bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning and Genomic Characterization of a Natural Insecticidal Peptide LaIT1 with Unique DDH Structural Fold
Authors: Chen Jing , Xu Yue , San Mingkui , Cao Zhijian , Li Wenxin , Wu Yingliang , Chen Zongyun
Published: April 2015

Two native peptides with disulfide‐directed hairpin (DDH) fold, LaIT1 and LITX, were recently isolated from scorpion venom, a development that offered insights into exploring the evolutionary linkage between DDH and inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides. In this work, we isolated and identified the full‐length cDNAs of LaTI1, a representative member with DDH fold, and further determined its complete gene structure. The precursor organization of LaIT1 is similar to that of ICK peptides. The LaIT1 gene contains four exons interrupted by three unique introns and differed from ICK peptides, suggesting divergent genomic organizations of DDH peptides and ICK peptides. Phylogenetic analysis further showed that the “simple” DDH peptide originates from the “complex” ICK peptide, rather than the reverse. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the genomic organization of DDH‐fold peptides, and it presents new evidence of an evolutionary linkage between ICK and DDH peptides.
SOCIAL SUPPORT AND STRESS AMONG HOMELESS ADULTS IN SOUTHERN POLAND
Authors: Toro Paul A. , Oko‐Riebau Marta
Published: April 2015

The present study investigated the main and stress‐buffering effects of social support in a representative sample of homeless adults (N = 200) obtained in a 2‐city region of southern Poland. Two different measures of social support were used: the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL) and the Social Network Interview (SNI). The findings support research in the United States and other nations, showing that (a) higher levels of reported stressful life events predicted all three outcomes assessed (i.e., symptoms of psychological distress, alcohol abuse and dependence, and physical health), (b) higher scores on ISEL perceived support and the SNI Family Index were associated with fewer symptoms on one or more of the outcomes, and (c) social support may be an important buffer protecting people from the negative impact of stress, even among a high‐risk group such as homeless adults. Implications for future research, policy, and intervention are discussed.
COMMUNITY‐LEVEL VICTIMIZATION AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE ADOLESCENTS: A PROFILE ANALYSIS
Authors: Gaylord‐Harden Noni K. , Zakaryan Arie , Bernard Donte , Pekoc Sarah
Published: April 2015

Community victimization is associated with elevated rates of aggression in African American male adolescents; however, existing research provides little information about the within‐group variability for victimization and aggression. Through cluster analysis, the current study identified three distinct profiles of community victimization and aggressive behavior in 223 African American male adolescents (mean age = 15.15, standard deviation = 1.05). The aggressive victims group reported high victimization and moderately high aggression. The aggressive nonvictims group reported low victimization, but moderately high aggression. The nonaggressive nonvictims group reported below‐average rates of victimization and aggression. The aggressive victims and aggressive nonvictims reported more maladaptive outcomes. The results highlight the importance of using person‐based analyses to understand within‐group variability in African American male adolescents. Identifying subtypes of youth has implications for violence interventions by providing information about who is most affected by community victimization and the patterns of associated emotional and behavioral problems that should be targeted in interventions.
Microfluidic biocatalysis enhances the esterification of caffeic acid and methanol under continuous‐flow conditions
Authors: Wang Sha‐Sha , Li Zhong‐Jian , Sheng Sheng , Wu Fu‐An , Wang Jun
Published: April 2015

Background

Methyl caffeate is an important intermediate for the synthesis of other caffeate esters, but its industrial production via enzymatic esterification in a batch reactor is hindered by a long reaction time (9 h). To develop a rapid process for the high‐yield production of methyl caffeate, a two‐piece continuous‐flow poly(dimethylsiloxane) microreactor with a sandwich‐like microchannel structure was designed for the esterification of caffeic acid and methanol catalyzed by Novozym 435 in [Bmim][Tf2N].

RESULTS

A maximum yield of 98.45% was achieved in a short period of time (2.5 h) in the microreactor at a flow rate of 2 µL min−1, and the reaction temperature was reduced from 75°C to 70°C compared with the batch reactor. The kinetic constants Km and Vm/Km(app) were 0.76 times lower and 282.08 times higher, respectively, than those in the batch reactor. Immobilized lipase could be reused at least 23 times without losing catalytic activity.

CONCLUSION

The use of a continuous‐flow packed‐bed enzyme microreactor is an efficient method to produce methyl caffeate. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Systemic lupus erythematosus: molecular cloning and analysis of 22 individual recombinant monoclonal kappa light chains specifically hydrolyzing human myelin basic protein
Authors: Timofeeva Anna M. , Buneva Valentina N. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: April 2015

