bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After-School Program for urban youth: Evaluation of a health careers course in New York City high schools
Authors: Holden Lynne , Berger Wallace , Zingarelli Rebecca , Siegel Elliot
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Mentoring in Medicine (MIM) addresses an urgent national need for minority health professionals and promotes careers in health care for urban youth. The MIM After-School Program (ASP or The Course) has as its primary objectives to provide academic enrichment in human biology and motivate disadvantaged youth to pursue a career in the health professions. Secondary objectives of The Course, although not evaluated here, are to improve students’ health literacy and knowledge of healthy living behaviors. Since 2009, over 1500 middle and high school students have completed the New York City based Course, which is offered once a week over a 10 week semester in an out-of-school venue. This study assesses the success of The Course in achieving its primary objectives with 84 students at five New York City high schools during the fall 2014 semester. The Course curriculum was created especially for MIM, comprises the body’s 11 organ systems, and is presented in discrete modules (one each semester), along with complementary educational activities, including field trips and class projects. This study reports on a formal evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods.

The quantitative evaluation found that the students significantly increased their knowledge of the Gastrointestinal System. Students across the academic spectrum appeared to have learned the MIM ASP Course content – high school GPA was not a predictor of knowledge acquisition. The students also reported that The Course significantly increased their self-confidence in their ability to succeed (self-efficacy). The students expressed a significant increase in five health care related attitudes and an additional increase in their ability to overcome personal issues to succeed in their career and significantly improving their feeling toward, and likely pursuit of, a health career. The students stated that The Course significantly increased their interest and intent to seek out more information about health care, participate in health care activities, and take more health care courses in high school.

The qualitative evaluation found that the students and their parents were pleased with the MIM ASP Course’s composition, presentation and effectiveness. With a large majority of the parents stating that their child got out of The Course what they had hoped for and that The Course made it more likely that they would recommend a health career for their child. The students and instructional staff also identified The Course elements that they felt were most and least effective. Best practices that were used in designing and conducting The Course were identified.

The MIM ASP Course appears to have achieved its principal educational objectives of providing academic enrichment in human biology and improving attitudes towards a health career for a self-selected population of disadvantaged, underrepresented minority high school students in an urban setting.
An overview of the NFAIS 2015 Annual Conference: Anticipating Demand: The User Experience as Driver
Authors: Lawlor Bonnie
Published: August 2015

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the highlights of the 2015 NFAIS Annual Conference, Anticipating Demand: The User Experience as Driver, that was held in Crystal City, VA from February 22–24, 2015. The phrase “Content is King” can arouse hot debates over its relevance in a technology-dominated world. But the reality is that searchers are looking for answers to their questions. Information remains the Holy Grail. But the convergence of content, robust computing technologies and innovative devices has changed the search experience and elevated user expectations. The goal of the NFAIS conference was to take a look at how content providers and librarians are building products and services that will not only provide the ultimate in today’s information experience, but will also raise that experience to a new level of satisfaction. Conference attendees used their smart phones throughout the meeting to give their opinions on key issues that were raised and the questions/responses are included at the end of each session.
Information wants someone else to pay for it: Laws of information economics and scholarly publishing
Authors: Altman Micah , Avery Marguerite
Published: August 2015

Abstract

The increasing volume and complexity of research, scholarly publication, and research information puts an added strain on traditional methods of scholarly communication and evaluation. Information goods and networks are not standard market goods – and so we should not rely on markets alone to develop new forms of scholarly publishing. The affordances of digital information and networks create many opportunities to unbundle the functions of scholarly communication – the central challenge is to create a range of new forms of publication that effectively promote both market and collaborative ecosystems.
A comparative study on violent and aggressive attitudes and activism among students and non-students
Authors: Ara Shawkat , Mir Md. Abul Kashem , Samad Syeda Shahria , Ahmed Rasel
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the violent and aggressive attitudes for student activists, non-student activists and student non-activists of different educational institutions within the framework of socio-cultural background. The study has been developed under the theoretical interpretation of biological theory of aggression and violence, and social learning theory of aggression and violence. It uses a multidimensional co relational approach with a criterion group design.The study was conducted into two phases. In the first phase criterion groups of student activists, non student activists and student non activists were selected on the basis of an activism criteria questionnaire. To achieve the goal 360 respondents was equally taken from student activists, non-student activists and student non-activists. Each sample group was sub-divided into upper middle and lower middle SES background. The violent and aggressive attitudes composed of five dimensions such as political violence, social violence, institutional violence, administrative violence and sex violence in the violence - nonviolence continuum. The main objective of the present investigation was to make a comparative study of the pattern of the attitudes of student activists, non-student activists and studentnon-activists. In this Study it was hypothesized that student activists would score higher on the attitudinal variables of violent and aggressive attitudes as compared to non-student activists and student non-activists respectively. The data were analyzed to obtain Mean, SD & t-test to test hypothesis. The result revealed that student activists were found to possess higher score on the attitudinal variable of violent and aggressive attitudes as compared to non-student activists and student non-activists respectively.
Effect of cyanobacteria on growth and yield of boro rice under different levels of urea
Authors: Khatun Wahida , Ud-Deen Md. Musleh , Kabir Golam
Published: August 2015

