bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolving clonal nevus—case report with serial digital dermatoscopy and dermatopathology
Authors: Inskip Mike , Magee Jill
Published: March 2015

We present a case of a clonal nevus arising from a previously banal melanocytic nevus over a 15-month period on the central back of a 30-year-old woman in a primary care skin cancer practice in Melbourne, Australia. Clinical, dermatoscopic and dermatopathologic images are presented. A search of the literature has discovered no previously published dermatoscopy images of an evolving clonal nevus.
Use of Geospatial Techniques in Monitoring Urban Expansion and Land Use Change Analysis: A Case of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad Nasar-u-minAllah Bhalli  , Abdul Ghaffar
Published: March 2015

Rapid urban expansion and resultant temporal land use changes have a profound effect on the city’s environment and its surroundings. Due to its significance, it is essential to evaluate the urban expansion patterns and land use change analysis of mega cities of the world. For land use change detection, multi-source & multi-temporal satellite images along with GIS & remote sensing (RS) techniques are significant aspects in analyzing urban expansion all over the world. In present study, two image data sets of the Landsat system in 7/ETM+ and 8/OLI modes, along with ground truthing data were utilized to examine the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use changes and assess the spatial patterns of urban expansion in Lahore, Pakistan from the year 2000 & 2014. Supervised classification using maximum likelihood algorithm has been carried out for land use classification andPost classification change detection technique was used to produce change detection map of the study area. The output land use and change detection map revealed that the areal expansion has been attributed due to loss of agricultural land and urban sprawl while major change in land use has taken place in built-up and agricultural areas. The results indicated that 40.81% of built-up area increased, while agricultural land has decline by -12.98% during the study period (2000-2014). Due to this the observed expansion of the city has been toward the South-east, South and South-west along with major roads. The results infer can provide better understanding and information about the past and current spatial dynamics of land use change in Lahore, Pakistan.
Critères et processus d’évaluation en art contemporain. Les concours d’aide à la création du CALQ
Authors: Fournier Marcel , Misdrahi Marian
Published: March 2015

Dans la carrière d’un artiste ou d’un écrivain, l’obtention d’une bourse d’un organisme subventionnaire est souvent importante, pour ne pas dire déterminante, car elle fournit une aide financière tout en constituant une reconnaissance (par les pairs). Mais comment procède-t-on pour évaluer les candidats à de telles bourses, et surtout selon quels critères les décisions d’attribuer ou non des bourses à des candidats sont-elles prises ? Ce sont les questions que nous nous sommes posées, tout en nous disant que ces critères sont non seulement esthétiques mais aussi moraux. Les décisions se prennent in situ, au sein de comités qui réunissent des pairs, artistes ou spécialistes de l’art. Sur la base de l’observation in situ des délibérations des jurys et d’entrevues avec les membres et en nous appuyant sur des travaux en sociologie de l’art, dont ceux de Nathalie Heinich, nous montrons, par nos résultats, que diverses formes d’art sont privilégiées, pourvu que cela respecte un certain nombre de critères, à savoir la contemporanéité, la singularité et l’authenticité. Tout se passe donc comme si chaque candidature était l’objet d’une triple évaluation et que chaque candidat devait traverser trois « épreuves » afin de réussir le concours, la plus importante étant celle de l’authenticité, étroitement associée à l’évaluation en rétrospective de la démarche artistique.
Enabling X-ray free electron laser crystallography for challenging biological systems from a limited number of crystals
Authors: Uervirojnangkoorn Monarin , Zeldin Oliver B , Lyubimov Artem Y , Hattne Johan , Brewster Aaron S , Sauter Nicholas K , Brunger Axel T , Weis William I
Published: March 2015

There is considerable potential for X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) to enable determination of macromolecular crystal structures that are difficult to solve using current synchrotron sources. Prior XFEL studies often involved the collection of thousands to millions of diffraction images, in part due to limitations of data processing methods. We implemented a data processing system based on classical post-refinement techniques, adapted to specific properties of XFEL diffraction data. When applied to XFEL data from three different proteins collected using various sample delivery systems and XFEL beam parameters, our method improved the quality of the diffraction data as well as the resulting refined atomic models and electron density maps. Moreover, the number of observations for a reflection necessary to assemble an accurate data set could be reduced to a few observations. These developments will help expand the applicability of XFEL crystallography to challenging biological systems, including cases where sample is limited.
Sensitization of neonatal rat lumbar motoneuron by the inflammatory pain mediator bradykinin
Authors: Bouhadfane Mouloud , Kaszás Attila , Rózsa Balázs , Harris-Warrick Ronald M , Vinay Laurent , Brocard Frédéric
Published: March 2015

