenses of their personal and professional experiences in policing. These police managers attended the Administrative Officer’s Course at the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. In their assignment, these students identified three principles and three stories they felt were most significant to police leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a content analysis of police student responses to questions about Lincoln on Leadership.

Findings

– These police leaders made specific reference to the following leadership methods as practiced by Lincoln. It is best to get out among the troops from time to time to show your support, make direct observations and get relevant information about conditions and experiences. Honesty and integrity are crucial foundations for leadership that are irreplaceable. Give credit where credit is due. It is one of the best ways to establish credibility and loyalty. Sometimes leaders must do things they would rather not do but it is best to handle things quickly before disaster results. Yet, it is also often best to avoid conflict and difficulties when you can so you do not create problems for yourself – if there is another acceptable way to get the job done. When something needs to be done, leaders do not wait for others to do it for them. They strike when the time is right and the situation demands it.

Research limitations/implications

– These respondents represent a non-random, convenience sample and may not represent the population of police managers. These officers are selected by their departments to attend the AOC. Thus, they are interested in career development and their views may not be typical of the population of police managers.

Practical implications

– The research findings support leadership conclusions in the research literature on leadership in general and police leadership in particular.

Social implications

– The findings indicate that these police leaders are open to the use of methods that would be more acceptable to the community and members of the police organization.

Originality/value

– The study provides a glimpse into the views of police leaders and the methods that they endorse.
Pharmacogenomics of preterm birth prevention and treatment
Authors: Manuck TA
Published: November 2015

Pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine incorporate genetic factors, historical data, and environmental exposures to predict individual variation in response to medications. The study of pharmacology and pharmacogenomics is challenging in obstetrics, and our knowledge in this area lags behind other disciplines of medicine. Some preliminary data, however, suggest that some of the interindividual variation seen in response to medications given for the prevention (progesterone) and the treatment (nifedipine, terbutaline, and others) of preterm labour may be caused by pharmacogenomic effects. A comprehensive approach, integrating clinical data, environmental factors, including concomitant medications and genotype, to optimise the prevention and treatment strategies for preterm birth, is urgently needed.

Tweetable abstract

Some of the variation to meds for prematurity prevention/treatment may arise from pharmacogenomic effects.
Systematic review of psychological and social outcomes of adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery, and predictors of success
Authors: White B. , Doyle J. , Colville S. , Nicholls D. , Viner R. M. , Christie D.
Published: November 2015

The psychological and social outcomes of bariatric surgery in adolescents, together with psychological and social predictors of success, were systematically reviewed. PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and PsychInfo were searched on July 2014. Existing data were sparse; 15 were suitable for qualitative review and six for meta‐analysis (four quality of life [QOL], two depression). One study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 139 subjects underwent Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, 202 underwent adjustable gastric band and 64 underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Overall QOL improved after bariatric surgery, regardless of surgical type with peak improvement at 6–12 months. Meta‐analysis of four studies showed changed in overall QOL at latest follow‐up of 2.80 standard deviation (SD) (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–4.37). Depression improved across all studies, regardless of procedure (effect size −0.47 SD [95% CI −0.76, −0.18] at 4–6 months). Two cohorts reported changes in both overall QOL and depression following a quadratic trajectory, with overall improvement over 2 years and deterioration in the second post‐operative year. There were limited data on other psychological and social outcomes. There were insufficient data on psychosocial predictors of outcome to form evidence‐based recommendations for patient selection for bariatric surgery at this time.
Variation in sperm morphology among Afrotropical sunbirds
Authors: Omotoriogun Taiwo C. , Laskemoen Terje , Rowe Melissah , Albrecht Tomáš , Bowie Rauri C. K. , Sedláček Ondřej , Hořák David , Ottosson Ulf , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: November 2015

