bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of norcoclaurine‐6‐O‐methyltransferase, a key rate‐limiting step in the synthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
Authors: Robin Adeline Y. , Giustini Cécile , Graindorge Matthieu , Matringe Michel , Dumas Renaud
Published: May 2016

Growing pharmaceutical interest in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) coupled with their chemical complexity make metabolic engineering of microbes to create alternative platforms of production an increasingly attractive proposition. However, precise knowledge of rate‐limiting enzymes and negative feedback inhibition by end‐products of BIA metabolism is of paramount importance for this emerging field of synthetic biology. In this work we report the structural characterization of (S)‐norcoclaurine‐6‐O‐methyltransferase (6OMT), a key rate‐limiting step enzyme involved in the synthesis of reticuline, the final intermediate to be shared between the different end‐products of BIA metabolism, such as morphine, papaverine, berberine and sanguinarine. Four different crystal structures of the enzyme from Thalictrum flavum (Tf 6OMT) were solved: the apoenzyme, the complex with S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine (SAH), the complexe with SAH and the substrate and the complex with SAH and a feedback inhibitor, sanguinarine. The Tf 6OMT structural study provides a molecular understanding of its substrate specificity, active site structure and reaction mechanism. This study also clarifies the inhibition of Tf 6OMT by previously suggested feedback inhibitors. It reveals its high and time‐dependent sensitivity toward sanguinarine.
Detection of erythroblast antibodies in mitogen‐stimulated bone marrow cultures from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Zaninoni Anna , Imperiali Francesca G. , Cattaneo Alessandra , Soverini Giulia , Binda Francesca , Porretti Laura , Cortelezzi Agostino , Barcellini Wilma
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Low‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) show several immunologic abnormalities, including increased frequency of autoimmune manifestations and/or overt autoimmune diseases, whose prognostic significance still remains controversial.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied the presence of erythroblast antibodies in mitogen‐stimulated bone marrow (BM) cultures of 70 patients with early‐stage MDS (refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts).

RESULTS

Sixty‐six percent of patients showed positive erythroblast antibodies, along with BM erythroid hyperplasia and a hemolytic picture in the peripheral blood. Supernatants from positive cultures induced an increase of overall cellularity, the appearance of erythroblastic clustering, and dyserythropoietic signs in normal BM. We identified CD45dimGly‐AdimCD71bright cells (red blood cell precursors at different maturation stage) as the target of the antibodies. Erythropoietin (EPO) levels were reduced and EPO receptors (EPO‐R) increased in BM culture supernatants from positive patients. However, flow cytometric analysis showed that neither EPO nor EPO‐R was involved in an abnormal stimulation driven by these autoantibodies. Values of the proapoptotic protein Bax were increased in positive patients and Bcl‐2 levels were decreased, although not significantly.

CONCLUSION

MDS patients with anti‐erythroblast autoimmunity showed increased BM apoptosis, suggesting that the autoimmune reaction may contribute to an unfavorable BM microenvironment for optimal erythropoiesis.
Complete Coding Sequences of Six Toscana Virus Strains Isolated from Human Patients in France
Authors: Baklouti Amal , Leparc-Goffart Isabelle , Piorkowski Geraldine , Coutard Bruno , Papageorgiou Nicolas , De Lamballerie Xavier , Charrel Rémi N.
Published: May 2016

Toscana virus (TOSV) is an arthropod-borne phlebovirus belonging to the
Sandfly fever Naples virus
species (genus
Phlebovirus
, family
Bunyaviridae
). Here, we report the complete coding sequences of six TOSV strains isolated from human patients having acquired the infection in southeastern France during a 12-year period.
Increasing compliance with low tidal volume ventilation in the ICU with two nudge-based interventions: evaluation through intervention time-series analyses
Authors: Bourdeaux Christopher P , Thomas Matthew JC , Gould Timothy H , Malhotra Gaurav , Jarvstad Andreas , Jones Timothy , Gilchrist Iain D
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Low tidal volume (TVe) ventilation improves outcomes for ventilated patients, and the majority of clinicians state they implement it. Unfortunately, most patients never receive low TVes. ‘Nudges’ influence decision-making with subtle cognitive mechanisms and are effective in many contexts. There have been few studies examining their impact on clinical decision-making. We investigated the impact of 2 interventions designed using principles from behavioural science on the deployment of low TVe ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Setting

University Hospitals Bristol, a tertiary, mixed medical and surgical ICU with 20 beds, admitting over 1300 patients per year.

Participants

Data were collected from 2144 consecutive patients receiving controlled mechanical ventilation for more than 1 hour between October 2010 and September 2014. Patients on controlled mechanical ventilation for more than 20 hours were included in the final analysis.

Interventions

(1) Default ventilator settings were adjusted to comply with low TVe targets from the initiation of ventilation unless actively changed by a clinician. (2) A large dashboard was deployed displaying TVes in the format mL/kg ideal body weight (IBW) with alerts when TVes were excessive.

Primary outcome measure

TVe in mL/kg IBW.