Bradykinin (Bk) is a potent inflammatory mediator that causes hyperalgesia. The action of Bk on the sensory system is well documented but its effects on motoneurons, the final pathway of the motor system, are unknown. By a combination of patch-clamp recordings and two-photon calcium imaging, we found that Bk strongly sensitizes spinal motoneurons. Sensitization was characterized by an increased ability to generate self-sustained spiking in response to excitatory inputs. Our pharmacological study described a dual ionic mechanism to sensitize motoneurons, including inhibition of a barium-sensitive resting K+ conductance and activation of a nonselective cationic conductance primarily mediated by Na+. Examination of the upstream signaling pathways provided evidence for postsynaptic activation of B2 receptors, G protein activation of phospholipase C, InsP3 synthesis, and calmodulin activation. This study questions the influence of motoneurons in the assessment of hyperalgesia since the withdrawal motor reflex is commonly used as a surrogate pain model.
Isomorphic Properties of Network Governance: Comparing Two Watershed Governance Initiatives in the Lake Champlain Basin Using Institutional Network Analysis
Authors: Koliba Christopher , Reynolds Adam , Zia Asim , Scheinert Steven
Published: March 2015

In this paper a comparison of the two planned networks that appear in watershed planning documents for the Lake Champlain basin in 2010 One plan (2010 TMDL) was developed by a regulatory network initiated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and state legislature. The second plan (2010 OFA) was developed by a watershed partnership network spanning the governmental, nonprofit, and business sectors. This paper asks if these two planning networks reify themselves in the plans they create? The extent to which the structural and functional properties of the networks in this study are mirrored in the plans that they produce is measured. Using textual data mining techniques and institutional network analysis the authors examine measures of network centrality, develop a visual analysis of network structures and clusters, and examine statistical comparisons of the task structures found across the two planned networks.Institutional isomorphism theory is used to anticipate and explain any mirroring effects observed in the data. A comparison of policy tool identification, actor characteristics, and task structures for each plan is rendered. Findings suggest evidence of structural isomorphism, but not policy tool isomorphism occurring between the two planning regimes and possible explanations for these findings are given.
Self-Organization in Collective Action: Elinor Ostrom’s Contributions and Complexity Theory
Authors: Morçöl Göktuğ
Published: March 2015

Elinor Ostrom’s contributions to the understanding self-organization in collective action processes are discussed from a complexity theory perspective. It is argued that complexity researchers can learn from Ostrom’s theory building process, as well her conceptualization of the conditions of self-organization in the management of common-pool resources. Her focus on self-organization helps rectify the problems with the assumption in the mainstream policy analysis that policy processes can be explained with external causes. The conceptual problems in her utility maximizing rational actor assumption and the potential for conceptual advancements in her recognition of complexity concepts are discussed. It is argued that Ostrom’s conceptual framework is sophisticated, but it lacks a dynamic understanding of the micro–macro relationships in complex governance systems, and that complexity theory offers the conceptual tools to remedy this problem.
Rheology of the lithosphere beneath the central and western Tien Shan
Authors: England Philip , Molnar Peter
Published: March 2015

The distribution of crustal velocity over a 800 by 400 km region of the Tien Shan shows strain rates with principal contractional axes aligned perpendicular to the mountain chain and with negligible velocity gradients in the along‐strike direction. This configuration allows us to describe the dynamics by a force balance along profiles perpendicular to the chain. The velocities on each of these profiles fit, with root‐mean‐square misfits of ∼1 mm/yr, a constant rate of contractional strain. Gravitational potential energy per unit area varies along these profiles by at least 3 and maybe 5 TN m−1; the insensitivity of contractional strain rates to those variations implies a lower bound of ∼1022 Pa s on the effective viscosity of the lithosphere. Seismic tomography shows variations in P and S wave speeds that imply large lateral temperature variations in crust and upper mantle of the region. If the ductile portion of the lithosphere were deforming by the mechanisms of high‐temperature creep, such temperature variations would be accompanied by variations in strength of 1 or 2 orders of magnitude. The observed velocity profiles allow variations in lithospheric strength by no more than a factor of 2 to 4, implying that the strength‐controlling portion of the lithosphere cannot be strongly sensitive to temperature. Lithospheric strength profiles that incorporate flow laws for low‐temperature plasticity of olivine reproduce both the effective viscosity and the insensitivity to lateral temperature variation that are observed in the Tien Shan. Plastic deformation of dry, pyroxene‐rich lower crust may also contribute to such a temperature‐insensitive strength profile.
Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion for the rheology of olivine single crystals
Authors: Mullet Benjamin G. , Korenaga Jun , Karato Shun‐Ichiro
Published: March 2015

We present major modifications to the Markov chain Monte Carlo inversion method of Korenaga and Karato (2008), which was developed to analyze rock deformation data and determine a corresponding flow law and its uncertainty. The uncertainties of state variables, e.g., temperature, pressure, and stress, are now taken into account by data randomization, to avoid parameter bias that could be introduced by the original implementation of the cost function. Also, it is now possible to handle a flow law composed of both parallel and sequential deformation mechanisms, by using conjugate gradient search to determine scaling constants. We test the new inversion algorithm extensively using synthetic data as well as the high‐quality experimental data of Bai et al. (1991) on the deformation of olivine single crystals. Our reanalysis of this experimental data set reveals that a commonly adopted value for the stress exponent (∼3.5) is considerably less certain than previously reported, and we offer a detailed account for the validity of our new estimates. The significance of fully reporting parameter uncertainties including covariance is also discussed with a worked example on flow law prediction under geological conditions.
Poxviruses
Authors: Pickup David J
Published: March 2015

