bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Working Capital Management on Profitability of Petroleum Retail Firms: Empirical Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Mbawuni Joseph , Mbawuni Mercy Hawa , Nimako Simon Gyasi
Published: May 2016

The study examined the impact of working capital management (WCM) on the profitability of petroleum retail firms (PRFs) in Ghana over a six year period (2008-2013). Audited annual reports from a sample of five selected petroleum retail firms in Ghana are employed in the study. Using, descriptive analysis, correlation and regression analysis, the results indicate that, in the PRFs in Ghana, there is favourable net working capital for the firms and a favourable networking capital to total assets ratio. The most important WCM component that drives the firm’s profitability, measured in return on assets (ROA), is average days payable (ADP). The rest of WCM components, cash conversion cycle (CCC), average days inventory (ADI) and average days receivables (ADR) did not have significant relationship with profitability. The study further found that WCM practices among the five selected PRFs support the conservative strategy of WCM, rather than an aggressive WCM strategy. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
On some classes of invariant submanifolds of lorentzian para-sasakian manifolds
Authors: Samui Srimayee , De Uday Chand
Published: June 2016

The object of the present paper is to study invariant submanifolds of Lorenzian Para-Sasakian manifolds. We consider the recurrent and bi-recurrent invariant submanifolds of Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifolds and pseudo-parallel and generalized Ricci pseudo-parallel invariant submanifolds of Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifolds. Also we search for the conditions $\mathcal{Z}(X,Y)\cdot\alpha=fQ(g,\alpha)$ and $\mathcal{Z}(X,Y)\cdot\alpha=fQ(S,\alpha)$ on invariant submanifolds of Lorentzian para-Sasakian manifolds, where $\mathcal{Z}$ is the concircular curvature tensor. Finally, we construct an example of an invariant submanifold of Lorentzian para Sasakian manifold.
Group privacy management strategies and challenges in Facebook: A focus group study among Flemish youth organizations
Authors: De Wolf Ralf
Published: May 2016

A large body of research has studied young people’s privacy practices and needs in Facebook. Less is known about group privacy. In this study 12 focus groups were organized with a total of 78 adolescents and young adults of local Flemish youth organizations to discuss their privacy practices. Findings describe how different strategies are used to coordinate the group information flow. The study also shows how online group privacy management can be challenging because ‘implicit’ privacy rules need to be made ‘explicit’, personal boundaries may conflict with those of the group one belongs to and privacy turbulence is difficult to define.
Franco Lelli y la rebelión bubi de 1998: historia y testimonio en OKIRI
Authors: Licata Stefanía
Published: June 2016

A través de un acercamiento teórico al género del testimonio y, partiendo de los estudios de John Beverly y Dori Laub, el presente ensayo se propone analizar la novela Okiri (2005) de Franco Lelli, que relata los acontecimientos en torno a la rebelión bubi de 1998 en Guinea Ecuatorial e informa sobre el Movimiento para la Autodeterminación de la Isla de Bioko (MAIB), que se constituyó en 1993. La novela nace de la urgencia de denunciar las injusticias que han oprimido al pueblo bubi, grupo étnico originario de la isla de Bioko, ya desde la independencia de España en 1968; másespecíficamente, el relato se centra en las violaciones de los derechos humanos por el régimen dictatorial de Teodoro Obiang Nguema, en el poder desde el 3 de agosto de 1979 hasta el presente. Evidenciaré la voluntad documental de la novela, única memoria histórica escrita del acontecimiento, además de subrayar los rasgos subjetivos y testimoniales del relato y distinguirlos de los recursos literarios. Tendré en cuenta la experiencia particular como testigo del autor de la novela, Franco Lelli, que vive la misma atmósfera de represión durante la revuelta, no obstante no forma parte del grupo bubi. El análisisde Okiri no sólo contribuye a la reconstrucción histórica de la rebeldía de 1998 del pueblo bubi, sino que añade otros rasgos al género testimonial.
An Exploratory Study on How Democratic School Management Practices Affect the Dynamics of Violence in Schools
Authors: Van der Merwe Petro
Published: May 2016

The goal of teachers, schools and support staff is the optimal development of learners. This goal depends on effective school management, which in turn depends on an adequate curriculum and supporting teaching and learning environments. This paper is focused through a literature review on the dynamics of violence in South African schools and the need for democratic school management. The necessity of emotional intelligence teaching in the classroom and learner-centred teaching is shown. This study also investigated the coordinated and integrated management of positive learner behaviour, whole school development and management of a culture of positive behaviour. The establishment of a safe school depends on the management's interaction with the larger social and organisational context in which they find themselves. The study concludes that there is a correlation between Emotional Intelligence teaching methods and learners' behaviour. The use of Emotional Intelligence in the classroom can be regarded as the corrective aspect of discipline, thus, preventing inappropriate behaviour of learners. Recommendations and guidelines for the use of effective adjusted and alternative teaching methods to support school management in the use of emotional skills in the school context are provided.
Estructuración del ensayo científico sobre contenidos interculturales y competencias escritoras en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: González Rosario Arroyo , Jiménez-Baena Abrahan Francisco
Published: May 2016

