bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are there birds in the library? The extent of Twitter adoption and use by Canadian academic libraries
Authors: Verishagen Nina , Hank Carolyn
Published: November 2014

Twitter, only eight years old, has emerged as an ever-present component of our everyday, online lives. This phenomenon is apparent in academic libraries as well, with a growing body of published reports on how libraries use Twitter, and other social networking tools, to engage with users. The extent of this adoption by libraries, however, is assumed rather than known, leading to the question: is it really a phenomenon? How many academic libraries are actually currently tweeting? In this paper, we report an investigation of Twitter adoption by Canadian academic libraries. We found that less than half of the main libraries currently tweet, with adoption peaking in 2009. While tweeting is not as ubiquitous as may be assumed and recent adoption has declined, findings do show that tweeting remains consistent and active for those libraries with established Twitter accounts.
Search engines: From social science objects to academic inquiry tools
Authors: Trevisan Filippo
Published: November 2014

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities involved in incorporating publicly available search engine data in scholarly research. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have started to include tools such as Google Trends (http://google.com/trends) in their work. However, a central ‘search engine’ field of inquiry has yet to emerge. Rather, the use of search engine data to address social research questions is spread across many disciplines, which makes search valuable across fields but not critical to any one particular area. In an effort to stimulate a comprehensive debate on these issues, this paper reviews the work of pioneering scholars who devised inventive — if experimental — ways of interpreting data generated through search engine accessory applications and makes the point that search engines should be regarded not only as central objects of research, but also as fundamental tools for broader social inquiry. Specific concerns linked to this methodological shift are identified and discussed, including: the relationship with other, more established social research methods; doubts over the representativeness of search engine data; the need to contextualize publicly available search engine data with other types of evidence; and the limited granularity afforded to researchers by tools such as Google Trends. The paper concludes by reflecting on the combination of search engine data with other forms of inquiry as an example of arguably inelegant yet innovative and effective ‘kludgy’ design (Karpf, 2012).
Behavioural Economics and House Prices: A Literature Review
Authors: Whittle Richard , Davies Thomas , Gobey Matthew , Simister John
Published: November 2014

This paper investigates previous research, to examine ways in which behavioural economics helps us to understand how house prices are determined.  In several respects, behavioural economics seems to be an improvement over neoclassical economics, regarding variations and trends in house prices.  This paper analyses theoretical and empirical evidence – investigating topics such as loss aversion, house price bubbles, and herd behaviour.  Historical perspectives (including the 2007/8 global financial crisis) are included, as well as differences between countries.
Challenges of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Adoption in Libya
Authors: Zakari Mohamed Abulgasem
Published: November 2014

This study investigates the challenges that face implementing of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by Libyan firms. In particular, this paper analyses the effect of legal, economic, accounting education and culture structures on adopting of IFRS in the Libyan context. A questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the effect of some selected challenges on IFRS adoption in Libya. The results of the study indicate that IFRS adoption by Libyan companies has faced some obstacles such as accounting education and economic issues. This research extends accounting literature by studying the challenges of IFRS in Libya (a developing country), focusing on the impact of legal, accounting education, economic and culture in IFRS implementation.
The Effectiveness of Internal Control Systems of Banks. The Case of Ghanaian Banks
Authors: Ayagre Philip , Appiah-Gyamerah Ishmael , Nartey Joseph
Published: November 2014

This study evaluated the control environment and monitoring activities components of Internal Control Systems of Ghanaian Banks using COSO’s principles and attributes of assessing the effectiveness of internal control systems. A five point Likert scale was used to measure respondent’s knowledge and perception of internal controls and the bank’s internal control system effectiveness. Responses ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree, where 1 represented strongly disagree (SD) and 5 represented strongly agree (SA). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data and presented in the form of means and standard deviations for each question and each section of the questionnaire. The study found out that, strong controls exist in the control environment and monitoring activities components of the internal control systems of banks in Ghana. The two components were highly rated by respondents with average means of 4.72 and 4.66 respectively. The study recommended that boards of banks in Ghana should not be complacent about the findings but should work hard to   ensure continuous ongoing and separate internal control monitoring to ascertain that controls really exist and are functioning properly.
Factors Contributing to Customer Loyalty in Commercial Banking
Authors: Khan Bareerah , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: November 2014

Customer Loyalty has been realized as a significant aspect in the establishment and maintenance of competitive edge in services sectors. Firm’s performance is positively affected with customer loyalty.  Customer Loyalty not only increases the business value but they also allow it to uphold costs lower than those associated with attracting new customers. Now days, banking sectors are promoting Relational marketing which is beneficial for them to build long-term relationship with their customers. Empirical research of this paper examines the extent to which customer Satisfaction in accordance with Perceived Service quality and Trust, Switching Cost, Corporate Image, Customer Involvement Influence the Customer Loyalty in banking sector. For this analysis, Questionnaires were distributed among 150 people and data were collected from 148 questionnaires selected through non-probability sampling technique. Regression and Correlation techniques were used for the analysis of this study. Findings show that there is a direct positive and significant relationship between Customer Satisfaction together with Perceived Service Quality, Corporate Image, Customer involvement and Customer Loyalty. While, Switching Cost has a positive but insignificant relationship on Customer Loyalty.
Succession in the Family Business: Challenges for Successors from an Entrepreneurial Perspective
Authors: Weismeier-Sammer Daniela , Hatak Isabella R.
Published: November 2014

