bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fugacity-based toxicokinetic model for narcotic organic chemicals in fish
Authors: Celsie Alena , Mackay Donald , Parnis J. Mark , Arnot Jon A.
Published: October 2015

A novel dynamic fugacity-based model is described, developed, and tested that simulates the uptake of narcotic organic chemicals in fish from water as occurs in aquatic bioconcentration and toxicity tests. The physiologically based toxicokinetic model treats the time course of chemical distribution in 4 compartments (tissue groups) in the fish, including the liver, in which biotransformation may occur. In addition to calculating bioconcentration and toxicokinetics, 5 possible toxic endpoints are defined corresponding to chemical concentration, fugacity, or activity reaching a critical value that causes 50% mortality. The mathematical description of multicompartment uptake is simplified by expressing the equations in the fugacity format. The model is parameterized and tested against reported empirical data for the bioconcentration of pentachloroethane in rainbow trout and for uptake and mortality from aquatic exposures to naphthalene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in fathead minnows. Model performance is evaluated, and it is concluded that with suitable parameterization it has potential for application for assessment of both bioconcentration and toxicity expressed as median lethal concentrations, critical body residues, and chemical activity as a function of time to death. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1257–1267. © 2015 SETAC
A simple assessment model to quantifying the dynamic hippocampal neurogenic process in the adult mammalian brain
Authors: Choi Minee L. , Begeti Faye , Barker Roger A. , Kim Namho
Published: October 2015

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a highly dynamic process in which new cells are born, but only some of which survive. Of late it has become clear that these surviving newborn neurons have functional roles, most notably in certain forms of memory. Conventional methods to look at adult neurogenesis are based on the quantification of the number of newly born neurons using a simple cell counting methodology. However, this type of approach fails to capture the dynamic aspects of the neurogenic process, where neural proliferation, death and differentiation take place continuously and simultaneously. In this paper, we propose a simple mathematical approach to better understand the adult neurogenic process in the hippocampus which in turn will allow for a better analysis of this process in disease states and following drug therapies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is the chronic Tier-1 effect assessment approach for insecticides protective for aquatic ecosystems?
Authors: Brock Theo CM , Bhatta Ranjana , van Wijngaarden René PA , Rico Andreu
Published: October 2015

We investigated the appropriateness of several methods, including those recommended in the Aquatic Guidance Document of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), for the derivation of chronic Tier-1 regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs) for insecticides and aquatic organisms. The insecticides represented different chemical classes (organophosphates, pyrethroids, benzoylureas, insect growth regulators, biopesticides, carbamates, neonicotinoids, and miscellaneous). Chronic Tier-1 RACs derived using toxicity data for the standard species Daphnia magna, Chironomus spp., and/or Americamysis bahia, were compared with Tier-3 RACs derived from micro- and mesocosm studies on basis of the ecological threshold option (ETO-RACs). ETO-RACs could be derived for 31 insecticides applied to micro- and mesocosms in single or multiple applications, yielding a total number of 36 cases for comparison. The chronic Tier-1 RACs calculated according to the EFSA approach resulted in a sufficient protection level, except for 1 neonicotinoid (slightly underprotective) and for several pyrethroids if toxicity data for A. bahia were not included. This latter observation can be explained by 1) the fact that A. bahia is the most sensitive standard test species for pyrethroids, 2) the hydrophobic properties of pyrethroids, and 3) the fact that long-term effects observed in (epi) benthic arthropods may be better explained by exposure via the sediment than via overlying water. Besides including toxicity data for A. bahia, the protection level for pyrethroids can be improved by selecting both D. magna and Chironomus spp. as standard test species for chronic Tier-1 derivation. Although protective in the majority of cases, the conservativeness of the recommended chronic Tier-1 RACs appears to be less than an order of magnitude for a relatively large proportion of insecticides when compared with their Tier-3 ETO-RACs. This may leave limited options for refinement of the chronic effect assessment using laboratory toxicity data for additional species. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:747–758. © 2015 SETAC
Role of DnaK in HspR‐HAIR interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Parijat Priyanka , Batra Janendra K.
Published: October 2015

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are a highly conserved family of proteins. The regulation of expression of Hsps in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is regulated both positively and negatively by alternate sigma factors and transcriptional DNA repressors, respectively. HspR is a negative regulator of expression of hsps, DnaK, ClpB, and Acr2 in M. tuberculosis. In this study, we expressed the M. tuberculosis HspR (MtHspR) in E. coli, and functionally characterized it. MtHspR independently bound to its putative cognate DNA, the HAIR element. MtHspR was found to exist in a dynamic mixture of dimeric and monomeric protein and presence of salt led to the formation of trimers which lacked the DNA binding activity. MtHspR was found to be heat stable with a Tm of 66°C. HspR‐HAIR binding was stable upto 60°C suggesting that MtHspR is not the heat stress sensor. Mycobacterial DnaK was found to interact directly with MtHspR‐HAIR complex in vitro in an ATP independent manner. The DnaK‐HspR‐HAIR binding pattern altered at high temperatures in the presence of aggregated α‐casein substrate, suggesting that DnaK may indirectly be responding to heat stress in a feedback loop mechanism. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(11):816–827, 2015
Schleyer hyperconjugative aromaticity and Diels–Alder reactivity of 5‐substituted cyclopentadienes
Authors: Levandowski Brian J. , Zou Lufeng , Houk K. N.
Published: October 2015

