bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regioselective Synthesis of 1,3‐ and 1,2‐Tocopheryl Glyceride Ethers of Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Choi Bo Seul , Choi Jeongae , Bak Seonyoung , Koo Sangho
Published: December 2014

A regioselective synthetic method with which to access 1,3‐tocopheryl glyceride ethers 2 of diverse carboxylic acids was developed through Bu4NBr‐catalyzed ring‐opening of tocopheryl glycidyl ether 1. Steglich esterification of the 1,3‐tocopheryl acetyl‐glyceride ether 2a with various carboxylic acids, followed by selective deprotection of 3‐acetate by LiEt3BH reduction at –78 °C constitutes a regioselective synthetic method of 1,2‐tocopheryl glyceride ethers 4. An example of the differing self‐assembled behavior of phosphorylcholine derivatives 6c and 7c of 1,3‐ and 1,2‐tocopheryl stearoyl‐glyceride ethers in aqueous solution is also described.
Absolute Configurations of Melanoxadin, MR‐93A, Melanoxazal, and MR‐93B
Authors: He Tian‐Jun , Zhu Shijun , Lu Xiao‐Wei , Wu Yikang , Li Yan
Published: December 2014

Fungal metabolites melanoxadin, MR‐93A, melanoxazal, and MR‐93B were synthesized with the key stereogenic centers derived from commercially available chiral building blocks. The optically active synthetic products with well‐defined absolute configurations provided authentic samples for the stereoisomers of these oxazole‐containing natural products and thus allowed for unambiguous assignments of their relative and absolute configurations. The large discrepancies in the optical rotations between the natural and the pure synthetic samples are discussed. Some errors in the previously reported NMR signal assignments are also corrected.
Determination of Total Protein Concentration in Solution Using Gold Electrode Modified with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Tchekwagep Patrick Marcel Seumo , Nanseu‐Njiki Charles Péguy , Ngameni Emmanuel , Danielsson Ravi , Arnebrant Thomas , Ruzgas Tautgirdas
Published: December 2014

Gold electrodes were modified with silver nanoparticles and Ag/AgCl redox conversion was recorded by cyclic voltammetry in protein containing electrolyte solution. The charge of the reduction peak decreased with the increase of the total protein concentration. This correlation was better for solutions containing bovine serum albumin as a standard than for the samples of human saliva. The results of these electroanalytical measurements show that the method can be used to determine protein concentration in electrolyte solution in the range from 0.01 to 0.2 mg mL−1, though reproducibility of analysis of real samples must be further improved.
Solid‐Contact Potentiometric Sensor Based on Polyaniline and Unsubstituted Pillar[5]Arene
Authors: Stoikova Ekaterina E. , Sorvin Michail I. , Shurpik Dmitry N. , Budnikov Herman C. , Stoikov Ivan I. , Evtugyn Gennady A.
Published: December 2014

A novel potentiometric sensor based on screen‐printed carbon electrode covered with electropolymerized polyaniline (PANI) and unsubstituted pillar[5]arene as ionophore has been developed and tested in potentiometric measurements of pH and metal ions. The introduction of pillar[5]arene improved the reversibility of the pH response in the range from 2.0 to 9.0 with the slope of 45 mV/pH. Among metal cations, the response to Fe3+ and Ag+ ions was referred to PANI redox conversion whereas the signal toward Cu2+ in the range from 1.0×10−6 to 1.0×10−2 M (limit of detection (LOD) 3.0×10−7 M) to specific interaction with the macrocycle.
Cognitive Profile of Children and Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Kjaersdam Telléus Gry , Jepsen Jens Richardt , Bentz Mette , Christiansen Eva , Jensen Signe O. W. , Fagerlund Birgitte , Thomsen Per Hove
Published: December 2014

Objective

Few studies of cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive and intelligence profile of this clinical group.

Method

The study was a matched case–control (N = 188), multi‐centre study including children and adolescents with AN (N = 94) and healthy control participants (N = 94).

Results

The results suggest that Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III) in this patient group is close to the normal population mean of 100. Individuals with AN exhibited significantly worse performance in nonverbal intelligence functions (i.e. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III, Perceptual Organization Index) and in verbal memory (Test of Memory and Learning—Second Edition, Memory for Stories) and motor speed (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Simple and Choice Reaction Time) compared with healthy control participants. No significant difference in set‐shifting ability (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Intra‐Extra Dimensional Set Shift and Trail Making Test B) was found.