Kronmann Wholesale and Retail is an outstanding family business with more than 300 years of history. This teaching case tells the story of two cousins who follow their fathers into a business full of tradition. The case gives students the opportunity to gain insights into the complex succession process of family businesses, as well as the challenges with which successors are confronted in the course of family business succession.
DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL DA INDÚSTRIA NO CEARÁ: FASES E FATOS NO CONTEXTO DOS ANOS 2000
Authors: Sailva Filho Luís Abel
Published: November 2014

O processo de industrialização e a concentração regional de investimentos produtivos são pauta de discussão de uma série de estudos científicos acerca do fenômeno e de suas causas. Diante disso, é pretensão deste artigo analisar a concentração industrial no Ceará, considerando-se as mesorregiões do Estado e seu potencial econômico. Para tanto, recorre-se a uma revisão de literatura e, em seguida, faz-se uso de indicadores de medidas regionais para a observação empírica. Os dados são da Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS) do Ministério do Trabalho e do Emprego (MTE) e o recorte temporal compreende os anos de 2000 e 2010. Os resultados mostram que há concentração de algumas atividades econômicas nas mesorregiões cearenses. Além disso, destacam-se as indústrias têxteis e calçadistas na conjuntura industrial, com baixo nível de especialização produtiva, apensar de se terem registrado pequenas alterações nos coeficientes de reestruturação produtiva em algumas mesorregiões do Ceará.
Os impactos dos Royalties do Petróleo em gastos sociais no Brasil: Uma análise usando Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Nunes de Almeida Alexandre
Published: November 2014

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo quantificar e analisar os impactos nos gastos com educação e saúde dos municípios brasileiros que receberam royalties do petróleo e compará-los aos seus pares que não receberam os royalties. Para auferir se houve aumento dos gastos dos indicadores sociais utilizou-se a metodologia do estimador de Diferença nas Diferenças (DID), conjugado com a técnica de Emparelhamento por Escore de Propensão (Propensity Score Matching), ferramenta a qual emparelha as características de municípios de forma a criar um grupo de controle e outro de tratamento, possibilitando a comparação ao reduzir possíveis vieses de seleção. Foi averiguado que os royalties do petróleo aumentam, em média, os gastos com educação e saúde nos municípios beneficiários, em R$ 2 bilhões e R$ 1.97 bilhões ao longo do período de 10 anos, respectivamente. No entanto, o impacto dos royalties não se traduziu diretamente no aumento do desenvolvimento social medido pelo IDH.
NOTAS SOBRE O RITMO DE CRESCIMENTO ECONÔMICO DAS REGIÕES PARANAENSES
Authors: De Lima Jandir Ferrera , Klein Cristiane Fernanda , Piffer Moacir , Rippel Ricardo , Oliveira Taina Caionara
Published: November 2014

Esse artigo examina a evolução do ritmo e do nível de crescimento econômico das 39 microrregiões do Paraná. Foram utilizados os indicadores do ritmo de crescimento e do nível de crescimento econômicos. Essa análise é descritiva e analítica utilizando o Produto Interno Bruto per capita como variável chave e o primeiro decênio do século XXI como período de estudo. Analisam-se as teorias do crescimento econômico divergente e convergentes e investiga-se a evolução do crescimento da economia paranaense, a partir de diversos estudos realizados nas últimas décadas, à luz dessas teorias
Relações Regionais e Gargalos Setoriais da Economia Paranaense
Authors: Porsse Alexandre Alves
Published: November 2014

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar os gargalos setoriais da economia paranaense vinculados suas relações de comércio regional com o Restante do Brasil. A metodologia utilizada consiste na aplicação da técnica de decomposição regional dos multiplicadores de insumo-produto de um sistema regional integrado. Para aplicar esta metodologia, as matrizes de insumo-produto do Paraná e do Brasil foram integradas, gerando-se uma matriz inter-regional Paraná-Restante do Brasil. Os setores da economia paranaense foram classificados em quatro grupos segundo o grau de vazamento regional do multiplicador da produção: alto, médio-alto, médio-baixo e baixo. Essa classificação consiste pode subsidiar a formulação de políticas de fortalecimento da estrutura produtiva interna da economia estadual.
Decomposição da Produtividade Municipal Paranaense
Authors: Pereima João Basilio , Porsse Alexandre Alves , Madruga Felipe Gomes
Published: November 2014