Schleyer's discovery of hyperconjugative aromaticity and antiaromaticity in 5‐substituted cyclopentadienes further expanded our understanding of the pervasive influence of aromaticity. Acceptors induce antiaromatic character by Schleyer's negative hyperconjugative aromaticity, and donors have the opposite effect. We computationally explored the Diels–Alder reactivity of 5‐substituted cyclopentadienes with ethylene and maleic anhydride. The predicted billionfold difference in the computed gas phase rate constants at room temperature for the Diels–Alder reactions of 5‐substituted cyclopentadienes with ethylene or maleic anhydride results from differences in the transition state distortion energies, which are directly related to the hyperconjugative aromaticity of these molecules. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substituent effects on the optical properties of naphthalenediimides: A frontier orbital analysis across the periodic table
Authors: Mulder Joshua R. , Guerra Célia Fonseca , Slootweg J. Chris , Lammertsma Koop , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: October 2015

A comprehensive theoretical treatment is presented for the electronic excitation spectra of ca. 50 different mono‐, di‐, and tetrasubstituted naphthalenediimides (NDI) using time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) at ZORA‐CAM‐B3LYP/TZ2P//ZORA‐BP86/TZ2P with COSMO for simulating the effect of dichloromethane (DCM) solution. The substituents XHn are from groups 14–17 and rows 2–5 of the periodic table. The lowest dipole‐allowed singlet excitation (S0–S1) of the monosubstituted NDIs can be tuned from 3.39 eV for F to 2.42 eV for TeH, while the S0–S2 transition is less sensitive to substitution with energies ranging between 3.67 eV for CH3 and 3.44 eV for SbH2. In the case of NDIs with group‐15 and −16 substituents, the optical transitions strongly depend on the extent to which XHn is planar or pyramidal as well as on the possible formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The accumulative effect of double and quadruple substitution leads in general to increasing bathochromic shifts, but the increased steric hindrance in tetrasubstituted NDIs can lead to deformations that diminish the effectiveness of the substituents. Detailed analyses of the Kohn–Sham orbital electronic structure in monosubstituted NDIs reveal the mesomeric destabilization of the HOMO as the primary cause of the bathochromic shift of the S0–S1 transition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential Links Between Leisure Activities and Depressive Symptoms in Unemployed Individuals
Authors: Goodman William K. , Geiger Ashley M. , Wolf Jutta M.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Unemployment has consistently been linked to an elevated risk for depression. Exercise, specifically leisure‐based physical activities, has received increasing attention as alternative treatment options. However, because leisure activities are pursued during discretionary time, it is unclear if the mental health benefits of physical and leisure activities apply during times of unemployment as well.

Method

Depressive symptoms and participation in recreational activities were assessed in 142 employed and 158 unemployed participants (age = 34 ± 11 years; male = 150).

Results

Independent of employment status, all recreational activities were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. However, social (employed: ηp2 = .21; unemployed: ηp2 = .11) and self‐focused (employed: ηp2 = .19; unemployed: ηp2 = .10) recreational activities were more strongly related to depressive symptoms than exercise (employed: ηp2 = .12; unemployed: ηp2 > .05).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the strong mental health associations of recreational activities and suggest that, particularly for unemployed individuals, promoting recreational activities, rather than exercise, may leverage the stronger negative relationship with risk of depression.
Eye and pit size are inversely correlated in crotalinae: Implications for selection pressure relaxation
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Qin , Papenfuss Theodore J. , Lu Fang , Tang Yezhong
Published: October 2015

Mate, prey, and predator recognition often depend on the integration of information from multiple sensory modalities including visual, auditory, and/or olfactory inputs. In Crotalinae, the eyes sense visible light while the pit organs detect infrared (IR) radiation. Previous studies indicate that there is significant overlap between the eye and pit sensory fields and that both senses are involved in recognition processes. This study investigated the relationships between eye and pit sizes in this taxonomic group as a function of phylogeny and habitat. In view of the fact that pit orientation depends largely on snout shape, pit vipers were grouped as follows: 1) arboreal, 2) terrestrial with rounded snout, and 3) terrestrial with pointed snout. The pit orientations and habitant patterns were fully independent of the Crotalinae phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic generalized least squares model showed that both eye and pit areas were not of significantly phylogenetic relatedness, implying alternatively a strong effect of adaptation on eye and pit sizes. Negative correlations between relative eye and pit areas in terrestrial (both pointed and rounded snouts) and arboreal species were statistically significant. Our results suggest that the eyes and pits function in a complementary fashion such that selection for IR‐perception relaxes selection pressures on the visual system and selection for visual discrimination relaxes selection pressures acting on the IR‐system. J. Morphol. 277:107–117, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive radiation therapy for bladder cancer: a review of adaptive techniques used in clinical practice
Authors: Kibrom Awet Z. , Knight Kellie A.
Published: October 2015