Poxviruses are brick‐shaped, enveloped viruses, each containing a linear, double‐stranded DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) genome of 134–365 kilobases (kb). Several family members, including
variola
,
monkeypox
,
cowpox
,
vaccinia
,
orf
and
molluscum contagiosum viruses
, cause disease in humans. Smallpox, which was caused by
variola virus
, was once responsible for the deaths of millions each year. In 1796, Jenner showed that inoculation of material from a cowpox lesion could protect against smallpox: vaccination had been introduced into medicine. Moreover, through the use of
cowpox
and
vaccinia virus
vaccines, the dread disease of smallpox was eradicated from the natural environment. Although
variola virus
, the principal poxvirus pathogen, is no longer a public health hazard, the poxviruses have continued to be the focus of intense study because they provide unique systems for investigation of mechanisms important in molecular biology, viral pathogenicity and immunity. Attenuated poxviruses now provide some of the most promising contemporary platforms for broad‐spectrum, live‐virus vaccines.

Key Concepts

Variola virus
, which causes smallpox, is one of the most virulent human pathogens.

Variola virus
was the first virus to be eradicated from the natural environment.

Jenner showed that infection with cowpox could protect against infection with smallpox.

Cowpox virus
was the original vaccine, hence the name vaccine, from the Latin word
vacca
for cow.

The worldwide eradication of the disease of smallpox was achieved by immunisation with vaccines containing live
vaccinia viruses
(viruses similar to, but more attenuated than,
cowpox virus
).

Except for
variola virus
and
molluscum contagiosum virus
(
MCV
), most of the poxvirus diseases of humans are zoonoses (diseases transmitted to humans from animals).

Among viruses, the poxviruses are unusually independent of host cell functions, employing mainly viral enzymes for viral gene transcription and viral DNA replication in the cytoplasm of infected cells.

Poxviruses do not establish latent infections.

Poxviruses possess many accessory genes that are not required for virus replication
in vitro
, but which are advantageous for virus replication
in vivo
.

Most of the accessory proteins encoded by poxviruses of vertebrates interfere with either innate or adaptive immune responses.
Cell Membrane Features
Authors: Yeagle Philip L
Published: March 2015

The biological membranes provide much of the functionality of the organisms of which they are a part. From intracellular organelles to extracellular cell–cell interactions, membranes provide the structures necessary for biological function and organisation. Many structural and functional features are common among membranes in archaea, bacteria, eukaryotic cells and enveloped viruses. The fundamental architecture of all biological membranes is built upon the lipid bilayer. Thus, all membranes have properties in common. Membrane proteins confer a myriad of specific functions expressed by cell membranes. Plasma membranes determine the cell boundary and the interactions of the cell with its environment. Intracellular membranes compartmentalise cells into different functional units with differing internal compositions. The composition of the compartments is maintained by essential transport functions in concert with permeability control. Signal transduction is enabled by membranes. Membrane fusion provides a mechanism for intracellular vesicular transport and enveloped virus entry into cells.

Key Concepts

The hydrophobic effect, which governs the behaviour of hydrocarbons in water, controls the structures formed by membrane lipids and membrane proteins.

Many properties of membranes are conferred by lipid bilayers that form the basic structure for all biological membranes.

Integral membrane proteins have a portion of their mass buried in the lipid bilayer.

Transmembrane proteins have specialised organisations of amino acids in their primary sequence such that linear sequences of hydrophobic amino acids enable the protein to span the lipid bilayer.

Peripheral membrane proteins are much like soluble proteins in structure, but bind to membranes.

Cellular functions, including compartmentalisation, transport, intracellular trafficking, enveloped viral entry, signal transduction, endocytosis, phagocytosis, action potentials and RNA processing, are provided by membranes.

Specialised cell membranes have specialised functions for cells.
Free Radicals and Other Reactive Species in Disease
Authors: Halliwell Barry
Published: March 2015

Free radicals are generated in a wide variety of chemical and biological systems, including the production of plastics, the ageing of paints, the deterioration of foods, the combustion of fuels and in the human body. In living organisms, the levels of free radicals and other ‘reactive species’ (such as hydrogen peroxide) are controlled by a complex web of antioxidant defences, which minimise (but do not completely prevent) oxidative damage to biomolecules. One reason for this is that reactive species play useful roles, for example, in cell signalling and especially in defence against pathogens. However, over the long human lifespan, oxidative damage may contribute to diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia) and perhaps even to the ageing process itself. Some antioxidants come from the diet, whereas others (such as glutathione and the superoxide dismutase enzymes) are made
in vivo
.

Key Concepts

Oxygen free radicals and other reactive species are made
in vivo
.

Some are made for useful purposes, some ‘accidentally’.

Their action is controlled by a balanced and coordinated network of antioxidant defences, whose aim is to modulate their levels so as to allow their useful functions while minimising oxidative damage.

Many antioxidant defences are synthesised
in vivo
but some also come from diet.