Conclusions

Inefficiency in nonverbal intelligence functions and in specific cognitive functions was found in this study of children and adolescents with AN. © 2014 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury in Patients with Eating Disorder: Associations with Identity Formation Above and Beyond Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Claes Laurence , Luyckx Koen , Bijttebier Patricia , Turner Brianna , Ghandi Amarendra , Smets Jos , Norre Jan , Van Assche Leen , Verheyen Els , Goris Yvienne , Hoksbergen Ingrid , Schoevaerts Katrien
Published: December 2014

In the present study, we investigated the association between non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and problems in identity formation among patients with eating disorder (ED). NSSI is highly prevalent in ED, and problems with identity formation are characteristic of both NSSI and ED. Few studies, however, have investigated identity formation in patients with ED with and without NSSI while taking into account comorbid psychopathology (e.g. anxiety and depression). Therefore, we investigated the relationships between NSSI characteristics, identity confusion/synthesis, and anxiety/depression in 99 female patients with ED by means of self‐report questionnaires. The results showed that 58.6% of the patients with ED engaged in at least one type of NSSI (most frequently cutting), with no significant differences in rates of NSSI or identity problems among ED subtypes. Presence, versatility and automatic negative reinforcement functions of NSSI were each significantly and positively related to identity confusion and negatively related to identity synthesis. Even after controlling for age, anxiety, and depression, lack of identity synthesis remained a significant predictor of NSSI in patients with ED. Given that NSSI may constitute an effort to deal with identity confusion/synthesis in patients with ED, therapists should take this developmental task into account while treating patients with ED with NSSI. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Low‐molecular‐weight fibroblast growth factor 2 attenuates hepatic fibrosis by epigenetic down‐regulation of Delta‐like1
Authors: Pan Ruo‐Lang , Xiang Li‐Xin , Wang Ping , Liu Xiao‐Yuan , Nie Li , Huang Wendong , Shao Jian‐Zhong
Published: December 2014

Liver fibrosis, a major cause of end‐stage liver diseases, is closely regulated by multiple growth factors and cytokines. The correlation of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) with chronic liver injury has been reported, but the exact functions of different FGF2 isoforms in liver fibrogenesis remain unclear. Here, we report on the differential expression patterns and functions of low‐ and high‐molecular‐weight FGF2 (namely, FGF2lmw and FGF2hmw, respectively) in hepatic fibrogenesis using a CCl4‐induced mouse liver fibrosis model. FGF2hmw displayed a robust increase in CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis and promoted fibrogenesis. In contrast, endogenous FGF2lmw exhibited a slight increase in hepatic fibrosis and suppressed this pathological progression. Moreover, exogenous administration of recombinant FGF2lmw potently ameliorated CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, we showed that FGF2lmw treatment attenuated hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis by epigenetic down‐regulation of Delta‐like 1 expression through the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. Conclusion: FGF2lmw and FGF2hmw have distinct roles in liver fibrogenesis. These findings demonstrate a potent antifibrotic effect of FGF2lmw administration, which may provide a novel approach to treat chronic liver diseases. (Hepatology 2015;61:1708–1720)
Natural Convection Flow of a Nanofluid along a Vertical Plate with Streamwise Temperature Variations
Authors: Rashad A.M. , Chamkha Ali J. , EL‐Kabeir S.M.M.
Published: December 2014

This work is devoted to study the natural convection boundary‐layer flow of nanofluids along a vertical flat plate with the effect of sinusoidal surface temperature variations. The model utilized for the nanofluid incorporates the effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. An appropriate set of dimensionless variables is used to transform the governing equations of the problem into a nonsimilar form. The obtained nonsimilar equations have the property that they reduce to various special cases previously considered in the open literature. An adequate and efficient implicit, tri‐diagonal finite difference method is employed for the numerical solution of the obtained equations. Comparison with previously published work is performed and the results are found to be in excellent agreement. A representative set of numerical results for the dimensionless velocity, temperature and nanoparticle volume fraction, as well as the surface shear stress, rates of heat and nanoparticle volume fraction have been presented graphically and discussed to show interesting features of the solutions.
Values for gender roles and relations among high school and non‐high school adolescents in a Maya community in Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Manago Adriana M.
Published: December 2014

In the current study, I describe values for gender roles and cross‐sex relations among adolescents growing up in a southern Mexican Maya community in which high school was introduced in 1999. A total of 80 adolescent girls and boys, half of whom were attending the new high school, provided their opinions on two ethnographically derived vignettes that depicted changes in gender roles and relations occurring in their community. Systematic coding revealed that adolescents not enrolled in high school tended to prioritise ascribed and complementary gender roles and emphasise the importance of family mediation in cross‐sex relations. Adolescents who were enrolled in high school tended to prioritise equivalent and chosen gender roles, and emphasised personal responsibility and personal fulfillment in cross‐sex relations. Perceptions of risks and opportunities differed by gender: girls favourably evaluated the expansion of adult female role options, but saw risks in personal negotiations of cross‐sex relations; boys emphasised the loss of the female homemaker role, but favourably evaluated new opportunities for intimacy in cross‐sex relations.
Effects of flow configuration on bone tissue engineering using human mesenchymal stem cells in 3D chitosan composite scaffolds
Authors: Sellgren Katelyn L. , Ma Teng
Published: December 2014