Significant changes in the shape, size and position of the bladder during radiotherapy (RT) treatment for bladder cancer have been correlated with high local failure rates; typically due to geographical misses. To account for this, large margins are added around the target volumes in conventional RT; however, this increases the volume of healthy tissue irradiation. The availability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has not only allowed in‐room volumetric imaging of the bladder, but also the development of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) for modification of plans to patient‐specific changes. The aim of this review is to: (1) identify and explain the different ART techniques being used in clinical practice and (2) compare and contrast these different ART techniques to conventional RT in terms of target coverage and dose to healthy tissue: A literature search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Scopus with the key words ‘bladder, adaptive, radiotherapy/radiation therapy’. 11 studies were obtained that compared different adaptive RT techniques to conventional RT in terms of target volume coverage and healthy tissue sparing. All studies showed superior target volume coverage and/or healthy tissue sparing in adaptive RT compared to conventional RT. Cross‐study comparison between different adaptive techniques could not be made due to the difference in protocols used in different studies. However, one study found daily re‐optimisation of plans to be superior to plan of the day technique. The use of adaptive RT for bladder cancer is promising. Further study is required to assess adaptive RT versus conventional RT in terms of local control and long‐term toxicity.
Frequency versus time lost measures of absenteeism: Is the voluntariness distinction an urban legend?
Authors: Johns Gary , Al Hajj Raghid
Published: October 2015

We investigate a long‐standing methodological rule of thumb, the idea that the frequency of absenteeism from work approximates an expression of voluntary behavior while total time lost better reflects involuntary behavior and ill health. Conducting original meta‐analyses and using results from existing meta‐analyses, we determine that time lost and frequency are equally reliable, that the relationship between them approximates unity when corrections for measurement artifacts are applied, and that there is very little evidence for differential criterion‐related validity predicated on the voluntariness distinction. We supply new meta‐analytic estimates of the reliability of absenteeism adjusted for aggregation period and determine that most extant meta‐analyses of the correlates of absenteeism have markedly under‐corrected for unreliability. Our results question the basic construct validity of the time lost–frequency distinction, and they contradict the practice of using “trigger points” that factor absence frequency into attendance monitoring and associated discipline systems so as to discourage short‐term absenteeism, assumed to be volitional. We conclude that the idea that time lost and frequency reflect different degrees of voluntariness is an unsupported urban research legend. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Service Quality and Innovation in Malaysian Post Offices: An Empirical Study
Authors: Kiumarsi S. , Jayaraman K. , Mohd Isa Salmi
Published: October 2015

Postal service organizations all over the world are struggling to meet the challenges engendered by the digital revolution and advancements in information communication technology. Unless they introduce innovations in service, their survival will be in doubt. A study of 140 post office users in Malaysia focused on the determinants of service innovation in terms of human, technical, tangible, and intangible aspects. The findings showed that most respondents believed that post offices should operate for both profit and social purposes. They also revealed that human aspects and intangible aspects had a positive and significant impact on service innovation in post offices. Improving working conditions, training employees in technology, reducing waiting time for customers, and expanding service and product offerings are some avenues that can lead to continued growth. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Marine Isotope Stage 4 age for Pleistocene raised beach deposits near Fethard, southern Ireland
Authors: Gallagher Colman , Telfer Matt W. , Ó Cofaigh Colm
Published: October 2015

Raised beach deposits around the Irish coast have been interpreted as interglacial or last glacial in age. On the south coast of Ireland, the Courtmacsherry Formation raised beach (CFB), near Fethard, County Wexford, was dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). This site was previously dated to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6–5, but more recent dating of the CFB elsewhere along the south coast shows it is considerably younger (MIS 4–3). The OSL analyses in this paper aimed to determine if new dating would support the greater age of the Fethard raised beach or realign it with the CFB. The new OSL ages place the formation of the Fethard raised beach between 57 ± 6 and 45 ± 6 ka, with 53 ± 5 ka the most likely age if a single depositional event is assumed. This is consistent with OSL dates of the CFB elsewhere. An MIS 4–3 age has important implications in understanding the palaeogeography and timing of glaciation in Ireland, and requires a reassessment of regional relative sea level history. As the eustatic response to global ice volume resulted in lowered relative sea level during MIS 4–2, a crustal response to glaciation is implied by the new dates.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the picosecond alexandrite laser with specialized lens array for treatment of the photoaging décolletage
Authors: Wu Douglas C. , Fletcher Leysin , Guiha Isabella , Goldman Mitchel P.
Published: October 2015

Background

Fractionated lasers are routinely used to treat the characteristic cutaneous signs of photoaging. In this study, we evaluate the use of picosecond pulse duration combined with a diffractive lens array for treatment of photodamage of the décolletage.

Methods

Twenty subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV were enrolled in a prospective open‐label trial evaluating the efficacy of the 755 nm picosecond pulsed alexandrite laser with diffractive lens array for treatment of photodamage to the décolletage. Each subject received a series of four laser treatments at 3 week intervals. Follow up evaluation was performed 1 and 3 months later by a masked investigator and consisted of assessment of dyspigmentation, erythema, keratosis, texture, and rhytides on a standardized 5 point scale; global aesthetic improvement 5 point scale; and investigator and subject satisfaction questionnaire. Adverse events and treatment discomfort was also assessed.

