bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a Rasch Model to Rank Big Pharmaceutical Firms by Financial Performance
Authors: Jambulingam Thani , Schellhorn Carolin , Sharma Rajneesh
Published: September 2016

We explore a Rasch approach to ranking the top 15 firms in the pharmaceutical industry by their overall financial performance.  Using an initial set of ratios spanning multiple dimensions of firm financial performance, we select the ratios that are compatible with the requirements of the Rasch model for this industry during 2002-2013.  We then identify the firms that most frequently ranked among the top five performers. Three firms stand out as consistently disclosing the required data and showing up at the top of the performance spectrum. Our approach offers a new perspective on the valuation of managers and their firms.
Of Pens, Pizzas, and Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Pitts Peter J.
Published: September 2016

Much ado about pharma freebies to physicians. Much ado about nothing medically and everything politically. A new study published by JAMA Internal Medicine (Pharmaceutical Industryâ€“Sponsored Meals and Physician Prescribing Patterns for Medicare Beneficiaries)makes it sound (as Meagan McArdle has written for Bloomberg), that your doctor is â€œwilling to sell you out for the price of a sandwich.â€ Itâ€™s not that simple â€¦ or true.A valuable takeaway from the new JAMA study should be that wide adoption of Open Payments reporting has led to transparent interactions and value exchanges of education, money and meals between the pharmaceutical industry and prescribers. These data are now available to inform and improve educational efforts to meet the treatment needs of patients using the latest advances in medicine and science. However, such data must be cautiously interpreted with full acknowledgement of study limitations and author bias.
Qui est l’auteur du Cours de linguistique générale ?
Authors: Sofia Estanislao
Published: September 2016

Le présent article aborde le problème de l’auctorialité du Cours de linguistique générale, publié en 1916 par Ch. Bally et A. Sechehaye, avec la collaboration d’A. Riedlinger, sous le nom d’auteur de Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913). Cette décision éditoriale ayant été maintes fois questionnée, mais rarement interrogée en profondeur, nous nous proposons de décortiquer quelques-uns parmi les arguments les plus poussés autour de cette problématique. Nous concluons que cette question n’est pas intéressante en soi, mais dépend des critères (historiques, biographiques, théoriques, etc.) que l’on voudra bien tenir pour pertinents. La réponse à la question qu’on pose dans le titre – qui est l’auteur du Cours de linguistique générale? – ne pourra alors pas aspirer à l’univocité; elle variera en fonction des intérêts sous-jacents aux positions de ceux qui prennent la peine d’y répondre.
Les traces de la formation indo-européaniste de Saussure dans le CLG
Authors: Marchese Maria Pia
Published: September 2016

Fondateur de la linguistique générale, Saussure était, avant tout, un linguiste historique et connaissait bien les méthodes de la reconstruction de l’indo-européen, laquelle se fonde sur la connaissance des langues anciennes.

Cet article vise à montrer la transition des études indo-européennes aux études théoriques sur la langue chez Saussure, et surtout à mettre en évidence le lien existant entre elles dans le CLG. En vue de reconstruire cette transition, il analyse également les éditions des trois cours universitaires qui sont à la base du CLG, de même que les manuscrits saussuriens découverts en 1996.

Nous pouvons constater que certaines parties du CLG, notamment la troisième, consacrée à la linguistique diachronique, seraient impensables en dehors d’une solide formation dans le domaine de la linguistique historico-comparative et que, même les parties les plus théoriques, sont illustrées par des exemples et des raisonnements émanant précisément de sa formation d’indo-européaniste.
Urban Environments and the Animal Nuisance: Domestic Livestock Regulation in Nineteenth-Century Canadian Cities
Authors: Kheraj Sean
Published: September 2016

In the nineteenth century, municipal authorities in Canadian cities faced a common set of environmental challenges associated with domestic livestock animals. This article examines the regulation of livestock in Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg. As these cities each grew over the course of the nineteenth century, their urban environments became ecologically more alike and their responses to animal nuisances reflected these ecological similarities. Municipal authorities in each of these cities adopted broadly similar approaches to the regulation of livestock animals. Over the course of the nineteenth century, municipal governments developed extensive and increasingly restrictive bylaws, pound systems, and public health regulations to control the use of livestock. These approaches to livestock regulation were the results of emerging common ecological transformations in cities as humans attempted to live together with domestic animals in increasingly densely populated spaces.
Public Information, Private Information, and Financial Analysts’ Forecasts*
Authors: Wang Yutao
Published: September 2016

This paper investigates the joint impact of public and private information on analysts’ forecasting behaviour. Information disclosure determines the quality and quantity of public information. The geographical distance between listed firms’ headquarters and brokerage houses determines the difficulty and costs of analysts obtaining private information, which affect the quality and quantity of private information. Firstly, this paper finds results consistent with prior literature that the higher the disclosure level of the firm and the shorter the geographical distance between firms and brokerage headquarters, the more frequently analysts make earnings forecasts and the lower the forecast errors. Furthermore, this paper examines the joint effects of information disclosure and geographical distance on analysts’ forecasts and finds that information disclosure quality imposes a stronger impact on analysts’ forecast frequency and forecast error than distance. Moreover, the effect of geographical distance on the frequency and errors of analysts’ forecasts is manifested only in the case of higher information disclosure quality. These results imply that both public and private information affect analysts’ forecasts but that their effects are asymmetric. Public information has a significantly stronger impact on analysts’ forecasts than private information, and the effect of private information depends on a better public information environment. This paper has significant value to public policy regulators, market participants, stakeholders, and academics in China and can help to increase their understanding of the impact of public and private information on analysts’ forecasts.
Investigation on Microstrip Filters with CSRR Defected Ground Structure
Authors: Kumar A. , Patel R. , Kartikeyan M. V.
Published: September 2016