Reactive species play key roles in the development of human diseases, including Alzheimer disease and cancers caused by chronic inflammation.
J
oseph
E
rlanger (1874–1965)
Authors: McComas Alan J
Published: March 2015

Joseph Erlanger was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 1944, and shared it with Herbert Gasser for research on the nerve impulse. They were the first to employ a cathode ray tube and thereby to obtain accurate recordings of the impulses (action potentials) in groups of vertebrate nerve fibres; later, Erlanger was able to record from single fibres. At the time of receiving the award Erlanger, who also had a strong background in cardiovascular physiology, was the Head of the Physiology Department at Washington University, St Louis. Erlanger's many honours included the Presidency of the American Physiological Society (1926 –1929).
I
ngram,
V
ernon
Authors: Hogan Andrew J
Published: March 2015

Vernon Ingram (1924–2006) was a protein biochemist who spent his career studying the causes and impacts of misshapen proteins, and their relevance to human disease. Ingram is best known for his 1957 demonstration that the abnormal haemoglobin in sickle cell anaemia patients is caused by an alteration in one amino acid, which results from a single nucleotide mutation in the DNA code. This finding provided further evidence supporting Francis Crick's ‘Central Dogma’ of molecular biology and earned Ingram the widespread designation as the ‘father of molecular medicine’. Ingram's initial work on haemoglobin was conducted under Max Perutz in the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University. Soon thereafter, Ingram moved to MIT, where he spent the remainder of his career working on other blood disorders and Alzheimer's disease.

Key Concepts

Ingram demonstrated in 1957 that sickle cell anaemia is caused by one amino acid change in the haemoglobin protein, resulting from one DNA nucleotide alteration.

Ingram's haemoglobin studies supported Francis Crick's ‘Central Dogma’ of molecular biology.

Ingram's haemoglobin studies demonstrated that a one‐dimensional change in the DNA code resulted in the mutant form of a protein.

Ingram's haemoglobin studies undercut the hypothesis that DNA code exists in overlapping units.

Ingram's haemoglobin studies provided the first demonstration of a specific change in the DNA, causing a disease that followed a Mendelian inheritance pattern.
Single Particle
EM
Authors: Fernández José‐Jesús , Valpuesta José‐María
Published: March 2015

Single particle electron microscopy (EM) plays an important role in structural biology because it allows derivation of biologically relevant information about proteins and macromolecular complexes. A large amount of randomly oriented images of the specimen under study (so‐called particles) are collected from micrographs taken with an electron microscope. These particles are then computationally aligned and combined to yield the 3D structure, which is subsequently subjected to visualisation and interpretation. In most cases, the resolution attained with this technique precludes tracing of the polypeptide chain or the clear visualisation of the secondary structure elements. Nevertheless, the integrative combination of the information provided by the different structural techniques (X‐ray crystallography, EM, etc.) at different resolution levels has allowed a comprehensive interpretation of the structure. The recent advancements in instrumentation and computational procedures are now making it possible to obtain maps at sub‐nanometre, and even near‐atomic, resolution.

Key Concepts

Single particle electron microscopy (EM) allows the structural determination of proteins and macromolecular complexes.

The combination of the structure obtained by single particle EM and the high‐resolution information obtained by other structural techniques allows the derivation of biologically relevant information.

Structure determination at sub‐nanometre, and even near‐atomic, resolution is also being possible in a growing number of cases.

The biological material has to be specially prepared prior to be imaged in the electron microscope.

The 3D structure of the specimen is determined by collecting, aligning and combining a large number of randomly oriented particles of the specimen that are extracted from the microscope images.
S
chmallenberg Virus
Authors: Doceul Virginie , Gouzil Julie , Vitour Damien , Zientara Stéphan
Published: March 2015

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in Northern Europe during summer 2011 and then caused a large epidemic in Europe. It is a negative‐sense single‐stranded RNA virus belonging to the
Bunyaviridae
family and the
Orthobunyavirus
genus. SBV affects predominantly domestic and wild ruminants and is transmitted by multiple species of
Culicoides
biting midges. SBV infection is mainly asymptomatic in adult cattle, sheep and goats but can cause congenital malformations, stillbirths and premature births when infection of the dam occurs at a critical period of gestation. In response to the emergence of SBV, molecular and serological tests have been generated rapidly to diagnose and monitor the disease and a number of inactivated vaccines have been developed.

Key Concepts

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in Northern Europe in summer 2011.

SBV belongs to the
Bunyaviridae
family and the
Orthobunyavirus
genus.

The SBV genome is composed of three negative‐sense single‐stranded RNA segments.

SBV is mainly asymptomatic in cattle, sheep and goats.

SBV is associated with abortion and birth of malformed or stillborn animals.

SBV is an arthropod‐borne virus transmitted by multiple species of
Culicoides
.

Several inactivated vaccines are available.
Genetics of Recessive Cognitive Disorders
Authors: Kahrizi Kimia , Najmabadi Hossein
Published: March 2015

Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the most heterogeneous disorders, presenting two to three times more than any other disability. Recent estimates indicate that there are about 2000–3000 genes underlying ID. The X‐linked genes have been studied most extensively, contributing to approximately 10% of cases. However, autosomal genes make up the vast majority of genes, which is responsible for monogenic forms of ID. In Western populations, it appears that autosomal dominant (AD) disorders are more common than autosomal recessive (AR) disorders; however, when we move to the Middle East, this ratio shifts significantly and AR disorders are major players in the hereditary disease burden there. There are prevalent genes contributing to non‐syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability (NSARID) including
TUSC3
,
ELP2
and
MAN1B1
; however, there is a paucity of ARID studies in many countries, particularly in the Middle East. Although many ARID genes have been identified in the last few years with advances in next‐generation sequencing, many of the genes responsible for ARID have not yet been identified, but it is expected that the novel genes will be determined in future.