Antibodies hydrolyzing myelin basic protein (MBP) can play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). An immunoglobulin light chain phagemid library derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with SLE was used. Small pools of phage particles displaying light chains with different affinities for MBP were isolated by affinity chromatography on MBP‐Sepharose, and the fraction eluted with 0.5 M NaCl was used for preparation of individual monoclonal light chains (MLChs, 26–27 kDa). Seventy‐two of 440 individual colonies were randomly chosen, expressed in Escherichia coli in a soluble form, and MLChs were purified by metal chelating chromatography. Twenty‐two of 72 MLChs have high affinity and efficiently hydrolyze only MBP (not other control proteins) demonstrating various pH optima in a 5.7–9.0 range and different substrate specificity in the hydrolysis of four different MBP oligopeptides. Four MLChs demonstrated serine protease‐like and three thiol protease‐like activities, while 11 MLChs were metalloproteases. The activity of three MLChs was inhibited by both phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), two other by EDTA and iodoacetamide, and one by PMSF, EDTA, and iodoacetamide. The ratio of relative activity in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Co2+ was individual for each of 22 MLCh preparations. It is the first examples of human MLChs, which probably can possess two or even three different proteolytic activities. These observations suggest an extreme diversity of anti‐MBP abzymes in SLE patients. The immune systems of individual SLE patients can generate a variety of anti‐MBP abzymes, which can attack MBP of myelin‐proteolipid sheath of axons and play an important role in MS and SLE pathogenesis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of dye‐sensitized solar cells: identification of the dye‐electrolyte interaction
Authors: Ellis Hanna , Leandri Valentina , Hagfeldt Anders , Boschloo Gerrit , Bergquist Jonas , Shevchenko Denys
Published: April 2015

Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have great potential to provide sustainable electricity from sunlight. The photoanode in DSCs consists of a dye‐sensitized metal oxide film deposited on a conductive substrate. This configuration makes the photoanode a perfect sample for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS). We applied LDI‐MS for the study of molecular interactions between a dye and electrolyte on the surface of a TiO2 photoanode. We found that a dye containing polyoxyethylene groups forms complexes with alkali metal cations from the electrolyte, while a dye substituted with alkoxy groups does not. Guanidinium ion forms adducts with neither of the two dyes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of two arginine kinase forms of endoparasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii venom by bottom up‐sequence tag approach
Authors: Labella Cristiana , Kanawati Basem , Vogel Heiko , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe , Laurino Simona , Bianco Giuliana , Falabella Patrizia
Published: April 2015

Leptomastix dactylopii (Howard) is an endoparasitoid wasp, natural enemy of mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso). Despite the acquired knowledge regarding this host‐parasitoid interaction, only little information is available on the factors of parasitoid origin able to modulate the mealybug physiology. The major alteration observed in P. citri is a strong reduction in fecundity, which is evident soon after parasitization by L. dactylopii or venom injection in unparasitized hosts indicating that this proteinaceus secretion injected at the oviposition plays a key‐role in host regulation. Protein identification of L. dactilopii venom has been limited by the lack of literature sources and public protein databases. Here, we identified two venom proteins by an integrated trascriptomic and proteomic approach. A custom‐made transcriptomic database from the L. dactylopii venom glands was created by applying the high‐throughput RNA sequencing approach. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) trypsinized protein spots were analyzed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry (FTICRMS‐12 T). The most abundant peptide ions were fragmented by collision induced dissociation and the obtained sequence tags were subjected to custom‐made protein database searching. Two putative arginine kinases (full‐length and truncated form) were identified. This is the first case in which both, truncated and full length arginine kinases, are identified in an endoparasitoid non‐paralyzing venom. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sample preparation method for recovering suppressed analyte ions in MALDI TOF MS
Authors: Lou Xianwen , de Waal Bas F. M. , Milroy Lech‐Gustav , van Dongen Joost L. J.
Published: April 2015

In matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS), analyte signals can be substantially suppressed by other compounds in the sample. In this technical note, we describe a modified thin‐layer sample preparation method that significantly reduces the analyte suppression effect (ASE). In our method, analytes are deposited on top of the surface of matrix preloaded on the MALDI plate. To prevent embedding of analyte into the matrix crystals, the sample solution were prepared without matrix and efforts were taken not to re‐dissolve the preloaded matrix. The results with model mixtures of peptides, synthetic polymers and lipids show that detection of analyte ions, which were completely suppressed using the conventional dried‐droplet method, could be effectively recovered by using our method. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of analytes in the matrix crystals has an important contributory effect on ASE. By reducing ASE, our method should be useful for the direct MALDI MS analysis of multicomponent mixtures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the biometric and physicochemical characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): a comparative approach
Authors: Okpala Charles Odilichukwu R , Bono Gioacchino
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

The practicality of biometrics of seafood cannot be overemphasized, particularly for competent authorities of the shrimp industry. However, there is a paucity of relevant literature on the relationship between biometric and physicochemical indices of freshly harvested shrimp. This work therefore investigated the relationship between biometric (standard length (SL), total weight (TW) and condition factor (CF)) and physicochemical (moisture content, pH, titratable acidity, water activity, water retention index, colour values and fracturability) characteristics of freshly harvested Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) obtained from three different farms. The relationships between these parameters were determined using correlation and regression analyses.