Findings

TVe was significantly lower in the defaults group. In the dashboard intervention, TVe fell more quickly and by a greater amount after a TVe of 8 mL/kg IBW was breached when compared with controls. This effect improved in each subsequent year for 3 years.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that adjustment of default ventilator settings and a dashboard with alerts for excessive TVe can significantly influence clinical decision-making. This offers a promising strategy to improve compliance with low TVe ventilation, and suggests that using insights from behavioural science has potential to improve the translation of evidence into practice.
Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling for identifying unusual and unstable trends in mammography utilisation
Authors: Duncan Earl W , White Nicole M , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To compare two Bayesian models capable of identifying unusual and unstable temporal patterns in spatiotemporal data.

Setting

Annual counts of mammography screening users from each statistical local area (SLA) in Brisbane, Australia, recorded between 1997 and 2008 inclusive.

Primary outcome measures

Mammography screening counts.

Results

The temporal trends of 91 SLAs (58%) were dissimilar from the overall common temporal trend. SLAs that followed the common temporal trend also tended to have stable temporal trends. SLAs with unstable temporal trends tended to be situated farther from the city and farther from mammography screening facilities.

Conclusions

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of the two models in identifying unusual and unstable temporal trends, and the synergy obtained when both models are applied to the same data set. An analysis of these models has provided interesting insights into the temporal trends of mammography screening counts and has shown several possible avenues for further research, such as extending the models to allow for multiple common temporal trends and accounting for additional spatiotemporal heterogeneity.
Effectiveness of a biopsychosocial e-learning intervention on the clinical judgements of medical students and GP trainees regarding future risk of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Dwyer Christopher P , Durand Hannah , MacNeela Pádraig , Reynolds Bronagh , Hamm Robert M , Main Christopher J , O'Connor Laura L , Conneely Sinéad , Taheny Darragh , Slattery Brian W , O'Neill Ciaran , NicGabhainn Saoirse , Murphy Andrew W , Kropmans Thomas , McGuire Brian E
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a major healthcare problem with wide ranging effects. It is a priority for appropriate management of CLBP to get individuals back to work as early as possible. Interventions that identify biopsychosocial barriers to recovery have been observed to lead to successfully reduced pain-related work absences and increased return to work for individuals with CLBP. Modern conceptualisations of pain adopt a biopsychosocial approach, such as the flags approach. Biopsychosocial perspectives have been applied to judgements about future adjustment, recovery from pain and risk of long-term disability; and provide a helpful model for understanding the importance of contextual interactions between psychosocial and biological variables in the experience of pain. Medical students and general practitioner (GP) trainees are important groups to target with education about biopsychosocial conceptualisations of pain and related clinical implications.

Aim

The current study will compare the effects of an e-learning intervention that focuses on a biopsychosocial model of pain, on the clinical judgements of medical students and trainees.

Methods and analysis

Medical student and GP trainee participants will be randomised to 1 of 2 study conditions: (1) a 20 min e-learning intervention focused on the fundamentals of the flags approach to clinical judgement-making regarding risk of future pain-related disability; compared with a (2) wait-list control group on judgement accuracy and weighting (ie, primary outcomes); flags approach knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards pain, judgement speed and empathy (ie, secondary outcomes). Participants will be assessed at preintervention and postintervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will be performed in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and is approved by the National University of Ireland Galway Research Ethics Committee. The results of the trial will be published according to the CONSORT statement and will be presented at conferences and reported in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN53670726; Pre-results.
Higher order derivatives of bulk modulus of materials at infinite pressure
Authors: Dwivedi A.
Published: May 2016

Pressure derivatives of bulk modulus of materials at infinite pressure or extreme compression have been studied using some basic principles of calculus. Expressions for higher order pressure derivatives at infinite pressure are obtained that are found to have the status of identities. A generalized formula is derived for the nth-order pressure derivative of bulk modulus in terms of the third-order Grüneisen parameter at infinite pressure.
Preparation, characterization and electrochromic properties of composite thin films incorporation of polyaniline
Authors: Farasat Mahshid , Golzan M. Maqsood , Farhadi Khalil , Shojaei S. H. Reza , Gheisvandi Sorayya
Published: May 2016

Two different electrochromic composite films consisting of aniline/sodium molybdate (S1) and aniline/ferric nitrate (S2) were obtained by electrochemical polymerization method on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates in oxalic acid (H2C2O[Formula: see text]2H2O) aqueous solution. The electrochromic properties of the resulting thin films were investigated by spectroelectrochemical measurement and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Under a square electrical potential, they show capacitive current characteristic and represent electrochromic performance, with maximum optical attenuations ([Formula: see text]%) of 30.8% at 355[Formula: see text]nm and 28.3% at 400[Formula: see text]nm for aniline/ferric nitrate and aniline/sodium molybdate thin films, respectively. Optical behavior of thin films was examined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry technique. The doped films indicated multiple color changes (yellow; green; and bluish green). The spectra also showed that produced layers have high absorption of UV radiation with respect to pure polyaniline (PANI) films. The optical band gap energy of PANI film decreased by dopant injection. Due to their decent transparency and electrochromic behavior, they are promising materials for electrochromic devices.
Maps, immersions and permutations
Authors: Coquereaux Robert , Zuber Jean-Bernard
Published: May 2016