Key Concepts

Neuro‐developmental disorders arise from central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, leading to gradual and progressive cognition or movement impairment. ID is one of the most studied and explored conditions amongst neurodegenerative disorders

The majority of genes responsible for ID has an autosomal mode of inheritance
Cerebral Palsy: Underlying Causes and Animal Models
Authors: Feather‐Schussler Danielle , Ferguson Tanya S
Published: March 2015

Cerebral palsy (CP) was first discovered in 1853 by Dr. William Little. It is a non‐progressive motor disorder that occurs in approximately 2–4 of every 1000 live births. CP can be acquired, where insults occur during or after birth, or congenital, meaning insults occurred
in utero
. The major neurological hallmarks of CP are white matter injury around the ventricles and cortical dysgenesis, caused by insults in the developing brain before, during or after birth. These insults include haemorrhage or stroke, hypoxia, ischaemia, and infection (maternally or in the neonate) or inflammation, which lead to cellular responses in astrocytes, microglia, neurons and oligodendrocytes and subsequent brain damage. Rare genetic mutations can also cause CP and lead to changes in cortical organisation. Researchers are using animal models to elucidate the underlying cellular changes that lead to CP.

Key Concepts

Cerebral palsy most commonly occurs between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation in the developing brain.

Periventricular leukomalacia and cortical dysgenesis are the neurological hallmarks of cerebral palsy.

Different insults lead to acquired or congenital cerebral palsy and also vary the degree of brain injury.

The combination of hypoxia, ischaemia and inflammation is thought to lead to the majority of congenital CP.

The inflammatory response is initiated through the activation of microglia leading to astrocyte loss and delayed activation, neuron death and decreased white matter density.

Glutamate excitotoxicity occurs in response to injury and leads to neuron death and periventricular leukomalacia.

Animal models are integral in clarifying the cellular responses underlying the brain damage seen in cerebral palsy.
High‐Throughput Investigation of the Oxidation and Phase Constitution of Thin‐Film Ni–Al–Cr Materials Libraries
Authors: König Dennis , Eberling Christina , Kieschnick Michael , Virtanen Sannakaisa , Ludwig Alfred
Published: March 2015

Thin‐film materials libraries of the intermetallic model system Ni–Al–Cr were fabricated and their oxidation behavior was studied by compositional, optical, electrical, and structural high‐throughput characterization methods. The study reveals the compositional regions of the binary and ternary compositions which withstand longest to annealing in air (up to 700 °C), and are, therefore, resistant to oxidation and delamination under these conditions. A complete ternary thin‐film phase diagram for the Ni–Al–Cr system in its state after 9 h annealing in air at 500 °C was determined. Optical high‐throughput characterization is shown to be valid for rapid identification of oxidizing phases. Generally, the initially metallic phases show different oxidation behavior in air. We find that the ternary compositions are more resistant to oxidation than the binary phases. Compositions around Ni25Al12.5Cr62.5 were found to show very good oxidation resistance. These results were supported by additional information from corresponding electrical and optical property investigations. The presented high‐throughput approach is generic for the efficient study of multinary thin‐film materials in harsh environments.
3‐Methyl‐4‐oxa‐5‐azahomoadamantane as an Organocatalyst for the Aerobic Oxidation of Primary Amines to Oximes in Water
Authors: Yu Jiatao , Jin Yong , Lu Ming
Published: March 2015

A simple and efficient catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of primary amines into corresponding oximes has been developed, with 3‐methyl‐4‐oxa‐5‐azahomoadamantane as catalyst, acetaldoxime as co‐catalyst and water as solvent. This process, which uses oxygen (O2) as an economic and green oxidant and water as a green solvent, tolerates a wide range of substrates, affording the target oximes in moderate to excellent yields. It was found that high selectivity was achieved when 3‐methyl‐4‐oxa‐5‐azahomoadamantane was used, and E‐type oximes were the only detected products. A possible mechanism for this catalytic process is proposed.

magnified image
Gene‐centric approach identifies new and known loci for FVIII activity and VWF antigen levels in European Americans and African Americans
Authors: Tang Weihong , Cushman Mary , Green David , Rich Stephen S. , Lange Leslie A. , Yang Qiong , Tracy Russell P. , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Basu Saonli , Wilson James G. , Keating Brendan J. , Weng Lu‐Chen , Taylor Herman A. , Jacobs David R. , Delaney Joseph A. , Palmer Cameron D. , Young Taylor , Pankow James S. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Smith Nicholas L. , Reiner Alexander P. , Folsom Aaron R.
Published: March 2015

Coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (VWF) are key proteins in procoagulant activation. Higher FVIII coagulant activity (FVIII:C) and VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism. Beyond associations with ABO blood group, genetic determinants of FVIII and VWF are not well understood, especially in non European‐American populations. We performed a genetic association study of FVIII:C and VWF:Ag that assessed 50,000 gene‐centric single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 18,556 European Americans (EAs) and 5,047 African Americans (AAs) from five population‐based cohorts. Previously unreported associations for FVIII:C were identified in both AAs and EAs with KNG1 (most significantly associated SNP rs710446, Ile581Thr, P = 5.10 × 10−7 in EAs and P = 3.88 × 10−3 in AAs) and VWF rs7962217 (Gly2705Arg, P = 6.30 × 10−9 in EAs and P = 2.98 × 10−2 in AAs). Significant associations for FVIII:C were also observed with F8/TMLHE region SNP rs12557310 in EAs (P = 8.02 × 10−10), with VWF rs1800380 in AAs (P = 5.62 × 10−11), and with MAT1A rs2236568 in AAs (P = 1.69 × 10−6). We replicated previously reported associations of FVIII:C and VWF:Ag with the ABO blood group, VWF rs1063856 (Thr789Ala), rs216321 (Ala852Gln), and VWF rs2229446 (Arg2185Gln). Findings from this study expand our understanding of genetic influences for FVIII:C and VWF:Ag in both EAs and AAs. Am. J. Hematol. 90:534–540, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The platelet serotonin‐release assay
Authors: Warkentin Theodore E. , Arnold Donald M. , Nazi Ishac , Kelton John G.
Published: March 2015

Few laboratory tests are as clinically useful as The platelet serotonin‐release assay (SRA): a positive SRA in the appropriate clinical context is virtually diagnostic of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a life‐ and limb‐threatening prothrombotic disorder caused by anti‐platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies that activate platelets, thereby triggering serotonin‐release. The SRA's performance characteristics include high sensitivity and specificity, although caveats include indeterminate reaction profiles (observed in ∼4% of test sera) and potential for false‐positive reactions. As only a subset of anti‐PF4/heparin antibodies detectable by enzyme‐immunoassay (EIA) are additionally platelet‐activating, the SRA has far greater diagnostic specificity than the EIA. However, requiring a positive EIA, either as an initial screening test or as an SRA adjunct, will reduce risk of a false‐positive SRA (since a negative EIA in a patient with a “positive” SRA should prompt critical evaluation of the SRA reaction profile). The SRA also provides useful information on whether a HIT serum produces strong platelet activation even in the absence of heparin: such heparin‐“independent” platelet activation is a marker of unusually severe HIT, including delayed‐onset HIT and severe HIT complicated by consumptive coagulopathy with risk for microvascular thrombosis. Am. J. Hematol. 90:564–572, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case history and genome‐wide scans for copy number variants in a family with patient having 15q11.1–q11.2 duplication and 22q11.2 deletion, and schizophrenia
Authors: Takahashi Sakae , Suzuki Takahiro , Nakamura‐Tomizuka Sakura , Osaki Koichi , Sotome Yuta , Sagawa Tomoaki , Uchiyama Makoto
Published: March 2015

Many studies have indicated that chromosomes 15q11 and 22q11 may be associated with the genetic etiologies of schizophrenia. We have followed an adult schizophrenia case with 15q11.1–q11.2 duplication and 22q11.2 deletion. Here we report his clinical history, and copy number variants (CNVs) identified by microarray and real‐time PCR in the patient and his parents. This is the first report describing a detailed phenotype of an adult schizophrenic case with both 15q11 and 22q11 CNVs as revealed by novel and trustworthy technologies. Subjects were a 33‐year‐old male patient with 15q11 and 22q11 CNVs, and his normal parents. He fulfilled the DSM‐IV criteria for schizophrenia at age 18 years. He was also diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) at age 18 years. To search for CNVs in more detail, whole‐genome array‐CGH analyses including ∼420,000 probes were carried out in the patient and his parents. For validations of the CNVs detected by array‐CGH, real‐time PCR analyses of these CNVs were performed. The patient had two disease‐specific CNVs, 15q11.1–q11.2 duplication (∼2.7 Mb) and 22q11.21 deletion (∼2.9 Mb). These two regions are important for the development of schizophrenia, and this patient had shown symptoms of schizophrenia. Thus, the two areas may contain causal genes for schizophrenia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effizienter Zugang zu Titanaaziridinen durch C‐H‐Aktivierung von N‐Methylanilinen bei Raumtemperatur
Authors: Manßen Manfred , Lauterbach Nicolai , Dörfler Jaika , Schmidtmann Marc , Saak Wolfgang , Doye Sven , Beckhaus Rüdiger
Published: March 2015