Este artigo faz uma análise do padrão de crescimento dos municípios paranaenses, através de uma tipologia do padrão de crescimento dos municípios baseada na desagregação do crescimento em crescimento do pessoal ocupado e crescimento da produtividade da mão de obra. São criados 8 tipos de padrão de crescimento, baseados na combinação de quatro variáveis: crescimento populacional, PIB, pessoal ocupado e produtividade da mão de obra. O Estudo conclui que a maioria dos municípios paranaenses apresentam um padrão virtuoso de crescimento, mas ao mesmo tempo há ainda vários municípios que estão ficando para trás na corrida do desenvolvimento.
Índice Paranaense de Atividade Econômica: metodologia e resultados
Authors: Porsse Alexandre Alves , Pereima João Basilio , Madruga Felipe Gomes , Vieira Pedro Américo
Published: November 2014

O objetivo deste estudo é construir um índice de atividade econômica para monitorar, trimestralmente, a evolução da economia paranaense. A estrutura do índice contempla as atividades agrícola, pecuária, indústria e comércio. A metodologia de cálculo faz uso de dados de pesquisas secundárias do IBGE e das Contas Regionais para formação da estrutura de ponderação. O Índice Paranaense de Atividade Econômica (IPAE-RET/UFPR) consiste em um indicador antecedente trimestral que permite avaliar, ao longo do ano, o comportamento da economia paranaense
Finanças Públicas Estaduais: uma breve análise do impacto da Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal sobre alguns indicadores orçamentáriosLRF – Gastos Públicos – Estados brasileiros
Authors: Correia Fernando Motta
Published: November 2014

O objetivo do trabalho é fazer uma breve análise das principais variáveis determinantes do orçamento público nas finanças dos 27 Estados da federação. Foram analisados dados de variáveis fiscais selecionadas para o período 2007 e 2011 com base nos dados do Finbra para todos os 27 Estados da federação. Os principais resultados apontam para o fato de que o ajuste de curto prazo, produzido pela Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal, com a tentativa de controle do endividamento público está sendo respeitado, porém, com a decisão de um menor gasto em investimento em detrimento aos gastos com pessoal.
Breves Notas sobre o Desafio do Desenvolvimento Brasileiro
Authors: Curado Marcelo
Published: November 2014

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Isomorphic Categories
Authors: Ferguson Ryan , Homa Donald
Published: November 2014

Learning and transfer were investigated for a categorical structure that could be mapped without loss of information from 1 sensory modality to another. The category space was composed of 3 nonoverlapping, linearly separable categories whose members were structured, temporal events. Each stimulus was composed of a sequence of on–off events that varied in duration and number of subevents (complexity). Categories were learned visually, haptically, or auditorily and transferred to the same or another modality. Despite the isomorphism across modalities, significant differences appeared in both learning and transfer. The visual modality showed an early learning advantage, with information on the transfer test preserved best when encoded visually during learning, worst when encoded haptically, with auditory encoding intermediate. False recognition rates were elevated when categories were learned haptically and transferred to another modality. In general, classification accuracy was highest for the category prototype, with false recognition of the category prototype higher in the cross-modality conditions. The results are discussed in terms of current theories in modality transfer including the difficulties inherent when calculation of similarity must be considered in a cross-modal situation.
IMM: A Multisystem Memory Model for Conceptual Learning
Authors: Saleh Mai Sabry
Published: November 2014

Concepts of learning and memory are closely related, and the terms often describe the same processes. Conceptual learning is known to be the process of developing abstract rules or mental constructs based on sensory experience. The Integrated Model of Mind (IMM), introduced in the present work, is a theoretical multisystem memory model that describes how concepts are formed. The IMM in its design arranges memory systems after their function in an integrated and harmonized sequence. It provides answers to some limitations of Tulving’s serial–parallel– independent (SPI) model and suggests a new assumption with respect to mental representation and image schema construction through the process of encoding.
Residential End-use Electricity Demand: Development over Time
Authors: Dalen Hanne Marit , Larsen Bodil M.
Published: November 2014

It is costly and difficult to meter electricity consumption for different end uses, e.g. space heating, lighting and household appliances. We deduce a model for using cross-sectional data for total annual electricity consumption for a sample of households, together with information from energy surveys, to estimate the end uses within an econometric demand model conditional on appliance ownership. By applying a consistent method to Norwegian data for 1990, 2001 and 2006 (repeated cross-sections), we compare results over time and detect possible trends. We find that electricity consumption for many end use necessities such as washing, water heating and refrigeration varies somewhat from year to year, but they show no trend. We find a steady increase in electricity used for more un-traditional end uses and newer types of appliances. Total energy consumption for heating purposes is quite stable over the time period.
Innovation activity and enterprises´ size
Authors: Bruothová Michaela , Bobenič Hintošová Aneta , Hliboká Lucia
Published: November 2014

The article investigates relationship between size of an enterprise and innovation activity. Existing literature and results of empirical studies are unambiguous in findings if large or rather small and medium enterprises shall be deemed as the key bearers of innovation activity. Our analysis was performed in conditions of eight industry sectors in Slovakia for the period of 2008 – 2012 using average data on sectoral level. Our results show existence of positive statistically significant relationship between size and innovation activity that seems to be rather nonlinear. The article forms partial output of scientific project VEGA No. 1/0328/13 „Modelling of causal relations of innovations in small and medium enterprises“.
NOTCH-Mediated Maintenance and Expansion of Human Bone Marrow Stromal/Stem Cells: A Technology Designed for Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Dong Yufeng , Long Teng , Wang Cuicui , Mirando Anthony J. , Chen Jianquan , O'Keefe Regis J. , Hilton Matthew J.
Published: November 2014