Organizar un texto de forma argumentativa, es una demanda de primer orden en las tareas académicas universitarias, porque: a) ayuda al estudiante a sintetizar ideas y a profundizar en la compresión y expresión de sus propios conocimientos, en cualquier área; y b) contribuye, de un modo decisivo, a la construcción de su identidad cultural desde una perspectiva crítica. En esta investigación se aplica una metodología multimétodo, concretamente: a) el análisis de contenido, usando el programa Nvivo, para describir las estructuras gramaticales, los contenidos interculturales y las competencias escritoras, expresadas por una muestra de estudiantes; y b) el análisis estadístico con el programa SPSS para descubrir la correlación entre las competencias escritoras y los elementos estructurales. Se concluye con las necesidades de formación de
los estudiantes en niveles universitarios para el desarrollo de la composición argumentativa, y una propuesta didáctica que potencie las competencias comunicativas escritas interculturales.
La formación en responsabilidad social y su impacto en diversas carreras universitarias
Authors: García Ramos José Manuel , De la Calle Maldonado Carmen , Valbuena Martínez María Consuelo , De Dios Alija Teresa
Published: May 2016

La Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) desarrolla desde 1993, el primer proyecto educativo en el ámbito europeo, que integra en sus planes de estudios una asignatura obligatoria para formar a sus alumnos en la responsabilidad social. Con esta formación pretendemos acercar al universitario al área de irradiación del compromiso social para que él mismo perciba el valor
de lo que se le sugiere, lo asuma como propio y comprenda la importancia de plantearse el ejercicio socialmente responsable de su profesión. Nuestro propósito es evaluar el impacto de esta enseñanza en estudiantes universitarios. Para ello empleamos una herramienta fiable y válida, que mediante encuesta personal (muestra total: 757 estudiantes) facilita la recogida de información en dos momentos (pretest-postest). Los resultados indican que la asignatura de Responsabilidad Social tiene impacto significativo en los estudiantes, a nivel general y por dimensiones y es diferente en los distintos Grados universitarios.
Pratiques déclarées d’enseignants d’histoire au secondaire en lien avec leurs usages des ressources didactiques et l’exercice de la méthode historique
Authors: Boutonnet Vincent
Published: June 2016

L’article propose une analyse descriptive de pratiques déclarées d’enseignants d’histoire au secondaire en lien avec leurs usages des ressources didactiques et l’exercice de la méthode historique. Nous proposons une analyse complémentaire d’un sondage sur les fonctions déclarées par 81 enseignants du Québec. Le sondage permet d’identifier différents types d’usages selon les réponses données : intensif, extensif, critique. Le type extensif est majoritaire et s’appuie sur un usage diversifié et partiel de ressources didactiques. Cependant, la place de la méthode historique, de l’interprétation et de la critique est plutôt faible, puisque l’usage extensif des ressources sert davantage à illustrer et exposer les faits par le contrôle exercé par l’enseignant sur la structuration du savoir historique. Les fonctions attribuées par ces enseignants ne semblent pas varier selon leurs années d’expérience.
Le statut de la carte géographique dans la pratique enseignante à l’école francophone en milieu minoritaire
Authors: Benimmas Aïcha
Published: June 2016

Cet article vise à décrire le statut de la carte géographique dans le cours de sciences humaines au primaire et dans celui d’histoire et de géographie au secondaire à l’école francophone en situation minoritaire. Dix-neuf entrevues semi-dirigées ont été enregistrées auprès d’enseignants. L’analyse thématique et interprétative montre que la plupart des activités d’apprentissage proposées aux élèves se concentrent sur la localisation des lieux et la reproduction de cartes existantes, tandis que peu d’enseignants parlent d’analyse, d’interprétation et de construction de cartes. Les enseignants soulignent, parmi les défis rencontrés dans l’utilisation des cartes, leur manque de formation spécifique en didactique de la carte, l’absence de matériel adéquat, la diversité des styles d’apprentissage des apprenants et le manque de connaissances de base chez les élèves. Ces défis ne permettent pas aux enseignants d’aider les élèves à développer les résultats d’apprentissage visés dans les programmes d’études.
How do Catalan Students Narrate the History of Catalonia When They Finish Primary Education?
Authors: Sant Edda , González-Monfort Neus , Santisteban Fernández Antoni , Pagès Blanch Joan , Oller Freixa Montserrat
Published: June 2016

In this article we analyze how a group of Catalan students (aged 11-13,N = 245) narrate the history of Catalonia and we compare their narratives with the official Catalan narrative. From an interpretative approach, we collect data by requiring the students to write down what they remember about the history of Catalonia. The research is conducted by means of narrative analysis and normative content analysis. Our results suggest that most students’ narratives are similar to the official narrative in terms of the main characters and events selected and follow the patriotic national narrative by highlighting the relevance of Catalan national symbols. We discuss the implications of this patriotic national narrative in Catalonia and elsewhere, and we propose replacing patriotic national narratives with humanistic world history narratives.
Knowledge about the European Union in Political Education: What are the Effects of Motivational Predispositions and Cognitive Activation?
Authors: Weisseno Georg , Landwehr Barbara
Published: June 2016