We consider the problem of counting and of listing topologically inequivalent “planar” 4-valent maps with a single component and a given number [Formula: see text] of vertices. This enables us to count and to tabulate immersions of a circle in a sphere (spherical curves), extending results by Arnold and followers. Different options, where the circle and/or the sphere are/is oriented are considered in turn, following Arnold’s classification of the different types of symmetries. We also consider the case of bicolorable and bicolored maps or immersions, where faces are bicolored. Our method extends to immersions of a circle in a higher genus Riemann surface. There the bicolorability is no longer automatic and has to be assumed. We thus have two separate countings in nonzero genus, that of bicolorable maps and that of general maps. We use a classical method of encoding maps in terms of permutations, on which the constraints of “one-componentness” and of a given genus may be applied. Depending on the orientation issue and on the bicolorability assumption, permutations for a map with [Formula: see text] vertices live in [Formula: see text] or in [Formula: see text]. In a nutshell, our method reduces to the counting (or listing) of orbits of certain subset of [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]), under the action of the centralizer of a certain element of [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]). This is achieved either by appealing to a formula by Frobenius or by a direct enumeration of these orbits. Applications to knot theory are briefly mentioned.
The Volterra–Lyapunov matrix theory for global stability analysis of a model of the HIV/AIDS
Authors: Zahedi Moosarreza Shamsyeh , Kargar Narges Shayegh
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we analyze a nonlinear mathematical model of the HIV/AIDS and screening of unaware infectives on the transmission dynamics of the disease in a homogeneous population with constant immigration of susceptibles incorporating use of condom, screening of unaware infectives and treatment of the infected. We consider constant controls and thereafter by incorporating the theory of Volterra–Lyapunov stable matrices into the classical method of Lyapunov functions, we present an approach for global stability analysis of HIV/AIDS. The analysis and results presented in this paper make building blocks toward a comprehensive study and deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanism in HIV/AIDS. A numerical study of the model is also carried out to investigate the analytical results.
Diverse, Biologically Relevant, and Targetable Gene Rearrangements in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Other Malignancies
Authors: Shaver Timothy M. , Lehmann Brian D. , Beeler J. Scott , Li Chung-I , Li Zhu , Jin Hailing , Stricker Thomas P. , Shyr Yu , Pietenpol Jennifer A.
Published: May 2016

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other molecularly heterogeneous malignancies present a significant clinical challenge due to a lack of high-frequency “driver” alterations amenable to therapeutic intervention. These cancers often exhibit genomic instability, resulting in chromosomal rearrangements that affect the structure and expression of protein-coding genes. However, identification of these rearrangements remains technically challenging. Using a newly developed approach that quantitatively predicts gene rearrangements in tumor-derived genetic material, we identified and characterized a novel oncogenic fusion involving the MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) and discovered a clinical occurrence and cell line model of the targetable FGFR3–TACC3 fusion in TNBC. Expanding our analysis to other malignancies, we identified a diverse array of novel and known hybrid transcripts, including rearrangements between noncoding regions and clinically relevant genes such as ALK, CSF1R, and CD274/PD-L1. The over 1,000 genetic alterations we identified highlight the importance of considering noncoding gene rearrangement partners, and the targetable gene fusions identified in TNBC demonstrate the need to advance gene fusion detection for molecularly heterogeneous cancers. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4850–60. ©2016 AACR.
СТАН ПНЕВМАТИЧНОЇ СИСТЕМИ СЕРЕДНЬОГО ВУХА У ХВОРИХ НА АЛЕРГІЧНІ РИНІТИ
Authors: Крук М. М.
Published: May 2016

Метою роботи було визначити стан пневматичної системи середнього вуха у хворих на інтермітуючий і персистуючий алергічний риніт для виявлення імовірних отологічні змін. У процесі виконання праці обстежено 138 осіб. З них хворі на інтермітуючий алергічний риніт (Іар) – 56 осіб та пацієнти із персистуючим алергічним ринітом (Пар) – 82 особи. Об’єм пневматизації ретротимпанального простору визначали за допомогою комп’ютерної томографії та програми Intage Realia.
МОРФОЛОГІЧНІ ЗМІНИ ТКАНИН ПЕЧІНКИ ПРИ МОДЕЛЮВАННІ ТЯЖКОЇ ТРАВМИ НА ФОНІ ОТРУЄННЯ СОЛЯМИ МІДІ Й ЦИНКУ
Authors: Копач О. Є.
Published: May 2016

При отруєнні солями важких металів на фоні тяж-кої  травми  на  1  добу  експерименту  спостерігали  наростання дистрофічно-некротичних змін, низьку регенераторну активність та прогресуючу жирову дистрофію. На 3 добу наростали структурні зміни, порушення балково-радіальної організації, виражена білкова дистрофія та вогнищеві некрози. На 7 добу експерименту формувався виражений жировий гепатоз переважно перипортальних  сегментів  часточок.  Дистрофічно-некротичні  зміни  в гепатоцитах переважали по всій величині частки.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СЕНСОМОТОРНИХ РЕАКЦІЙ У ШКОЛЯРІВ ЗІ СЛУХОВОЮ ДЕПРИВАЦІЄЮ
Authors: Кліщ М. І. , Вадзюк С. Н.
Published: May 2016