Human bone marrow-derived stromal/stem cells (BMSCs) have great therapeutic potential for treating skeletal disease and facilitating skeletal repair, although maintaining their multipotency and expanding these cells ex vivo have proven difficult. Because most stem cell-based applications to skeletal regeneration and repair in the clinic would require large numbers of functional BMSCs, recent research has focused on methods for the appropriate selection, expansion, and maintenance of BMSC populations during long-term culture. We describe here a novel biological method that entails selection of human BMSCs based on NOTCH2 expression and activation of the NOTCH signaling pathway in cultured BMSCs via a tissue culture plate coated with recombinant human JAGGED1 (JAG1) ligand. We demonstrate that transient JAG1-mediated NOTCH signaling promotes human BMSC maintenance and expansion while increasing their skeletogenic differentiation capacity, both ex vivo and in vivo. This study is the first of its kind to describe a NOTCH-mediated methodology for the maintenance and expansion of human BMSCs and will serve as a platform for future clinical or translational studies aimed at skeletal regeneration and repair.
Women Count
Authors: Hurley Dana M.
Published: November 2014

I am a counter by nature. I count things as an effective way to occupy my mind. How many people are in this room? How many are women? How many are wearing glasses? How many people are using a Mac versus a PC?
Eos: The Next Generation
Authors: McEntee Chris
Published: November 2014

On 9 December a dynamic, new, broadly inclusive, and freely accessible Earth and space science news website will launch: Eos.org. This new site is inspired by AGU's vision to galvanize our community of Earth and space scientists to collaboratively advance and communicate our science.
Southward displacement of the upper atmosphere zonal jet in the eastern north Pacific due to global warming
Authors: Park Jae‐Heung , An Soon‐Il
Published: November 2014

The jet stream over the eastern North Pacific (ENPJ) as a core of the atmospheric flow is known to strongly fluctuate meridionally, and its meridional displacement directly influences adjacent regional climate. Here, we investigate how this jet will be changed due to global warming. By analyzing the future scenario experiments of Climate Model Intercomparion Project Phase III (CMIP3) and Phase V (5), it was found that both ENPJ and the eastern tropical Pacific intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) tend to move southward, which are closely related to the tropical eastern Pacific warming trend. Tropical eastern Pacific warming leads to not only the southward migration of ITCZ by southward‐shifting the off‐equatorial eastern Pacific warm pool, but also the southward shift of ENPJ by increasing baroclinic instability of the atmosphere in subtropical region through intensifying the meridional sea surface temperature (SST) gradient. Not primary but yet secondly the southward shift of ITCZ contributes to the southward shift of ENPJ through a kinematic connection bridged by local Hadley circulation.
Generation and propagation of ion cyclotron waves in nonuniform magnetic field: Application to the corona and solar wind
Authors: Omidi N. , Russell C. T. , Jian L. K. , Isenberg P. , Wei H. Y.
Published: November 2014

With the objective to understand the generation, propagation, and nonlinear evolution of ion cyclotron waves (ICWs) in the corona and solar wind, we use electromagnetic hybrid (kinetic ions and fluid electrons) simulations with a nonuniform magnetic field. ICWs are generated by the temperature anisotropy of O5+ ions as minority species in a proton‐electron plasma with uniform density. A number of magnetic field models are used including radial and spiral with field strength decreasing linearly or with the square of the radial distance. O5+ ions with perpendicular temperature larger than parallel are initially placed in the high‐magnetic field regions. These ions are found to expand outward along the magnetic field. Associated with this expansion, ion cyclotron waves propagating along the magnetic field are also seen to expand outward. These waves are generated at frequencies below the local gyrofrequency of O5+ ions propagating parallel and antiparallel to the magnetic field. Through analysis of the simulation results we demonstrate that wave generation and absorption take place at all radial distances. Comparing the simulation results to observations of ICWs in the solar wind shows some of the observed wave characteristics may be explained by the mechanism discussed in this paper.
Does Hospital Volume Predict Outcomes and Complications After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in the US?
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Ramachandran Rekha
Published: November 2014

Objective

To assess the association of hospital procedure volume for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with patient outcomes and complications.

Methods

We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998–2011 to study the association of hospital annual TSA procedure volume with patient characteristics and TSA outcomes, including discharge disposition (home versus inpatient facility), length of index hospitalization, postarthroplasty periprosthetic fracture, and revision. Annual hospital TSA volume was categorized as <5, 5–9, 10–14, 15–24, and ≥25 TSA procedures annually.