This study investigates the effectiveness of political science classes in Germany. It analyzes whether or not 1,071 students in the 9th and 10th grade showed increases in knowledge after participating in the lesson series. This analysis focuses on the competence dimension “subject-specific content knowledge” as well as on the motivational predispositions “academic self-concept” and “interest in politics.” It also examines the instructional characteristics “inclusion of students” and “cognitive activation” from the students’ perspective. One’s academic self-concept and interest in politics, as well as cognitively activating instruction, have a moderately positive effect upon educational success. Social inclusion correlates with all constructs except subject-specific content knowledge.
Constitutive auxin response in Physcomitrella reveals complex interactions between Aux/IAA and ARF proteins
Authors: Lavy Meirav , Prigge Michael J , Tao Sibo , Shain Stephanie , Kuo April , Kirchsteiger Kerstin , Estelle Mark
Published: May 2016

The coordinated action of the auxin-sensitive Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors and ARF transcription factors produces complex gene-regulatory networks in plants. Despite their importance, our knowledge of these two protein families is largely based on analysis of stabilized forms of the Aux/IAAs, and studies of a subgroup of ARFs that function as transcriptional activators. To understand how auxin regulates gene expression we generated a Physcomitrella patens line that completely lacks Aux/IAAs. Loss of the repressors causes massive changes in transcription with misregulation of over a third of the annotated genes. Further, we find that the aux/iaa mutant is blind to auxin indicating that auxin regulation of transcription occurs exclusively through Aux/IAA function. We used the aux/iaa mutant as a simplified platform for studies of ARF function and demonstrate that repressing ARFs regulate auxin-induced genes and fine-tune their expression. Further the repressing ARFs coordinate gene induction jointly with activating ARFs and the Aux/IAAs.
Single molecule analysis reveals reversible and irreversible steps during spliceosome activation
Authors: Hoskins Aaron A , Rodgers Margaret L , Friedman Larry J , Gelles Jeff , Moore Melissa J
Published: May 2016

The spliceosome is a complex machine composed of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and accessory proteins that excises introns from pre-mRNAs. After assembly the spliceosome is activated for catalysis by rearrangement of subunits to form an active site. How this rearrangement is coordinated is not well-understood. During activation, U4 must be released to allow U6 conformational change, while Prp19 complex (NTC) recruitment is essential for stabilizing the active site. We used multi-wavelength colocalization single molecule spectroscopy to directly observe the key events in Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome activation. Following binding of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP, the spliceosome either reverses assembly by discarding tri-snRNP or proceeds to activation by irreversible U4 loss. The major pathway for NTC recruitment occurs after U4 release. ATP stimulates both the competing U4 release and tri-snRNP discard processes. The data reveal the activation mechanism and show that overall splicing efficiency may be maintained through repeated rounds of disassembly and tri-snRNP reassociation.
Phylogenetic sleuthing reveals pair of paralogous genes
Authors: Henzy Jamie E , Johnson Welkin E
Published: May 2016

The complex evolutionary history of the IFIT family of antiviral genes has been shaped by continuous interactions between mammalian hosts and their many viruses.
Ni-doped La0.5Sr0.5TiO3 nanofibers: Fabrication and intrinsic ferromagnetism
Authors: Ponhan Wichaid , Amornkitbamrung Vittaya , Maensiri Santi
Published: May 2016

We report room-temperature ferromagnetism in ∼104–133 nm nanofibers of La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.05). As-spun nanofibers of La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 are fabricated by an electrospinning technique. Nanofibers of the as spun and calcined La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 samples are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) determination, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results of XRD analysis and TEM together with selected electron diffraction (SEAD) analysis indicate that La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 nanofibers have a cubic perovskite structure with no secondary phase. The as-spun samples are paramagnetic, whereas the La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 samples are ferromagnetic having specific magnetizations of 0.098–0.484 emu/g at 10 kOe. The XPS spectra show that there are some oxygen vacancies in the nanofibers, which its may play an important role in inducing room-temperature ferromagnetism in La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 nanofibers. XANES spectra show that most of the Ni ions in La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 nanofibers are in the Ni2+ state mixed with some Ni metal. The finding of room temperature ferromagnetism in this nanofibrous structure of the La0.5Sr0.5Ti1−

x
Ni
x
O3 system is of interest in research on diluted magnetic oxides.
Potential problems of removing one invasive species at a time: a meta-analysis of the interactions between invasive vertebrates and unexpected effects of removal programs
Authors: Ballari Sebastián A. , Kuebbing Sara E. , Nuñez Martin A.
Published: June 2016

Although the co-occurrence of nonnative vertebrates is a ubiquitous global phenomenon, the study of interactions between invaders is poorly represented in the literature. Limited understanding of the interactions between co-occurring vertebrates can be problematic for predicting how the removal of only one invasive—a common management scenario—will affect native communities. We suggest a trophic food web framework for predicting the effects of single-species management on native biodiversity. We used a literature search and meta-analysis to assess current understanding of how the removal of one invasive vertebrate affects native biodiversity relative to when two invasives are present. The majority of studies focused on the removal of carnivores, mainly within aquatic systems, which highlights a critical knowledge gap in our understanding of co-occurring invasive vertebrates. We found that removal of one invasive vertebrate caused a significant negative effect on native species compared to when two invasive vertebrates were present. These unexpected results could arise because of the positioning and hierarchy of the co-occurring invasives in the food web (e.g., carnivore–carnivore or carnivore–herbivore). We consider that there are important knowledge gaps to determinate the effects of multiple co-existing invaders on native ecosystems, and this information could be precious for management.
MicroRNA‐146a represses LRP2 translation and leads to cell apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Bei , Wang Li‐Ling , Ren Ru‐Jing , Dammer Eric B. , Zhang Yong‐Fang , Huang Yue , Chen Sheng‐Di , Wang Gang
Published: May 2016