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СЕНСОМОТОРНИХ РЕАКЦІЙ У ШКОЛЯРІВ ЗІ СЛУХОВОЮ ДЕПРИВАЦІЄЮ

У статті наведено результа-
ти дослідження простої і складної зорово-моторних реакцій у школярів різних вікових періодів із нейросенсорною депривацією. Показано, що латентний період простої зорово-моторної реакції в школярів середнього і старшого віку з порушеннями слуху достовірно не відрізнявся від контрольної групи. Час складної зорово-моторної реакції у осіб шкільного віку з нейросенсорною депривацією був достовірно вищим, ніж у здорових школярів. Зроблено висновок, що у період від 7 до 17 років триває подальше формування нейродинамічних функцій, що проявляється у поліпшенні параметрів простих і складних сенсомоторних реакцій. більш високі значення латентних періодів
складних зорово-моторних реакцій у осіб із сенсоневральною приглухуватістю вказують на те, що у школярів з вадами слуху частіше спостерігається низька мобілізація швидкості перебігу аналітико-синтетичної діяльності.
Thailand's Long-Term Growth: Aspiration, Reality and Challenges
Authors: Sussangkarn Chalongphob , Nikomborirak Deunden
Published: May 2016

This paper discusses Thailand's long-term growth experiences and future challenges for driving growth. Good growth performance between 1960 and 1985, and the boom between 1985 and 1995, led to an aspiration for Thailand to become an advanced economy by 2020. This was completely derailed by the 1997 financial crisis. It took eight years for the economic overhang from the crisis to fully dissipate. Thailand then entered a period of political crisis, which has continued to the present. After 1997, the growth drivers changed substantially, with exports becoming the main growth driver and investment collapsing. Growth has been slower than before the financial crisis and Thailand is now one of the worse growth performers in ASEAN. Export is now less effective in driving growth and there is a need to revive investment as the future growth driver. There remain many challenges to Thailand's long-term growth. The paper suggests a number of policy directions to make investment effective as the future growth driver.
Does Social Capital Matter in the Location Decision of Foreign Direct Investment? Evidence from Korea
Authors: Choe Jong-Il , Lee Ki-Dong
Published: May 2016

Social capital refers to the stock of social relationships such as network, norms, and trust that facilitate both coordination and cooperation. Utilizing an extensive firm-level data set for 2006–10, this paper investigates the importance of social capital in conjunction with the conventional location factors that are known to influence the location decisions of multinational firms within Korea. Our nested logit estimates show that the “Trust and Norms” component of social capital has a stronger influence on locational decisions than does the “Social Network” component. That is, regions in Korea characterized by a high level of “Trust and Norms” attract more knowledge-based foreign direct investment (FDI) firms than those with lower levels of trust and norms. In addition, positive agglomeration externalities are more powerful in regions with a higher level of trust and norms. Another important result of our analysis is the discovery that the regions with high unemployment levels and union activities are less attractive to foreign investors. On the basis of the results we conclude that measures that strengthen the trust and norms component of social capital should be fostered along with traditional cost-saving policies, which are used to attract FDI in Korea.
Christian Calendars in Medieval Hebrew Manuscripts
Authors: Stern Sacha
Published: May 2016

The phenomenon of Christian calendars in Hebrew has largely been ignored in modern scholarship; yet it points to an important dimension of Jewish-Christian relations, and more specifically Jewish attitudes towards Christianity, in late medieval northern Europe. It is also evidence of transfer of religious knowledge between Christians and Jews, because the Hebrew texts closely replicate, in contents as well as in layout and presentation, the Latin liturgical calendars, which in many cases the Hebrew scribes must have used directly as base texts. Knowledge of the Christian calendar was essential to Jews for dating documents, especially (but not exclusively) those intended for Christians, for understanding dates in documents, for scheduling business or other meetings with Christians, and in short, for effectively coordinating their socio-economic activities with the rhythms and structure of Christian medieval life.
Luteoporia albomarginata gen. et sp. nov. (Meruliaceae, Basidiomycota) from tropical China
Authors: WU FANG , YUAN YUAN , CHEN JIA-JIA , HE SHUANG-HUI
Published: May 2016

Luteoporia is proposed as a new genus in Polyporales based on morphological characters and molecular data. The genus is typified by L. albomarginata sp. nov. which is characterized by an annual growth habit, resupinate basidiocarps with yellow pores, a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, tramal hyphae with swollen tips projecting out of hymenium, and hyaline, thin-walled, oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores. Phylogeny of L. albomarginata and its related species was inferred from ITS and nLSU rDNA sequences, and the genus belongs to the Meruliaceae.
Iris koyuncui (Iridaceae), a new species from Hakkâri province (Turkey) belonging to subgenus Scorpiris
Authors: FIRAT MEHMET
Published: May 2016