Results

Patients receiving TSA at higher volume hospitals were more likely to be female (P < 0.0001) and white (P < 0.0001). Compared to low volume hospitals (<5, 5–9, or 10–14 procedures annually), patients receiving TSA at higher volume hospitals (15–24 or ≥25 procedures annually) had significantly lower likelihood of being discharged to an inpatient medical facility: 16.5%, 13.4%, 13.0%, 12.7%, and 11.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001); hospital stay above the overall median: 46.6%, 40.4%, 36.6%, 34.4%, and 29.2%, respectively (P < 0.0001); postarthroplasty fracture: 1.2%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.8%, respectively (P = 0.0004); blood transfusion: 8%, 7.1%, 6.7%, 7.1%, and 5.5%, respectively (P = 0.006); and TSA revision: 0.5%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.3%, respectively (P = 0.045).

Conclusion

In this study, we found that higher annual hospital TSA volume was associated with better TSA outcomes in the US. These findings document the impact of annual hospital TSA volume on TSA outcomes. Patients, surgeons, and policy‐makers should be aware of these findings and take them into account in decision‐making, policy decisions, and resource allocation.
Biomimetic Synthesis of the Calcineurin Phosphatase Inhibitor Dibefurin
Authors: Ellerbrock Pascal , Armanino Nicolas , Trauner Dirk
Published: November 2014

Dibefurin is a Ci‐symmetric natural product that acts as an inhibitor of calcineurin phosphatase. A six‐step synthesis of this compound is reported, which features an oxidative dimerization of the aromatic polyketide epicoccine as the key step. Dibefurin is proposed to be related to epicolactone, a complex yet racemic fungal metabolite that has recently been discovered. Attempts to access epicolactone from epicoccine and epicoccone B resulted in an unusual dimer that is formed through a hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of a para‐quinone methide with an ortho‐quinone.
Bifunctional Catalysts Based on m‐Phenylene‐Bridged Porphyrin Dimer and Trimer Platforms: Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides
Authors: Maeda Chihiro , Taniguchi Tomoya , Ogawa Kanae , Ema Tadashi
Published: November 2014

Highly active bifunctional diporphyrin and triporphyrin catalysts were synthesized through Stille coupling reactions. As compared with a porphyrin monomer, both exhibited improved catalytic activities for the reaction of CO2 with epoxides to form cyclic carbonates, because of the multiple catalytic sites which cooperatively activate the epoxide. Catalytic activities were carefully investigated by controlling temperature, reaction time, and catalyst loading, and very high turnover number and turnover frequency were obtained: 220 000 and 46 000 h−1, respectively, for the magnesium catalyst, and 310 000 and 40 000 h−1, respectively, for the zinc catalyst. Results obtained with a zinc/free‐base hybrid diporphyrin catalyst demonstrated that the Br− ions on the adjacent porphyrin moiety also function as nucleophiles.
Torrefied biomass‐polypropylene composites
Authors: Chiou Bor‐Sen , Valenzuela‐Medina Diana , Wechsler Mark , Bilbao‐Sainz Cristina , Klamczynski Artur K. , Williams Tina G. , Wood Delilah F. , Glenn Greg M. , Orts William J.
Published: November 2014

Torrefied almond shells and wood chips were incorporated into polypropylene as fillers to produce torrefied biomass‐polymer composites. The composites were prepared by extrusion and injection molding. Response surface methodology was used to examine the effects of filler concentration, filler size, and lignin factor (relative lignin to cellulose concentration) on the material properties of the composites. The heat distortion temperatures, thermal properties, and tensile properties of the composites were characterized by thermomechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile tests, respectively. The torrefied biomass composites had heat distortion temperatures of 8–24°C higher than that of neat polypropylene. This was due to the torrefied biomass restricting mobility of polypropylene chains, leading to higher temperatures for deformation. The incorporation of torrefied biomass generally resulted in an increase in glass transition temperature, but did not affect melting temperature. Also, the composites had lower tensile strength and elongation at break values than those of neat polypropylene, indicating weak adhesion between torrefied biomass and polypropylene. However, scanning electron microscopy results did indicate some adhesion between torrefied biomass and polypropylene. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41582.
Brief Report: Excitatory and Inhibitory Brain Metabolites as Targets of Motor Cortex Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Therapy and Predictors of Its Efficacy in Fibromyalgia
Authors: Foerster Bradley R. , Nascimento Thiago D. , DeBoer Misty , Bender Marycatherine A. , Rice Indie C. , Truong Dennis Q. , Bikson Marom , Clauw Daniel J. , Zubieta Jon‐Kar , Harris Richard E. , DaSilva Alexandre F.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve pain symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM), a central pain syndrome whose underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study was undertaken to explore the neurochemical action of tDCS in the brain of patients with FM, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS).

Methods

Twelve patients with FM underwent sham tDCS over the left motor cortex (anode placement) and contralateral supraorbital cortex (cathode placement) for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 7‐day washout period and then active tDCS for 5 consecutive days. Clinical pain assessment and 1H‐MRS testing were performed at baseline, the week following the sham tDCS trial, and the week following the active tDCS trial.