This paper consists the design studies of complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) defected ground structure (DGS) microstrip filter with low insertion loss in the passband and high rejection in stopband with a comparison of various CSRR-DGS structure has been proposed. Various parameters of microstrip filters have been studied with CSRR-DGS such as roll off rate, bandwidth, effective inductance and capacitance. On the basis of these studies, microstrip low-pass, bandpass and dual-band bandstop filters have been designed and realized with enhanced properties of filters.
Comparison between different decorrelation techniques in vital sign detection
Authors: Dell'Aversano A. , Natale A. , Solimene R.
Published: September 2016

The problem of detecting the breath activities of a human subject is addressed. A CW signal is used to probe the scene and the MUSIC algorithm is exploited to detect frequency doppler modulation introduced by chest movements. For this particular measurement configuration, the correlation matrix results rank deficient. In order to restore the rank, two decorrelation techniques are compared by exploiting numerical data.
Homocysteine augments BK channel activity and decreases exocytosis of secretory granules in rat GH3 cells
Authors: Gaifullina Aisylu S. , Yakovlev Aleksey V. , Mustafina Alsu N. , Weiger Thomas M. , Hermann Anton , Sitdikova Guzel F.
Published: September 2016

In this study, we investigated the effects of L‐homocysteine (Hcy) on maxi calcium‐activated potassium (BK) channels and on exocytosis of secretory granules in GH3 rat pituitary‐derived cells. A major finding of our study indicates that short‐term application of Hcy increased the open probability of oxidized BK channels in inside‐out recordings. Whole‐cell recordings show that extracellular Hcy also augmented BK currents during long‐term application. Furthermore, Hcy decreased the exocytosis of secretory granules. This decrease was partially prevented by the BK channel inhibitor paxilline and fully prevented by N‐acetylcysteine, a reactive oxygen species scavenger. Taken together, our data show that elevation of cellular Hcy level induces oxidative stress, increases BK channel activity, and decreases exocytosis of secretory granules. These findings may provide insight into some of the developmental impairments and neurotoxicity associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a disease arising due to abnormally elevated levels of Hcy in the plasma.
FgLPMO9A from Fusarium graminearum cleaves xyloglucan independently of the backbone substitution pattern
Authors: Nekiunaite Laura , Petrović Dejan M. , Westereng Bjørge , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav , Hachem Maher Abou , Várnai Anikó , Eijsink Vincent G.H.
Published: September 2016

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are important for the enzymatic conversion of biomass and seem to play a key role in degradation of the plant cell wall. In this study, we characterize an LPMO from the fungal plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum (FgLPMO9A) that catalyzes the mixed C1/C4 oxidative cleavage of cellulose and xyloglucan, but is inactive toward other (1,4)‐linked β‐glucans. Our findings indicate that FgLPMO9A has unprecedented broad specificity on xyloglucan, cleaving any glycosidic bond in the β‐glucan main chain, regardless of xylosyl substitutions. Interestingly, we found that when incubated with a mixture of xyloglucan and cellulose, FgLPMO9A efficiently attacks the xyloglucan, whereas cellulose conversion is inhibited. This suggests that removal of hemicellulose may be the true function of this LPMO during biomass conversion.
Dual substrate‐controlled kinase activity leads to polyphosphorylated lasso peptides
Authors: Zhu Shaozhou , Fage Christopher D. , Hegemann Julian D. , Yan Dushan , Marahiel Mohamed A.
Published: September 2016

Lasso peptides are characterized by their peculiar lariat knot‐like structure. Except for maturation of this fold, post‐translational modifications of lasso peptides are rare. However, we recently delineated the biosynthetic pathway of a post‐translationally phosphorylated lasso peptide, paeninodin. In this study, further investigation of two kinases revealed their ability to transfer multiple phosphate groups onto precursor peptide substrates, ultimately leading to polyphosphorylated lasso peptides. We found that this polyphosphorylating activity depended on the identity of the phosphate donor and the sequence of the precursor peptide. Our investigations provide new insight into the remarkable strategies for chemical diversification employed by the lasso peptide biosynthetic machinery.
Seasonal and spatial variations of 17Oexcess and dexcess in Antarctic precipitation: Insights from an intermediate complexity isotope model
Authors: Schoenemann Spruce W. , Steig Eric J.
Published: September 2016