RESULTS

No significant correlation (P > 0.05) was found between the biometric and physicochemical indices of the sampled L. vannamei specimens. Possibly the lack of post‐mortem and physical change(s) at day of harvest together with the absence of temporal variable may have collectively limited the degree of any significant correlation between biometric and physicochemical data points measured in this study. Although the TWs of freshly harvested L. vannamei shrimp resembled (P > 0.05), SL and CF differed significantly (P < 0.05) with minimal explained variance. Moreover, some biometric and physicochemical variables were independently correlated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Data indicated that no significant correlation existed between biometric and physicochemical characteristics of freshly harvested L. vannamei shrimp. Across the farms studied, however, the biometric data were comparable. To best knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the biometric and physicochemical properties of freshly harvested shrimp using a comparative approach, which is also applicable to other economically important aquaculture species. Overall, this work provides useful information for competent authorities/stakeholders of the fishery industry and serves as a baseline for preservative treatments. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical profile of major taste‐ and health‐related compounds of Oblačinska sour cherry
Authors: Alrgei Hassan Omran S , Dabić Dragana Č , Natić Maja M , Rakonjac Vera S , Milojković‐Opsenica Dušanka , Tešić Živoslav Lj , Fotirić Akšić Milica M
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Oblačinska sour cherry, an autochthonous cultivar, is the most planted cultivar in Serbian commercial orchards. Owing to its long cultivation under different agro‐ecological conditions, it is a mixture of different clones. To obtain comprehensive information on Oblačinska sour cherry fruit, the total carbohydrate composition, total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity and polyphenolic profiles of 39 clones were investigated.

RESULTS

Fructose was found to be the dominant sugar, followed by glucose, sorbitol and sucrose. Rutin and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant polyphenols. Some clones contained pinobanksin, hesperetin and galangin, which, to best knowledge, is the first time these compounds have been reported in sour cherry fruit.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained showed huge variation within the germplasm studied, confirming the fact that Oblačinska sour cherry is not a cultivar but a population. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of Noble Monometal and Bimetal‐Modified Lignin Nanofibers and Carbon Nanofibers Through Surface‐Grafted Poly(2‐(Dimethylamino)Ethyl Methacrylate) Brushes
Authors: Gao Guangzheng , Ko Frank , Kadla John F.
Published: April 2015

Various noble monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles, including Pd, Pt, Au, Pd/Pt, Pd/Au, and Pt/Au, deposited lignin nanofiber mats (LFMs), and lignin carbon nanofiber mats (LCFMs) were fabricated using a novel lignin fiber surface PDMAEMA brush‐guided strategy. PDMAEMA brushes were immobilized on lignin nanofiber mat surfaces by surface‐initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET‐ATRP) in an aqueous solution followed by monometallic nanoparticle deposition. For the Pd and Pt nanoparticle‐immobilized LFMs, the metallic ions were reduced using citric acid and ascorbic acid, respectively; however, for the Au nanoparticle‐immobilized LFMs, in‐situ reduction occurred via the reducing potential of the PDMAEMA. The process was repeated to produce the bimetallic, Pd/Pt, Pd/Au, and Pt/Au‐immobilized lignin nanofiber mats. The resultant mono and bimetallic nanoparticle‐immobilized LFMs were then carbonized to the corresponding metallic‐modified carbon nanofibers. XPS, XRD, and SEM were used to confirm the uniformity of nanoparticle deposition and the metallic state on the lignin fiber and carbon nanofiber surfaces.
Topcoat‐Assisted Perpendicular and Straightly Parallel Coexisting Orientations of Block Copolymer Films
Authors: Jeong Jiyoung , Ha Jeong Sook , Lee Sang‐Soo , Son Jeong Gon
Published: April 2015

Highly ordered perpendicular orientation and straightly parallel orientation coexisting polystyrene‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane (PS‐b‐PDMS) cylindrical microdomains with 10 nm width can be realized by using polyvinyl acetate as a partially dewetted topcoat and solvent annealing with acetone vapor. During solvent annealing, the swelled topcoat begins to dewet and the dewetting rim sweeps the surface of the block copolymer films to align the cylindrical microdomains with the direction of dewetting propagation. However, the wetted region of the topcoat/PS‐b‐PDMS film forms with a perpendicular orientation due to reduced surface tension and sufficient concentration gradient in the solvent evaporation step. The orientational changes (perpendicular/straightly parallel orientation) in the dewetted/wetted area are also investigated according to the vapor pressure of solvent annealing. The degree of directionality of the swept PS‐b‐PDMS films according to the distance from the dewetting front, which is equivalent with time after sweeping, is examined. To control the direction of dewetting and complex structures within a specific area, an imprinting process is introduced to form topographical line–space patterns in the topcoat and perpendicular/parallel orientation of BCP patterns in the line–space patterns, respectively.