Results

Clinical pain scores decreased significantly between the baseline and active tDCS time points (P = 0.04). Levels of glutamate + glutamine (Glx) in the anterior cingulate were significantly lower at the post–active tDCS assessment compared with the post–sham tDCS assessment (P = 0.013), and the decrease in Glx levels in the thalami between these time points approached significance (P = 0.056). From baseline to the post–sham tDCS assessment, levels of N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) in the posterior insula increased significantly (P = 0.015). There was a trend toward increased levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the anterior insula after active tDCS, compared with baseline (P = 0.064). Baseline anterior cingulate Glx levels correlated significantly with changes in pain score, both for the time period from baseline to sham tDCS (β1 = 1.31, P < 0.001) and for the time period from baseline to active tDCS (β1= 1.87, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that GABA, Glx, and NAA play an important role in the pathophysiology of FM and its modulation by tDCS.
Modular Analysis of Peripheral Blood Gene Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis Captures Reproducible Gene Expression Changes in Tumor Necrosis Factor Responders
Authors: Oswald Michaela , Curran Mark E. , Lamberth Sarah L. , Townsend Robert M. , Hamilton Jennifer D. , Chernoff David N. , Carulli John , Townsend Michael J. , Weinblatt Michael E. , Kern Marlena , Pond Cassandra M. , Lee Annette , Gregersen Peter K.
Published: November 2014

Objective

To establish whether the analysis of whole‐blood gene expression is useful in predicting or monitoring response to anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Whole‐blood RNA (using a PAXgene system to stabilize whole‐blood RNA in the collection tube) was obtained at baseline and at 14 weeks from 3 independent cohorts, consisting of a combined total of 240 RA patients who were beginning therapy with anti‐TNF. We used an approach to gene expression analysis that is based on modular patterns of gene expression, or modules.

Results

Good and moderate responders according to the European League Against Rheumatism criteria exhibited highly significant and consistent changes in multiple gene expression modules after 14 weeks of therapy, as demonstrated by hypergeometric analysis. Strikingly, nonresponders exhibited very little change in any modules, despite exposure to TNF blockade. These patterns of change were highly consistent across all 3 cohorts, indicating that immunologic changes after TNF treatment are specific to the combination of both drug exposure and responder status. In contrast, modular patterns of gene expression did not exhibit consistent differences between responders and nonresponders at baseline in the 3 study cohorts.

Conclusion

These data provide evidence that using gene expression modules related to inflammatory disease may provide a valuable method for objective monitoring of the response of RA patients who are treated with TNF inhibitors.
Sensitivity of tropical deep convection in global models: effects of horizontal resolution, surface constraints, and 3D atmospheric nudging
Authors: Chemel Charles , Russo Maria R. , Hosking J. Scott , Telford Paul J. , Pyle John A.
Published: November 2014

We investigate the ability of global models to capture the spatial patterns of tropical deep convection. Their sensitivity is assessed through changing horizontal resolution, surface flux constraints, and constraining background atmospheric conditions. We assess two models at typical climate and weather forecast resolutions. Comparison with observations indicates that increasing resolution generally improves the pattern of tropical convection. When the models are constrained with realistic surface fluxes and atmospheric structure, the location of convection improves dramatically and is very similar irrespective of resolution and parameterizations used in the models.
A simple and sensitive assay for eflornithine quantification in rat brain using pre‐column derivatization and UPLC‐MS/MS detection
Authors: Yang Sihyung , Peng Kuan‐Wei , Wang Michael Zhuo
Published: November 2014

Eflornithine (α‐difluoromethylornithine) has been used to treat second‐stage (or meningoencephalitic‐stage) human African trypanosomiasis and currently is under clinical development for cancer prevention. In this study, a new ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS)‐based assay was developed and validated for the quantification of eflornithine in rat brain. To improve chromatographic retention and MS detection, eflornithine was derivatized with 6‐aminoquinolyl‐N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate for 5 min at room temperature prior to injection. Derivatized eflornithine was separated on a reverse‐phase C18 UPLC column with a 6‐min gradient; elution occurred at approximately 1.5 min. Prior to derivatization, eflornithine was reproducibly extracted from rat brain homogenate by methanol protein precipitation (~70% recovery). Derivatized eflornithine was stable in the autosampler (6 °C) for at least 24 h. This new assay had acceptable intra‐ and interday accuracy and precision over a wide dynamic range (5000‐fold) and excellent sensitivity with a lower limit of quantification of 0.1 µm (18 ng/mL) using only 10 μL of rat brain homogenate. The validated eflornithine assay was applied successfully to determine eflornithine distribution in different regions of rat brain in an in situ rat brain perfusion study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Next‐Generation Sequencing Studies Guide the Design of Pyrrole‐Imidazole Polyamides with Improved Binding Specificity by the Addition of β‐Alanine
Authors: Anandhakumar Chandran , Li Yue , Kizaki Seiichiro , Pandian Ganesh N. , Hashiya Kaori , Bando Toshikazu , Sugiyama Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