An intermediate complexity model (ICM) is used to investigate the sensitivity of water isotope ratios in precipitation, including 17Oexcess, to climate variations in the Southern Hemisphere. The ICM is forced with boundary conditions from seasonal National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy II reanalysis data. Perturbations to the surface temperature and humidity fields are used to investigate the isotopic sensitivity. The response of 17Oexcess to a uniform temperature change is insignificant over the ocean, while there is a large magnitude response over the ice sheet, particularly in East Antarctica. A decrease of ocean surface relative humidity produces increased 17Oexcess and dexcess, with a coherent response over both the ocean and Antarctica. For interior East Antarctica, the model simulates a seasonal cycle in 17Oexcess that is positively correlated with δ18O and of large magnitude (~50 per meg), consistent with the observations from Vostok. The seasonal cycle in 17Oexcess for interior West Antarctica is predicted to be considerably smaller in magnitude (12 per meg), and is negatively correlated with δ18O, consistent with new data from a firn core near the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide site. Over the ocean, the ICM predicts much smaller seasonal cycles in 17Oexcess. Oceanic source changes (i.e., humidity) are insufficient to explain the amplitude of the simulated seasonal cycle over the Antarctic continent. Spatial differences in the seasonal response of 17Oexcess to local temperature reflect the balance of equilibrium and kinetic fractionation during snow formation.
Correlation and causation in tree‐ring‐based reconstruction of paleohydrology in cold semiarid regions
Authors: Elshorbagy Amin , Wagener Thorsten , Razavi Saman , Sauchyn David
Published: September 2016

This paper discusses ways in which the tree‐ring‐based reconstruction of paleohydrology can be better understood and better utilized to support water resource management, especially in cold semiarid regions. The relationships between tree growth as represented by tree ring chronologies (TRCs), runoff (Q), precipitation (P), and evapotranspiration (ET) are discussed and analyzed within both statistical and hydrological contexts. Data from the Oldman River Basin (OMRB), Alberta, Canada, are used to demonstrate the relevant issues. Instrumental records of Q and P data were available while actual ET was estimated using a lumped conceptual hydrological model developed in this study. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between TRCs and each of Q, P, and ET over the entire historical record (globally) as well as locally in time within the wet and dry subperiods. Global and local correlation strengths and linear relationships appear to be substantially different. This outcome particularly affects tree‐ring‐based inferences about the hydrology of wet and dry episodes when reconstructions are made using regression models. Important findings include (i) reconstruction of paleo‐runoff may not be as credible as paleo‐precipitation and paleo‐evapotranspiration; (ii) a moving average window of P and ET larger than 1 year might be necessary for reconstruction of these variables; and (iii) the long‐term mean of reconstructed P, Q, and ET leads us to conclude that there is uncertainty about the past climate. Finally, we suggest using the topographic index to prejudge side suitability for dendrohydrological analysis.
Hepatic caveolin‐1 is enhanced in Cyp27a1/ApoE double knockout mice
Authors: Zurkinden Line , Mansour Yosef T. , Rohrbach Beatrice , Vogt Bruno , Mistry Hiten D. , Escher Geneviève
Published: September 2016

Sterol 27‐hydroxylase (CYP27A1) is involved in bile acid synthesis and cholesterol homoeostasis. Cyp27a1(−/−)/Apolipoprotein E(−/−) double knockout mice (DKO) fed a western diet failed to develop atherosclerosis. Caveolin‐1 (CAV‐1), the main component of caveolae, is associated with lipid homoeostasis and has regulatory roles in vascular diseases. We hypothesized that liver CAV‐1 would contribute to the athero‐protective mechanism in DKO mice. Cyp27a1(+/+)/ApoE(−/−) (ApoE KO), Cyp27a1(+/−)/ApoE(−/−) (het), and DKO mice were fed a western diet for 2 months. Atherosclerotic plaque and CAV‐1 protein were quantified in aortas. Hepatic Cav‐1 mRNA was assessed using qPCR, CAV‐1 protein by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Total hepatic and plasma cholesterol was measured using chemiluminescence. Cholesterol efflux was performed in RAW264.7 cells, using mice plasma as acceptor. CAV‐1 protein expression in aortas was increased in endothelial cells of DKO mice and negatively correlated with plaque surface (P < 0.05). In the liver, both CAV‐1 protein and mRNA expression doubled in DKO, compared to ApoE KO and het mice (P < 0.001 for both) and was negatively correlated with total hepatic cholesterol (P < 0.05). Plasma from DKO, ApoE KO and het mice had the same efflux capacity. In the absence of CYP27A1, CAV‐1 overexpression might have an additional athero‐protective role by partly overcoming the defect in CYP27A1‐mediated cholesterol efflux.
Multiple Nonspecific Sites of Joint Pain Outside the Knees Develop in Persons With Knee Pain
Authors: Felson David T. , Niu Jingbo , Quinn Emily K. , Neogi Tuhina , Lewis Cara , Lewis Cora E. , Frey Law Laura , McCulloch Chuck , Nevitt Michael , LaValley Michael
Published: September 2016

Objective

Many persons with knee pain have joint pain outside the knee, but despite the impact and high frequency of this pain, its distribution and causes have not been studied. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis of those studying gait abnormalities who have suggested that knee pain causes pain in adjacent joints but that pain adaptation strategies are highly individualized.

Methods

We studied persons ages 50–79 years with or at high risk of knee osteoarthritis who were recruited from 2 community‐based cohorts, the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative, and we followed them up for 5–7 years. We excluded those with knee pain at baseline and compared those who had developed knee pain at the first follow‐up examination (the index visit) with those who had not. We examined pain on most days at joint regions outside the knee in examinations after the index visit. Logistic regression analyses examined the risk of joint‐specific pain adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and symptoms of depression, and we performed sensitivity analyses excluding those with widespread pain.