Results

Statistically significant improvement in dyspigmentation, keratosis, and skin texture were observed at both 1 and 3 month follow up intervals (P < 0.05). rhytides initially demonstrated significant improvement at the 1 month time point, but this significance was not maintained at 3 months (P = 0.08). There was no statistically significant improvement noted in erythema. The majority of subjects were satisfied, with a mean rating of 2.8/6 (one being extremely satisfied and six being extremely dissatisfied). Subject pain was 3.6/10.

Conclusion

The 755 nm picosecond pulsed alexandrite laser with diffractive lens array can be an effective option for rejuvenation of the photodamaged décolletage. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:188–192, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐Fouling Biodegradable Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) Nanofibers for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Kostina Nina Yu. , Pop‐Georgievski Ognen , Bachmann Michael , Neykova Neda , Bruns Michael , Michálek Jiří , Bastmeyer Martin , Rodriguez‐Emmenegger Cesar
Published: October 2015

Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers are very attractive materials for tissue engineering (TE) due to their degradability and structural similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, upon exposure to biological media, their surface is rapidly fouled by proteins and cells, which may lead to inflammation and foreign body reaction. In this study, an approach for the modification of PCL nanofibers to prevent protein fouling from biological fluids and subsequent cell adhesion is introduced. A biomimetic polydopamine (PDA) layer was deposited on the surface of the PCL nanofibers and four types of antifouling polymer brushes were grown by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) from initiator moieties covalently attached to the PDA layer. Cell adhesion was assessed with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). MEFs rapidly adhered and formed cell–matrix adhesions (CMAs) with PCL and PCL‐PDA nanofibers. Importantly, the nanofibers modified with antifouling polymer brushes were able to suppress non‐specific protein adsorption and thereby cell adhesion.
UMD Banach spaces and square functions associated with heat semigroups for Schrödinger, Hermite and Laguerre operators
Authors: Betancor Jorge J. , Castro Alejandro J. , Fariña Juan C. , Rodríguez‐Mesa Lourdes
Published: October 2015

In this paper we define square functions (also called Littlewood‐Paley‐Stein functions) associated with heat semigroups for Schrödinger and Laguerre operators acting on functions which take values in UMD Banach spaces. We extend classical (scalar) ‐boundedness properties for the square functions to our Banach valued setting by using γ‐radonifying operators. We also prove that these ‐boundedness properties of the square functions actually characterize the Banach spaces having the UMD property.
Factor analysis of the hospital anxiety and depression scale among a Huntington's disease population
Authors: Dale Maria , Maltby John , Martucci Rossana , Shimozaki Steve ,   the REGISTRY investigators of the European Huntington's Disease Network
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Depression and anxiety are common in Huntington's disease, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder. There is a need for measurement tools of mood to be validated within a Huntington's disease population. The current study aimed to analyze the factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Huntington's disease.

Methods

Data from the European Huntington's Disease Network study REGISTRY 3 were used to undertake a factor analysis of the scale among a sample of 492 Huntington's disease mutation carriers. The sample was randomly divided into two equal subsamples and an exploratory factor analysis conducted on the first subsample suggested a two‐factor interpretation, using eight of the items. A confirmatory factor analysis was then performed to test six possible models for goodness of fit.

Results

A bifactor model, with all items loading onto a general distress factor, with two group factors, comprising four depression and four anxiety items, provided the best fit of the data. The salience of loadings on the bifactor model suggested that loadings were high on the general factor (accounting for 64% of the variance) and low on the group factors (21% for anxiety and 15% for depression).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that eight items from the scale perform well among the sample. Consistent with recent developments in modeling the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a bifactor interpretation for an eight‐item version outperformed other extant models. Our findings provide support for an eight‐item version of the scale to be used as a measure of general distress within Huntington's disease populations. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Spectral improvement by fourier thresholding of in vivo dynamic spectroscopy data
Authors: Rowland Benjamin , Merugumala Sai K. , Liao Huijun , Creager Mark A. , Balschi James , Lin Alexander P.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

MR spectroscopy (MRS) typically requires averaging of multiple acquisitions to achieve adequate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). In systems undergoing dynamic changes this can compromise the temporal resolution of the measurement. One such example is 31P MRS of exercising skeletal muscle. Spectral improvement by Fourier thresholding (SIFT) offers a way of suppressing noise without averaging. In this study, we evaluate the performance of SIFT in healthy subjects and clinical cases.

Methods

31P MRS of the calf or thigh muscle of subjects (n = 12) was measured continuously before, during, and after exercise. The data were processed conventionally and with the addition of SIFT before quantifying peak amplitudes and frequencies. The postexercise increase in the amplitude of phosphocreatine was also characterized by fitting with an exponential function to obtain the recovery time constant.