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Isotopocule analysis of biologically produced nitrous oxide in various environments
Authors: Toyoda Sakae , Yoshida Naohiro , Koba Keisuke
Published: April 2015

Natural abundance ratios of isotopocules, molecules that have the same chemical constitution and configuration, but that only differ in isotope substitution, retain a record of a compound's origin and reactions. A method to measure isotopocule ratios of nitrous oxide (N2O) has been established by using mass analysis of molecular ions and fragment ions. The method has been applied widely to environmental samples from the atmosphere, ocean, fresh water, soils, and laboratory‐simulation experiments. Results show that isotopocule ratios, particularly the 15N‐site preference (difference between isotopocule ratios 14N15N16O/14N14N16O and 15N14N16O/14N14N16O), have a wide range that depends on their production and consumption processes. Observational and laboratory studies of N2O related to biological processes are reviewed and discussed to elucidate complex material cycles of this trace gas, which causes global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:135–160, 2017
Risk of malignancy after augmentation cystoplasty: A systematic review
Authors: Biardeau Xavier , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel , Rouprêt Morgan , Phé Véronique
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To systematically evaluate the evidence regarding the risk of malignancy after augmentation cystoplasty.

Method

A systematic review search was performed through Medline and Embase databases using the following key words: “cancer,” “malignant neoplasm,” “cystoplasty,” and “bladder augmentation” until November 2014. An article was considered relevant to this review if it focused on malignant tumors occurring after augmentation cystoplasty performed for benign bladder disease.

Results

After screening, 57 articles were included in the synthesis. The level of evidence was usually poor and results should be interpreted with caution. The follow‐up time probability to develop a malignant tumor(s) after augmentation cystoplasty ranged from 0–5.5% and estimated incidence ranged from 0 to 272.3 per 100,000 patients/year. Adenocarcinoma was the commonest histological type (51.6%). Malignant lesions predominantly occurred at the entero‐urinary anastomosis (50%). The mean latency period was 19 years and most malignant lesions were diagnosed more than 10 years after surgery (90%). Long‐term surveillance by cystoscopy is still controversial because of its lack of efficiency. Non‐invasive techniques have been proposed and need further evaluations. Tumors were often diagnosed at an advanced stage within surveillance protocols, because of urinary tract related symptoms (64.1%). The carcinogenesis pathway is still not clearly understood but several factors are involved.

Conclusion

Augmentation cystoplasty is associated with a risk of malignancy. Studies regarding carcinogenesis and surveillance strategies should be considered to develop a more efficient follow‐up protocol and allow early diagnosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:675–682, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Timetabling and assignment problems in railway planning and integer multicommodity flow
Authors: Caprara Alberto
Published: April 2015

We reconsider the successful approaches that we adopted in the past to solve Train Timetabling, Train Platforming, Train‐Unit Assignment, and Crew Assignment problems arising in railway planning. We try to unify these approaches under a common framework, noting that they are all formulated as variants of a fairly general version of integer multicommodity flow, and discussing the solution methods and modelling issues that we found most relevant. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 66(1), 1–10 2015
High Precision Spatial Positioning
Authors: Schulze Birgit
Published: April 2015

Today, computed tomography (CT) is an established method with synchrotron radiation sources to obtain volume information from numerous sample types at micrometer resolution. However, it is a fact that the examination of extended flat microsystems or planar test objects is often unsatisfactory when the sample is considerably larger than the area of interest for examination. The considerable variation in X‐ray transmission during a scan often creates artefacts during reconstruction. This limitation was overcome by introducing a new imaging method which now enables calculating threedimensional representations of flat, widely extended objects. However, to obtain meaningful raw data, the sample and the detector need to be positioned with high precision and stability. This demanding task was solved by employing a positioning system specifically developed for this task.
Enhanced interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/poly (acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) composite through fiber surface treatment by an emulsion sizing
Authors: Ma Xiaolong , Ge Heyi , Liu Huashi
Published: April 2015

To improve the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber (CF) and poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene) (ABS) thermoplastic, an emulsion sizing whose film former was a terpolymer N‐phenylmaleimide‐styrene‐maleic anhydride (NSM)/ABS mixture was prepared. NSM, an efficient heat‐resistant modifier for ABS, could make the film former possess a superior heat resistance, which helped the sizing layer maintain integrity during the preparation of CF/ABS composite. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the NSM modified ABS achieved an improvement of 25.3°C. Particle size and distribution of the sizing agent were investigated to evaluate its stability. The FTIR spectrum obtained demonstrated that the chemical compositions of the sized CF got greatly changed and numerous functional groups appeared on sized CF. Abrasion resistance and fluffs of CF were tested and the results indicated that the sized CF obtained an appreciable enhancement in handleability. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) results revealed, after sizing, that the ILSS enhanced by 26.6%, due to the inserted sizing layer between CF and ABS matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2940–2949, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and properties of poly(aryl ether ketone) based phthalonitrile resins/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Tao , Li Yunxi , Su Yu , Yu Hongyang , Zhao Nan , Yang Yanhua , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: April 2015