Perfusion bioreactor plays important role in supporting 3D bone construct development. Scaffolds of chitosan composites have been studied to support bone tissue regeneration from osteogenic progenitor cells including human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). In this study, porous scaffolds of hydroxyapatite (H), chitosan (C), and gelatin (G) were fabricated by phase‐separation and press‐fitted in the perfusion bioreactor system where media flow is configured either parallel or transverse with respect to the scaffolds to investigate the impact of flow configuration on hMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The in vitro results showed that the interstitial flow in the transverse flow (TF) constructs reduced cell growth during the first week of culture but improved spatial cell distribution and early onset of osteogenic differentiation measured by alkaline phosphatase and expression of osteogenic genes. After 14 days of bioreactor culture, the TF constructs have comparable cell number but higher expression of bone markers genes and proteins compared to the parallel flow constructs. To evaluate ectopic bone formation, the HCG constructs seeded with hMSCs pre‐cultured under two flow configurations for 7 days were implanted in CD‐1 nude mice. While Masson's Trichrom staining revealed bone formation in both constructs, the TF constructs have improved spatial cell and osteoid distribution throughout the 2.0 mm constructs. The results highlight the divergent effects of media flow over the course of construct development and suggest that the flow configuration is an important parameter regulating the cellular events leading to bone construct formation in the HCG scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2509–2520, 2015.
THE PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AS ENACTMENT OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY IN GHANA
Authors: Barimah Kofi Bobi , Akotia Charity Sylvia
Published: December 2014

Traditional medicine (TRM) and traditional healers, embedded within specific thoughts about cosmology, spirituality, and community, occupy a marginal status in African societies like Ghana. Colonialism, the ongoing dominance of the biomedical orientation postindependence, and the encroaching influences of globalization continue to limit the formalization and official recognition of TRM. In this article, we trace the position of TRM from colonial to contemporary times and describe an advocacy initiative, as an enactment of community psychology. The enactment, aimed at promoting and supporting the formal integration of TRM into primary healthcare services in Ghana, resonates with community psychology's accent on social justice, empowerment, collaboration, empirical grounding, and community mobilization. By way of reflections, we elucidate on a few successes and challenges of our advocacy work, and conclude by observing the importance of vigilance and reflexivity in the enactment of community psychology.
ORAL HISTORY AS AN ENACTMENT OF CRITICAL COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Seedat Mohamed
Published: December 2014

I describe an oral history project as an enactment of critical community psychology that was triggered by an academic and social impulse, stirred by a South African liberatory moment that legitimated recovery of marginalized voices and community knowledge as part of a process of affirming community self‐identity. Oral history was positioned as a performance, a collection of historical materials, a transformative force linking the past to the present to interpret social conditions, and a generative modality for establishing community, evidence of the implicit shaping influences of Black Consciousness on enactments of psychosocial praxis at a particular South African moment. The description briefly draws attention to ambiguities arising from oppressive psychosocial scripts and the repressive authority of disciplinary power on the enactments of oral history, so as to offer a critical voice to forthcoming dialogues about how to place project materials, collected two decades ago, within the public realm.
RACE AND COMMUNITY PRACTICE: REFLECTIONS FROM THE SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Authors: Graham Tanya , Langa Malose
Published: December 2014

Given South Africa's unique history of colonization and racial segregation, understanding and working with issues of race and racialization have been of paramount importance in South African critical community psychology. This article considers how race has emerged in the supervision of community work with master's students in a community psychology practicum. Using an autoethnographic approach, we document our reflections as two community psychology supervisors to discuss the dilemmas experienced in dealing with race in community psychology supervision. We engage with notions of Whiteness and Blackness, intersections of race and language, and race and crime, and document specific issues that emerge in the supervision for Black and White supervisors. In conclusion, we highlight the importance for supervisors to adopt a critical stance that utilizes reflexivity as a tool for the supervision of community work to help students to reflect on issues of race and racism as part of their community engagement.
Effect of brivaracetam on CYP3A activity, measured by oral midazolam
Authors: Stockis Armel , Watanabe Shikiko , Scheen André J.
Published: December 2014

Brivaracetam is a synaptic vesicle protein 2A ligand in phase III development for epilepsy. A phase I, open‐label, randomized study was conducted in 42 healthy male participants to assess the effect of brivaracetam on CYP3A activity using midazolam as a probe. Participants were randomized to oral brivaracetam 5, 50, or 150 mg/day from Day 8 to Day 14. A single oral dose (7.5 mg) of midazolam was administered on Days 1, 13, and 20, and full pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained. For all brivaracetam doses, the areas under the plasma concentration‐time curves from 0 to infinity (AUCinf) for midazolam and 1′‐hydroxymidazolam were similar on Days 13 and 20 compared with Day 1. Following brivaracetam 150 mg/day, the Day 13/Day 1 AUCinf ratio (90% confidence interval) was 1.09 (0.97, 1.21) and 1.04 (0.93, 1.17) for midazolam and 1′‐hydroxymidazolam, respectively. For the Day 20/Day 1 comparison, the corresponding AUCinf ratios were 1.10 (0.98, 1.23) and 1.07 (0.97, 1.18). Maximum midazolam plasma concentration was increased on both Day 13 and Day 20 vs. Day 1 but the relevance of this finding was unclear. This study indicates that brivaracetam up to 150 mg/day has no significant inducing or inhibiting effect on CYP3A activity.
Solid state joining of aluminum, titanium and their hybrids by ultrasonic torsion welding
Authors: Magin J. , Balle F.
Published: December 2014