Results

Substantial reductions in the uncertainty of peak fitting for phosphocreatine (73%) and inorganic phosphate (60%) were observed when using SIFT relative to conventional processing alone. SIFT also reduced the phosphocreatine recovery time constant uncertainty by 38%.

Conclusion

SIFT considerably improves SNR, which improved quantification and parameter estimation. It is suitable for any type of time varying MRS and is both straightforward and fast to apply. Magn Reson Med 76:978–985, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐temperature dynamic nuclear polarization of gases in Frozen mixtures
Authors: Pourfathi Mehrdad , Clapp Justin , Kadlecek Stephen J. , Keenan Caroline D. , Ghosh Rajat K. , Kuzma Nicholas N. , Rizi Rahim R.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To present a new cryogenic technique for preparing gaseous compounds in solid mixtures for polarization using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP).

Methods

129Xe and 15N2O samples were prepared using the presented method. Samples were hyperpolarized at 1.42K at 5 Tesla. 129Xe was polarized at 1.65K and 1.42K to compare enhancement. Polarization levels for both samples and T1 relaxation times for the 129Xe sample were measured. Sample pulverization for the 129Xe and controlled annealing for both samples were introduced as additional steps in sample preparation.

Results

Enhancement increased by 15% due to a temperature drop from 1.65K to 1.42K for the 129Xe sample. A polarization level of 20 ± 3% for the 129Xe sample was achieved, a two‐fold increase from 10 ± 1% after pulverization of the sample at 1.42K. T1 of the 129Xe sample was increased by more than three‐fold by means of annealing. In the case of 15N2O, annealing led to a ∼two‐fold increase in the signal level after DNP.

Conclusion

The presented technique for producing and manipulating solid gas/glassing agent/radical mixtures for DNP led to high polarization levels in 129Xe and 15N2O samples. These methods show potential for polarizing other gases using DNP technology. Magn Reson Med 76:1007–1014, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Künstliche Zellen
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: October 2015

Zellähnliche Gebilde können helfen, molekulare Prozesse räumlich zu organisieren und medizinische Wirkstoffe zielgenau zum Wirkort zu bringen. Es gibt Modelle, die jeweils einige der natürlichen Funktionen einer Zelle nachahmen. Ließe sich eine komplett funktionierende Zelle erzeugen, könnte sie Einblicke in den Ursprung des Lebens liefern.
Kohle stofflich nutzen
Authors: Hackelöer Kristina , Kneißel Bernhard
Published: October 2015

Während der Schiefergasboom in Nordamerika den Anteil von leichten Kohlenwasserstoffen als Crackerrohstoff erhöht, erlebt China eine Renaissance der Kohlechemie, die auch Produkte wie Ammoniak oder Methanol liefert. Wie zweckmäßig ist eine deutsche Kohlechemie?
Krankhafte Veränderungen im Blut detektieren
Authors: Burkhart Julia M. , Wolf Tinka
Published: October 2015

Herzkreislauferkrankungen und Entzündungen sowie Funktionsstörungen der Thrombozyten hängen oft zusammen. Massenspektrometrische Analysen geben darüber Aufschluss. In der klinischen Diagnostik sollen die Methoden in Zukunft dazu beitragen, Krankheiten wie Arteriosklerose frühzeitig zu erkennen.
Seltene Erden aus Leuchtstoffrückständen
Authors: Lorenz Tom , Fröhlich Peter , Bertau Martin
Published: October 2015

Seltenerdmetalle zu rezyklieren, lohnt sich — trotzdem wird es noch viel zu selten gemacht. Gerade Bildschirme und Leuchtmittel enthalten die wertvollen Substanzen. Bisher störte aber Quecksilber bei der Aufarbeitung.
Schaltbare Wirt‐Gast‐Systeme
Authors: Clever Guido
Published: October 2015

Käfigverbindungen, die Gastmoleküle in ihr Inneres aufnehmen und wieder frei setzen, eignen sich als Rezeptoren, Transporter und supramolekulare Katalysatoren — erst recht, wenn sie sich über Licht und Signalmoleküle steuern lassen.
Validation of Accelerometer Thresholds and Inclinometry for Measurement of Sedentary Behavior in Young Adult University Students
Authors: Peterson Neil E. , Sirard John R. , Kulbok Pamela A. , DeBoer Mark D. , Erickson Jeanne M.
Published: October 2015

Sedentary behavior (SB) is a major contributor to obesity and significant morbidity and mortality in adolescence and adulthood, yet measurement of SB is still evolving. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of construct validity of the inclinometer function and single‐axis and vector magnitude accelerometry metrics of the ActiGraph GT3X+ in objectively measuring SB and physical activity in 28 young adult university students who performed nine semi‐structured activities, each for five minutes: lying, sitting, reading, seated video gaming, video watching, seated conversation, standing, stationary biking, and treadmill walking. Inclinometry and four output metrics from the ActiGraph were analyzed in comparison to direct observation by a researcher recorded each minute. For overall accuracy in measuring both SB and physical activity, all four accelerometer metrics (94.7–97.8%) outperformed the inclinometer function (70.9%). Vector magnitude accelerometry with a threshold of 150 counts per minute as the cut point for sedentary behavior was superior to other methods. While accelerometry was more accurate overall at detecting the behaviors tested, inclinometry had some advantages over accelerometry methods at detecting walking, biking, and standing. The findings support use of accelerometry as a valid objective measure of body movement, while use of inclinometry as a sole measure is not recommended. Additional research would be beneficial to improve the calibration of the inclinometer and explore ways of combining this with accelerometer data for objectively measuring SB and physical activity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purification of intact chloroplasts from marine plant Posidonia oceanica suitable for organelle proteomics
Authors: Piro Amalia , Serra Ilia Anna , Spadafora Antonia , Cardilio Monica , Bianco Linda , Perrotta Gaetano , Santos Rui , Mazzuca Silvia
Published: October 2015