A pot culture and a field experiment were conducted with cyanobacteria in presence and absence of different levels of urea to evaluate their effects on growth and yield of rice cv. BRRI Dhan 28, 29 and 36 during Boro season of 2007. The treatments were T1 (control), T2 (only cyanobacteria), T3 (recommended doses of urea - 60 kg N/ha), T4 (45% recommended doses of urea + cyanobacteria), T5 (65% recommended doses of urea + cyanobacteria) and T6 (85% recommended doses of urea + cyanobacteria).The maximum values for different growth, yield and yield components (plant height, number of productive tillers/hill, panicle length, number of grains/panicle, 1000-grain weight, and grain, straw and biological yield) were observed in BRRI Dhan 29 under T6 (85% recommended doses of urea + cyanobacteria) and lowest was observed in BRRI Dhan 28 under T1 (neither urea nor cyanobacteria). Uses of cyanobacteria increased the yield of Boro rice varieties and decreased the use of urea by 15-20%.
Yield and yield components of wheat as affected by phosphorus fertilization
Authors: Alam M. S. , Jahan I.
Published: August 2015

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field laboratory, Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi to study the yield and yield components of wheat as affected by phosphorus fertilization. The experiment consisted of two factors i.e. (i) three wheat varieties viz., Shatabdi, Bijoy and Prodip and (ii) five levels of phosphorus viz. 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg P2O5 ha-1. A RCBD design was used for the experiment with three replications. The effect of variety was significant on all the yield components and yield except plant height. Prodip gave the highest grain yield (3.67 t ha-1) followed by Bijoy (3.45 t ha-1) and Shatabdi (3.28 t ha-1). Yield and yield components of wheat were significantly influenced by different levels of phosphorus. The highest grain yield (4.47 t ha-1) was recorded from P4 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and the lowest one (2.43 t ha-1) from the control treatment. The highest grain yield (4.80 t ha-1) was obtained from Prodip at 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 and the lowest one (2.3 t ha-1) was found in Shatabdi at control treatment. The results suggest that the combination of V3P4 (Prodip with 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) is the best for obtaining higher yield of wheat.
Determinants of Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Structure
Authors: Prydz  Kristian
Published: August 2015

Proteoglycans (PGs) are glycosylated proteins of biological importance at cell surfaces, in the extracellular matrix, and in the circulation. PGs are produced and modified by glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains in the secretory pathway of animal cells. The most common GAG attachment site is a serine residue followed by a glycine (-ser-gly-), from which a linker tetrasaccharide extends and may continue as a heparan sulfate, a heparin, a chondroitin sulfate, or a dermatan sulfate GAG chain. Which type of GAG chain becomes attached to the linker tetrasaccharide is influenced by the structure of the protein core, modifications occurring to the linker tetrasaccharide itself, and the biochemical environment of the Golgi apparatus, where GAG polymerization and modification by sulfation and epimerization take place. The same cell type may produce different GAG chains that vary, depending on the extent of epimerization and sulfation. However, it is not known to what extent these differences are caused by compartmental segregation of protein cores en route through the secretory pathway or by differential recruitment of modifying enzymes during synthesis of different PGs. The topic of this review is how different aspects of protein structure, cellular biochemistry, and compartmentalization may influence GAG synthesis.
Vibro-Impact Energy Analysis of a Geared System with Piecewise-Type Nonlinearities Using Various Parameter Values
Authors: Yoon Jong-Yun , Kim Byeongil
Published: August 2015

Torsional systems with gear pairs such as the gearbox of wind turbines or vehicle driveline systems inherently show impact phenomena due to clearance-type nonlinearities when the system experiences sinusoidal excitation. This research investigates the vibro-impact energy of unloaded gears in geared systems using the harmonic balance method (HBM) in both the frequency and time domains. To achieve accurate simulations, nonlinear models with piecewise and clearance-type nonlinearities and drag torques are defined and implemented in the HBM. Next, the nonlinear frequency responses are examined by focusing on the resonance areas where the impact phenomena occur, along with variations in key parameters such as clutch stiffness, drag torque, and inertias of the flywheel and the unloaded gear. Finally, the effects of the parameters on the vibro-impacts at a specific excitation frequency are explained using bifurcation diagrams. The results are correlated with prior research by defining the gear rattle criteria with key parameters. This article suggests a method to simulate the impact phenomena in torsional systems using the HBM and successfully assesses vibro-impact energy using bifurcation diagrams.
Evaluations of Landscape Locations along Trails Based on Walking Experiences and Distances Traveled in the Akasawa Forest Therapy Base, Central Japan
Authors: Zhang Tong , Deng Songqiu , Ma Qianqian , Sasaki Kunihiro
Published: August 2015