Results

In the combined cohorts, 693 persons had knee pain at the index visit and 2,793 did not. A total of 79.6% of those with bilateral knee pain and 63.8% of those with unilateral knee pain had pain during follow‐up in a joint region outside the knee, compared with 49.9% of those without knee pain. There was an increased risk of pain at most extremity joint sites, without a predilection for specific sites. Results were unchanged when those with widespread pain were excluded.

Conclusion

Persons with chronic knee pain are at increased risk of pain in multiple joints in no specific pattern.
Modelling Corporate Stakeholder Orientation: Does the Relationship Between Stakeholder Background Characteristics and Corporate Social Performance Matter?
Authors: Erdiaw‐Kwasie Michael O. , Alam Khorshed , Kabir Enamul
Published: September 2016

Though corporate stakeholder orientation is connected with corporate social performance practices, there is a dearth of knowledge on the theorized assertion that background characteristics influence stakeholders’ salience and attitude towards social performance practices of firms. The aim of this paper is to measure and examine this hypothesis. To test this claim, this research uses the Surat Resource Region in Queensland, Australia, as the case study. Based on the bivariate test, age, gender, occupation type and educational status have varying statistically significant effects on stakeholders’ attitude towards corporate social practices. The multinomial logistic findings showed that only education retained a net effect on a stakeholder's attitude to participation in corporate social practices, where those with a higher level of education are 1.388 times more likely to perceive stakeholder engagement practices as relevant, 2.864 times more likely for social impact assessment practices and 1.430 times more likely for practices aimed at rights of indigenous communities. Findings imply the need for awareness programs to be incorporated into corporate social practices, which can help promote the success of stakeholder‐oriented policies. The paper further makes suggestions that have both business strategy and policy planning implications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
A Survey of Transparency: An Intrinsic Aspect of Business Strategy
Authors: Baraibar‐Diez Elisa , Odriozola María D. , Fernández Sánchez José Luis
Published: September 2016

Well‐managed organizations must handle transparency strategically, but although research about transparency constitutes a great concern in businesses, management, society, and ethics, definitions are very diverse depending on the environment. The concept of transparency is revisited in this contribution, aiming to map the territory of transparency by surveying the terms and definitions in literature. The overview of these terms identifies two approaches of analysis: according to the content and according to the context. According to the context, two perspectives have been found: collective perspective and individual perspective. According to the content of the definition, two perspectives have been found: instrumental perspective and purposeful perspective. This survey helps to determine that transparency is an intrinsic aspect of business strategy since it is interweaved with all organizational components and systems of the strategic management process. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Synthesis Strategies for Ultrastable Zeolite GIS Polymorphs as Sorbents for Selective Separations
Authors: Oleksiak Matthew D. , Ghorbanpour Arian , Conato Marlon T. , McGrail B. Peter , Grabow Lars C. , Motkuri Radha Kishan , Rimer Jeffrey D.
Published: September 2016

Designing zeolites with tunable physicochemical properties can substantially impact their performance in commercial applications, such as adsorption, separations, catalysis, and drug delivery. Zeolite synthesis typically requires an organic structure‐directing agent to produce crystals with specific pore topology. Attempts to remove organics from syntheses to achieve commercially viable methods of preparing zeolites often lead to the formation of impurities. Herein, we present organic‐free syntheses of two polymorphs of the small‐pore zeolite P (GIS), P1 and P2. Using a combination of adsorption measurements and density functional theory calculations, we show that GIS polymorphs are selective adsorbents for H2O relative to other light gases (e.g., H2, N2, CO2). Our findings refute prior theoretical studies postulating that GIS‐type zeolites are excellent materials for CO2 separation/sequestration. We also show that P2 is significantly more thermally stable than P1, which broadens the operating conditions for GIS‐type zeolites in commercial applications and opens new avenues for exploring their potential use in processes such as catalysis.
Modelling mass transfer in gas‐liquid two‐phase flow in a jet zone loop reactor
Authors: Heithoff Susanne , Kück Ulf D. , Volkmer Pascal , Räbiger Norbert , Fritsching Udo
Published: September 2016

Experimentally determined mass transfer rates of the gas‐liquid multiphase flow in a jet zone loop reactor are compared to several existing model approaches. The experimental data deviate due to insufficient consideration of the local hydrodynamic effects in the models. It is identified that bubble surface movement and its impact on the turbulence are not yet appropriately pictured. A new approach for describing the mass transfer coefficient in the riser of the jet zone loop reactor is derived, including the effect of mass transfer enhancement by bubble‐induced turbulence.
Investigation on Titanium Silicalite ETS‐4 Catalyzed Ozonation for Chemicals in Wastewater, Exemplified With 4‐Chlorophenol
Authors: Chen Chunmao , Han Chao , Wang Ping , Guo Shaohui , Yan Guangxu , Li Qing X.
Published: September 2016