Posidonia oceanica is a marine angiosperm, or seagrass, adapted to grow to the underwater life from shallow waters to 50 m depth. This raises questions of how their photosynthesis adapted to the attenuation of light through the water column and leads to the assumption that biochemistry and metabolism of the chloroplast are the basis of adaptive capacity. In the present study, we described a protocol that was adapted from those optimized for terrestrial plants, to extract chloroplasts from as minimal tissue as possible. We obtained the best balance between tissue amount/intact chloroplasts yield using one leaf from one plant. After isopynic separations, the chloroplasts purity and integrity were evaluated by biochemical assay and using a proteomic approach. Chloroplast proteins were extracted from highly purified organelles and resolved by 1DE SDS‐PAGE. Proteins were sequenced by nLC‐ESI‐IT‐MS/MS of 1DE gel bands and identified against NCBInr green plant databases, Dr. Zompo database for seagrasses in a local customized dataset. The curated localization of proteins in sub‐plastidial compartments (i.e. envelope, stroma and thylakoids) was retrieved in the AT_CHLORO database. This purification protocol and the validation of compartment markers may serve as basis for sub‐cellular proteomics in P. oceanica and other seagrasses.
The application of terminomics for the identification of protein start sites and proteoforms in bacteria
Authors: Berry Iain J. , Steele Joel R. , Padula Matthew P. , Djordjevic Steven P.
Published: October 2015

Protein terminomics, or the study of amino acids sequences at the protein amino or carboxyl terminus has rapidly evolved as a proteomic discipline due to significant methodological improvements in the labelling and recovery of terminal peptides as well as the increased speed and sensitivity of current mass spectrometry instrumentation. The most significant beneficiaries of these developments include an increased awareness and understanding of complex proteolytic cascades that regulate key biological processes and in genome annotation. Most terminomics research to date has focused on gaining insight into important biological processes such as inflammation, wound healing and cancer. The application of terminomics to the study of important biological questions in prokaryotes is gaining traction. Here we review current applications and progress of terminomics in prokaryotes, discuss the significance of protease research in bacterial pathogenesis and protein maturation, and suggest novel applications of terminomics in the study of infectious disease.
R248Q mutation—Beyond p53‐DNA binding
Authors: Ng Jeremy W. K. , Lama Dilraj , Lukman Suryani , Lane David P. , Verma Chandra S. , Sim Adelene Y. L.
Published: October 2015

R248 in the DNA binding domain (DBD) of p53 interacts directly with the minor groove of DNA. Earlier nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies indicated that the R248Q mutation resulted in conformation changes in parts of DBD far from the mutation site. However, how information propagates from the mutation site to the rest of the DBD is still not well understood. We performed a series of all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to dissect sterics and charge effects of R248 on p53‐DBD conformation: (i) wild‐type p53 DBD; (ii) p53 DBD with an electrically neutral arginine side‐chain; (iii) p53 DBD with R248A; (iv) p53 DBD with R248W; and (v) p53 DBD with R248Q. Our results agree well with experimental observations of global conformational changes induced by the R248Q mutation. Our simulations suggest that both charge‐ and sterics are important in the dynamics of the loop (L3) where the mutation resides. We show that helix 2 (H2) dynamics is altered as a result of a change in the hydrogen bonding partner of D281. In turn, neighboring L1 dynamics is altered: in mutants, L1 predominantly adopts the recessed conformation and is unable to interact with the major groove of DNA. We focused our attention the R248Q mutant that is commonly found in a wide range of cancer and observed changes at the zinc‐binding pocket that might account for the dominant negative effects of R248Q. Furthermore, in our simulations, the S6/S7 turn was more frequently solvent exposed in R248Q, suggesting that there is a greater tendency of R248Q to partially unfold and possibly lead to an increased aggregation propensity. Finally, based on the observations made in our simulations, we propose strategies for the rescue of R248Q mutants. Proteins 2015; 83:2240–2250. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards scene adaptive image correspondence for placental vasculature mosaic in computer assisted fetoscopic procedures
Authors: Yang Liangjing , Wang Junchen , Ando Takehiro , Kubota Akihiro , Yamashita Hiromasa , Sakuma Ichiro , Chiba Toshio , Kobayashi Etsuko
Published: October 2015

Background

Visualization of the vast placental vasculature is crucial in fetoscopic laser photocoagulation for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome treatment. However, vasculature mosaic is challenging due to the fluctuating imaging conditions during fetoscopic surgery.