Forest planners are interested not only in forest spaces that visitors prefer but also in the preferred spatial arrangements of landscape features. In this study, we aimed to clarify walkers’ evaluations of four landscape locations composed of various scenic features in various spatial arrangements along forest walking routes. We also analyzed the trends, differences, and common features associated with different walking distances and experiences. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The walkers’ evaluations changed depending on the elements of the scene they observed and the spatial arrangements of those elements. The visitors preferred silent environments in forest spaces to the sounds of a stream. Meanwhile, they appreciated a good view in an open area. (2) The length of a walk prior to visiting a location on a route affected walkers’ evaluations of that location. For example, a special landscape feature was more positively rated by the respondents who visited the location late in their walks than those in the early and middle walking stages. However, the early-passage walkers were more pleased by touching natural objects such as rocks and large trees than those later in their walks. (3) Analysis revealed that the ratings of certain parameters differed according to the route taken to a location, whereas other ratings remain unchanged. Consequently, we must consider the effects of spatial properties of scenic factors on people’s perceptions in forest planning. (4) Walkers provided similar ratings on three parameters within forest landscapes—“Open feeling”, “Regular landscape” and “Natural” feel—even in the middle and near the end of their walks. Conversely, locations with water elements led to variations in parameter ratings that were maintained until the end of a person’s walk. Based on these results, we suggest that positive walking experiences can be maintained by considering the open feeling, regularity, and natural landscape in all three passage stages in planning walking routes.
Trifolium pratense and T. repens (Leguminosae): Edible Flower Extracts as Functional Ingredients
Authors: Tundis Rosa , Marrelli Mariangela , Conforti Filomena , Tenuta Maria , Bonesi Marco , Menichini Francesco , Loizzo Monica
Published: August 2015

Trifolium pratense (red clover) and T. repens (white clover) edible flowers were investigated for their chemical profile and health properties. The total phenols and flavonoids contents were evaluated. Quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, rutin, and myricetin were used as markers and quantified by HPLC. The antioxidant effects were investigated by using different in vitro assays. Moreover, α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities were evaluated. T. repens flowers extract showed a good radical scavenging activity in both DPPH and ABTS tests with IC50 values of 10.3 and 21.4 μg/mL, respectively. White clover extract demonstrated promising α-amylase and lipase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 25.0 and 1.3 μg/mL, respectively. The obtained results support the use of Trifolium flowers as healthy food ingredients.
The Association between Noise, Cortisol and Heart Rate in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community—A Pilot Study
Authors: Green Allyson , Jones Andrew , Sun Kan , Neitzel Richard
Published: August 2015

We performed a cross-sectional pilot study on salivary cortisol, heart rate, and personal noise exposures in a small-scale gold mining village in northeastern Ghana in 2013. Cortisol level changes between morning and evening among participants showed a relatively low decline in cortisol through the day (−1.44 ± 4.27 nmol/L, n = 18), a pattern consistent with chronic stress. A multiple linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and time between samples indicated a significant increase of 0.25 nmol/L cortisol from afternoon to evening per 1 dBA increase in equivalent continuous noise exposure (Leq) over that period (95% CI: 0.08–0.42, Adj R2 = 0.502, n = 17). A mixed effect linear regression model adjusting for age and sex indicated a significant increase of 0.29 heart beats per minute (BPM) for every 1 dB increase in Leq. Using standard deviations (SDs) as measures of variation, and adjusting for age and sex over the sampling period, we found that a 1 dBA increase in noise variation over time (Leq SD) was associated with a 0.5 BPM increase in heart rate SD (95% CI: 0.04–−0.9, Adj. R2 = 0.229, n = 16). Noise levels were consistently high, with 24-hour average Leq exposures ranging from 56.9 to 92.0 dBA, with a mean daily Leq of 82.2 ± 7.3 dBA (mean monitoring duration 22.1 ± 1.9 hours, n = 22). Ninety-five percent of participants had 24-hour average Leq noise levels over the 70 dBA World health Organization (WHO) guideline level for prevention of hearing loss. These findings suggest that small-scale mining communities may face multiple, potentially additive health risks that are not yet well documented, including hearing loss and cardiovascular effects of stress and noise.
An Investigation of Organic and Inorganic Mercury Exposure and Blood Pressure in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana
Authors: Rajaee Mozhgon , Sánchez Brisa , Renne Elisha , Basu Niladri
Published: August 2015