Phthalonitrile‐based composites containing sodium montmorillonite (MMT0) and modified montmorillonites (MMT1 and MMT2) were prepared, respectively. The effect of functionalization, content and ball milling of the clay on the morphology, thermal mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites was thoroughly investigated by such methods as small angle X‐ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic, mechanical, and thermogravimetric analyses. FTIR and dynamic rheology measurements confirmed that the polymerization reaction of the PAEK‐CN prepolymer between individual clay layers had occurred and that intercalated tactoids and exfoliated/delaminated structures might have formed during the curing process. Small angle X‐ray scattering patterns reflected the increase of d‐spacing after clay modification and the subsequent possible exfoliation of the clay platelets within the phthalonitrile composites. Elevated heat distortion temperature and improved dynamic mechanical properties were observed for the PAEK‐CN/clay nanocomposites containing milled clay. Ball milling pristine clay improved the composite properties resulting from homogeneous dispersion to a certain extent, similar to the modified clay. In addition, composite properties depended on the content and modifier structures of the organoclays. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3003–3014, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Delayed hypoglycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes after performing moderate intensity exercise before the evening meal
Authors: Charlton Jacqui , Kilbride Lynn , MacLean Rory , Darlison Mark G , McKnight John
Published: April 2015

For a person with type 1 diabetes, participation in exercise may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. Research has been performed during or immediately after exercise in a laboratory environment, with limited evidence regarding strategies for post‐exercise hypoglycaemia prevention.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of delayed hypoglycaemia after 40 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at 70% VO2 max before the evening meal, in both the real‐life and laboratory exercise environments.

Nine individuals (five males, four females) with type 1 diabetes using basal bolus analogue insulin regimens participated. All performed two sessions of 40 minutes of moderate intensity exercise in two environments (laboratory and real‐life), while following a self‐management algorithm that included a 30% reduction of post‐exercise evening meal insulin. Data were collected by continuous glucose monitoring for episodes of interstitial glucose <4.0 mmol/L at two‐hourly time‐points for 12 hours post‐exercise.

Before the evening meal, the mean blood glucose concentrations were: laboratory 8.0 ± 1.9 mmol/L and real‐life 9.9 ± 4.1 mmol/L. During 2–6 hours after exercise, episodes of glucose concentrations <4.0 mmol/L were: laboratory n = 5, and real‐life n = 2. This compared to 8–12 hours after: laboratory n = 3, and real‐life n = 8. Hypoglycaemia unawareness was noted in eight of all 18 post‐evening meal episodes of <4.0 mmol/L (laboratory n = 5, real‐life n = 3).

Despite post‐exercise fast‐acting insulin dose reduction of 30%, delayed hypoglycaemia occurred in both environments with an increase during 8–12 hours in the real‐life environment. Recommendations from data suggest carbohydrate consumption at bedtime, and evening exercisers to perform blood glucose monitoring 8–12 hours post‐exercise. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons.
Improving the communication pathway for eye screening in paediatric diabetes
Authors: McIntyre B , Chatterjee Sumana , Cole Abosede , Burren CP
Published: April 2015

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in young adults. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines require that all children aged ≥12 years with diabetes are offered retinal screening annually. A local 2009–2010 audit identified that 57% underwent screening but only 16% had results documented with the paediatric diabetes service, highlighting areas for improvement. In 2011, the paediatric diabetes service formulated a standard operating procedure with the eye screening programme to improve referrals, screening and data collection.

We undertook a retrospective analysis of paediatric diabetes patients aged ≥12, attending a large paediatric diabetes service from April 2012 to April 2013.

Out of an eligible 268, evidence of referral was available for 259 and nine had no data. A total of 241 (90%) had results recorded for submission to the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA). The remaining 18 had screening but paediatric services had no recorded data. In all, 256 attended screening and three patients did not attend, thus giving a 96% screening rate (256/268). Of 251 with gradable images, 18 patients (7.2%) had retinopathy. Those with retinopathy had higher HbA1c (85mmol/mol) than those without (73mmol/mol); p=0.011. No correlation was found with age of diagnosis or duration of diabetes.

Improvements in screening rates from 57% to 96%, recording rates from 16% to 90% and a 96% local screening rate compared to a 49.7% national screening rate (NPDA 2012–2013) clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of collaboration between services and of a structured clinical pathway. The findings also confirm retinopathy is more prevalent in children with diabetes with poor glycaemic control, underlining the importance of improving glycaemic control. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons.
High‐resolution proteome maps of Bacillus licheniformis cells growing in minimal medium
Authors: Voigt Birgit , Albrecht Dirk , Sievers Susanne , Becher Dörte , Bongaerts Johannes , Evers Stefan , Schweder Thomas , Maurer Karl‐Heinz , Hecker Michael
Published: April 2015

Bacillus licheniformis is an important host for the industrial production of enzymes mainly because of its ability to secrete large amounts of protein. We analyzed the proteome of B. licheniformis cells growing in a minimal medium. Beside the cytosolic proteome, the membrane and the extracellular proteome were studied. We could identify 1470 proteins; 1168 proteins were classified as cytosolic proteins, 195 proteins with membrane‐spanning domains were classified as membrane proteins, and 107 proteins, with either putative signals peptides or flagellin‐like sequences, were classified as secreted proteins. The identified proteins were grouped into functional categories and used to reconstruct cellular functions and metabolic pathways of growing B. licheniformis cells. The largest group was proteins with functions in basic metabolic pathways such as carbon metabolism, amino acid and nucleotide synthesis and synthesis of fatty acids and cofactors. Many proteins detected were involved in DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Furthermore, a high number of proteins employed in the transport of a wide variety of compounds were found to be expressed in the cells. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000791 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000791).
A large‐scale proteogenomics study of apicomplexan pathogens—Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum
Authors: Krishna Ritesh , Xia Dong , Sanderson Sanya , Shanmugasundram Achchuthan , Vermont Sarah , Bernal Axel , Daniel‐Naguib Gianluca , Ghali Fawaz , Brunk Brian P. , Roos David S. , Wastling Jonathan M. , Jones Andrew R.
Published: April 2015