Iris koyuncui, a new species of subgenus Scorpiris, is described and illustrated from Hakkâri Province, Turkey. From the morphological point of view, Iris koyuncui appears to be similar to Iris pseudocaucasica Grossh., but from which it differs in several morphological features including plant height, leaf size/number and flower colour/size. A comprehensive description of this species is provided, including detailed illustrations and photographs, geographical distribution, habitat and ecology, vernacular name and IUCN conservation status.
Characterizing and Understanding Cloud Ice and Radiation Budget Biases in Global Climate Models and Reanalysis
Authors: Li J.-L. F. , Waliser D. E. , Stephens G. , Lee Seungwon
Published: May 2016

The authors present an observationally based evaluation of the vertically resolved cloud ice water content (CIWC) and vertically integrated cloud ice water path (CIWP) as well as radiative shortwave flux downward at the surface (RSDS), reflected shortwave (RSUT), and radiative longwave flux upward at top of atmosphere (RLUT) of present-day global climate models (GCMs), notably twentieth-century simulations from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), and compare these results to those of the third phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) and two recent reanalyses. Three different CloudSat and/or Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) combined ice water products and two methods are used to remove the contribution from the convective core ice mass and/or precipitating cloud hydrometeors with variable sizes and falling speeds so that a robust observational estimate can be obtained for model evaluations.

The results show that, for annual mean CIWC and CIWP, there are factors of 2–10 (either over- or underestimate) in the differences between observations and models for a majority of the GCMs and for a number of regions. Most of the GCMs in CMIP3 and CMIP5 significantly underestimate the total ice water mass because models only consider suspended cloud mass, ignoring falling and convective core cloud mass. For the annual means of RSDS, RLUT, and RSUT, a majority of the models have significant regional biases ranging from −30 to 30 W m−2. Based on these biases in the annual means, there is virtually no progress in the simulation fidelity of RSDS, RLUT, and RSUT fluxes from CMIP3 to CMIP5, even though there is about a 50% bias reduction improvement of global annual mean CIWP from CMIP3 to CMIP5. It is concluded that at least a part of these persistent biases stem from the common GCM practice of ignoring the effects of precipitating and/or convective core ice and liquid in their radiation calculations.
Psychotherapy with a language interpreter: considerations and cautions for practice
Authors: Hunt Xanthe , Swartz Leslie
Published: May 2016

We examine the extent to which psychotherapy can be successfully conducted with the aid of an interpreter. We propose that, even if we assume idealistic levels of training on the part of the interpreter and the therapist, and openness on the part of the client, there are still many challenges inherent in interpreter-assisted therapy. We focus on some of the characteristics common to client experiences of effective psychotherapy, as well as the characteristics and habits of effective therapists, and show how the insertion of an interpreter into the therapeutic relationship could affect both. Where the literature provides, we also note steps which could be taken to minimise the harmful impacts and maximise the positive contributions which the therapist–interpreter–client dynamic could yield. In South Africa, where informal interpreters play the invaluable role of facilitating essential communication between psychotherapists and their clients, it is imperative that informal interpreters, and clinicians working with interpreters, are aware of some of the complex issues at play in interpreted interactions. The issue of interpreting in mental health care is commonly addressed only in regard to the question of the competence of interpreters; we suggest that attitudinal and skill issues are equally important for clinicians. We conclude that successful therapy with an interpreter necessitates a consideration of the dynamic interaction between all parties involved.
Anger, legacies of violence, and group conflict: An experiment in post-riot Acre, Israel
Authors: Zeitzoff Thomas
Published: May 2016

Extant research hypothesizes that anger over past intergroup conflict serves as a catalyst for future conflict. However, few studies have experimentally tested this hypothesis on a representative sample in a high-stakes, field setting. I use a behavioral economics experiment to measure how anger over past conflict influences intergroup relations. Subjects were sampled proportional to population and ethnicity in Acre, Israel, a mixed city of Jews and Palestinian Citizens of Israel that experienced ethnic riots in 2008. The experiment randomly assigned subjects to an anger treatment about the riots or a neutral condition. Subjects then allocated income between themselves and three partners: one from their ingroup, one from their outgroup, and one whose identity was unclear. I find that priming anger over the riots did not increase discrimination. Rather, it reduced altruism to all groups, and this result was strongest for “high aggression” types. Qualitative information suggests that blame for the riots falls on both ingroup and outgroup members.
The Cycle of Violence Revisited: Childhood Victimization, Resilience, and Future Violence
Authors: Wright Kevin A. , Turanovic Jillian J. , O’Neal Eryn N. , Morse Stephanie J. , Booth Evan T.
Published: May 2016