Birds show considerable variation in sperm morphology. Closely related species and subspecies can show diagnostic differences in sperm size. There is also variation in sperm size among males within a population, and recent evidence from passerine birds suggests that the coefficient of inter‐male variation in sperm length is negatively associated with the level of sperm competition. Here we examined patterns of inter‐ and intra‐specific variation in sperm length in 12 species of sunbird (Nectariniidae) from Nigeria and Cameroon, a group for which such information is extremely limited. We found significant variation among species in sperm total length, with mean values ranging from 74 μm to 116 μm, placing these species within the short to medium sperm length range for passerine birds. Most of this variation was explained by the length of the midpiece, which contains the fused mitochondria and is an important structure for sperm energetics. Relative midpiece length was negatively correlated with the coefficient of inter‐male variation in sperm total length across species, suggesting that sperm competition may have selected for greater midpiece length in this group. We also mapped sperm lengths onto a time‐calibrated phylogeny and found support for a phylogenetic signal in all sperm length components, except head length. A test of various evolutionary or tree transformation models gave strongest support for the Brownian motion model for all sperm components, i.e. divergences were best predicted by the phylogenetic distance between lineages. The coefficients of inter‐male variation in sperm total length indicate that sperm competition is high but variable among sunbird species, as is the case with passerine birds at large.
Can they do it? Comparing the views of pharmacists and technicians to the introduction of an advanced technician role†
Authors: Napier Patti , Norris Pauline , Green James , Braund Rhiannon
Published: November 2015

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the opinions of pharmacists and technicians regarding the ability of New Zealand technicians to take on an advanced checking technician role.

Methods

A survey was developed to investigate the opinions regarding the introduction of this new role. The questions covered are: perceived ability to take on the role, training requirements and competence. Surveys were sent to pharmacists whose contact details are available for research purposes (n = 2095) and to all pharmacies in New Zealand (both community and hospital) for the attention of technicians (n = 858). The results were analysed using IBM SPSS and thematic analysis of comments was conducted.

Key findings

A total of 1221 surveys were returned (pharmacists = 736 and technicians = 485). The majority of the technicians (83%) believed that ‘some’ technicians could work in a CT role, compared with 73% of the pharmacists. Over two-thirds (69%) of the technicians felt comfortable checking a prescription at their current level of training compared with 53% of pharmacists. Both groups' comfort increased with further specific training for the technicians.

Conclusions

The majority of both of these groups supported the change in roles. Pharmacists were less confident that technicians could take on this role now, but were more comfortable after extra training had been completed. The technicians, however, were confident they could take on this role now but would take on extra training if needed.
Exploration and practice of methods and processes of evidence‐based rapid review on peer review of WHO EML application
Authors: Li Youping , Yu Jiajie , Du Liang , Sun Xin , Kwong Joey S.W. , Wu Bin , Hu Zhiqiang , Lu Jing , Xu Ting , Zhang Lingli
Published: November 2015

Objective

After 38 years of development, the procedure of selection and evaluation of the World Health Organization Essential Medicine List (WHO EML) is increasingly scientific and formal. However, peer review for the applications of World Health Organization Essential Medicine List is always required in a short period. It is necessary to build up a set of methods and processes for rapid review.

Method

We identified the process of evidenced‐based rapid review on WHO EML application for peer reviews according to 11 items which were required during reporting of the peer review results of the proposals.

Results

The most important items for the rapid review of World Health Organization Essential Medicine List peer reviewers are (1) to confirm the requirements and identify the purposes; (2) to establish the research questions and translate the questions into the ‘Participants, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, Study design’ (PICOS) format; (3) to search and screen available evidence, for which high‐level evidence is preferred, such as systematic reviews or meta‐analyses, health technology assessment, clinical guidelines; (4) to extract data, where we extract primary information based on the purposes; (5) to synthesize data by qualitative methods, assess the quality of evidence, and compare the results; (6) to provide the answers to the applications, quality of evidences and strength of recommendations.

Conclusions

Our study established a set of methods and processes for the rapid review of World Health Organization Essential Medicine List peer review, and our findings were used to guide the reviewers to fulfill the 19th World Health Organization Essential Medicine List peer review. The methods and processes were feasible and met the necessary requirements in terms of time and quality. Continuous improvement and evaluation in practice are warranted.