The identification of binding sites for small molecules in genomic DNA is important in various applications. Previously, we demonstrated rapid transcriptional activation by our small molecule SAHA‐PIP. However, it was not clear whether the strong biological effects exerted by SAHA‐PIP were attributable to its binding specificity. Here, we used high‐throughput sequencing (Bind‐n‐seq) to determine the binding specificity of SAHA‐PIPs. Sequence specificity bias was determined for SAHA‐PIPs (3 and 4), and this showed enhanced 6 bp sequence‐specific binding compared with hairpin PIPs (1 and 2). This finding allowed us to investigate the role of the β‐alanine that links SAHA to PIP, and led in turn to the design of ββ‐PIPs (5 and 6), which showed enhanced binding specificity. Overall, we demonstrated the importance of β‐moieties for the binding specificity of PIPs and the use of cost‐effective high‐throughput screening of these small molecules for binding to the DNA minor groove.
Surfactant‐Assisted Sol–Gel Synthesis of Nanostructured Ruthenium‐Doped Lithium Iron Phosphate as a Cathode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Gao Yuan , Li Li , Peng Hui , Wei Zidong
Published: November 2014

Uniform submicro‐sized LiFePO4/C and LiFe0.99Ru0.01PO4/C cathode materials are synthesized by using a surfactant‐assisted sol–gel method. The surfactant plays a key role in the synthesis, which acts as a blocking agent preventing and minimizing the agglomeration of the lithium iron phosphates particles. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the samples are characterized by X‐ray spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, charge/discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that Ru doping promotes Li+ diffusion velocity and electrochemical conductivity of LiFe0.99Ru0.01PO4/C, thus displaying outstanding electrochemical performance. In comparison with the undoped LiFePO4/C, LiFe0.99Ru0.01PO4/C exhibits excellent specific capacity and high rate capability with discharge capacity of 162 mAh g−1, 117 mAh g−1and 107 mAh g−1at 0.1 C, 5 C and 10 C, respectively.
Self‐Assembled Alluaudite Na2Fe3−xMnx(PO4)3 Micro/Nanocompounds for Sodium‐Ion Battery Electrodes: A New Insight into Their Electronic and Geometric Structure
Authors: Huang Weifeng , Li Biao , Saleem Muhammad Farooq , Wu Xiang , Li Jianjian , Lin Jun , Xia Dingguo , Chu Wangsheng , Wu Ziyu
Published: November 2014

A series of alluaudite Na2Fe3−xMnx(PO4)3 microcompounds, which self‐assembled from primary nanorods, were prepared successfully through a solvothermal method. As a promising candidate cathode for sodium‐ion batteries, it is necessary to obtain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the structure and physicochemical properties of these materials. The local electronic and geometric environments were systematically investigated, for the first time, by using a combination of soft/hard X‐ray absorption, IR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results show that the electrochemical performance is not only associated with morphology, but also with the electronic and crystalline structure. With the introduction of manganese into the lattice, the long‐range order maintains the isostructural framework and the lattice parameters expand as expected. However, for short‐range order, PO4 tetrahedra and MO6 octahedra (M=Fe and Mn) become more severely distorted as a function of Mn concentration. Meanwhile, larger MnO6 octahedra will compress the space of FeO6 octahedra, which will result in stronger core/electron–electron interactions for Fe, as characterized by hard/soft X‐ray absorption spectra. These slight changes in the electronic and local structures lead to different electrochemical performances with changes to the manganese content. Moreover, other physicochemical properties, such as magnetic behavior, are also confirmed to be correlated with these different electron interactions and local geometric environments.
Synthesis of a Pentasaccharide and Neoglycoconjugates Related to Fungal α‐(1→3)‐Glucan and Their Use in the Generation of Antibodies to Trace Aspergillus fumigatus Cell Wall
Authors: Komarova Bozhena S. , Orekhova Maria V. , Tsvetkov Yury E. , Beau Remi , Aimanianda Vishukumar , Latgé Jean‐Paul , Nifantiev Nikolay E.
Published: November 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of researchers from N.D. Zelinsky Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Pasteur Institute, Paris. The coverpicture illustrates our research: the production of antibodies against Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall α‐(1→3)‐glucan using chemically prepared pentasaccharide fragment of α‐(1→3)‐glucan conjugated with a carrier protein. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201404770.
Alteration of Antioxidant Response and Expression of Related Genes by Cadmium in Chinese Rare Minnow Larvae
Authors: Li Zhi‐Hua , Wu Yan‐Hua , Li Ping , Li Yun‐Feng , Ni Zhao‐Hui
Published: November 2014

In the present study, antioxidant parameters were measured in whole body of Chinese rare minnow larvae (Gobiocypris rarus) after exposure to Cd2+ (0, 0.5, and 2.5 mg/L) for four days, as well as a series of genes expression, including cortisol receptor (cr), Na+/K+‐ATPase (aptase), and prolactin (prl) genes involved in ion‐regulatory process, insulin‐like growth factor I (igf1) and growth hormone (gh) related to growth rate, as well as heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) and metallothionein (mt) used as physiological stress indices. The results showed that oxidative stress was generated in fish exposed to Cd2+ and the transcription of the cr, atpase, gh, hsp70, and mt genes increased in a dose‐dependent manner, but two genes expressions, prl and igf1, showed a decrease in the treated groups. The changes in antioxidant responses and the altered genes expression in this study could provide useful information for evaluating the influence mechanisms of cadmium on fish, and could be used as potential biomarkers for monitoring Cd2+ in aquatic environment in the future.
Synthesis and in vitro Anticancer Activity of Zinc(II) Phthalocyanines Conjugated with Coumarin Derivatives for Dual Photodynamic and Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Qin , Meng Lu‐Bo , Huang Qi , Li Jun , Zheng Ke , Zhang Feng‐Ling , Liu Jian‐Yong , Xue Jin‐Ping
Published: November 2014