There is increasing concern about the cardiovascular effects of mercury (Hg) exposure, and that organic methylmercury and inorganic Hg2+ may affect the cardiovascular system and blood pressure differentially. In small-scale gold mining communities where inorganic, elemental Hg exposures are high, little is known about the effects of Hg on blood pressure. In 2011, we assessed the relationship between Hg exposure and blood pressure (BP) in a cross-sectional study of adults from a small-scale gold mining community, Kejetia, and subsistence farming community, Gorogo, in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Participants’ resting heart rate and BP were measured, and hair and urine samples were provided to serve as biomarkers of organic and inorganic Hg exposure, respectively. Participants included 70 miners and 26 non-miners from Kejetia and 75 non-miners from Gorogo. Total specific gravity-adjusted urinary and hair Hg was higher among Kejetia miners than Kejetia non-miners and Gorogo participants (median urinary Hg: 5.17, 1.18, and 0.154 µg/L, respectively; hair Hg: 0.945, 0.419, and 0.181 µg/g, respectively). Hypertension was prevalent in 17.7% of Kejetia and 21.3% of Gorogo participants. Urinary and hair Hg were not significantly associated with systolic or diastolic BP for Kejetia or Gorogo participants while adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Although our results follow trends seen in other studies, the associations were not of statistical significance. Given the unique study population and high exposures to inorganic Hg, the work contained here will help increase our understanding of the cardiovascular effects of Hg.
A Better Antiviral Efficacy Found in Nucleos(t)ide Analog (NA) Combinations with Interferon Therapy than NA Monotherapy for HBeAg Positive Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wei Wei , Wu Qinmei , Zhou Jialing , Kong Yuanyuan , You Hong
Published: August 2015

Background: The clinical efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) combined with interferon (IFN) therapy vs. NAs monotherapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine whether the NAs plus IFN regimen offers synergistic efficacy that justifies the cost and burden of such a combination therapy in CHB patients. Methods: Related publications covering the period of 1966 to July 2014 were identified through searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, WANFANG, and CNKI database. A total of 17 studies were enrolled, including 6 in English and 11 in Chinese. Then, we established a final list of studies for the meta-analysis by systematically grading the quality and eligibility of the identified individual studies. We used hepatitis B antigen (HBeAg) loss, HBV-DNA undetectable rate, HBeAg seroconversion, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, HBsAg seroconversion, and histological score at the end of treatment for efficacy evaluation. A quantitative meta-analysis (Review Manager, Version 5.1.0) was performed to assess the differences between NAs and IFN combination therapy and NAs monotherapy. Results: Our analysis demonstrated that HBeAg loss (RR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.32–2.26, p < 0.001), HBV-DNA undetectable rate (RR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.22–2.04, p < 0.001), HBeAg seroconversion (RR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.36–2.07, p < 0.001), and HBsAg loss (RR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.32–4.75, p < 0.001) in the combination therapy group were significantly higher than those in the monotherapy group. However, there were no significant differences in HBsAg seroconversion (RR = 4.25, 95% CI = 0.62–29.13, p = 0.14), sustained virological response rates, and biochemical response rates observed between the two groups. The results showed that the combination therapy group had more improved HBV histology than the NAs monotherapy group (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.93–1.39, p = 0.22). Conclusions: NAs and IFN or Peg-IFN combination therapy had a better efficacy in terms of HBeAg loss, HBV-DNA undetectable rate, HBeAg seroconversion, and HBsAg loss, compared to the NA monotherapy group at the end of treatment; however, there was no significant difference in HBsAg seroconversion between the two regimens.
Older People’s Perceptions of Pedestrian Friendliness and Traffic Safety: An Experiment Using Computer-Simulated Walking Environments
Authors: Kahlert Daniela , Schlicht Wolfgang
Published: August 2015

Traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness are considered to be important conditions for older people’s motivation to walk through their environment. This study uses an experimental study design with computer-simulated living environments to investigate the effect of micro-scale environmental factors (parking spaces and green verges with trees) on older people’s perceptions of both motivational antecedents (dependent variables). Seventy-four consecutively recruited older people were randomly assigned watching one of two scenarios (independent variable) on a computer screen. The scenarios simulated a stroll on a sidewalk, as it is ‘typical’ for a German city. In version ‘A,’ the subjects take a fictive walk on a sidewalk where a number of cars are parked partially on it. In version ‘B’, cars are in parking spaces separated from the sidewalk by grass verges and trees. Subjects assessed their impressions of both dependent variables. A multivariate analysis of covariance showed that subjects’ ratings on perceived traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness were higher for Version ‘B’ compared to version ‘A’. Cohen’s d indicates medium (d = 0.73) and large (d = 1.23) effect sizes for traffic safety and pedestrian friendliness, respectively. The study suggests that elements of the built environment might affect motivational antecedents of older people’s walking behavior.
Prevalence and Characterization of Integrons in Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Eastern China: A Multiple-Hospital Study
Authors: Chen Jing , Li Hong , Yang Jinsong , Zhan Rong , Chen Aiping , Yan Yansheng
Published: August 2015