Proteomics data can supplement genome annotation efforts, for example being used to confirm gene models or correct gene annotation errors. Here, we present a large‐scale proteogenomics study of two important apicomplexan pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. We queried proteomics data against a panel of official and alternate gene models generated directly from RNASeq data, using several newly generated and some previously published MS datasets for this meta‐analysis. We identified a total of 201 996 and 39 953 peptide‐spectrum matches for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively, at a 1% peptide FDR threshold. This equated to the identification of 30 494 distinct peptide sequences and 2921 proteins (matches to official gene models) for T. gondii, and 8911 peptides/1273 proteins for N. caninum following stringent protein‐level thresholding. We have also identified 289 and 140 loci for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively, which mapped to RNA‐Seq‐derived gene models used in our analysis and apparently absent from the official annotation (release 10 from EuPathDB) of these species. We present several examples in our study where the RNA‐Seq evidence can help in correction of the current gene model and can help in discovery of potential new genes. The findings of this study have been integrated into the EuPathDB. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD000297and PXD000298.
Human cytomegalovirus pUL97 kinase induces global changes in the infected cell phosphoproteome
Authors: Oberstein Adam , Perlman David H. , Shenk Thomas , Terry Laura J.
Published: April 2015

Replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is regulated in part by cellular kinases and the single viral Ser/Thr kinase, pUL97. The virus‐coded kinase augments the replication of HCMV by enabling nuclear egress and altering cell cycle progression. These roles are accomplished through direct phosphorylation of nuclear lamins and the retinoblastoma protein, respectively. In an effort to identify additional pUL97 substrates, we analyzed the phosphoproteome of SILAC‐labeled human fibroblasts during infection with either wild‐type HCMV or a pUL97 kinase‐dead mutant virus. Phosphopeptides were enriched over a titanium dioxide matrix and analyzed by high‐resolution MS. We identified 157 unambiguous phosphosites from 106 cellular and 17 viral proteins whose phosphorylation required UL97. Analysis of peptides containing these sites allowed the identification of several candidate pUL97 phosphorylation motifs, including a completely novel phosphorylation motif, LxSP. Substrates harboring the LxSP motif were enriched in nucleocytoplasmic transport functions, including a number of components of the nuclear pore complex. These results extend the known functions of pUL97 and suggest that modulation of nuclear pore function may be important during HCMV replication.
Monitoring matrix metalloproteinase activity at the epidermal–dermal interface by SILAC‐iTRAQ‐TAILS
Authors: Schlage Pascal , Kockmann Tobias , Kizhakkedathu Jayachandran N. , auf dem Keller Ulrich
Published: April 2015

Secreted proteases act on interstitial tissue secretomes released from multiple cell types. Thus, substrate proteins might be part of higher molecular complexes constituted by many proteins with diverse and potentially unknown cellular origin. In cell culture, these may be reconstituted by mixing native secretomes from different cell types prior to incubation with a test protease. Although current degradomics techniques could identify novel substrate proteins in these complexes, all information on the cellular origin is lost. To address this limitation, we combined iTRAQ‐based terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (iTRAQ‐TAILS) with SILAC to assign proteins to a specific cell type by MS1‐ and their cleavage by MS2‐based quantification in the same experiment. We demonstrate the power of our newly established workflow by monitoring matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 10 dependent cleavages in mixtures from light‐labeled keratinocyte and heavy‐labeled fibroblast secretomes. This analysis correctly assigned extracellular matrix components, such as laminins and collagens, to their respective cellular origins and revealed their processing in an MMP10‐dependent manner. Hence, our newly devised degradomics workflow facilitates deeper insight into protease activity in complex intercellular compartments such as the epidermal–dermal interface by integrating multiple modes of quantification with positional proteomics. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001643 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001643).
Electrospray droplet exposure to polar vapors: Delayed desolvation of protein complexes
Authors: DeMuth J. Corinne , Bu Jiexun , McLuckey Scott A.
Published: April 2015

Rationale

Fragile non‐covalent complexes are susceptible to dissociation upon introduction into and transmission through the mass spectrometer. The exposure of nanoelectrospray droplets to various polar vapors, which are introduced into the curtain gas, is shown to stabilize non‐covalent protein complexes even under relatively energetic ion transfer conditions. This study probes the mechanism by which polar vapor exposure appears to stabilize non‐covalent protein complex ions in the gas phase.