Solid state joining by the ultrasonic torsion welding technology has been investigated for light metal hybrid joints of aluminum AA1199 (Al4N) and cp‐titanium grade 1. Before the welding experiments the materials were thoroughly characterized in the initial state and a surface pre‐treatment was developed to increase reproducibility and comparability between individual experiments. On the system side a clamping device designed for the specimen geometry of the single overlap joint and a special welding tool for joints with titanium as upper joining partner were developed. Statistical test methods were used to determine optimized process parameters for ultrasonic torsion welding of the light metals. During the welding process the relevant properties like temperatures and ultrasonic oscillations were measured. Afterwards the joints were tested under tensile shear loading. Detailed light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy of the joining zone as well as fracture surface analysis were carried out to describe the bonding mechanisms.
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor as a second neoplasm after Wilms tumor
Authors: Ortiz Michael V. , Rossi Christopher T. , Hill D. Ashley , Guzzetta Phillip C. , Qureshi Faisal , Dome Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2014

We report two survivors of Wilms tumor (WT) who developed inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). The first patient had IMT in the mainstem bronchus 1 year after WT therapy that included vincristine, dactinomycin, doxorubicin (VDA) and whole lung radiation therapy (XRT). The second patient had IMT in the cecum 7 years after WT therapy consisting of VDA and abdominal XRT. The unlikely co‐occurrence of WT and IMT suggests a genetic link between these tumors or that IMT can arise as a complication of cancer therapy. IMT should be considered in WT survivors who develop secondary tumors, especially at unusual sites. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1075–1077. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The quality of patient‐centred care: haematological cancer survivors' perceptions
Authors: Tzelepis Flora , Sanson‐Fisher Robert W. , Hall Alix E. , Carey Mariko L. , Paul Christine L. , Clinton‐McHarg Tara
Published: December 2014

Objective

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) that assess the quality of patient‐centred cancer care have failed to measure all six patient‐centredness dimensions endorsed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). This study is the first to use the Quality of Patient‐Centered Cancer Care (QPCCC) measure that covers all six IOM patient‐centredness dimensions to examine haematological cancer survivors' perceptions of care and characteristics associated with perceived quality of care.

Methods

Haematological cancer survivors diagnosed in the last 6 years and aged 18–80 years were recruited from two Australian state population‐based cancer registries. Survivors were mailed the 48‐item QPCCC measure.

Results

Overall, 545 haematological cancer survivors completed the measure. Areas of care most commonly identified as delivered were hospital staff showing respect to survivors (93%) and making sure the correct treatment was received (93%). Aspects of care most frequently nominated as not delivered were hospital staff helping family and friends (34%) or the survivor (32%) to find other people with similar experiences to talk to. Characteristics associated with survivors perceiving higher quality care was delivered included being employed, having private health insurance, being younger, a Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis and more recent diagnosis. Being depressed or stressed was associated with perceived lower quality of care.

Conclusions

Provision of peer support programs that allow haematological cancer survivors and families and friends to talk to others in similar situations could be improved. Using PROMs to identify areas where cancer survivors perceive improvements are needed is essential to quality improvement efforts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth mixture modeling with non‐normal distributions
Authors: Muthén Bengt , Asparouhov Tihomir
Published: December 2014

A limiting feature of previous work on growth mixture modeling is the assumption of normally distributed variables within each latent class. With strongly non‐normal outcomes, this means that several latent classes are required to capture the observed variable distributions. Being able to relax the assumption of within‐class normality has the advantage that a non‐normal observed distribution does not necessitate using more than one class to fit the distribution. It is valuable to add parameters representing the skewness and the thickness of the tails. A new growth mixture model of this kind is proposed drawing on recent work in a series of papers using the skew‐t distribution. The new method is illustrated using the longitudinal development of body mass index in two data sets. The first data set is from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth covering ages 12–23 years. Here, the development is related to an antecedent measuring socioeconomic background. The second data set is from the Framingham Heart Study covering ages 25–65 years. Here, the development is related to the concurrent event of treatment for hypertension using a joint growth mixture‐survival model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absolute Infrared Intensities and Atomic Polarizations of “Symmetric” (Dipole Moment free) Metal Carbonyls M(CO)6 (M = Cr, Mo, W), Fe(CO)5, M2(CO)10 (M = Mn, Re)
Authors: Melnikoff Alexander , Beck Wolfgang
Published: December 2014

The absolute intensities of the C–O stretching, metal–carbon stretching, and metal–C–O bending vibrations of dipole moment free metal carbonyls were measured and compared with published data. The atomic polarizations for these compounds were calculated from the IR intensities. Atomic polarizations of Fe(CO)5 and of Mn2(CO)10 based on IR intensities compare well to those obtained from measurements of dielectric constants and refractive indices.
Use of Phagotrophic Microalga Ochromonas danica to Pretreat Waste Cooking Oil for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Hosseini Majid , Ju Lu‐Kwang
Published: December 2014