The parent titanium silicalite ETS‐4 (pETS‐4) and alkali‐modified ETS‐4 (BETS‐4) catalysts were utilized for catalytic ozonation of chemicals in wastewater as exemplified with 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP). NaOH treatment resulted in more TiO and TiOTi structure exposures and Ti surface enrichment on ETS‐4. The ozonation catalyzed by BETS‐4 catalysts showed better catalytic performance compared with pETS‐4 and single ozonation, which is probably due to increased Ti distribution on the surface of the catalysts. NaOH (0.3 mol/L) modified ETS‐4 (B0.3ETS‐4) offered the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate (89.2%) in catalyzed ozonation of 4‐CP solution. A negligible change of COD removal rate, surface morphology, and elemental composition were observed for five repeated cycles of B0.3ETS‐4, indicating good reusability, and stability of B0.3ETS‐4 in catalytic ozonation. B0.3ETS‐4 catalyzed ozonation followed a molecular ozone oxidation mechanism rather than •OH mediated oxidation. B0.3ETS‐4 provided a platform to adsorb and activate 4‐CP and/or ozone molecules to accelerate reactions between them. This study demonstrated that ETS‐4 is a potentially efficient catalyst for ozonation of recalcitrant organic contaminants in wastewater.
Fluorescent molecular imaging of metastatic lymph node using near‐infrared emitting low molecular weight heparin modified nanoliposome based on enzyme‐substrate interaction
Authors: Ye Tiantian , Zhang Hefeng , Chen Ge , Shang Lei , Wang Shujun
Published: September 2016

Tumor metastatic lymph node mapping has been widely used to predict the metastatic spread of primary tumor and guide the lymph node dissection in clinical practice. In this research, a new near‐infrared (NIR)‐emitting low molecular weight heparin (LMWHEP)‐modified Cy7‐loaded nanoliposome (LMWHEP‐NLips/Cy7) was developed and had the particle size of about 80 nm and the fluorescence intensity of about 2300, which is optimal for metastatic lymph node uptake and imaging. The NIR‐emitting nanoliposomes were designed by LMWHEP coating on the surface of Cy7‐loaded nanoliposome (NLips/Cy7) according to electrostatic attraction. The LMWHEP‐NLips/Cy7 with negligible cytotoxicity for Hela and RAW264.7 cells and was found to be fluorescent stability compared with the Cy7‐free dye at room temperature. The BALB/c nude mice bearing tumor lymphatic metastasis was established at eighth week post‐injection by subcutaneously injecting Hela cells suspension. Heparanase (HPA) expression concentrations quantitatively measured by ELISA kit respectively were 237.42U/mL, 214.82U/mL and 128.45U/mL in the extracellular Hela cells, metastatic popliteal and iliac lymph node. LMWHEP‐NLips/Cy7 successfully increased fluorescence signal in the metastatic lymph node compared with normal lymph node and achieve in vivo and ex vivo high fluorescence signal within 10 min and retention time up to 4 h post‐injection. Maximum mean fluorescence intensity of the LMWHEP‐NLips/Cy7 group was significantly more than NLips/Cy7 group (increase 2‐fold in the metastatic popliteal lymph node and 4.8‐fold in the metastatic iliac lymph node, p < 0.05). The experimental results demonstrating LMWHEP‐NLips/Cy7 have the potential utility as specific, biosafe and stable near‐infrared imaging contrast agents for HPA‐expression tumor metastatic lymph node mapping. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peripheral Neuropathy in Mouse Models of Diabetes
Authors: Jolivalt Corinne G. , Frizzi Katie E. , Guernsey Lucie , Marquez Alex , Ochoa Joseline , Rodriguez Maria , Calcutt Nigel A.
Published: September 2016

Peripheral neuropathy is a frequent complication of chronic diabetes that most commonly presents as a distal degenerative polyneuropathy with sensory loss. Around 20% to 30% of such patients may also experience neuropathic pain. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are uncertain, and therapeutic options are limited. Rodent models of diabetes have been used for more than 40 years to study neuropathy and evaluate potential therapies. For much of this period, streptozotocin‐diabetic rats were the model of choice. The emergence of new technologies that allow relatively cheap and routine manipulations of the mouse genome has prompted increased use of mouse models of diabetes to study neuropathy. In this article, we describe the commonly used mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and provide protocols to phenotype the structural, functional, and behavioral indices of peripheral neuropathy, with a particular emphasis on assays pertinent to the human condition. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Metabolic Profiling and Quantification of Neurotransmitters in Mouse Brain by Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Jäger Christian , Hiller Karsten , Buttini Manuel
Published: September 2016

Metabolites are key mediators of cellular functions, and have emerged as important modulators in a variety of diseases. Recent developments in translational biomedicine have highlighted the importance of not looking at just one disease marker or disease inducing molecule, but at populations thereof to gain a global understanding of cellular function in health and disease. The goal of metabolomics is the systematic identification and quantification of metabolite populations. One of the most pressing issues of our times is the understanding of normal and diseased nervous tissue functions. To ensure high quality data, proper sample processing is crucial. Here, we present a method for the extraction of metabolites from brain tissue, their subsequent preparation for non‐targeted gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) measurement, as well as giving some guidelines for processing of raw data. In addition, we present a sensitive screening method for neurotransmitters based on GC‐MS in selected ion monitoring mode. The precise multi‐analyte detection and quantification of amino acid and monoamine neurotransmitters can be used for further studies such as metabolic modeling. Our protocol can be applied to shed light on nervous tissue function in health, as well as neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and the effect of experimental therapeutics at the metabolic level. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Automated nanoscale flow cytometry for assessing protein–protein interactions
Authors: von Kolontaj Kerstin , Horvath Gabor L. , Latz Eicke , Büscher Martin
Published: September 2016