The combination of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy is a promising strategy to overcome growing problems in contemporary medicine, such as low therapeutic efficacy and drug resistance. Four zinc(II) phthalocyanine–coumarin conjugates were synthesized and characterized. In these complexes, zinc(II) phthalocyanine was used as the photosensitizing unit, and a coumarin derivative was selected as the cytostatic moiety; the two components were linked via a tri(ethylene glycol) chain. These conjugates exhibit high photocytotoxicity against HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells, with low IC50 values in the range of 0.014–0.044 μM. The high photodynamic activities of these conjugates are in accordance with their low aggregation tendency and high cellular uptake. One of these conjugates exhibits high photocytotoxicity and significantly higher chemocytotoxicity. The results clearly show that the two antitumor components in these conjugates work in a cooperative fashion. As shown by confocal microscopy, the conjugates can localize in the mitochondria and lysosomes, and one of the conjugates can also localize in the cell nuclei.
Electropolymerisation of Catalytically Active PEDOT from an Ionic Liquid on a Flexible Carbon Cloth Using a Sandwich Cell Configuration
Authors: Abdelhamid Muhammad E. , Snook Graeme A. , O'Mullane Anthony P.
Published: November 2014

The electropolymerisation of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiopene) (PEDOT) from an ionic liquid, butyl‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (C4mpyrTFSI), onto flexible carbon cloth electrodes is reported. A continuous, homogeneous and well‐adhered coating of the individual cloth fibres is achieved by employing a sandwich cell arrangement in which the carbon cloth, which is soaked with electrolyte, is placed between two indium tin oxide electrodes isolated from each other by a battery separator. The resultant PEDOT‐modified carbon cloth electrode demonstrates excellent activity for the oxygen reduction reaction, which results from the doping level, conductivity and morphology of the PEDOT layer, and is also tolerant to the presence of methanol in the electrolyte. This simple approach therefore offers a route to fabricate flexible polymer electrodes that could be used in various electronic applications.
Adaptive impulsive synchronization of uncertain delayed chaotic system with full unknown parameters via discrete‐time drive signals
Authors: Gao Xiaojing , Cheng Mengfan , Hu Hanping
Published: November 2014

This article investigates the adaptive impulsive synchronization of delayed chaotic system with full unknown parameters. Aiming at this problem, we propose a new adaptive strategy, in which both the adaptive–impulsive controller and the parameters adaptive laws are designed via the discrete‐time signals from the drive system. The corresponding theoretical proof is given to guarantee the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Moreover, the concrete adaptive strategies are achieved for delayed Hopfield neural network, optical Ikeda system and the well‐known delayed Lü chaotic system. As expected, numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. This method has potential applications in parameters estimation, secure communication, and cryptanalysis when only discrete signals are transmitted in communication channel. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 43–51, 2016
Quantitative assessment of computational models for retinotopic map formation
Authors: Hjorth J J Johannes , Sterratt David C , Cutts Catherine S , Willshaw David J , Eglen Stephen J
Published: November 2014

Molecular and activity‐based cues acting together are thought to guide retinal axons to their terminal sites in vertebrate optic tectum or superior colliculus (SC) to form an ordered map of connections. The details of mechanisms involved, and the degree to which they might interact, are still not well understood. We have developed a framework within which existing computational models can be assessed in an unbiased and quantitative manner against a set of experimental data curated from the mouse retinocollicular system. Our framework facilitates comparison between models, testing new models against known phenotypes and simulating new phenotypes in existing models. We have used this framework to assess four representative models that combine Eph/ephrin gradients and/or activity‐based mechanisms and competition. Two of the models were updated from their original form to fit into our framework. The models were tested against five different phenotypes: wild type, Isl2‐EphA3ki/ki, Isl2‐EphA3ki/+, ephrin‐A2,A3,A5 triple knock‐out (TKO), and Math5−/− (Atoh7). Two models successfully reproduced the extent of the Math5−/− anteromedial projection, but only one of those could account for the collapse point in Isl2‐EphA3ki/+. The models needed a weak anteroposterior gradient in the SC to reproduce the residual order in the ephrin‐A2,A3,A5 TKO phenotype, suggesting either an incomplete knock‐out or the presence of another guidance molecule. Our article demonstrates the importance of testing retinotopic models against as full a range of phenotypes as possible, and we have made available MATLAB software, we wrote to facilitate this process. © 2014 The Authors Developmental Neurobiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 641–666, 2015