Objective: The aim of this multiple-hospital study was to investigate the prevalence of integrons in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) in Eastern China, and characterize the integron-integrase genes, so as to provide evidence for the management and appropriate antibiotic use of MDRAB infections. Methods: A total of 425 clinical isolates of A. baumannii were collected from 16 tertiary hospitals in 11 cities of four provinces (Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong) from January 2009 to June 2012. The susceptibility of A. baumannii isolates to ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, aztreonam, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole/trimenthoprim, minocycline and imipenem was tested, and integrons and their gene cassettes were characterized in these isolates using PCR assay. In addition, integron-positive A. baumannii isolates were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) assay, and intI1 gene cassette was sequenced. Results: intI1 gene was carried in 69.6% of total A. baumannii isolates, while intI2 and intI3 genes were not detected. The prevalence of resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole/trimenthoprim was significantly higher in integron-positive A. baumannii isolates than in negative isolates (all p values <0.05), while no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of minocycline resistance (p > 0.05). PFGE assay revealed 27 PFGE genotypes and 4 predominant genotypes, P1, P4, P7 and P19. The PFGE genotype P1 contained 13 extensive-drug resistant and 89 non-extensive-drug resistant A. baumannii isolates, while the genotype P4 contained 34 extensive-drug resistant and 67 non-extensive-drug resistant isolates, appearing a significant antimicrobial resistance pattern (both p values <0.05). Sequencing analysis revealed two gene cassette assays of aacA4-catB8-aadA1 and dfrXII-orfF-aadA2 in MDRAB isolates. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of class 1 integrons in MDRAB in Eastern China, and a greater prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in intI1 gene-positive MDRAB isolates than in negative isolates. Four predominant PFGE genotypes are identified in intI1 gene-positive MDRAB isolates, in which P4 is an epidemic PFGE genotype in Fujian Province, and it has a high proportion of extensive drug resistant A. baumannii. The gene cassette dfrXII-orfF-aadA2 is reported, for the first time, in A. baumannii strains isolated from Fujian Province, Eastern China.
Resolving Intra- and Inter-Molecular Structure with Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Jarvis Samuel
Published: August 2015

A major challenge in molecular investigations at surfaces has been to image individual molecules, and the assemblies they form, with single-bond resolution. Scanning probe microscopy, with its exceptionally high resolution, is ideally suited to this goal. With the introduction of methods exploiting molecularly-terminated tips, where the apex of the probe is, for example, terminated with a single CO, Xe or H2 molecule, scanning probe methods can now achieve higher resolution than ever before. In this review, some of the landmark results related to attaining intramolecular resolution with non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) are summarised before focussing on recent reports probing molecular assemblies where apparent intermolecular features have been observed. Several groups have now highlighted the critical role that flexure in the tip-sample junction plays in producing the exceptionally sharp images of both intra- and apparent inter-molecular structure. In the latter case, the features have been identified as imaging artefacts, rather than real intermolecular bonds. This review discusses the potential for NC-AFM to provide exceptional resolution of supramolecular assemblies stabilised via a variety of intermolecular forces and highlights the potential challenges and pitfalls involved in interpreting bonding interactions.
Travel Mode Detection Based on Neural Networks and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Xiao Guangnian , Juan Zhicai , Gao Jingxin
Published: August 2015

The collection of massive Global Positioning System (GPS) data from travel surveys has increased exponentially worldwide since the 1990s. A number of methods, which range from rule-based to advanced classification approaches, have been applied to detect travel modes from GPS positioning data collected in travel surveys based on GPS-enabled smartphones or dedicated GPS devices. Among these approaches, neural networks (NNs) are widely adopted because they can extract subtle information from training data that cannot be directly obtained by human or other analysis techniques. However, traditional NNs, which are generally trained by back-propagation algorithms, are likely to be trapped in local optimum. Therefore, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is introduced to train the NNs. The resulting PSO-NNs are employed to distinguish among four travel modes (walk, bike, bus, and car) with GPS positioning data collected through a smartphone-based travel survey. As a result, 95.81% of samples are correctly flagged for the training set, while 94.44% are correctly identified for the test set. Results from this study indicate that smartphone-based travel surveys provide an opportunity to supplement traditional travel surveys.
MicroRNA Processing and Human Cancer
Authors: Ohtsuka Masahisa , Ling Hui , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Calin George
Published: August 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs of 20 to 25 nucleotides that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally mainly by binding to a specific sequence of the 3′ end of the untranslated region (3′UTR) of target genes. Since the first report on the clinical relevance of miRNAs in cancer, many miRNAs have been demonstrated to act as oncogenes, whereas others function as tumor suppressors. Furthermore, global miRNA dysregulation, due to alterations in miRNA processing factors, has been observed in a large variety of human cancer types. As previous studies have shown, the sequential miRNA processing can be divided into three steps: processing by RNAse in the nucleus; transportation by Exportin-5 (XPO5) from the nucleus; and processing by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) in the cytoplasm. Alteration in miRNA processing genes, by genomic mutations, aberrant expression or other means, could significantly affect cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. In this review, we focus on the biogenesis of miRNAs with emphasis on the potential of miRNA processing factors in human cancers.
The π-Electron Delocalization in 2-Oxazolines Revisited: Quantification and Comparison with Its Analogue in Esters
Authors: Fimberger Martin , Luef Klaus , Payerl Claudia , Fischer Roland , Stelzer Franz , Kállay Mihály , Wiesbrock Frank
Published: August 2015