The individual and social protective factors that help break the cycle of violence are examined. Specifically, this study investigates (a) the individual and social protective factors that reduce violent offending among previously victimized children, and (b) whether certain protective factors are more or less important depending on the type and frequency of childhood victimization experienced. Data on young adults from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health are used ( N = 13,116). Negative binomial regression models are estimated to examine the protective factors that promote resiliency to violent offending among individuals who reported being physically and sexually victimized as children. Results indicate that a number of individual and social protective factors reduce violent offending in young adulthood. With a few exceptions, these factors are specific to the type, frequency, and comorbidity of abuse experienced. The results suggest a number of promising approaches to break the cycle of violence among previously victimized children. Future research should move beyond explaining the cycle of violence to examine how the cycle may be broken.
The Development of Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Key Correlates Among a Sample of Young Adults
Authors: Copp Jennifer E. , Giordano Peggy C. , Longmore Monica A. , Manning Wendy D.
Published: May 2016

Social learning theory remains one of the leading explanations of intimate partner violence (IPV). Research on attitudes toward IPV represents a logical extension of the social learning tradition, as it is intuitive to expect that individuals exposed to violence in the family of origin may internalize behavioral scripts for violence and adopt attitudes accepting of IPV. Yet despite this assumed link between family violence and attitudes toward IPV, few studies have empirically examined factors associated with the development of such attitudes. Using data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationship Study (TARS), we examine the role of family violence on the adoption of attitudes accepting of IPV among a sample of young adults ( n = 928). The current investigation contributes to existing literature on attitudes toward IPV by (a) providing an empirical examination of factors associated with attitudes toward IPV in predictive models; (b) relying on a multifaceted index, describing specific conditions under which IPV may be deemed justifiable; (c) examining extra-familial factors, in addition to family violence exposure, to provide a more comprehensive account of factors associated with attitudes toward IPV; and (d) focusing particular attention on the role of gender, including whether the factors associated with attitudinal acceptance of IPV are similar for men and women. Findings indicated considerable variation in overall endorsement of attitudes regarding the use of violence across conditions, with greater endorsement among women. Consistent with social learning approaches to IPV, exposure to violence in the family of origin was associated with attitudes toward IPV. Yet findings also signaled the salience of factors beyond the family, including a range of sociodemographic, relationship, and adult status characteristics. We discuss the relevance of our findings for future theorizing and research in the area of attitudes toward IPV.
Necropolitics and the Migrant as a Political Subject of Disgust: The Precarious Everyday of Russia’s Labour Migrants
Authors: Round John , Kuznetsova Irina
Published: May 2016

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has positioned itself as a modernising country (re)built on the profits of its energy boom and the efforts of, currently, over four million labour migrants, the majority from Central Asia. Far too many migrants endure an extremely precarious everyday as they are forced to live in what this article describes as a citywide state of exception, within which legal frameworks protecting migrants are ignored or misinterpreted to the benefit of the market. Many migrants who desire ‘legality’ are forced into ‘illegality’ by their employers and landlords refusing to register their documents correctly, increasing their vulnerability. Such abuses are facilitated by the state construction of migrants as diseased and criminal, which in turn becomes embedded into cultural imaginations. Employing Mbembe’s theory of necropolitics, this paper theorises how these constructions position migrants as superfluous and that they can be ‘let to die’. The research demonstrates that migrants are simultaneously visible and invisible to the state; with the latter, the legal uncertainty denies migrants access to welfare and a voice within the city, but they are visible for exploitation both in terms of their labour and the political capital gained from their presence.
Occupational and Environmental Health Risks Associated with Informal Sector Activities—Selected Case Studies from West Africa
Authors: Basu Niladri , Ayelo Paul Ahoumènou , Djogbénou Luc S. , Kedoté Marius , Lawin Herve , Tohon Honesty , Oloruntoba Elizabeth O. , Adebisi Nurudeen A. , Cazabon Danielle , Fobil Julius , Robins Thomas , Fayomi Benjamin
Published: May 2016

Most in the Economic Community of West African States region are employed in the informal sector. While the informal sector plays a significant role in the region’s economy, policymakers and the scientific community have long neglected it. To better understand informal-sector work conditions, the goal here is to bring together researchers to exchange findings and catalyze dialogue. The article showcases research studies on several economic systems, namely agriculture, resource extraction, transportation, and trade/commerce. Site-specific cases are provided concerning occupational health risks within artisanal and small-scale gold mining, aggregate mining, gasoline trade, farming and pesticide applications, and electronic waste recycling. These cases emphasize the vastness of the informal sector and that the majority of work activities across the region remain poorly documented, and thus no data or knowledge is available to help improve conditions and formulate policies and programs to promote and ensure decent work conditions.
Cultivating a lesbiana seria identity
Authors: Acosta Katie L
Published: May 2016

Based on 22 in-depth interviews and 14 months of participant observation, this article explores collective identity among Latina lesbians who participate in a social group herein referred to as Latinas Unidas. It addresses the layers of belonging Latinas Unidas maintain according to sexual morality. The author notes that the sexually moral ( lesbiana seria) identity to which group members adhere allows them to resist dominant portrayals of themselves as hypersexual, promiscuous beings. Still, in developing this identity, Latinas Unidas members create a charmed circle around their group and distance themselves away from other sexually nonconforming women who do not uphold their values of sexual morality.
The Antimetastatic and Antiangiogenesis Effects of Kefir Water on Murine Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Zamberi Nur Rizi , Abu Nadiah , Mohamed Nurul Elyani , Nordin Noraini , Keong Yeap Swee , Beh Boon Kee , Zakaria Zuki Abu Bakar , Nik Abdul Rahman Nik Mohd Afizan , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu
Published: May 2016