Despite their importance for signalling events, protein–protein interactions cannot easily be analyzed on a single cell level. We developed a robust automated FRET measurement system implemented on a commercial flow cytometer allowing for rapid profiling of molecular associations in living cells. We used this method to measure the most proximal signaling events on human T lymphocyte activation, which preceded calcium influx, and could automatically detect T cell receptor/CD3 complex clustering defects in immunocompromised patients. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A geometrical model for testing bilateral symmetry of bamboo leaf with a simplified Gielis equation
Authors: Lin Shuyan , Zhang Li , Reddy Gadi V. P. , Hui Cang , Gielis Johan , Ding Yulong , Shi Peijian
Published: September 2016

The size and shape of plant leaves change with growth, and an accurate description of leaf shape is crucial for describing plant morphogenesis and development. Bilateral symmetry, which has been widely observed but poorly examined, occurs in both dicot and monocot leaves, including all nominated bamboo species (approximately 1,300 species), of which at least 500 are found in China. Although there are apparent differences in leaf size among bamboo species due to genetic and environmental profiles, bamboo leaves have bilateral symmetry with parallel venation and appear similar across species. Here, we investigate whether the shape of bamboo leaves can be accurately described by a simplified Gielis equation, which consists of only two parameters (leaf length and shape) and produces a perfect bilateral shape. To test the applicability of this equation and the occurrence of bilateral symmetry, we first measured the leaf length of 42 bamboo species, examining >500 leaves per species. We then scanned 30 leaves per species that had approximately the same length as the median leaf length for that species. The leaf‐shape data from scanned profiles were fitted to the simplified Gielis equation. Results confirmed that the equation fits the leaf‐shape data extremely well, with the coefficients of determination being 0.995 on average. We further demonstrated the bilateral symmetry of bamboo leaves, with a clearly defined leaf‐shape parameter of all 42 bamboo species investigated ranging from 0.02 to 0.1. This results in a simple and reliable tool for precise determination of bamboo species, with applications in forestry, ecology, and taxonomy.
Spatial heterogeneity distribution of soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the Yaoxiang watershed in a hilly area of northern China based on geographic information system and geostatistics
Authors: Liu Yu , Gao Peng , Zhang Liyong , Niu Xiang , Wang Bing
Published: September 2016

Soil total nitrogen (STN) and total phosphorus (STP) are important indicators of soil nutrients and the important indexes of soil fertility and soil quality evaluation. Using geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistics, the spatial heterogeneity distribution of STN and STP in the Yaoxiang watershed in a hilly area of northern China was studied. The results showed that: (1) The STN and STP contents showed a declining trend with the increase in soil depth; the variation coefficients (Cv) of STN and STP in the 0‐ to 10‐cm soil layer (42.25% and 14.77%, respectively) were higher than in the 10‐ to 30‐cm soil layer (28.77% and 11.60%, respectively). Moreover, the Cv of STN was higher than that of STP. (2) The maximum C0/(C0 + C1) of STN and STP in the soil layers was less than 25%, this indicated that a strong spatial distribution autocorrelation existed for STN and STP; and the STP showed higher intensity and more stable variation than the STN. (3) From the correlation analysis, we concluded that the topographic indexes such as elevation and slope direction all influenced the spatial distribution of STN and STP (correlation coefficients were 0.688 and 0.518, respectively). (4) The overall distribution of STN and STP in the Yaoxiang watershed decreased from the northwest to the southeast. This variation trend was similar to the watershed DEM trend and was significantly influenced by vegetation and topographic factors. These results revealed the spatial heterogeneity distribution of STN and STP, and addressed the influences of forest vegetation coverage, elevation, and other topographic factors on the spatial distribution of STN and STP at the watershed scale.
Lysosomal Ca2+ Signaling is Essential for Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Remodeling
Authors: Erkhembaatar Munkhsoyol , Gu Dong Ryun , Lee Seoung Hoon , Yang Yu-Mi , Park Soonhong , Muallem Shmuel , Shin Dong Min , Kim Min Seuk
Published: September 2016