In this study, the feasibility of pretreatment and/or upgrading of waste cooking oil (WCO) using the microalga Ochromonas danica was investigated. Two WCO samples with initial acid values (AV) of 10.7 mg KOH/g (~5.4 % FFA content) and 3.9 mg KOH/g (~2.0 % FFA content) were examined. The algal cells engulfed oil droplets and grew rapidly on both WCO samples. The cell growth rates on WCO were compared with the rates on olive oil, with or without surfactant addition to make the oil droplets smaller and easier for algal ingestion. Comparison was also made with the growth rate in a sugar‐based medium. More importantly, contacting the WCO with the phagotrophic O. danica cells was found to decrease the acid values of the remaining oil by 2.8 and 2.4 mg KOH/g WCO, respectively. The O. danica‐pretreated WCO, with lower acid values, are potentially better feedstock for biodiesel production.
Underwater drag reduction by gas
Authors: Wang Jiadao , Wang Bao , Chen Darong
Published: December 2014

Publications on underwater drag reduction by gas have been gathered in the present study. Experimental methods, results and conclusions from the publications have been discussed and analyzed. The stable existence of gas is a requirement for underwater drag reduction induced by slippage at the water-solid interface. A superhydrophobic surface can entrap gas in surface structures at the water-solid interface. However, many experimental results have exhibited that the entrapped gas can disappear, and the drag gradually increases until the loss of drag reduction with immersion time and underwater flow. Although some other surface structures were also experimented to hold the entrapped gas, from the analysis of thermodynamics and mechanics, it is difficult to prohibit the removal of entrapped gas in underwater surface structures. Therefore, it is essential to replenish a new gas supply for continued presence of gas at the interface for continued underwater drag reduction. Active gas supplement is an effective method for underwater drag reduction, however, that needs some specific equipment and additional energy to generate gas, which limits its practical application. Cavitation or supercavitation is a method for passive gas generation, but it is only adaptive to certain vehicles with high speed. Lately, even at low speed, the evaporation induced by liquid-gas-solid interface of a transverse microgrooved surface for continued gas supply has been discovered, which should be a promising method for practical application of underwater drag reduction by gas.
The Strength of a Loosely Defined Movement: Eugenics and Medicine in Imperial Russia
Authors: Krementsov Nikolai
Published: December 2014

This essay examines the ‘infiltration’ of eugenics into Russian medical discourse during the formation of the eugenics movement in western Europe and North America in 1900–17. It describes the efforts of two Russian physicians, the bacteriologist and hygienist Nikolai Gamaleia (1859–1949) and the psychiatrist Tikhon Iudin (1879–1949), to introduce eugenics to the Russian medical community, analysing in detail what attracted these representatives of two different medical specialties to eugenic ideas, ideals, and policies advocated by their western colleagues. On the basis of a close examination of the similarities and differences in Gamaleia’s and Iudin’s attitudes to eugenics, the essay argues that lack of cohesiveness gave the early eugenics movement a unique strength. The loose mix of widely varying ideas, ideals, methods, policies, activities and proposals covered by the umbrella of eugenics offered to a variety of educated professionals in Russia and elsewhere the possibility of choosing, adopting and adapting particular elements to their own national, professional, institutional and disciplinary contexts, interests and agendas.
World Trade in Medicinal Plants from Spanish America, 1717–1815
Authors: Gänger Stefanie
Published: December 2014

This article outlines the history of the commerce in medicinal plants and plant-based remedies from the Spanish American territories in the eighteenth century. It maps the routes used to transport the plants from Spanish America to Europe and, along the arteries of European commerce, colonialism and proselytism, into societies across the Americas, Asia and Africa. Inquiring into the causes of the global ‘spread’ of American remedies, it argues that medicinal plants like ipecacuanha, guaiacum, sarsaparilla, jalap root and cinchona moved with relative ease into Parisian medicine chests, Moroccan court pharmacies and Manila dispensaries alike, because of their ‘exotic’ charisma, the force of centuries-old medical habits, and the increasingly measurable effectiveness of many of these plants by the late eighteenth century. Ultimately and primarily, however, it was because the disease environments of these widely separated places, their medical systems and materia medica had long become entangled by the eighteenth century.
Getting it Right? Lessons from the Interwar Years on Pulmonary Tuberculosis Control in England and Wales
Authors: Bowden Sue , Sadler Alex
Published: December 2014

This paper examines morbidity and mortality patterns in interwar England and Wales, using previously under-explored primary archival source materials. These materials help us understand not only what local authorities could and did do, but also the reasons for the marked variations in the ability of different authorities to manage the problem. We identify where and why there were problems and also how and why some authorities were more successful than others in dealing with the disease. Wealth was not an issue. We find acombinationof pro-active preventative measures was significant.
Annas: The Just Soul, the Community, and the Circularity Objection
Authors: SARKAR HUSAIN
Published: December 2014