Method

A scene adaptive feature‐based approach for image correspondence in free‐hand endoscopic placental video is proposed. It contributes towards existing techniques by introducing a failure detection method based on statistical attributes of the feature distribution, and an updating mechanism that self‐tunes parameters to recover from registration failures.

Results

Validations on endoscopic image sequences of a phantom and a monkey placenta are carried out to demonstrate mismatch recovery. In two 100‐frame sequences, automatic self‐tuned results improved by 8% compared with manual experience‐based tuning and a slight 2.5% deterioration against exhaustive tuning (gold standard).

Conclusion

This scene‐adaptive image correspondence approach, which is not restricted to a set of generalized parameters, is suitable for applications associated with dynamically changing imaging conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of an RMPC with a time‐varying terminal constraint set for tracking problem
Authors: Razi Maryam , Haeri Mohammad
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a robust model predictive control algorithm with a time‐varying terminal constraint set for systems with model uncertainty and input constraints. In this algorithm, the nonlinear system is approximated by a linear model where the approximation error is considered as an unstructured uncertainty that can be represented by a Lipschitz nonlinear function. A continuum of terminal constraint sets is constructed off‐line, and robust stability is achieved on‐line by using a variable control horizon. This approach significantly reduces the computational complexity. The proposed robust model predictive controller with a terminal constraint set is used in tracking set‐points for nonlinear systems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated with a numerical example. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explicit improved vertex control for uncertain, time‐varying linear discrete‐time systems with state and control constraints
Authors: Nguyen Hoai‐Nam , Gutman Per‐Olof , Olaru Sorin , Hovd Morten
Published: October 2015

A technique is presented to compute an explicit state feedback solution to the regulation problem for uncertain and/or time‐varying linear discrete‐time systems with state and control constraints. A piecewise affine control law is provided that not only guarantees recursive feasibility and robust asymptotic stability but is also optimal for a region of the state space containing the origin. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biclique cryptanalysis of MIBS‐80 and PRESENT‐80 block ciphers
Authors: Faghihi Sereshgi Mohammad Hossein , Dakhilalian Mohammad , Shakiba Mohsen
Published: October 2015

PRESENT and MIBS are two lightweight block ciphers that are suitable for low resource devices such as radio‐frequency identification tags. In this paper, we present the first biclique cryptanalysis of MIBS block cipher and a new biclique cryptanalysis of PRESENT block cipher. These attacks are performed on full‐round MIBS‐80 and full‐round PRESENT‐80. Using matching without matrix technique in the attack on MIBS and choosing a sub‐key space of an internal round for key division eventuate to reduce the security of this cipher by 1bit, while the data complexity of attack is 252 chosen plaintext. The attack on PRESENT‐80 has a data complexity of at most 222 chosen plaintext and computational complexity of 279.34 encryption that both complexities are lower than of other cryptanalyses of full‐round PRESENT‐80 so far. Also, in this paper, we use early abort technique to efficiently filter out wrong keys in matching phase of biclique attack of PRESENT‐80. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New data on stiff‐tailed duck evolution and dispersal from a new species of diving duck (Anseriformes: Anatidae: cf. Oxyurinae) from the Miocene High Rock Caldera in north‐west Nevada, USA
Authors: Stidham Thomas A. , Hilton Richard P.
Published: October 2015

A new species of diving duck from lacustrine deposits inside the middle Miocene High Rock Caldera in north‐west Nevada (USA) appears to be more closely related to the stiff‐tailed ducks Oxyura and Nomonyx than to other Oligocene and Miocene anatid taxa. The new species, Lavadytis pyrenae sp. nov., is represented by 24 fragments of humeri, tibiotarsi, tarsometatarsi, coracoids, a scapula and carpometacarpi, and several of the specimens are from juvenile individuals, indicating that the caldera palaeolake was a breeding site. The humerus has a ‘closed’ non‐pneumatic ventral pneumotricipital fossa, lacks a capital shaft ridge, has a cranial carpal fovea and has a pronounced medial epicondyle on the tibiotarsus. Many of the osteological features present in this new species also occur (convergently) among derived diving duck clades and therefore suggest that this extinct species foraged by diving. This new species’ phylogenetic position close to the extant species in Nomonyx and Oxyura, its middle Miocene age (16.1–14.6 Ma) and its geographical location in North America are consistent with molecular clock analyses placing the origin of the stem leading to Oxyura + Nomonyx at approximately 15.9 Ma in the New World. This new species could indicate that the stem of the Oxyura + Nomonyx clade had reached the New World by the middle Miocene and that the diversification present among New World Oxyurini/Oxyurinae began temporally close to the climatic warming of the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties of Copper(II), Zinc(II), and Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 5‐Nitro‐isophthalate and 1,2‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole
Authors: Li Ming‐Ze , Guo Jian‐Hua , Chen Jing
Published: October 2015