Lysosomal Ca2+ emerges as a critical component of receptor-evoked Ca2+ signaling and plays a crucial role in many lysosomal and physiological functions. Lysosomal Ca2+ release is mediated by the transient receptor potential (TRP) family member TRPML1, mutations that cause the lysosomal storage disease mucolipidosis type 4. Lysosomes play a key role in osteoclast function. However, nothing is known about the role of lysosomal Ca2+ signaling in osteoclastogenesis and bone metabolism. In this study, we addressed this knowledge gap by studying the role of lysosomal Ca2+ signaling in osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast and osteoblast functions, and bone homeostasis in vivo. We manipulated lysosomal Ca2+ signaling by acute knockdown of TRPML1, deletion of TRPML1 in mice, pharmacological inhibition of lysosomal Ca2+ influx, and depletion of lysosomal Ca2+ storage using the TRPML agonist ML-SA1. We found that knockdown and deletion of TRPML1, although it did not have an apparent effect on osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, markedly attenuated osteoclast function, RANKL-induced cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations, inhibited activation of NFATc1 and osteoclastogenesis-controlling genes, suppressed the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs), and markedly reduced the differentiation of bone marrow–derived macrophages into osteoclasts. Moreover, deletion of TRPML1 resulted in enlarged lysosomes, inhibition of lysosomal secretion, and attenuated the resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts. Notably, depletion of lysosomal Ca2+ with ML-SA1 similarly abrogated RANKL-induced Ca2+ oscillations and MNC formation. Deletion of TRPML1 in mice reduced the TRAP-positive bone surfaces and impaired bone remodeling, resulting in prominent osteopetrosis. These findings demonstrate the essential role of lysosomal Ca2+ signaling in osteoclast differentiation and mature osteoclast function, which play key roles in bone homeostasis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Sulforaphane prevents quinolinic acid‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat striatum
Authors: Luis‐García Erika Rubí , Limón‐Pacheco Jorge Humberto , Serrano‐García Norma , Hernández‐Pérez Alma Delia , Pedraza‐Chaverri José , Orozco‐Ibarra Marisol
Published: September 2016

Quinolinic acid (QA) triggers striatal neuronal death by an excitotoxic cascade that involves oxidative stress, which in turns is tightly linked to mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a molecular feature described in several brain pathologies. In this work, we determined whether the sulforaphane‐neuroprotective effect in the rodent experimental model of Huntington's disease induced by QA is associated with mitochondrial function preservation. We found that QA impaired mitochondrial function within 24 h post‐lesion. Sulforaphane effectively disrupted the mitochondrial dysfunction by preventing the decrease in respiratory control ratio, transmembrane potential, ability to synthetize ATP, and the activity of mitochondrial complexes I, II, and IV.
In Vivo Characterization of I91T Sod2 Polymorphism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: de Carvalho Mariana Dias Castela , De Mesquita Joelma Freire , Eleutherio Elis Cristina Araujo
Published: September 2016

The mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme Mn‐Superoxide Dismutase (Sod2) is essential for mammalian survival. I82T mutation in human Sod2 has been linked to a wide variety of diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases as well as some types of cancers. Yeast wild‐type (WT) Sod2 and the mutant Sod2 I91T, which corresponds to the human mutant Sod2 I82T, were cloned in sod2Δ strain. Residue I82 is conserved among a variety of species, showing that it has a biological importance. To assess the functionality of Sod2 I91T under oxidative stress, yeast cells were shifted from glucose (fermentative metabolism) to glycerol growth medium (respiratory metabolism). Overexpression of both Sod2 WT and Sod2 I91T increased Sod activity, but in long‐term, the mutation brought impairment to Sod function. Aconitase, a sensor of superoxide radical production in vivo, had its activity preserved by overexpressions of both Sod2, in lesser extent in sod2ΔSod2I91T. In respiratory metabolism, sod2ΔSod2WT and sod2ΔSod2I91T showed high viability; although, sod2ΔSod2I91T showed high percentage of cells with mitochondrial function compromised. Moreover, the fitness analysis of mixed cultures showed that sod2ΔSod2I91T was less robust than WT cells. Although overexpression of Sod2 containing I91T mutation allows higher cell viability, longevity of cells is hampered, showing that in long‐term this mutation is not neutral. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1078–1086, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mouse Oocytes Acquire Mechanisms That Permit Independent Cell Volume Regulation at the End of Oogenesis
Authors: Richard Samantha , Tartia Alina P. , Boison Detlev , Baltz Jay M.
Published: September 2016

Mouse embryos employ a unique mechanism of cell volume regulation in which glycine is imported via the GLYT1 transporter to regulate intracellular osmotic pressure. Independent cell volume regulation normally becomes active in the oocyte after ovulation is triggered. This involves two steps: the first is the release of the strong adhesion between the oocyte and zona pellucida (ZP) while the second is the activation of GLYT1. In fully‐grown oocytes, release of adhesion and GLYT1 activation also occur spontaneously in oocytes removed from the follicle. It is unknown, however, whether the capacity to release oocyte‐ZP adhesion or activate GLYT1 first arises in the oocyte after ovulation is triggered or instead growing oocytes already possess these capabilities but they are suppressed in the follicle. Here, we assessed when during oogenesis oocyte‐ZP adhesion can be released and when GLYT1 can be activated, with adhesion assessed by an osmotic assay and GLYT1 activity determined by [3H]‐glycine uptake. Oocyte‐ZP adhesion could not be released by growing oocytes until they were nearly fully grown. Similarly, the amount of GLYT1 activity that can be elicited in oocytes increased sharply at the end of oogenesis. The SLC6A9 protein that is responsible for GLYT1 activity and Slc6a9 transcripts are present in growing oocytes and increased over the course of oogenesis. Furthermore, SLC6A9 becomes localized to the oocyte plasma membrane as the oocyte grows. Thus, oocytes acquire the ability to regulate their cell volume by releasing adhesion to the ZP and activating GLYT1 as they approach the end of oogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2436–2446, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tooth development and histology patterns in lamniform sharks (Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes) revisited
Authors: Schnetz Lisa , Pfaff Cathrin , Kriwet Jürgen
Published: September 2016