Annas’ virtue ethics faces the Circularity Objection. She claims that a just soul is disposed to doing just acts. If a just soul is defined neither in terms of right acts nor rules, then the Circularity Objection is circumvented. Drawing upon Korsgaard’s recent work, it is shown that Annas’ argument faces anew the Circularity Objection. Then, I examine Annas’ fresh attempts to avert the Circularity Objection by appealing to the community of the virtuous. I argue that this move does not save her theory from either relativism or the Circularity Objection.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on International Freedom of Religion or Belief
Authors:   Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose
Published: December 2014

According to the Pew Research Centre, 76 per cent of the world's population live in countries where they face ‘high or very high’ restrictions on religion or belief. Over the five years that Pew has been tracking this metric, the percentage of people that face ‘high or very high’ levels of restrictions by their government has risen from 58 per cent to 64 per cent. What is more alarming is the figure for ‘high or very high’ social hostilities (that is, acts of religious hostility by private individuals and groups, including armed conflict and terror), which jumped from 53 per cent in 2011 to 74 per cent in 2012.
Bats in Belfries (and Naves and Chancels)
Authors: Woolley David
Published: December 2014

For many years, probably for centuries, bats have hunted and roosted in churches. They have now become less than welcome. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a church in Bedfordshire placed a bounty of 6d per dozen on the heads of the animals, and in the 1930s the organist of Binsey found himself unable to distinguish the black keys from the white because the colours were obscured by bat droppings. The problem, therefore, is not new. More recently, a debate in the House of Lords, initiated by Lord Cormack, a former Second Church Commissioner, produced a short-lived but vigorous spate of articles and letters in the national press. Complaints about the activities of bats came from far and wide, from North Yorkshire to Northampton and Oxford. The problem seems to be especially acute in East Anglia, however. The greatest cause for complaint was the damage caused to woodwork, floor tiles, alabaster memorials and monumental brasses by faeces and urine. As a moment's reflection shows, these are corrosive (the latter more so) and the effects can be disastrous. In any case, where bats are present in any numbers, someone has the distasteful task of trying to remove the droppings and the urine stains on pews, window sills and floors each time the church is used. It is not unknown for bats to defecate on the heads of incumbents at the altar, which raises questions as to the consequences of bat infestation for the health of clergy, congregations and other church users, over and above the damage to buildings and their contents.
The Legal Status of the Church of England in Italy
Authors: Coniglio Paolo Cesare
Published: December 2014

In a historic move, the Church of England has achieved legal recognition in Italy. Legal status was declared by a presidential decree signed by the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, in July 2014. This recognises the Church of England as a denomination and a ‘properly organised and authorised’ religion in Italy. The decree gives legal status to the association Chiesa d'Inghilterra (Church of England), which represents the Church of England in Italy, and accepts its statutes. The registered address of the Chiesa d'Inghilterra is in the centre of Rome.
Response to habitat modification by foraging Dark-chanting Goshawks Melierax metabates in a West African savanna
Authors: BUIJ RALPH , VAN DORST NIKIE , SALOMONS HENRIËTTE F. , CROES BARBARA M. , DIETZ MAURINE W. , KOMDEUR JAN
Published: December 2014

Anthropogenic habitat alteration has probably contributed significantly to the decrease of raptor populations in West African savannas. To evaluate the impact of habitat degradation on foraging by sedentary Afrotropical raptors, we investigated the differences in microhabitat selection, foraging effort and energy returns between Dark-chanting Goshawks Melierax metabates inhabiting natural and transformed savannas in Cameroon. We expected that the agro-ecosystems in the transformed savannas have become unprofitable for Dark-chanting Goshawks due to scarcity of food resources. In both savanna types we radio-tracked six mated, adult males during the non-breeding season and determined foraging effort, by time spent at each perch and distance covered between perches, and energy intake through estimation of the energy value of prey items. Goshawks in natural habitats had smaller home-ranges and exploited their range more intensively than Goshawks in transformed habitats. In both natural and transformed habitats, Goshawks selected foraging patches with comparatively tall trees, underlining their importance to foraging Goshawks. The extent of shrub and herbaceous layer cover, agriculture cover, and tree density were other important predictors of foraging patch use, but their importance differed between habitats. The extent of shrub, herbaceous layer and agriculture cover were positively associated with foraging patch use in transformed habitats, suggesting that cultivated fields and ground vegetation support important prey resources for Goshawks in agro-ecosystems. The composition of broad prey categories to the diet, foraging effort and returns were comparable between habitats. However, we found indications that the proportion of heavy-bodied lizard species among reptile prey items was higher in natural than transformed habitats, whereas on average smaller lizards were more commonly caught in the latter. Mean herbaceous layer height and tree density within home ranges, both higher in natural habitat, were negatively related to prey capture rates. Tree clearance and livestock grazing thus favored greater prey capture rates in transformed habitat, offsetting a lower meal energy value compared to natural habitat. We conclude that foraging Dark-chanting Goshawks may cope with moderate land transformation, but practices focused on conservation of tall trees and ground vegetation cover would be beneficial by maintaining important prey resources and their exploitability under growing land pressure.
Gaussian Distribution of Trie Depth for Strongly Tame Sources
Authors: CESARATTO EDA , VALLÉE BRIGITTE
Published: December 2014