Background. Kefir is a unique cultured product that contains beneficial probiotics. Kefir culture from other parts of the world exhibits numerous beneficial qualities such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and anticancer effects. Nevertheless, kefir cultures from different parts of the world exert different effects because of variation in culture conditions and media. Breast cancer is the leading cancer in women, and metastasis is the major cause of death associated with breast cancer. The antimetastatic and antiangiogenic effects of kefir water made from kefir grains cultured in Malaysia were studied in 4T1 breast cancer cells. Methods. 4T1 cancer cells were treated with kefir water in vitro to assess its antimigration and anti-invasion effects. BALB/c mice were injected with 4T1 cancer cells and treated orally with kefir water for 28 days. Results. Kefir water was cytotoxic toward 4T1 cells at IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) of 12.5 and 8.33 mg/mL for 48 and 72 hours, respectively. A significant reduction in tumor size and weight (0.9132 ± 0.219 g) and a substantial increase in helper T cells (5-fold) and cytotoxic T cells (7-fold) were observed in the kefir water–treated group. Proinflammatory and proangiogenic markers were significantly reduced in the kefir water–treated group. Conclusions. Kefir water inhibited tumor proliferation in vitro and in vivo mainly through cancer cell apoptosis, immunomodulation by stimulating T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells, and anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenesis effects. This study brought out the potential of the probiotic beverage kefir water in cancer treatment.
Post-translational modification profiling – A novel tool for mapping the protein modification landscape in cancer
Authors: Eisenberg-Lerner Avital , Ciechanover Aaron , Merbl Yifat
Published: May 2016

The ubiquitin system plays an important role in essentially every cellular process, regulating numerous pathways ranging from development, transcription, DNA damage response, cell cycle, and signal transduction. Its best studied role involves removal of faulty proteins or those that are not necessary anymore. Aberrations in the ubiquitin system have been implicated in various pathologies including cancer, where specific mutations in E3 ligases such as Mdm2, pVHL, and BRCA1 have been linked to disease progression, prognosis, and resistance to drugs. Yet, there are hundreds of E3 ligases in the human genome and our knowledge of their target proteins and their dynamic regulation in the cellular environment is largely limited. In addition, fundamental questions related to recognition and specificity in ubiquitin conjugation remain unanswered. It is thus of major importance to characterize the ubiquitin landscape under various cellular conditions, and study how the regulatory network is altered in health and disease. To do so, analytical tools that allow identification of ubiquitin substrates, the conjugation and removal of ubiquitin, and the nature of specific ubiquitin linkages that are formed are needed. In this mini-review, we discuss common proteomic methodologies applied to studying the ubiquitome, and specifically focus on our recently developed post-translational modification (PTM) profiling approach. PTM profiling is a functional assay, amenable to biochemical manipulation, which allows the detection of protein modifications in a high-throughput manner. We discuss in detail the advantages and limitations of this system, focusing primarily on examples for analyzing the ubiquitin system in cancer. Uncovering the intricate signaling dynamics governed by and regulating ubiquitin modifications should clearly evolve into a new paradigm in understanding the molecular basis of malignant transformation and the development of novel therapeutic modalities.
Learners’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Spaced Learning Schedule in L2 Vocabulary Learning
Authors: Lotfolahi Amir Reza , Salehi Hadi
Published: May 2016

The spacing effect is a ubiquitous phenomenon, whereby memory is enhanced for the information that is learned across different points in time rather than being learned at once. A considerable amount of research has focused on the nature of the spacing effect, and there is general acceptance that spacing learning events out in time promotes learning. However, fewer studies have been conducted in educational settings. The aim of this study is to explore learners’ perceptions of different spacing schedules (massed vs. spaced). To achieve the purpose of the study, we taught 30 children 24 English–Farsi word pairs utilizing different spacing schedules. Later, we administered a questionnaire to explore leaarners’ perceptions of both massed and spaced schedules. The results revealed that the children percieved spaced practice to be more effective than massed practice.
Virtual Mentoring and Persistence in STEM for Students With Disabilities
Authors: Gregg Noel , Galyardt April , Wolfe Gerri , Moon Nathan , Todd Robert
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual mentoring for enhancing the persistence of secondary and postsecondary students with disabilities engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. The student participants ( N = 189) were all engaged in STEM coursework and enrolled in a virtual-mentoring program for a span of 4 years. Persistence was measured with an online survey designed to evaluate growth across self-determination, self-advocacy, STEM aspirations, and self-efficacy (math and science). After participating in virtual-mentoring practices, the most significant improvement was demonstrated in students’ perception of self-determination and self-advocacy. Growth differences were identified across type of disability and race/ethnicity populations. Implications pertaining to STEM aspirations and self-efficacy were addressed.
Contribution of magnetic resonance soundings for characterizing water storage in the unsaturated zone of karst aquifers
Authors: Mazzilli Naomi , Boucher Marie , Chalikakis Konstantinos , Legchenko Anatoly , Jourde Hervé , Champollion Cédric
Published: May 2016