The single crystal X-ray analysis of the ester-functionalized 2-oxazoline, methyl 3-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)propanoate, revealed Π-electron delocalization along the N–C–O segment in the 2-oxazoline pentacycle to significant extent, which is comparable to its counterpart along the O–C–O segment in the ester. Quantum chemical calculations based on the experimental X-ray geometry of the molecule supported the conjecture that the N–C–O segment has a delocalized electronic structure similar to an ester group. The calculated bond orders were 1.97 and 1.10 for the N=C and C–O bonds, and the computed partial charges for the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of \(-\)0.43 and \(-\)0.44 were almost identical. In the ester group, the bond orders were 1.94 and 1.18 for the C–O bonds, while the partial charges of the oxygen atom are \(-\)0.49 and \(-\)0.41, which demonstrates the similar electronic structure of the N–C–O and O–C–O segments. In 2-oxazolines, despite the higher electronegativity of the oxygen atom (compared to the nitrogen atom), the charges of the hetero atoms oxygen and nitrogen are equalized due to the delocalization, and it also means that a cationic attack on the nitrogen is possible, enabling regioselectivity during the initiation of the cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-oxazoline monomers, which is a prerequisite for the synthesis of materials with well-defined structures.
Metal Nanoparticle-Decorated Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Sulfide for Plasmonic-Enhanced Polymer Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Chuang Ming-Kai , Yang Shun-Shing , Chen Fang-Chung
Published: August 2015

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides have also attracted immense interest because they exhibit appealing electronic, optical and mechanical properties. In this work, we prepared gold nanoparticle-decorated molybdenum sulfide (AuNP@MoS2) through a simple spontaneous redox reaction. Transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the properties of the AuNP@MoS2 nanomaterials. Then we employed such nanocomposites as the cathode buffer layers of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) to trigger surface plasmonic resonance, leading to noticeable enhancements in overall device efficiencies. We attribute the primary origin of the improvement in device performance to local field enhancement induced by the effects of localized surface plasmonic resonance. Our results suggest that the metal nanoparticle-decorated two-dimensional materials appear to have great potential for use in high-performance OPVs.
Fabrication of CH3NH3PbI3/PVP Composite Fibers via Electrospinning and Deposition
Authors: Chao Li-Min , Tai Ting-Yu , Chen Yueh-Ying , Lin Pei-Ying , Fu Yaw-Shyan
Published: August 2015

In our study, one-dimensional PbI2/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) composition fibers have been prepared by using PbI2 and PVP as precursors dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide via a electrospinning process. Dipping the fibers into CH3NH3I solution changed its color, indicating the formation of CH3NH3PbI3, to obtain CH3NH3PbI3/PVP composite fibers. The structure, morphology and composition of the all as-prepared fibers were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
Effects of Fiber Reinforcement on Clay Aerogel Composites
Authors: Finlay Katherine , Gawryla Matthew , Schiraldi David
Published: August 2015

Novel, low density structures which combine biologically-based fibers with clay aerogels are produced in an environmentally benign manner using water as solvent, and no additional processing chemicals. Three different reinforcing fibers, silk, soy silk, and hemp, are evaluated in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix polymer combined with montmorillonite clay. The mechanical properties of the aerogels are demonstrated to increase with reinforcing fiber length, in each case limited by a critical fiber length, beyond which mechanical properties decline due to maldistribution of filler, and disruption of the aerogel structure. Rather than the classical model for reinforced composite properties, the chemical compatibility of reinforcing fibers with the polymer/clay matrix dominated mechanical performance, along with the tendencies of the fibers to kink under compression.
Recyclability of Concrete Pavement Incorporating High Volume of Fly Ash
Authors: Yoshitake Isamu , Ishida Takeo , Fukumoto Sunao
Published: August 2015

Recyclable concrete pavement was made from fly ash and crushed limestone sand and gravel as aggregates so that the concrete pavement could be recycled to raw materials for cement production. With the aim to use as much fly ash as possible for the sustainable development of society, while achieving adequate strength development, pavement concrete having a cement-replacement ratio of 40% by mass was experimentally investigated, focusing on the strength development at an early age. Limestone powder was added to improve the early strength; flexural strength at two days reached 3.5 MPa, the minimum strength for traffic service in Japan. The matured fly ash concrete made with a cement content of 200 kg/m3 achieved a flexural strength almost equal to that of the control concrete without fly ash. Additionally, Portland cement made from the tested fly ash concrete was tested to confirm recyclability, with the cement quality meeting the Japanese classification of ordinary Portland cement. Limestone-based recyclable fly ash concrete pavement is, thus, a preferred material in terms of sustainability.
A Note on Necessary Optimality Conditions for a Model with Differential Infectivity in a Closed Population
Authors: Kouakep Yannick
Published: August 2015