MicroRNA regulation of transcript expression has been reported in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we investigate the role of microRNA‐146a (miRNA‐146a), a brain‐enriched miRNA, which is upregulated in AD patients. Through analysis of predicted targets of miRNA‐146a, low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein‐2 (Lrp2), a member of the LDLR family that is known to play a protective role in AD, was identified. Overexpression of miRNA‐146a in SH‐SY5Y cells significantly decreased Lrp2 expression, resulting in a reduction of Akt activation and induction of proapoptotic caspase‐3, thereby increasing cell apoptosis. Thus, specific miRNA‐146a regulation may contribute to AD by downregulating the Lrp2/Akt pathway.
Distinct effects of anthropogenic aerosols on the East Asian summer monsoon between multidecadal strong and weak monsoon stages
Authors: Xie Xiaoning , Wang Hongli , Liu Xiaodong , Li Jiandong , Wang Zhaosheng , Liu Yangang
Published: May 2016

Because industrial emissions of anthropogenic aerosols over East Asia have greatly increased in recent decades, the interactions between atmospheric aerosols and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) have attracted enormous attention. To further understand the aerosol‐EASM interaction, we investigate the impacts of anthropogenic aerosols on the EASM during the multidecadal strong (1950–1977) and weak (1978–2000) EASM stages using the Community Atmospheric Model 5.1. Numerical experiments are conducted for the whole period, including the two different EASM stages, with present day (PD, year 2000) and preindustrial (PI, year 1850) aerosol emissions, as well as the observed time‐varying aerosol emissions. A comparison of the results from PD and PI shows that, with the increase in anthropogenic aerosols, the large‐scale EASM intensity is weakened to a greater degree (−9.8%) during the weak EASM stage compared with the strong EASM stage (−4.4%). The increased anthropogenic aerosols also result in a significant reduction in precipitation over North China during the weak EASM stage, as opposed to a statistically insignificant change during the strong EASM stage. Because of greater aerosol loading and the larger sensitivity of the climate system during weak EASM stages, the aerosol effects are more significant during these EASM stages. These results suggest that anthropogenic aerosols from the same aerosol emissions have distinct effects on the EASM and the associated precipitation between the multidecadal weak and strong EASM stages.
Late Cretaceous intraplate silicic volcanic rocks from the Lake Chad region: An extension of the Cameroon volcanic line?
Authors: Shellnutt J. G. , Lee T.‐Y. , Torng P.‐K. , Yang C.‐C. , Lee Y.‐H.
Published: May 2016

Silicic volcanic rocks at Hadjer el Khamis, near Lake Chad, are considered to be an extension of the Cameroon volcanic line (CVL) but their petrogenetic association is uncertain. The silicic rocks are divided into peraluminous and peralkaline groups with both rock types chemically similar to within‐plate granitoids. In situ U/Pb zircon dating yielded a mean 206Pb/238U age of 74.4 ± 1.3 Ma indicating the magmas erupted ∼10 million years before the next oldest CVL rocks (i.e., ∼66 Ma). The Sr isotopes (i.e., ISr = 0.7021–0.7037) show a relatively wide range but the Nd isotopes (i.e., 143Nd/144Ndi = 0.51268–0.51271) are uniform and indicate that the rocks were derived from a moderately depleted mantle source. Thermodynamic modeling shows that the silicic rocks likely formed by fractional crystallization of a mafic parental magma but that the peraluminous rocks were affected by low temperature alteration processes. The silicic rocks are more isotopically similar to Late Cretaceous basalts identified within the Late Cretaceous basins (i.e., 143Nd/144Ndi = 0.51245–0.51285) of Chad than the uncontaminated CVL rocks (i.e., 143Nd/144Ndi = 0.51270–0.51300). The age and isotopic compositions suggest the silicic volcanic rocks of the Lake Chad region are related to Late Cretaceous extensional volcanism in the Termit basin. It is unlikely that the silicic volcanic rocks are petrogenetically related to the CVL but it is possible that magmatism was structurally controlled by suture zones that formed during the opening of the Central Atlantic Ocean and/or the Pan‐African Orogeny.
The minor sulfur isotope composition of Cretaceous and Cenozoic seawater sulfate
Authors: Masterson A. L. , Wing Boswell A. , Paytan Adina , Farquhar James , Johnston David T.
Published: May 2016

