bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMDExpress Data Viewer ‐ a visualization tool to analyze BMDExpress datasets
Authors: Kuo Byron , Francina Webster A. , Thomas Russell S. , Yauk Carole L.
Published: December 2015

Regulatory agencies increasingly apply benchmark dose (BMD) modeling to determine points of departure for risk assessment. BMDExpress applies BMD modeling to transcriptomic datasets to identify transcriptional BMDs. However, graphing and analytical capabilities within BMDExpress are limited, and the analysis of output files is challenging. We developed a web‐based application, BMDExpress Data Viewer (http://apps.sciome.com:8082/BMDX_Viewer/), for visualizing and graphing BMDExpress output files. The application consists of “Summary Visualization” and “Dataset Exploratory” tools. Through analysis of transcriptomic datasets of the toxicants furan and 4,4′‐methylenebis(N,N‐dimethyl)benzenamine, we demonstrate that the “Summary Visualization Tools” can be used to examine distributions of gene and pathway BMD values, and to derive a potential point of departure value based on summary statistics. By applying filters on enrichment P‐values and minimum number of significant genes, the “Functional Enrichment Analysis” tool enables the user to select biological processes or pathways that are selectively perturbed by chemical exposure and identify the related BMD. The “Multiple Dataset Comparison” tool enables comparison of gene and pathway BMD values across multiple experiments (e.g., across timepoints or tissues). The “BMDL‐BMD Range Plotter” tool facilitates the observation of BMD trends across biological processes or pathways. Through our case studies, we demonstrate that BMDExpress Data Viewer is a useful tool to visualize, explore and analyze BMDExpress output files. Visualizing the data in this manner enables rapid assessment of data quality, model fit, doses of peak activity, most sensitive pathway perturbations and other metrics that will be useful in applying toxicogenomics in risk assessment. © 2015 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Journal of Applied Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural dependence ofin vitrocytotoxicity, oxidative stress and uptake mechanisms of poly(propylene imine) dendritic nanoparticles
Authors: Khalid Humza , Mukherjee Sourav Prasanna , O'Neill Luke , Byrne Hugh J.
Published: December 2015

Thein vitrocytotoxic and intracellular oxidative stress responses to exposure to poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendritic nanoparticles of increasing generation (number of repeated branching cycles) (G0–G4) were assessed in an immortal non‐cancerous human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Confocal fluorescence microscopy with organelle staining was used to explore the uptake and intracellular trafficking mechanisms. A generation‐ and dose‐dependent cytotoxic response was observed, increasing according to generation and, therefore, number of surface amino groups. A comparison of the cytotoxic response of G4 PPI and the related G4 poly(amido amine) dendrimer indicates that the PPI with the same number of surface amino groups elicits a significantly higher cytotoxic response. The trend of cytotoxicity versus dendrimer generation and, therefore, size is discontinuous in the region of G2, however, indicating a difference in uptake mechanism for higher compared to lower generations. Whereas the higher generations elicit an oxidative stress response at short exposure times, the lower generations indicate an antioxidant response. Confocal microscopy indicates that, whereas they are prominent at early exposure times for the larger PPI dendrimers, no evidence of early stage endosomes was observed for lower generations of PPI. The results are consistent with an alternative uptake mechanism of physical diffusion across the semipermeable cell membrane for the lower generation dendrimers and are discussed in terms of their implications for predictive models for nanotoxicology and design strategies for nanomedical applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonographic characteristics of pharyngoesophageal diverticula: Report of 14 cases and review of the literature
Authors: Wang Yang , Song Yangguang
Published: December 2015

Purpose

Our aim was to report the characteristics of pharyngoesophageal diverticula on sonographic (US) examination.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and images of 14 patients whose pharyngoesophageal diverticula had been found first on thyroid US. The diagnoses had been confirmed on barium‐swallow esophagography.

Results

All nodules were located posterior to the left thyroid lobe, having a clear hypoechoic border with the thyroid. The maximal diameter ranged from 0.7 to 3.3 cm (mean, 1.3 cm). The appearances on US examination were variable according to the size and amount of air inside the sac. Three nodules less than 1 cm contained little air and were hypoechoic, with internal microbubbles mimicking microcalcifications. Four nodules of larger size contained little air and had inhomogeneous echogenicity with internal echogenic spots and lines without posterior shadowing. Seven nodules contained more air, and an arc‐shaped hyperechoic line with a posterior reverberation artifact was observed within the sac. After the patients swallowed water, the shape and echogenicity of the nodules had changed, and on US, all nodules were seen to connect with the adjacent esophagus. Subsequent barium‐swallow esophagography confirmed the diagnoses.