The depth of a trie has been deeply studied when the source which produces the words is a simple source (a memoryless source or a Markov chain). When a source is simple but not an unbiased memoryless source, the expectation and the variance are both of logarithmic order and their dominant terms involve characteristic objects of the source, for instance the entropy. Moreover, there is an asymptotic Gaussian law, even though the speed of convergence towards the Gaussian law has not yet been precisely estimated. The present paper describes a ‘natural’ class of general sources, which does not contain any simple source, where the depth of a random trie, built on a set of words independently drawn from the source, has the same type of probabilistic behaviour as for simple sources: the expectation and the variance are both of logarithmic order and there is an asymptotic Gaussian law. There are precise asymptotic expansions for the expectation and the variance, and the speed of convergence toward the Gaussian law is optimal. The paper first provides analytical conditions on the Dirichlet series of probabilities of a general source under which this Gaussian law can be derived: a pole-free region where the series is of polynomial growth. In a second step, the paper focuses on sources associated with dynamical systems, called dynamical sources, where the Dirichlet series of probabilities is expressed with the transfer operator of the dynamical system. Then, the paper extends results due to Dolgopyat, already generalized by Baladi and Vallée, and shows that the previous analytical conditions are fulfilled for ‘most’ dynamical sources, provided that they ‘strongly differ’ from simple sources. Finally, the present paper describes a class of sources not containing any simple source, where the trie depth has the same type of probabilistic behaviour as for simple sources, even with more precise estimates.
On the use of data in historical linguistics: word order in early English subordinate clauses
Authors: HEGGELUND ØYSTEIN
Published: December 2014

This article critically assesses Lightfoot's (1991, 2006) ‘degree-0 theory’ of language change, specifically the use that Lightfoot makes of empirical data from Old English (OE) and Middle English (ME). This is followed by the presentation of a recent analysis of word order in a variety of OE and ME sources. It is argued that data from these periods do not support the ‘degree-0 theory’. Rather, the data demonstrate that verb-final and object–verb order were less dominant in OE subordinate clauses than previously assumed, and that the shift to SV order was fairly gradual. There is also little in the data to suggest that subordinate clauses and main clauses developed in radically different manners or at radically different speeds. The article highlights the importance of careful data usage, both with respect to type and scope of material, and the interpretation of data collected and categorised by others.
Bond Strength and Bioactivity of Zn-Doped Dental Adhesives Promoted by Load Cycling
Authors: Toledano Manuel , Aguilera Fátima S. , Osorio Estrella , Cabello Inmaculada , Toledano-Osorio Manuel , Osorio Raquel
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if mechanical loading influences bioactivity and bond strength at the resin–dentin interface after bonding with Zn-doped etch-and-rinse adhesives. Dentin surfaces were subjected to demineralization by 37% phosphoric acid (PA) or 0.5 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Single bond (SB) adhesive—3M ESPE—SB+ZnO particles 20 wt% and SB+ZnCl22 wt% were applied on treated dentin to create the groups PA+SB, SB+ZnO, SB+ZnCl2, EDTA+SB, EDTA+ZnO, and EDTA+ZnCl2. Bonded interfaces were stored in simulated body fluid for 24 h and tested or submitted to mechanical loading. Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was assessed. Debonded dentin surfaces were studied by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Remineralization of the bonded interfaces was assessed by atomic force microscope imaging/nanoindentation, Raman spectroscopy/cluster analysis, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Load cycling (LC) produced reduction in MTBS in all PA+SB, and no change was encountered in EDTA+SB specimens, regardless of zinc doping. LC increased the mineralization and crystallographic maturity at the interface; a higher effect was noticed when using ZnO. Trichrome staining reflected a narrow demineralized dentin matrix after loading of dentin surfaces that were treated with SB-doped adhesives. This correlates with an increase in mineral platforms or plate-like multilayered crystals in PA or EDTA-treated dentin surfaces, respectively.
Hypoxia-cultured human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells are non-oncogenic and have enhanced viability, motility, and tropism to brain cancer
Authors: Feng Y , Zhu M , Dangelmajer S , Lee Y M , Wijesekera O , Castellanos C X , Denduluri A , Chaichana K L , Li Q , Zhang H , Levchenko A , Guerrero-Cazares H , Quiñones-Hinojosa A
Published: December 2014