The last 125 Myr capture major changes in the chemical composition of the ocean and associated geochemical and biogeochemical cycling. The sulfur isotopic composition of seawater sulfate, as proxied in marine barite, is one of the more perplexing geochemical records through this interval. Numerous analytical and geochemical modeling approaches have targeted this record. In this study we extend the empirical isotope record of seawater sulfate to therefore include the two minor sulfur isotopes, 33S and 36S. These data record a distribution of values around means of Δ33S and Δ36S of 0.043 ± 0.016‰ and −0.39 ± 0.15‰, which regardless of δ34S‐based binning strategy is consistent with a signal population of values throughout this interval. We demonstrate with simple box modeling that substantial changes in pyrite burial and evaporite sulfate weathering can be accommodated within the range of our observed isotopic values.
Zinc Ferrite Photoanode Nanomorphologies with Favorable Kinetics for Water‐Splitting
Authors: Hufnagel Alexander G. , Peters Kristina , Müller Alexander , Scheu Christina , Fattakhova‐Rohlfing Dina , Bein Thomas
Published: May 2016

The n‐type semiconducting spinel zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) is used as a photoabsorber material for light‐driven water‐splitting. It is prepared for the first time by atomic layer deposition. Using the resulting well‐defined thin films as a model system, the performance of ZnFe2O4 in photoelectrochemical water oxidation is characterized. Compared to benchmark α‐Fe2O3 (hematite) films, ZnFe2O4 thin films achieve a lower photocurrent at the reversible potential. However, the oxidation onset potential of ZnFe2O4 is 200 mV more cathodic, allowing the water‐splitting reaction to proceed at a lower external bias and resulting in a maximum applied‐bias power efficiency (ABPE) similar to that of Fe2O3. The kinetics of the water oxidation reaction are examined by intensity‐modulated photocurrent spectroscopy. The data indicate a considerably higher charge transfer efficiency of ZnFe2O4 at potentials between 0.8 and 1.3 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, attributable to significantly slower surface charge recombination. Finally, nanostructured ZnFe2O4 photoanodes employing a macroporous antimony‐doped tin oxide current collector reach a five times higher photocurrent than the flat films. The maximum ABPE of these host–guest photoanodes is similarly increased.
High‐Performance Heterostructured Cathodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with a Ni‐Rich Layered Oxide Core and a Li‐Rich Layered Oxide Shell
Authors: Oh Pilgun , Oh Seung‐Min , Li Wangda , Myeong Seunjun , Cho Jaephil , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: May 2016

The Ni‐rich layered oxides with a Ni content of >0.5 are drawing much attention recently to increase the energy density of lithium‐ion batteries. However, the Ni‐rich layered oxides suffer from aggressive reaction of the cathode surface with the organic electrolyte at the higher operating voltages, resulting in consequent impedance rise and capacity fade. To overcome this difficulty, we present here a heterostructure composed of a Ni‐rich LiNi0.7Co0.15Mn0.15O2 core and a Li‐rich Li1.2−

x
Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 shell, incorporating the advantageous features of the structural stability of the core and chemical stability of the shell. With a unique chemical treatment for the activation of the Li2MnO3 phase of the shell, a high capacity is realized with the Li‐rich shell material. Aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) provides direct evidence for the formation of surface Li‐rich shell layer. As a result, the heterostructure exhibits a high capacity retention of 98% and a discharge‐voltage retention of 97% during 100 cycles with a discharge capacity of 190 mA h g−1 (at 2.0–4.5 V under C/3 rate, 1C = 200 mA g−1).
Robust Sub‐Monolayers of Co3O4 Nano‐Islands: A Highly Transparent Morphology for Efficient Water Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Liu Guanyu , Karuturi Siva Krishna , Simonov Alexandr N. , Fekete Monika , Chen Hongjun , Nasiri Noushin , Le Nhien H. , Reddy Narangari Parvathala , Lysevych Mykhaylo , Gengenbach Thomas R. , Lowe Adrian , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati , Spiccia Leone , Tricoli Antonio
Published: May 2016

The scalable synthesis of highly transparent and robust sub‐monolayers of Co3O4 nano‐islands, which efficiently catalyze water oxidation, is reported. Rapid aerosol deposition of Co3O4 nanoparticles and thermally induced self‐organization lead to an ultra‐fine nano‐island morphology with more than 94% light transmission at a wavelength of 500 nm. These transparent sub‐monolayers demonstrate a remarkable mass‐weighted water oxidation activity of 2070–2350 A gCo3O4−1 and per‐metal turnover frequency of 0.38–0.62 s−1 at an overpotential of 400 mV in 1 m NaOH aqueous solution. This mixed valent cobalt oxide structure exhibits excellent long‐term electrochemical and mechanical stability preserving the initial catalytic activity over more than 12 h of constant current electrolysis and 1000 consecutive voltammetric cycles. The potential of the Co3O4 nano‐islands for photoelectrochemical water splitting has been demonstrated by incorporation of co‐catalysts in GaN nanowire photoanodes. The Co3O4‐GaN photoanodes reveal significantly reduced onset overpotentials, improved photoresponse and photostability compared to the bare GaN ones. These findings provide a highly performing catalyst structure and a scalable synthesis method for the engineering of efficient photoanodes for integrated solar water‐splitting cells.
Global optimization of an industrial gas network operation
Authors: Puranik Yash , Kilinç Mustafa , Sahinidis Nikolaos V. , Li Tong , Gopalakrishnan Ajit , Besancon Brian , Roba Thierry
Published: May 2016