Titanaaziridine bzw. η2‐Imintitankomplexe sind Schlüsselintermediate in der titankatalysierten Hydroaminoalkylierung von Alkenen. Hier berichten wir über einen effizienten Zugang zu dieser Verbindungsklasse, ausgehend von N‐Methylanilinen und Bis(η5:η1‐pentafulven)titankomplexen. Folgereaktionen der ersten strukturell charakterisierten η2‐Methylenanilinkomplexe belegen die vielfältigen Reaktionsmuster dieser Verbindungsklasse. Insbesondere werden Hydroaminoalkylierungsprodukte in Reaktionen des titanacyclischen Dreiringes mit Olefinen gefunden. Erstmalig können alle Intermediate der Hydroaminoalkylierung experimentell zugänglich gemacht werden.
Well‐Defined Copper(I) Fluoroalkoxide Complexes for Trifluoroethoxylation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Bromides
Authors: Huang Ronglu , Huang Yangjie , Lin Xiaoxi , Rong Mingguang , Weng Zhiqiang
Published: March 2015

Copper(I) fluoroalkoxide complexes bearing dinitrogen ligands were synthesized and the structure and reactivity of the complexes toward trifluoroethoxylation, pentafluoropropoxylation, and tetrafluoropropoxylation of aryl and heteroaryl bromides were investigated.
Unique Curing Properties through Living Polymerization in Crosslinking Materials: Polyurethane Photopolymers from Vinyl Ether Building Blocks
Authors: Kirschbaum Stefan , Landfester Katharina , Taden Andreas
Published: March 2015

Photopolymers with unique curing capabilities were produced by combining living cationic polymerization with network formation and restricted polymer motion. A vinyl ether diol was synthesized as a functional building block and reacted with isophorone diisocyanate to form a highly functionalized vinyl ether polyurethane as a model system with high crosslinking ability. When using a cationic photoinitiator, fast polymerization is observed upon short UV irradiation. Curing proceeds in the absence of light and under ambient conditions without oxygen inhibition. Cationic active sites become trapped dormant species upon network‐induced vitrification and surprisingly remain living for several days. The polymerization can be reactivated by additional UV irradiation and/or raised temperature. The curing behavior was studied in detail by using UV and FT‐NIR coupled rheology and photo‐DSC to simultaneously study spectroscopic and mechanical information, as well as thermal effects.
Efficient Access to Titanaaziridines by CH Activation of N‐Methylanilines at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Manßen Manfred , Lauterbach Nicolai , Dörfler Jaika , Schmidtmann Marc , Saak Wolfgang , Doye Sven , Beckhaus Rüdiger
Published: March 2015

Titanaaziridines or η2‐imine titanium complexes are considered key intermediates of the titanium‐catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes. Herein, we present an efficient synthetic route to this class of compounds, starting from N‐methylanilines and a bis(η5:η1‐pentafulvene)titanium complex. Consecutive reactions on the η2‐methyleneaniline complexes, characterized for the first time, prove a high chemical versatility. In particular, hydroaminoalkylation products were found in reactions of the three‐membered titanacycles with alkenes. For the first time, all the intermediates of the hydroaminoalkylation of alkenes were isolated and characterized.
Preferred calculation formula and buoyancy effect on capillary number
Authors: Sheng James J.
Published: March 2015

It has been well established in the literature that as the capillary number is increased, residual saturations are decreased. The concept of capillary number is very important in enhanced oil recovery. There are several definitions of the capillary number. Which equation properly describes the mechanism of residual oil reduction as the capillary number is increased? To include the effect of buoyancy, a parameter called trapping number that is similar to the capillary number is proposed, and two different equations have been derived in the literature. There is a paradox for one of these equations: It suggests that the buoyance plays a role in horizontal flow! This paper seeks answers and explanations to the question and the paradox from theoretical point of view and published experimental data. This research work from this paper also suggests which equation should be used to calculate the trapping number for the flow in an inclined core or formation, which equation should be used to calculate capillary number and how the capillary number in a multiphase flow be calculated. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultraviolet‐ray treatment of polysulfone membranes on the O2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separation performance
Authors: Konruang Sutthisa , Sirijarukul Suksawat , Wanichapichart Pikul , Yu Liangdeng , Chittrakarn Thawat
Published: March 2015

UV irradiation on polysulfone (PSF) membranes was studied to improve their gas‐separation properties. Membranes with 19–25% PSF contents were prepared by the phase‐inversion method, and the membrane surface was modified with UV rays with a wavelength of 312 nm and a power of 360 µw/cm2. Measurements of gas permeation were conducted with pure carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2) gases under 3–8 bar pressure at 25°C. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry revealed that the polar functional groups of hydroxyl and carbonyl were introduced by UV irradiation. The water contact angle of the treated membrane was reduced from 70–75° to 10–12° after 12 h of UV exposure. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the dense skin layer increased as the polymer concentration increased. After UV treatment, the permeation of O2 decreased from 0.4–3.4 to 0.2–2.3 m3 m−2 h−1 bar−1, whereas that of N2, CO2, and CH4 increased for all of the pressures used from 0.1–1.7 m3 m−2 h−1 bar−1 to about 0.1–3.4 m3 m−2 h−1 bar−1; this depended on the applied pressure and the PSF content. As a result, the selectivity ratio of O2/N2 decreased from 1.9–7.8 to 0.6–1.5, whereas that of CO2/CH4 increased from 0.9–2.6 to 1.1–6.1. Moreover, the O2/N2 and CO2/CH4 of the untreated and the treated membranes decreased with increasing pressure and increased with increasing polymer concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42074.
China's Role in Asia's Free Trade Agreements
Authors: He Fan , Yang Panpan
Published: March 2015