Adult human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) are multipotent cells, which are abundant, easily collected, and bypass the ethical concerns that plague embryonic stem cells. Their utility and accessibility have led to the rapid development of clinical investigations to explore their autologous and allogeneic cellular-based regenerative potential, tissue preservation capabilities, anti-inflammatory properties, and anticancer properties, among others. hAMSCs are typically cultured under ambient conditions with 21% oxygen. However, physiologically, hAMSCs exist in an environment of much lower oxygen tension. Furthermore, hAMSCs cultured in standard conditions have shown limited proliferative and migratory capabilities, as well as limited viability. This study investigated the effects hypoxic culture conditions have on primary intraoperatively derived hAMSCs. hAMSCs cultured under hypoxia (hAMSCs-H) remained multipotent, capable of differentiation into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. In addition, hAMSCs-H grew faster and exhibited less cell death. Furthermore, hAMSCs-H had greater motility than normoxia-cultured hAMSCs and exhibited greater homing ability to glioblastoma (GBM) derived from brain tumor-initiating cells from our patients in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, hAMSCs-H did not transform into tumor-associated fibroblasts in vitro and were not tumorigenic in vivo. Rather, hAMSCs-H promoted the differentiation of brain cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest an alternative culturing technique that can enhance the function of hAMSCs, which may be necessary for their use in the treatment of various pathologies including stroke, myocardial infarction, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and GBM.
Functional expression cloning identifies COX-2 as a suppressor of antigen-specific cancer immunity
Authors: Göbel C , Breitenbuecher F , Kalkavan H , Hähnel P S , Kasper S , Hoffarth S , Merches K , Schild H , Lang K S , Schuler M
Published: December 2014

The efficacy of immune surveillance and antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy equally depends on the activation of a sustained immune response targeting cancer antigens and the susceptibility of cancer cells to immune effector mechanisms. Using functional expression cloning and T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, we have identified cyclooxygenase 2/prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2) as resistance factor against the cytotoxicity induced by activated, antigen-specific T cells. Expressing COX-2, but not a catalytically inactive COX-2 mutant, increased the clonogenic survival of E1A-transformed murine cancer cells when cocultured with lymphocytes from St42Rag2−/− mice harboring a transgenic TCR directed against an E1A epitope. COX-2 expressing tumors established in immune-deficient mice were less susceptible to adoptive immunotherapy with TCR transgenic lymphocytes in vivo. Also, immune surveillance of COX-2-positive tumor cells in TCR transgenic mice was less efficient. The growth of murine MC-GP tumors, which show high endogenous COX-2 expression, in immunocompetent mice was effectively suppressed by treatment with a selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. Mechanistically, COX-2 expression blunted the interferon-gamma release of antigen-specific T cells exposed to their respective cellular targets, and increased the expression of interleukin-4 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase by tumor cells. Addition of interferon-gamma sensitized COX-2 expressing cancer cells to tumor suppression by antigen-specific T cells. In conclusion, COX-2, which is frequently induced in colorectal cancer, contributes to immune evasion and resistance to antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy by local suppression of T-cell effector functions.
Exposure to endosulfan influences sperm competition in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Misra Snigdha , Kumar Ajay , Ratnasekhar Ch. , Sharma Vandana , Mudiam Mohana Krishna Reddy , Ram Kristipati Ravi
Published: December 2014

Dwindling male fertility due to xenobiotics is of global concern. Accordingly, male reproductive toxicity assessment of xenobiotics through semen quality analysis in exposed males and examining progeny production of their mates is critical. These assays, in part, are biased towards monogamy. Females soliciting multiple male partners (polyandry) is the norm in many species. Polyandry incites sperm competition and allows females to bias sperm use. However, consequences of xenobiotic exposure to the sperm in the light of sperm competition remain to be understood. Therefore, we exposed Drosophila melanogaster males to endosulfan and evaluated their progeny production as well as the ability of their sperm to counter rival control sperm in the storage organs of females sequentially mated to control/exposed males. Endosulfan (2 μg/ml) had no significant effect on progeny production and on the expression of certain genes associated with reproduction. However, exposed males performed worse in sperm competition, both as 1st and 2nd male competitors. These findings indicate that simple non-competitive measures of reproductive ability may fail to demonstrate the harmful effects of low-level exposure to xenobiotics on reproduction and advocate consideration of sperm competition, as a parameter, in the reproductive toxicity assessment of xenobiotics to mimic situations prevailing in the nature.
Raman microimaging of murine lungs: insight into the vitamin A content
Authors: Marzec K. M. , Kochan K. , Fedorowicz A. , Jasztal A. , Chruszcz-Lipska K. , Dobrowolski J. Cz. , Chlopicki S. , Baranska M.
Published: December 2014

The composition of mice lung tissue was investigated using Raman confocal microscopy at 532 nm excitation wavelength supported with different experimental staining techniques as well as DFT calculations.
A ratiometric colorimetric detection of the folate receptor based on terminal protection of small-molecule-linked DNA
Authors: Zhu Yanhong , Wang Guangfeng , Sha Liang , Qiu Yuwei , Jiang Hong , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: December 2014

Development of strategies for the sensitive and selective detection of the folate receptor (FR) that are simple and low cost is of great importance for assessing cancer therapeutics due to its crucial role in physiological, pharmacological and pathological processes.
Small molecular neutral microcrystalline iridium(iii) complexes as promising molecular oxygen sensors
Authors: Li Ming , Zheng Baozhan , Luo Daibing , Sun Huiqin , Wang Ning , Huang Yan , Dai Jun , Xiao Dan , Su Shi-Jian , Lu Zhiyun
Published: December 2014

Small molecular neutral microcrystalline iridium(iii) complexes could act as high performance self-inclusive oxygen sensors.