Conclusions

An air‐containing nodule located posterior to the left thyroid and connected to the cervical esophagus is indicative of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum on US examination. Swallowing maneuvers are helpful in differentiating these diverticula from thyroid and parathyroid nodules. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:333–338, 2016
Ultrasound‐assisted aspiration of loculated pneumothorax: A new technique
Authors: Skaarup Søren Helbo , Folkersen Birgitte Holst
Published: December 2015

In this report, we describe a new sonographic (US) technique that can assist in the aspiration of a loculated pneumothorax. Patients may develop loculated pneumothorax as a result of such conditions as pleural malignancy or pleural infection or after undergoing thoracic surgery. Often the loculated pneumothorax is outside of safe areas, and chest tubes need to be placed near vital structures. This report presents the cases of three patients with iatrogenic loculated pneumothorax that required aspiration. We used US to assist in the placement of chest tubes, and we describe our technique of US‐assisted aspiration of loculated pneumothorax. The procedure is a new approach to a common problem in chest medicine that may increase the safety of treatment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:326–330, 2016
Long‐Term Changes in Soil Carbon Stocks in the Brazilian Cerrado Under Commercial Soybean
Authors: Miranda Eduardo , Carmo Janaina , Couto Eduardo , Camargo Plínio
Published: December 2015

The net effect of agriculture on soil carbon is not yet fully understood. While a number of studies on shallow profiles have been published, evidence suggests that carbon stock changes occur in deeper layers. In this study we analyzed the effect of agriculture in the Cerrado soil C looking at changes in seven different profile depths from 0 to 100 cm in a commercial grain farm. We also used isotopic techniques to distinguish between the original Cerrado C3 carbon and the C4 carbon derived from the grasses used in agriculture. At 0–5 cm depth C stocks significantly decreased with cultivation time. The C stock did not change significantly when it was calculated using the 0–10, 0–20, 0–30, 0–50 or 0–75 cm profile (p > 0·05) but increased with cultivation time when the profile considered was 0–100 cm (p < 0·05). A two‐source isotope model revealed that there was a significant increase in carbon derived from C4 grasses for all depths with cultivation time. Annual carbon sequestration rates for the upper 100 cm of soil were 1·1 Mg C ha−1 year−1 for total carbon and 0·8 Mg C4 C ha−1 year−1 for C4 carbon. The oldest area, with 23 years of cultivation, had a soil C stock increase compared to the native Cerrado soil of 17·6%. These findings suggest that commercial grain farms practices may increase soil C stock compared to native Cerrado soil, if a more complete soil profile down to 100 cm is used to assess C stocks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Cervical Dystonia on Work Productivity: An Analysis From a Patient Registry
Authors: Molho Eric S. , Stacy Mark , Gillard Patrick , Charles David , Adler Charles H. , Jankovic Joseph , Schwartz Marc , Brin Mitchell F.
Published: December 2015

Background

Cervical dystonia is thought to result in high disease burden, but limited information exists on its impact on employment and work productivity. We utilized data from the Cervical Dystonia Patient Registry for the Observation of OnabotulinumtoxinA Efficacy (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00836017) to assess the impact of cervical dystonia on employment and work productivity and examine the effect of onabotulinumtoxinA treatments on work productivity.

Methods

Subjects completed a questionnaire on employment status and work productivity at baseline and final visit. Baseline data were examined by severity of cervical dystonia, predominant subtype, presence of pain, prior exposure to botulinum toxin, and/or utility of a sensory trick. Work productivity results at baseline and final visit were compared in subjects who were toxin‐naïve at baseline and received three onabotulinumtoxinA treatments.

Results

Of 1,038 subjects, 42.8% were employed full‐ or part‐time, 6.1% unemployed, 32.7% retired, and 11.8% disabled. Of those currently employed, cervical dystonia affected work status of 26.0%, caused 29.8% to miss work in the past month (mean, 5.1 ± 6.4 days), and 57.8% reported decreased productivity. Half of those unemployed were employed when symptoms began, and 38.5% attributed lost employment to cervical dystonia. Pain, increasing severity, and anterocollis/retrocollis had the largest effects on work status/productivity. Preliminary analyses showed that absenteeism and presenteeism were significantly decreased following onabotulinumtoxinA treatments in the subpopulation that was toxin‐naïve at baseline.

Conclusions

This analysis confirms the substantial negative impact of cervical dystonia on employment, with cervical dystonia‐associated pain being a particularly important driver. OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment appears to improve work productivity.
Diffusion lung imaging with hyperpolarized gas MRI
Authors: Yablonskiy Dmitriy A. , Sukstanskii Alexander L. , Quirk James D.
Published: December 2015