Methods

Holomyoglobin and hemoglobin were dissolved in either aqueous 1 mM ammonium acetate or ammonium bicarbonate solutions and ionized via nanoelectrospray ionization in the positive polarity. Polar vapors were entrained within the counter‐current drying gas and exposed to nanoelectrospray droplets for circa 1 ms within the interface of a quadrupole/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. Mass spectra were acquired using various voltage gradients within the mass spectrometer.

Results

In the absence of added reagent vapors, significant fragmentation of holomyoglobin ions is noted with high voltage gradients for ions either entering or departing q0, a transmission quadrupole closely coupled to the skimmer exit. However, upon the introduction of reagent vapors, essentially 100% of the holomyoglobin complex can be preserved. Significant stabilization is noted at both relatively high q0 entrance and exit gradients when ions are transmitted through q0. These results indicate that upon vapor exposure the holomyoglobin ions are not completely desolvated as they enter or exit q0 under normal ion transmission conditions.

Conclusions

The apparent stabilization of protein complexes and other non‐covalent complexes noted here and elsewhere is attributed to the delayed desolvation of the ions. This allows the solvated ions to be transmitted through relatively high voltage gradients without disrupting the non‐covalent interactions holding the complexes together. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multirobot Coverage Search in Three Dimensions
Authors: Dornhege Christian , Kleiner Alexander , Hertle Andreas , Kolling Andreas
Published: April 2015

Searching for objects and observing parts of a known environment efficiently is a fundamental problem in many real‐world robotic applications, e.g., household robots searching for objects, inspection robots searching for leaking pipelines, and rescue robots searching for survivors after a disaster. We consider the problem of identifying and planning sequences of sensor locations from which robot sensors can observe and cover complex three‐dimensional (3D) environments while traveling only short distances. Our approach is based on sampling and ranking a large number of sensor locations for a 3D environment represented by an OctoMap. The visible area from these sensor locations induces a minimal partition of the 3D environment that we exploit for planning sequences of sensor locations with short travel times efficiently. We present multiple planning algorithms designed for single robots and for multirobot teams. These algorithms include variants that are greedy, optimal, or based on decomposing the planning problem into a set cover and traveling salesman problem. We evaluated and compared these algorithms empirically in simulation and real‐world robot experiments with up to four robots. Our results demonstrate that, despite the intractability of the overall problem, computing and executing effective solutions for multirobot coverage search in real 3D environments is feasible and ready for real‐world applications.
Modelling of Crack Initiation in a G42CrMo4 Steel With Non‐Metallic Inclusions
Authors: Henschel Sebastian , Krüger Lutz
Published: April 2015

The fracture toughness behavior of the cast steel G42CrMo4 (1.7231) with intentionally added non‐metallic inclusions was evaluated at temperatures of –40 and 20 °C under quasi‐static loading. To this end, crack growth resistance curves were determined. Furthermore, the fracture surface was analyzed with respect to the stretch zone formation and the local inclusion distribution. The casts exhibited an inhomogenous inclusion size and distance distribution. This was attributed to clustering and accumulation of the non‐metallic inclusions. It was shown that models describing the crack initiation toughness Ji can be applied if the inclusion distribution is analyzed on a local scale.
A penny‐shaped magnetically dielectric crack in a magnetoelectroelastic cylinder under magnetoelectromechanical loads
Authors: Liu L. L. , Feng W. J. , Ma P.
Published: April 2015

In this paper the fracture behaviors of magnetoelectroelastic cylinder induced by a penny‐shaped magnetically dielectric crack are investigated. By employing the Hankel transform technique and introducing three auxiliary functions, the complex question is transformed to solve three coupled nonlinear Fredholm integral equations. The intensity factors of stress, electric displacement, magnetic induction and crack opening displacement (COD) are derived in closed forms. The effects of the radius of the cylinder, applied electric field and magnetic field, dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability of the crack interior on the COD intensity factor are illustrated numerically. The results corresponding to magnetoelectrically permeable and impermeable boundary conditions are only the special cases of the present model.
A Novel Assessment of Braking Reaction Time following THA Using a New Fully Interactive Driving Simulator
Authors: Ruel Allison V. , Lee Yuo-yu , Boles John , Boettner Friedrich , Su Edwin , Westrich Geoffrey H.
Published: April 2015

Background

After total hip replacement surgery, patients are eager to resume the activities of daily life, particularly driving. Most surgeons recommend waiting 6 weeks after surgery to resume driving; however, there is no evidence to indicate that patients cannot resume driving earlier.

Questions/Purposes

Our purpose was to evaluate when in the recovery period following THA that patients regain or improve upon their preoperative braking reaction time, allowing them to safely resume driving.

Methods

We measured and compared pre- and postoperative braking reaction times of 90 patients from 3 different surgeons using a Fully Interactive Driving Simulator (Simulator Systems International, Tulsa, OK). We defined a return to safe braking reaction time as a return to a time value that is either equal to or less than the preoperative braking reaction time.

Results

Patients tested at 2 and 3 weeks after surgery had slower braking reaction times than preoperative times by an average of 0.069 and 0.009 s, respectively. At 4 weeks after surgery, however, patients improved their reaction times by 0.035 s ( p = 0.0398). In addition, at 2, 3, and 4 weeks postoperatively, the results also demonstrated that patient less than 70 years of age recovered faster.