The dentition of lamniforme sharks exhibits several characters that have been used extensively to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of extant taxa, yet some uncertainties remain. Also, the development of different teeth of a tooth file within the jaws of most extant lamniforms has not been documented to date. High‐resolution micro‐computed tomography is used here to re‐evaluate the importance of two dental characters within the order Lamniformes, which were considered not to be phylogenetically informative, the histotype and the number of teeth per tooth file. Additionally, the development and mineralization patterns of the teeth of the two osteodont lamniforms Lamna nasus and Alopias superciliosus were compared. We discuss the importance of these dental characters for phylogenetic interpretations to assess the quality of these characters in resolving lamniform relationships. The dental characters suggest that (1) Lamniformes are the only modern‐level sharks exhibiting the osteodont histotype, (2) the osteodont histotype in lamniform sharks is a derived state in modern‐level sharks (Elasmobranchii), (3) the osteodont type, conversely is convergently achieved when the clade Chondrichthyes is considered and thus might comprise a functional rather than a phylogenetic signal, and (4) there is an increase in the number of teeth per file throughout lamniform phylogeny. Structural development of the teeth of L. nasus and A. superciliosus is congruent with a previous investigation of the lamniform shark Carcharodon carcharias. J. Morphol. 277:1584–1598, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human parvovirus 4 prevalence among HTLV‐1/2 infected individuals in Brazil
Authors: Slavov Svetoslav Nanev , Otaguiri Katia Kaori , Smid Jerusa , de Oliveira Augusto Cesar Penalva , Casseb Jorge , Martinez Edson Zangiacomi , Covas Dimas Tadeu , Eis‐Hübinger Anna Maria , Kashima Simone
Published: September 2016

Human parvovirus 4 (PARV4), a Tetraparvovirus, has been largely found in HIV, HBV, or HCV infected individuals. However, there is no data for the PARV4 occurrence in Human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV‐1/2) infected individuals, despite similar transmission routes. Here, PARV4 viremia was evaluated in 130 HTLV infected patients under care of a Brazilian HTLV outpatient clinic. PARV4 viremia was detected in 6.2% of the HTLV‐1 infected patients. Most PARV4 positives showed no evidence for parenterally transmitted infections. It is suggested that in Brazil, transmission routes of PARV4 are more complex than in Europe and North America and resemble those in Africa. J. Med. Virol. 89:748–752, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cluster analysis of the business models of Spanish journals
Authors: Claudio‐González Melba G. , Martín‐Baranera Montserrat , Villarroya Anna
Published: September 2016

This article provides an analysis of Spanish journals’ business models. It presents an integrated approach to the concept of a business model, looking at (1) economics and finances, (2) operation, and (3) the strategic dimensions of the publishing activities. It is based on a cluster analysis of 327 journals that responded to a survey carried out between November 2012 and March 2013. Our findings revealed four business models that differed mostly in the economic and financial dimensions. The greatest difference between the clusters was in the distribution of expenses, and two different operational patterns were revealed by the allocation of staff and volunteer resources. The main barrier to open access was perceived to be financial limitations by three clusters and organizational structure by one cluster, with the subscription‐based journals least likely to be open access or to be tempted to become open access.
Effects of low temperature plasma on prostate cancer cells using the Bovie Medical J‐Plasma® device
Authors: Barekzi Nazir , Laroussi Mounir , Konesky Greg , Roman Shawn
Published: September 2016

The efficacy of low temperature plasma generated by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet, J‐Plasma system (™Bovie Medical Corporation), is studied for its therapeutic effects against the DU145 prostate cancer cell line. The DU145 cells in complete culture media were treated with different exposure times and different J‐Plasma system parameters. The optimum settings of the J‐Plasma system were identified based on the cancer cell viability at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post‐low temperature plasma treatments. The results indicate that J‐Plasma killing and cell viability was exposure time dependent and induced a reduction in cell proliferation and delayed killing effect.
Simulation‐based sample‐sizing and power calculations in logistic regression with partial prior information
Authors: Grieve Andrew P. , Sarker Shah‐Jalal
Published: September 2016

There have been many approximations developed for sample sizing of a logistic regression model with a single normally‐distributed stimulus. Despite this, it has been recognised that there is no consensus as to the best method. In pharmaceutical drug development, simulation provides a powerful tool to characterise the operating characteristics of complex adaptive designs and is an ideal method for determining the sample size for such a problem. In this paper, we address some issues associated with applying simulation to determine the sample size for a given power in the context of logistic regression. These include efficient methods for evaluating the convolution of a logistic function and a normal density and an efficient heuristic approach to searching for the appropriate sample size. We illustrate our approach with three case studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Spiral Road of Transformative Learning: Through the Lens of College Students with Learning Differences
Authors: Abrahams Lynn
Published: September 2016

This chapter explores how college students with diagnosed learning differences develop identity within changing relationships with the family system. Implications highlight the crucial roles of context and relationship in transformative learning.
Teaching Creative Nonfiction: The Transformative Nature of the Workshop Method
Authors: Cope Suzanne
Published: September 2016

This chapter addresses the transformative use of the creative writing workshop as pedagogical method in undergraduate, graduate, and community‐based creative nonfiction classes.