Air Liquide operates several industrial gas pipeline networks around the world, connecting air separation plants to customers of industrial gases. The operation of such a network of plants, pipelines, and customers is complicated due to fluctuating electricity prices and customer demands. We describe a complex industrial problem for real‐time optimization of network operations in the presence of these challenges. We then summarize a concerted modeling and algorithmic effort toward global optimization of this model. The resulting advances include development of a regression‐based fully‐deterministic nonconvex optimization model, a tool for diagnosing infeasibilities during model development, reformulations and scaling to make the model more amenable for optimization, and development of strengthened relaxations for its efficient solution. We provide details on the development of these tools and techniques that facilitated the solution of this model in a reasonable computational time with the global solver BARON. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3215–3224, 2016
Physical measurements of Chinese children in Hong Kong—A pilot study in preschools and kindergartens
Authors: Mok Gary T. K. , Chan Sharon S. , Chu Yoyo W. Y. , Chan Sau Man , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Chung Brian H. Y.
Published: May 2016

Normal growth is essential to a developing child. Most syndromes with dysmorphic features demonstrate recognizable patterns of disproportionate growth, thus physical measurements are an important aspect of patient evaluation. Delineating the abnormal growth pattern depends greatly on the accuracy of the normal range. However, the currently available reference data are restricted in terms of ethnicity and geographical location, hence may not be applicable to all children worldwide. In Hong Kong, reference data are limited only to the neonatal period. The aim of our pilot study is to obtain a set of region‐specific physical measurement data for Chinese children in Hong Kong. Two to six year olds were recruited from preschools and kindergartens in different regions of Hong Kong. Twenty‐six parameters found in previous publications were measured with minor modifications. Three medical personnel trained by a clinical geneticist obtained these parameters. Satisfactory inter‐rater reliability was achieved in a training cohort prior to the study. Raw measurement data collected were normalized and fitted into growth curves modeled by LMS method. We recruited 448 children (55.6% male) between 2 and 6 years old from five preschools and kindergartens. Growth curves with essential percentile lines were drawn. Significant differences were identified in 11 parameters when compared with Caucasian children, including canthal distances and facial width/height. Our current pilot study presents the first local‐ and ethnicity‐specific data on physical measurements of 2–6 year olds. Our findings highlighted the substantial ethnic variability in physical measurements and the need for an ethnic‐specific reference for Chinese children. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Update on the ACTG1‐associated Baraitser–Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome
Authors: Di Donato Nataliya , Kuechler Alma , Vergano Samantha , Heinritz Wolfram , Bodurtha Joann , Merchant Sabiha R. , Breningstall Galen , Ladda Roger , Sell Susan , Altmüller Janine , Bögershausen Nina , Timms Andrew E. , Hackmann Karl , Schrock Evelin , Collins Sarah , Olds Carissa , Rump Andreas , Dobyns William B.
Published: May 2016

Baraitser–Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome is caused by heterozygous missense mutations in one of the two ubiquitous cytoplasmic actin‐encoding genes ACTB and ACTG1. Recently, we characterized the large cohort of 41 patients presenting with this condition. Our series contained 34 patients with mutations in ACTB and only nine with ACTG1 mutations. Here, we report on seven unrelated patients with six mutations in ACTG1–four novel and two previously reported. Only one of seven patients was clinically diagnosed with this disorder and underwent ACTB/ACTG1 targeted sequencing, four patients were screened as a part of the large lissencephaly cohort and two were tested with exome sequencing. Retrospectively, facial features were compatible with the diagnosis but significantly milder than previously reported in four patients, and non‐specific in one. The pattern of malformations of cortical development was highly similar in four of six patients with available MRI images and encompassed frontal predominant pachygyria merging with the posterior predominant band heterotopia. Two remaining patients showed mild involvement consistent with bilaterally simplified gyration over the frontal lobes. Taken together, we expand the clinical spectrum of the ACTG1‐associated Baraitser–Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome demonstrating the mild end of the facial and brain manifestations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Conductive Hybridization Matrix of RuO2 Two‐Dimensional Nanosheets: A Hybrid‐Type Photocatalyst
Authors: Lee Jang Mee , Mok Eun Kyung , Lee Seul , Lee Nam‐Suk , Debbichi Lamjed , Kim Hyungjun , Hwang Seong‐Ju
Published: May 2016

A universal methodology to efficiently improve the photocatalyst performance of semiconductors was developed by employing exfoliated RuO2 two‐dimensional nanosheets as a conducting hybridization matrix. The hybridization with a RuO2 nanosheet is easily achieved by crystal growth or electrostatically derived anchoring of semiconductor nanocrystals on the RuO2 nanosheet. An enhanced chemical interaction of inorganic semiconductor with hydrophilic RuO2 nanosheet is fairly effective in optimizing their photocatalytic activity and photostability by the enhancement of charge separation and charge mobility. The RuO2‐containing nanohybrids show much better photocatalyst functionalities than do the graphene‐containing ones. The present study clearly demonstrates that hydrophilic RuO2 nanosheets are superior hybridization matrices, over the widely used hydrophobic graphene nanosheets, for exploring new efficient hybrid‐type photocatalysts.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroalkoxylation of Allenes and Alkynes with Alcohols: Synthesis of Branched Allylic Ethers
Authors: Liu Zi , Breit Bernhard
Published: May 2016