Understanding the role of the unsaturated zone in aquifer recharge and contaminant attenuation processes is a major challenge for the protection and management of karstic water resources. We present the potential of the magnetic resonance soundings (MRS) geophysical method for characterizing the vadose zone of karst aquifers composed of epikarst and infiltration layers. To investigate the hydraulic functioning of the Durzon karst system located on the Larzac plateau (southern France), we used the MRS method at 16 sites. The MRS results have been compared with available geologic information and to core water content measurements. The remarkable spatial variability of the MRS response observed in the study area makes it possible to determine ranges of water storage properties in relation to the lithology of the investigated carbonate formations (dolomite, marly, and siliceous limestone). All soundings found either constant or increasing MRS water content with depth, which demonstrates that the infiltration zone might be the major water storage entity for permanent water storage, with important consequences for recharge quality and quantity. These results show the feasibility and potential of the MRS method for the characterization of the karst unsaturated zone and for understanding the vertical distribution of water content, which impacts the overall functioning of karst systems.
Cell-Based Therapies Formulations: Unintended components
Authors: Atouf Fouad
Published: May 2016

Cell-based therapy is the fastest growing segment of regenerative
medicine, a field that promises to cure diseases not treated by other small
molecules or biological drugs. The use of living cells as the active medicinal
ingredient present great opportunities to deliver treatment that can trigger the
body’s own capacity to regenerate damaged or diseased tissue. Some of the challenges
in controlling the quality of the finished cell-therapy product relate to the use of
a variety of raw materials including excipients, process aids, and growth promotion
factors. The quality of these materials is critical for ensuring the safety and
quality of the finished therapeutic products. This review will discuss some of the
challenges and opportunities associated with the qualification of excipients as well
as that of the ancillary materials used in manufacturing.
Genome-wide analysis of auxin response factor gene family members in medicinal model plantSalvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Xu Zhichao , Ji Aijia , Song Jingyuan , Chen Shilin
Published: May 2016

Auxin response factors (ARFs) can function as transcriptional activators or repressors to regulate the expression of auxin response genes by specifically binding to auxin response elements (AuxREs) during plant development. Based on a genome-wide strategy using the medicinal model plant Salvia miltiorrhiza, 25 S. miltiorrhiza ARF (SmARF) gene family members in four classes (class Ia, IIa, IIb and III) were comprehensively analyzed to identify characteristics including gene structures, conserved domains, phylogenetic relationships and expression patterns. In a hybrid analysis of the phylogenetic tree, microRNA targets, and expression patterns of SmARFs in different organs, root tissues, and methyl jasmonate or indole-3-acetic acid treatment conditions, we screened for candidate SmARFs involved in various developmental processes of S. miltiorrhiza. Based on this analysis, we predicted that SmARF25, SmARF7, SmARF16 and SmARF20 are involved in flower, leaf, stem and root development, respectively. With the further insight into the targets of miR160 and miR167, specific SmARF genes in S. miltiorrhiza might encode products that participate in biological processes as described for ARF genes in Arabidopsis. Our results provide a foundation for understanding the molecular basis and regulatory mechanisms of SmARFs in S. miltiorrhiza.
Sipa1l1 is an early biomarker of liver fibrosis in CCl4-treated rats
Authors: Marfà Santiago , Morales-Ruiz Manuel , Oró Denise , Ribera Jordi , Fernández-Varo Guillermo , Jiménez Wladimiro
Published: May 2016

At present, several procedures are used for staging liver fibrosis. However, these methods may involve clinical complications and/or present diagnostic uncertainty mainly in the early stages of the disease. Thus, this study was designed to unveil new non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis in an in vivo model of fibrosis/cirrhosis induction by CCl4 inhalation by using a label-free quantitative LC-MS/MS approach. We analyzed 94 serum samples from adult Wistar rats with different degrees of liver fibrosis and 36 control rats. Firstly, serum samples from 18 CCl4-treated rats were clustered into three different groups according to the severity of hepatic and the serum proteome was characterized by label-free LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, three different pooled serum samples obtained from 16 control Wistar rats were also analyzed. Based on the proteomic data obtained, we performed a multivariate analysis which displayed three main cell signaling pathways altered in fibrosis. In cirrhosis, more biological imbalances were detected as well as multi-organ alterations. In addition, hemopexin and signal-induced proliferation-associated 1 like 1 (SIPA1L1) were selected as potential serum markers of liver fibrogenesis among all the analyzed proteins. The results were validated by ELISA in an independent group of 76 fibrotic/cirrhotic rats and 20 controls which confirmed SIPA1L1 as a potential non-invasive biomarker of liver fibrosis. In particular, SIPA1L1 showed a clear diminution in serum samples from fibrotic/cirrhotic rats and a great accuracy at identifying early fibrotic stages. In conclusion, the proteomic analysis of serum samples from CCl4-treated rats has enabled the identification of SIPA1L1 as a non-invasive marker of early liver fibrosis.