A new wave of regional trade negotiations have sprung up in the Asia‐Pacific region. China faces challenges and opportunities simultaneously. On the one hand, if China is excluded from major regional trade agreements, such as Trans‐Pacific Partnership, it may hurt China's future growth. On the other hand, China can utilise the opportunities of regional trade negotiations to shape the new rules of international trade from the very early stage. Regional trade negotiations are also important for China because it needs further opening up to facilitate the domestic economic reform.
cDNA CLONING AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF THE CECROPIN AND ATTACIN FROM THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY, Bactrocera dorsalis (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)
Authors: Liao Yin‐Yin , Zuo Yu‐Han , Tsai Cheng‐Lung , Hsu Chia‐Ming , Chen Mei‐Er
Published: March 2015

We described the cDNA cloning of two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cecropin (BdCec), and attacin C (BdAttC), from the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a serious insect pest of fruit trees. Using rapid amplification of cDNA ends, fragments encompassing the entire open reading frames of BdCec and BdAttC were cloned and sequenced. The complete 425 bp cDNA of BdCec encodes a protein of 64 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 6.84 kDa. The 931 bp cDNA of BdAttC encodes a protein of 239 residues with a predicted molecular weight of 24.97 kDa. Real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR demonstrated that the developmental transcription profiles of BdCec and BdAttC were similar in each larvae, pupae, and adults. The constitutive expression levels of both AMPs were high in the first‐instar and late third‐instar larvae, suggesting that their antimicrobial activity is active in the newly hatched larvae and just before pupation. The basal expression levels were not significant different in adult fat bodies. The expression of BdCec and BdAttC was upregulated after bacterial challenge in adult fat bodies. The ratio of inducible expression to constitutive expression was lower in males compared to females.
New Benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl‐aminoacetamides as Potential Anticonvulsants: Synthesis, Activity and Prediction of Molecular Properties
Authors: Ali Ruhi , Siddiqui Nadeem
Published: March 2015

A series of N‐(substituted‐2‐oxo‐4‐phenylazetidin‐1‐yl)‐2‐((6‐substitutedbenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)amino)acetamide derivatives were synthesized using pharmacophoric features with aromatic hydrophobic aryl ring (A), NHCO as hydrogen bonding domain, the nitrogen atom as electron donor (D), and phenyl as distal aryl ring (C). The synthesized molecules were initially screened for anticonvulsant activity using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test and the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole test in albino mice. An acute neurotoxicity study on the synthesized molecules was also carried out using the rotarod test. The results of these tests revealed that two compounds, 5b and 5q, showed promising activity with ED50 values of 15.4 and 18.6 mg/kg and protective indices of 20.7 and 34.9 in the MES test, respectively, which are found to be approximately fourfold higher than those of the standard drugs phenytoin (6.9) and carbamazepine (8.1). These molecules may act as lead of the designed scheme. The pharmacokinetic profiles of all the synthesized compounds were estimated using Molinspiration software. None of the compounds violated Lipinski's “rule of five”. The possible structure–activity relationship was discussed. In conclusion, this manuscript shows that the developed model has a highly prognostic power for the further investigation of better benzothiazole derivatives for future discovery and development.
Repetitive Learning Control Design and Period Uncertainties
Authors: Verrelli C. M.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this brief is to show how stability proofs in the time‐domain involving suitable quadratic‐integral Lyapunov‐like functions can be derived in the repetitive control design scenario in the case of uncertain period for the reference signals/disturbances to be tracked/rejected. Even though the presented arguments are rather general, we apply them to the generalization of the proportional–integral–derivative (PID)‐like learning control that has been recently designed. The use of the presented results in multi‐link robot synchronization tasks provides simple and intuitive solutions to as yet unsolved problems.
Comparative Study and Accommodation of Biodiesel in Diesel‐Electric Hybrid Vehicles Coupled with Aftertreatment Systems
Authors: Zhao Junfeng , Chen Pingen , Ibrahim, Umar , Wang Junmin
Published: March 2015

Biodiesel is a promising renewable alternative fuel, which can be used in diesel‐electric hybrid vehicles to potentially bring one kind of clean vehicle on the road. However, the fuel property variation can cause impacts to the powertrain and aftertreatment systems. In this paper, biodiesel's influence on post‐injection effects is studied. Experimental results are obtained to demonstrate the differences between diesel and biodiesel, and to build up fuel‐dependent maps of engine torque, temperature, and emissions. Utilizing those maps, an aftertreatment warm‐up approach compatible with both fuels is developed by strategically enabling double post injections. Finally, a supervisory controller based on model predictive control method is designed to optimize and balance the tradeoff between hybrid vehicle fuel economy and tailpipe emissions. Simulations are conducted for both fuels with or without the proposed control strategy. The validation results show that for both fuels, the controller can significantly reduce tailpipe emissions by successfully regulating the catalyst temperature to the desired range sacrificing fuel economy. And for biodiesel, additional fuel cost is required in order to realize the tradeoff.