Regio‐ and enantioselective additions of alcohols to either terminal allenes or internal alkynes provides access to allylic ethers by using a RhI/diphenyl phosphate catalytic system. This method provides an atom‐economic way to obtain chiral aliphatic and aryl allylic ethers in moderate to good yield with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
Sequence‐Dependent Photocurrent Generation through Long‐Distance Excess‐Electron Transfer in DNA
Authors: Lin Shih‐Hsun , Fujitsuka Mamoru , Majima Tetsuro
Published: May 2016

Given its well‐ordered continuous π stacking of nucleobases, DNA has been considered as a biomaterial for charge transfer in biosensors. For cathodic photocurrent generation resulting from hole transfer in DNA, sensitivity to DNA structure and base‐pair stacking has been confirmed. However, such information has not been provided for anodic photocurrent generation resulting from excess‐electron transfer in DNA. In the present study, we measured the anodic photocurrent of a DNA‐modified Au electrode. Our results demonstrate long‐distance excess‐electron transfer in DNA, which is dominated by a hopping mechanism, and the photocurrent generation is sequence dependent.
Overexpression of caveolin‐1 in inflammatory breast cancer cells enables IBC‐specific gene delivery and prodrug conversion using histone‐targeted polyplexes
Authors: Ross Nikki L. , Sullivan Millicent O.
Published: May 2016

Gene therapy platforms offer a variety of potentially effective solutions for development of targeted agents that can be exploited for cancer treatment. The physicochemical properties of nanocarriers can be tuned to enhance their localization in tumors, and cell specificity can also be increased by appropriate selection of gene targets. A relatively underexploited approach to enhance therapeutic selectivity in cancer tissues is the use of nanocarriers whose nuclear targeting and uptake are triggered by the altered expression of specific endomembrane trafficking proteins in cancer cells. Previously, we showed that histone 3 (H3) peptide‐targeted DNA polyplexes traffic to the nucleus efficiently through caveolar endocytosis followed by transfer through the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We hypothesized that these polyplexes would exhibit enhanced activity in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) cells, which overexpress caveolin‐1 as part of their invasive phenotype, and we also posited that this targeting effect could be exploited to facilitate IBC‐specific transfection and prodrug conversion in the presence of normal breast epithelial cells. Using cellular transfection experiments, function‐blocking assays, and confocal imaging in both IBC SUM149 cell monocultures and IBC SUM149 co‐cultures with MCF10A normal breast epithelial cells, we found that our H3‐targeted polyplexes selectively transfected IBC SUM149 cells at a 4‐fold higher level than normal breast epithelial cells. This selectivity and increased transfection were caused by a 2.2‐fold overexpression of caveolin‐1 in IBC SUM149 cells, which led to increased polyplex trafficking to the nucleus through the Golgi and ER. We also saw similar enhancements in cell selectivity and transfection when cells were transfected with a suicide gene/prodrug combination, as the increased expression of the suicide gene in IBC SUM149 cells led to a 55% decrease in viability in IBC SUM149 cells as compared to a 25% decrease in MCF10A cells. These findings demonstrate that differences in the expression of the endocytic membrane protein caveolin‐1 can be exploited for cell‐selective gene delivery, and ultimately, these gene‐based targeting approaches may be useful in potential treatments for aggressive cancer types. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2686–2697. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flavin Derivatives with Tailored Redox Properties: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Behavior
Authors: Kormányos Attila , Hossain Mohammad S. , Ghadimkhani Ghazaleh , Johnson Joe J. , Janáky Csaba , de Tacconi Norma R. , Foss Frank W. , Paz Yaron , Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: May 2016

This study establishes structure–property relationships for four synthetic flavin molecules as bioinspired redox mediators in electro‐ and photocatalysis applications. The studied flavin compounds were disubstituted with polar substituents at the N1 and N3 positions (alloxazine) or at the N3 and N10 positions (isoalloxazines). The electrochemical behavior of one such synthetic flavin analogue was examined in detail in aqueous solutions of varying pH in the range from 1 to 10. Cyclic voltammetry, used in conjunction with hydrodynamic (rotating disk electrode) voltammetry, showed quasi‐reversible behavior consistent with freely diffusing molecules and an overall global 2e−, 2H+ proton‐coupled electron transfer scheme. UV/Vis spectroelectrochemical data was also employed to study the pH‐dependent electrochemical behavior of this derivative. Substituent effects on the redox behavior were compared and contrasted for all the four compounds, and visualized within a scatter plot framework to afford comparison with prior knowledge on mostly natural flavins in aqueous media. Finally, a preliminary assessment of one of the synthetic flavins was performed of its electrocatalytic activity toward dioxygen reduction as a prelude to further (quantitative) studies of both freely diffusing and tethered molecules on various electrode surfaces.
Identification of KPNB1 as a Cellular Target of Aminothiazole Derivatives with Anticancer Activity
Authors: Kim Yong‐Hak , Ha Siyoung , Kim Jungwon , Ham Seung Wook
Published: May 2016