Conclusions

Based upon the results of this study, most patients should be allowed to return to driving 4 weeks following minimally invasive primary total hip arthroplasty.
Biodiesel Synthesis from Styrax confusus Hemsl Catalyzed by S2O82−/ZrO2‐TiO2‐Fe3O4
Authors: Wang Yigang , Nie Xiaoan , Liu Zhenxing
Published: April 2015

Biodiesel has been identified as a suitable resource that can be produced from biomass such as Styrax confusus Hemsl. In the current study, biodiesel was synthesized from Styrax confusus Hemsl oil catalyzed by a magnetic solid acid heterogeneous catalyst S2O82−/ZrO2‐TiO2‐Fe3O4, which had a high recovery rate and reusability. The catalyst was prepared by co‐precipitation and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) adsorption. The properties of the catalyst, including the recovery rate, usage count, magnetic susceptibility and catalytic efficiency, were studied. The results showed that the catalyst has a BET pore diameter of 1.74 nm, BET area of 7.3 m2/g, molar magnetic susceptibility of 1.83 × 10−5 m3/kg and tetragonal structure. In addition, the influences of reaction conditions on yields of biodiesel were also discussed. A fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield of 90.02 % was obtained under the conditions of reaction time 1.5 h, reaction temperature 373 K, catalyst amount 5 %, and methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio 8:1. A FAME yield of 65.5 % was obtained when the catalyst was used for the fourth time.
Developing Knowledge and Leadership in Pre-Service Teacher Education Systems
Authors: Ferreira Jo-Anne , Ryan Lisa , Davis Julie
Published: April 2015

Pre-service teacher education institutions are large and complex organisations that are notoriously difficult to change. One factor is that many change efforts focus largely on individual pre-service teacher educators altering their practice. We report here on our experience using a model for effecting change, which views pre-service teacher education institutions and educators as a part of a much broader system. We identified numerous possibilities for, and constraints on, embedding change, but focus only on two in this article: participants’ knowledge of change strategies and their leadership capacities. As a result of our study findings and researcher reflections, we argue that being a leader in an academic area within pre-service teacher education does not equate to leadership knowledge or skills to initiate and enact systems-wide change. Furthermore, such leadership capacities must be explicitly developed if education for sustainability is to become embedded in pre-service teacher education.
Positive area and inaccessible fixed points for hedgehogs
Authors: BISWAS KINGSHOOK
Published: April 2015

Let $f$ be a germ of holomorphic diffeomorphism with an irrationally indifferent fixed point at the origin in $\mathbb{C}$ (i.e. $f(0)=0,f^{\prime }(0)=e^{2{\it\pi}i{\it\alpha}},{\it\alpha}\in \mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$). Perez-Marco showed the existence of a unique family of non-trivial invariant full continua containing the fixed point called Siegel compacta. When $f$ is non-linearizable (i.e. not holomorphically conjugate to the rigid rotation $R_{{\it\alpha}}(z)=e^{2{\it\pi}i{\it\alpha}}z$) the invariant compacts obtained are called hedgehogs. Perez-Marco developed techniques for the construction of examples of non-linearizable germs [Fixed points and circle maps. Acta Math. 179(2) (1997), 243–294]; these were used by the author to construct hedgehogs of Hausdorff dimension one, and adapted by Cheritat [Relatively compact Siegel disks with non-locally connected boundaries, Preprint, 2009] to construct Siegel disks with pseudo-circle boundaries. We use these techniques to construct hedgehogs of positive area and hedgehogs with inaccessible fixed points.
Smale flows on
Authors: DE REZENDE KETTY A. , LEDESMA GUIDO G. E. , MANZOLI NETO OZIRIDE
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we use abstract Lyapunov graphs as a combinatorial tool to obtain a complete classification of Smale flows on$\mathbb{S}^{2}\times \mathbb{S}^{1}$. This classification gives necessary and sufficient conditions that must be satisfied by an (abstract) Lyapunov graph in order for it to be associated to a Smale flow on$\mathbb{S}^{2}\times \mathbb{S}^{1}$.
Actions of finite rank: weak rational ergodicity and partial rigidity
Authors: DANILENKO ALEXANDRE I.
Published: April 2015

A simple proof of the fact that each rank-one infinite measure preserving (i.m.p.) transformation is subsequence weakly rationally ergodic is found. Some classes of funny rank-one i.m.p. actions of Abelian groups are shown to be subsequence weakly rationally ergodic. A constructive definition of finite funny rank for actions of arbitrary infinite countable groups is given. It is shown that the ergodic i.m.p. transformations of balanced finite funny rank are subsequence weakly rationally ergodic. It is shown that the ergodic probability preserving transformations of exact finite rank, the ergodic Bratteli–Vershik maps corresponding to the ‘consecutively ordered’ Bratteli diagrams of finite rank, some their generalizations and the ergodic interval exchange transformations are partially rigid.