Three coordination polymers, namely {[Cu(5‐nipa)(L22)](H2O)2}n (1), [Zn(5‐nipa)(L22)(H2O)]n (2), and {[Cd2(5‐nipa)2(L22)(H2O)3](H2O)3.6}n (3), were prepared under similar synthetic method based on 1,2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (L22) and ancillary ligand 5‐nitro‐isophthalic acid (5‐H2nipa) with CuII, ZnII, and CdII perchlorate, respectively. All the complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that complexes 1 and 2 show similar 1D chain structures, whereas complex 3 exhibits the 2D coordination network with hcb topology. The central metal atoms show distinct coordination arrangements ranging from distorted square‐pyramid for CuII in 1, octahedron for ZnII in 2, to pentagonal‐bipyramid for CdII in 3. The L22 ligand adopts the same (η3,μ2) coordination fashion in complexes 1–3, while the carboxyl groups of co‐ligand 5‐nipa2– adopt monodentate fashion in 1 and 2 and bidentate chelating mode in 3. These results indicate that the choice of metal ions exerts a significant influence on governing the target complexes. Furthermore, thermal stabilities of complexes 1–3 and photoluminescent properties of 2 and 3 were also studied in the solid state.
Power in Caring Professions
Authors: Hugman Richard
Published: October 2015

The issue of power is central in the analysis of the development and contemporary structures of nursing, the remedial therapies and social work. Both the idea of caring and the concept of professionalism are integral to the problems of power. Using material from the UK and the USA, this book examines the growth of these professions, and asks a critical perspective of their present organisation, highlighting race, gender and relationships with service users as central to such an analysis.
A Double‐Blinded Randomized Clinical Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Gastrografin® in Prolonged Postoperative Ileus After Elective Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Biondo Sebastiano , Miquel Jordi , Espin‐Basany Eloy , Sanchez Jose Luis , Golda Thomas , Ferrer‐Artola Ana Maria , Codina‐Cazador Antonio , Frago Ricardo , Kreisler Esther
Published: October 2015

Background

Postoperative ileus is a common problem with significant clinical and economic consequences. We hypothesized that Gastrografin® may have therapeutic utility by accelerating the recovery of postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery. The aim of this trial was to study the impact of oral Gastrografin® administration on postoperative prolonged ileus (PPI) after elective colorectal surgery.

Methods

The main endpoint of this randomized, double‐blinded, controlled trial was time of resolution of PPI. The secondary endpoints were overall hospital length of stay, time to start oral intake, time to first passage of flatus or stools, time of need of nasogastric tube, and need of parenteral nutrition. Included criteria were patients older than 18 years, operated for colonic neoplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, or diverticular disease. There were two treatments: Gastrografin® administration and placebo. The sample size was calculated taking into account the average length of postoperative ileus after colorectal resection until tolerance to oral intake. Statistical analysis showed that 29 subjects in each group were needed.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients per group were randomized. Groups were comparable for age, gender, ASA Physical Status Classification System, stoma construction, and surgical technique. No statistical differences were observed in mean time to resolution between the two groups, 9.1 days (CI 95 %, 6.51–11.68) in Gastrografin® group versus 10.3 days (CI 6.96–10.29) in Placebo group (P = 0.878). Even if not statistically significant, time of resolution of PPI, overall length of stay, time of need of nasogastric tube, and time to tolerance of oral intake were shorter in the G group.

Conclusions

Gastrografin® does not accelerate significantly the recovery of prolonged postoperative ileus after elective colorectal resection when compared with placebo. However, it seems to clinically improve all the analyzed variables.
Apparent annual survival of staging ruffs during a period of population decline: insights from sex and site‐use related differences
Authors: Schmaltz Lucie Emilie , Juillet Cédric , Tinbergen Joost Marius , Verkuil Yvonne Ingje , Hooijmeijer Joslyn Corstiaan Elbert Wouter , Piersma Theunis
Published: October 2015

The ruff Philomachus pugnax, a lekking shorebird wintering in Africa and breeding across northern Eurasia, declined severely in its western range. Based on a capture‐mark‐resighting programme (2004–2011) in the westernmost staging area in Friesland (the Netherlands), we investigated changes in apparent annual survival in relation to age and sex to explore potential causes of decline. We also related temporal variation in apparent survival to environmental factors. We used the Capture‐Mark‐Recapture multievent statistical framework to overcome biases in survival estimates after testing for hidden heterogeneity of detection. This enabled the estimation of the probability to belong to high or low detectability classes. Apparent survival varied between years but was not related to weather patterns along the flyway, or to flood levels in the Sahel. Over time, a decline in apparent survival is suggested. Due to a short data series and flag loss in the last period this cannot be verified. Nevertheless, the patterns in sex‐specific detectability and survival lead to new biological insights. Among highly detectable birds, supposedly most reliant on Friesland, males survived better than females ( = 0.74, range 0.51–0.93; = 0.51, range 0.24–0.81). Among low detectable birds, the pattern is reversed ( = 0.64, range 0.37–0.89; = 0.73, range 0.48–0.93). Probably the staging population contains a mixture of sex‐specific migration strategies. A loss of staging females could greatly affect the dynamics of the western ruff population. Further unravelling of these population processes requires geographically extended demographic monitoring and the use of tracking devices.