We found that aminothiazole derivative (E)‐N‐(5‐benzylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐3‐(furan‐2‐yl)acrylamide (1) has strong anticancer activity, and undertook proteomics approaches to identify the target protein of compound 1, importin β1 (KPNB1). A competitive binding assay using fluorescein‐labeled 1 showed that 1 has strong binding affinity for KPNB1 (Kd: ∼20 nm). Furthermore, through western blotting assays for KPNB1, KPNA2, EGFR, ErbB2, and STAT3, we confirmed that 1 has inhibitory effects on the importin pathway. KPBN1 appears to be overexpressed in several cancer cells, and siRNA‐induced inhibition of KPNB1 shows significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, while leaving non‐cancerous cells unaffected. Therefore, compound 1 is a promising new lead for the development of KPNB1‐targeted anticancer agents. Fluorescein‐labeled 1 could be a useful quantitative probe for the development of novel KPNB1 inhibitors.
Conversion of raw lignocellulosic biomass into branched long‐chain alkanes through three tandem steps
Authors: Li Chunrui , Ding Daqian , Xia Qineng , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Yanqin
Published: May 2016

Synthesis of branched long‐chain alkanes from renewable biomass has attracted intensive interest in recent years, but the feedstock for this synthesis is restricted to platform chemicals. Here, we develop an effective and energy‐efficient process to convert raw lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., corncob) into branched diesel‐range alkanes through three tandem steps for the first time. Furfural and isopropyl levulinate (LA ester) were prepared from hemicellulose and cellulose fractions of corncob in toluene/water biphasic system with added isopropanol, which was followed by double aldol condensation of furfural with LA ester into C15 oxygenates and the final hydrodeoxygenation of C15 oxygenates into branched long‐chain alkanes. The core point of this tandem process is the addition of isopropanol in the first step, which enables the spontaneous transfer of levulinic acid (LA) into the toluene phase in the form of LA ester through esterification, resulting in LA ester co‐existing with furfural in the same phase, which is the basis for double aldol condensation in the toluene phase. Moreover, the acidic aqueous phase and toluene can be reused and the residues, including lignin and humins in aqueous phase, can be separated and carbonized to porous carbon materials.
The Effect of Experimental Thyroid Dysfunction on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Rat Pancreas
Authors: Sajadian Mojtaba , Hashemi Mohammad , Salimi Saeedeh , Nakhaee Alireza
Published: May 2016

Preclinical Research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of thyroid dysfunction on markers of oxidative stress in rat pancreas. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were, respectively, induced in rats via administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) and L‐thyroxine sodium salt in drinking water for 45 days. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathioen peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), xanthine oxidase (XO), and nonenzymatic markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total thiols (T‐SH) were determined in the rat pancreas. In hyperthyroid rats, pancreatic CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, XO, G6PD activities were increased compared with those in hypothyroid and control groups. There were no differences in activities of antioxidant enzymes between hypothyroid and control rats. Pancreatic MDA and PC in hyperthyroid rats increased compared with hypothyroid and the control animals. Whereas, hyperthyroid rats had decreased levels of tissue GSH and T‐SH compared with hypothyroid and the control groups. The findings showed that only GSH level has decreased significantly in the hypothyroid group compared with control groups. In conclusion, our results showed that experimental hyperthyroidism induces oxidative stress in pancreas of rats, but hypothyroidism has no major impact on oxidative stress markers. Drug Dev Res 77 : 199–205, 2016.   © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topical Anti‐Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Multiple Applications of S(+)‐Flurbiprofen Plaster (SFPP) in a Rat Adjuvant‐Induced Arthritis Model
Authors: Sugimoto Masanori , Toda Yoshihisa , Hori Miyuki , Mitani Akiko , Ichihara Takahiro , Sekine Shingo , Kaku Shinsuke , Otsuka Noboru , Matsumoto Hideo
Published: May 2016

Preclinical Research

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multiple applications of S(+)‐flurbiprofen plaster (SFPP), a novel Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) patch, for the alleviation of inflammatory pain and edema in rat adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) model as compared to other NSAID patches. The AIA model was induced by the injection of Mycobacterium butyricum and rats were treated with a patch (1.0 cm × 0.88 cm) containing each NSAID (SFP, ketoprofen, loxoprofen, diclofenac, felbinac, flurbiprofen, or indomethacin) applied to the paw for 6 h per day for 5 days. The pain threshold was evaluated using a flexion test of the ankle joint, and the inflamed paw edema was evaluated using a plethysmometer. cyclooxygenase (COX)−1 and COX‐2 inhibition was evaluated using human recombinant proteins. Multiple applications of SFPP exerted a significant analgesic effect from the first day of application as compared to the other NSAID patches. In terms of paw edema, SFPP decreased edema from the second day after application, Multiple applications of SFPP were superior to those of other NSAID patches, in terms of the analgesic effect with multiple applications. These results suggest that SFPP may be a beneficial patch for providing analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects clinically. Drug Dev Res 77 : 206–211, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Drug Development Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.