The aim of this note is to present the necessary optimality conditions for a model (in closed population) of an immunizing disease similar to hepatitis B following. We study the impact of medical tests and controls involved in curing this kind of immunizing disease and deduced a well posed adjoint system if there exists an optimal control.
Hunt for Palytoxins in a Wide Variety of Marine Organisms Harvested in 2010 on the French Mediterranean Coast
Authors: Biré Ronel , Trotereau Sophie , Lemée Rodolphe , Oregioni Davide , Delpont Christine , Krys Sophie , Guérin Thierry
Published: August 2015

During the summer of 2010, 31 species including fish, echinoderms, gastropods, crustaceans, cephalopods and sponges were sampled in the Bay of Villefranche on the French Mediterranean coast and screened for the presence of PLTX-group toxins using the haemolytic assay. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for confirmatory purposes and to determine the toxin profile. The mean toxin concentration in the whole flesh of all sampled marine organisms, determined using the lower- (LB) and upper-bound (UB) approach was 4.3 and 5.1 µg·kg−1, respectively, with less than 1% of the results exceeding the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) threshold of 30 µg·kg−1and the highest values being reported for sea urchins (107.6 and 108.0 µg·kg−1). Toxins accumulated almost exclusively in the digestive tube of the tested species, with the exception of octopus, in which there were detectable toxin amounts in the remaining tissues (RT). The mean toxin concentration in the RT of the sampled organisms (fishes, echinoderms and cephalopods) was 0.7 and 1.7 µg·kg−1 (LB and UB, respectively), with a maximum value of 19.9 µg·kg−1 for octopus RT. The herbivorous and omnivorous organisms were the most contaminated species, indicating that diet influences the contamination process, and the LC-MS/MS revealed that ovatoxin-a was the only toxin detected.
High-Level Expression, Purification and Large-Scale Production of l-Methionine γ-Lyase from Idiomarina as a Novel Anti-Leukemic Drug
Authors: Huang Kui-Ying , Hu Hai-Yan , Tang Yan-Lai , Xia Feng-Geng , Luo Xue-Qun , Liu Jian-Zhong
Published: August 2015

l-Methionine γ-lyase (MGL), a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzyme, possesses anti-tumor activity. However, the low activity of MGL blocks the anti-tumor effect. This study describes an efficient production process for the recombinant MGL (rMGL) from Idiomarina constructed using the overexpression plasmid in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), purification, and large-scale production. The enzyme produced by the transformants accounted for 53% of the total proteins and accumulated at 1.95 mg/mL using a 500 L fermentor. The enzyme was purified to approximately 99% purity using a high-pressure mechanical homogenizer and nickel (Ni) Sepharose 6 Fast Flow (FF) chromatography. Then, the enzyme was polished by gel filtration, the endotoxins were removed using diethyl-aminoethanol (DEAE) Sepharose FF, and the final product was lyophilized with a vacuum freeze dryer at −35 °C. The specific activity of rMGL in the lyophilized powder was up to 108 U/mg. Compared to the control, the enzyme significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner as tested using the MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay and induced cellular apoptosis as analyzed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) in leukemia cells. This paper demonstrated the cloning, overexpression, and large-scale production protocols for rMGL, which enabled rMGL to be used as a novel anti-leukemic drug.
Role of Bacterial Exopolysaccharides as Agents in Counteracting Immune Disorders Induced by Herpes Virus
Authors: Gugliandolo Concetta , Spanò Antonio , Maugeri Teresa , Poli Annarita , Arena Adriana , Nicolaus Barbara
Published: August 2015

Extreme marine environments, such as the submarine shallow vents of the Eolian Islands (Italy), offer an almost unexplored source of microorganisms producing unexploited and promising biomolecules for pharmaceutical applications. Thermophilic and thermotolerant bacilli isolated from Eolian vents are able to produce exopolysaccharides (EPSs) with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects against Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 is responsible for the most common and continuously increasing viral infections in humans. Due to the appearance of resistance to the available treatments, new biomolecules exhibiting different mechanisms of action could provide novel agents for treating viral infections. The EPSs hinder the HSV-2 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not in WISH (Wistar Institute Susan Hayflic) cells line, indicating that cell-mediated immunity was involved in the antiviral activity. High levels of Th1-type cytokines were detected in PBMC treated with all EPSs, while Th2-type cytokines were not induced. These EPSs are water soluble exopolymers able to stimulate the immune response and thus contribute to the antiviral immune defense, acting as immunomodulators. As stimulants of Th1 cell-mediated immunity, they could lead to the development of novel drugs as alternative in the treatment of herpes virus infections, as well as in immunocompromised host.
Optimization of Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Seven Hydrophilic and Four Lipophilic Bioactive Components in Three Salvia Species
Authors: Cao Jiliang , Hu Ji , Wei Jinchao , Li Baocai , Zhang Mi , Xiang Cheng , Li Peng
Published: August 2015

A micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven hydrophilic phenolic acids and four lipophilic tanshinones in three Salvia species. In normal MEKC mode using SDS as surfactant, the investigated 11 compounds could not be well separated. Therefore, several buffer modifiers including β-cyclodextrins (β-CD), ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF4) and organic solvents have been added to the buffer solution to improve the separation selectivity. Under the optimized conditions (BGE, 15 mM sodium tetraborate with 10 mM SDS, 5 mM β-CD, 10 mM [bmim]BF4 and 15% ACN (v/v) as additives; buffer pH, 9.8; voltage, 20 kV; temperature, 25 °C), the 11 investigated analytes could achieve baseline separation in 34 min. The proposed MEKC was additionally validated by evaluating the linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9965), LODs (0.27–1.39 μg·mL–1), and recovery (94.26%–105.17%), demonstrating this method was reproducible, accurate and reliable. Moreover, the contents of the 11 compounds in three Salvia species, including S. miltiorrhiza, S. przewalskii and S. castanea were analyzed. The result showed that the established MEKC method was simple and practical for the simultaneous determination of the hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive components in Salvia species, which could be used to effectively evaluate the quality of these valued medicinal plants.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Potassium- Incorporated Titanium Oxide Nanostructures Produced by the Wet Corrosion Process Using Various Titanium Alloys
Authors: Lee So , Lee Choong , Kim Do , Locquet Jean-Pierre , Seo Jin
Published: August 2015

Nanostructured potassium-incorporated Ti-based oxides have attracted much attention because the incorporated potassium can influence their structural and physico-chemical properties. With the aim of tuning the structural and physical properties, we have demonstrated the wet corrosion process (WCP) as a simple method for nanostructure fabrication using various Ti-based materials, namely Ti–6Al–4V alloy (TAV), Ti–Ni (TN) alloy and pure Ti, which have 90%, 50% and 100% initial Ti content, respectively. We have systematically investigated the relationship between the Ti content in the initial metal and the precise condition of WCP to control the structural and physical properties of the resulting nanostructures. The WCP treatment involved various concentrations of KOH solutions. The precise conditions for producing K-incorporated nanostructured titanium oxide films (nTOFs) were strongly dependent on the Ti content of the initial metal. Ti and TAV yielded one-dimensional nanowires of K-incorporated nTOFs after treatment with 10 mol/L-KOH solution, whereas TN required a higher concentration (20 mol/L-KOH solution) to produce comparable nanostructures. The obtained nanostructures revealed a blue-shift in UV absorption spectra due to the quantum confinement effects. A significant enhancement of the photocatalytic activity was observed via the chromomeric change and the intermediate formation of methylene blue molecules under UV irradiation. This study demonstrates the WCP as a simple, versatile and scalable method for the production of nanostructured K-incorporated nTOFs to be used as high-performance photocatalysts for environmental and energy applications.
Systems Level Dissection of Candida Recognition by Dectins: A Matter of Fungal Morphology and Site of Infection
Authors: Rizzetto Lisa , Weil Tobias , Cavalieri Duccio
Published: August 2015

Candida albicans is an ubiquitous fungal commensal of human skin and mucosal surfaces, and at the same time a major life-threatening human fungal pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. Host defense mechanisms rely on the capacity of professional phagocytes to recognize Candida cell wall antigens. During the past decade, the host immune response to Candida was dissected in depth, highlighting the essential role of C-type lectin receptors, especially regarding the power of the Dectins’ family in discriminating between the tolerated yeast-like form of Candida and its invading counterpart, the hyphae. This review focuses on the immuno-modulatory properties of the Candida morphologies and their specific interactions with the host innate immune system in different body surfaces.
Delivering Left-Skewed Portfolio Payoff Distributions in the Presence of Transaction Costs
Authors: Krawczyk Jacek
Published: August 2015

For pension-savers, a low payoff is a financial disaster. Such investors will most likely prefer left-skewed payoff distributions over right-skewed payoff distributions. We explore how such distributions can be delivered. Cautious-relaxed utility measures are cautious in ensuring that payoffs don’t fall much below a reference value, but relaxed about exceeding it. We find that the payoff distribution delivered by a cautious-relaxed utility measure has appealing features which payoff distributions delivered by traditional utility functions don’t. In particular, cautious-relaxed distributions can have the mass concentrated on the left, hence be left-skewed. However, cautious-relaxed strategies prescribe frequent portfolio adjustments which may be expensive if transaction costs are charged. In contrast, more traditional strategies can be time-invariant. Thus we investigate the impact of transaction costs on the appeal of cautious-relaxed strategies. We find that relatively high transaction fees are required for the cautious-relaxed strategy to lose its appeal. This paper contributes to the literature which compares utility measures by the payoff distributions they produce and finds that a cautious-relaxed utility measure will deliver payoffs that many investors will prefer.