Lung imaging using conventional1H MRI presents great challenges because of the low density of lung tissue, lung motion and very fast lung tissue transverse relaxation (typicalT2* is about 1–2 ms). MRI with hyperpolarized gases (3He and129Xe) provides a valuable alternative because of the very strong signal originating from inhaled gas residing in the lung airspaces and relatively slow gasT2* relaxation (typicalT2* is about 20–30 ms). However,in vivohuman experiments should be performed very rapidly – usually during a single breath‐hold. In this review, we describe the recent developments in diffusion lung MRI with hyperpolarized gases. We show that a combination of the results of modeling of gas diffusion in lung airspaces and diffusion measurements with variable diffusion‐sensitizing gradients allows the extraction of quantitative information on the lung microstructure at the alveolar level. From an MRI scan of less than 15 s, this approach, calledin vivolung morphometry, allows the provision of quantitative values and spatial distributions of the same physiological parameters as measured by means of ‘standard‘ invasive stereology (mean linear intercept, surface‐to‐volume ratio, density of alveoli, etc.). In addition, the approach makes it possible to evaluate some advanced Weibel parameters characterizing lung microstructure: average radii of alveolar sacs and ducts, as well as the depth of their alveolar sleeves. Such measurements, providingin vivoinformation on the integrity of pulmonary acinar airways and their changes in different diseases, are of great importance and interest to a broad range of physiologists and clinicians. We also discuss a new type of experiment based on thein vivolung morphometry technique combined with quantitative computed tomography measurements, as well as with gradient echo MRI measurements of hyperpolarized gas transverse relaxation in the lung airspaces. Such experiments provide additional information on the blood vessel volume fraction, specific gas volume and length of the acinar airways, and allow the evaluation of lung parenchymal and non‐parenchymal tissue. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spherical Microresonators
Authors: Weigel Thomas , Esen Cemal , Ostendorf Andreas
Published: December 2015

This article commemorates the 75th birthday of Prof. Dr. techn. Gustav Schweiger and his achievements in this field.

Spherical microparticles are characterized by their extraordinary resonance properties. This makes it a promising tool for high sensitive measurements. Furthermore, the dependency on different physical quantities together with the possibility of targeted functionalization enables the measurement of a high variety of parameters with just one technology.
Impact of silicon quantum dot super lattice and quantum well structure as intermediate layer on p‐i‐n silicon solar cells
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Maksudur , Lee Ming‐Yi , Tsai Yi‐Chia , Higo Akio , Sekhar Halubai , Igarashi Makoto , Syazwan Mohd Erman , Hoshi Yusuke , Sawano Kentarou , Usami Noritaka , Li Yiming , Samukawa Seiji
Published: December 2015

The photovoltaic effect of the silicon (Si)/silicon carbide (SiC) quantum dot super lattice (QDSL) and multi‐quantum well (QW) strucutres is presented based on numerical simulation and experimental studies. The QDSL and QW structures act as an intermediate layer in a p‐i‐n Si solar cell. The QDSL consists of a stack of four 4‐nm Si nano disks and 2‐nm SiC barrier layers embedded in a SiC matrix fabricated with a top‐down etching process. The Si nano disks were observed with bright field‐scanning transmission electron microscopy. The simulation results based on the 3D finite element method confirmed that the quantum effect on the band structure for the QDSL and QW structures was different and had different effects on solar cell operation. The effect of vertical wave‐function coupling to form a miniband in the QDSL was observed based on the solar‐cell performance, showing a dramatic photovoltaic response in generating a high photocurrent density Jsc of 29.24 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage Voc of 0.51 V, fill factor FF of 0.74, and efficiency η of 11.07% with respect to a i‐QW solar cell with Jsc of 25.27 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.49 V, FF of 0.69, and η of 8.61% and an i‐Si solar cell with Jsc of 27.63 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.55 V, FF of 0.61, and η of 10.00%. A wide range of photo‐carrier transports by the QD arrays in the QDSL solar cell is possible in the internal quantum efficiency spectra with respect to the internal quantum efficiency of the i‐QW solar cell. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein kinase G signaling in cardiac pathophysiology: Impact of proteomics on clinical trials
Authors: Kirk Jonathan A. , Holewinski Ronald J. , Crowgey Erin L. , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: December 2015

The protective role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐stimulated protein kinase G (PKG) in the heart makes it an attractive target for therapeutic drug development to treat a variety of cardiac diseases. Phosphodiesterases degrade cGMP, thus phosphodiesterase inhibitors that can increase PKG are of translational interest and the subject of ongoing human trials. PKG signaling is complex, however, and understanding its downstream phosphorylation targets and upstream regulation are necessary steps toward safe and efficacious drug development. Proteomic technologies have paved the way for assays that allow us to peer broadly into signaling minutia, including protein quantity changes and phosphorylation events. However, there are persistent challenges to the proteomic study of PKG, such as the impact of the expression of different PKG isoforms, changes in its localization within the cell, and alterations caused by oxidative stress. PKG signaling is also dependent upon sex and potentially the genetic and epigenetic background of the individual. Thus, the rigorous application of proteomics to the field will be necessary to address how these effectors can alter PKG signaling and interfere with pharmacological interventions. This review will summarize PKG signaling, how it is being targeted clinically, and the proteomic challenges and techniques that are being used to study it.
Chloro‐ and bromo‐nitrophenylhydrazines and methylhydrazines and their derivatives
Authors: Maaskant L.
Published: December 2015

A study has been made of the action of hydrazine and methylhydrazine on ortho‐ and para‐chloronitrobenzenes, 1:4‐dichloro(bromo)‐benzene and 1‐chloro‐ or 1‐bromo‐3:4‐dinitrobenzene.

The Phenylhydrazine derivatives obtained in these reactions, viz. 2‐nitro‐ and 4‐nitrophenyl‐α‐methylhydrazines, 2‐nitro‐4‐chloro‐ and bromophenyl‐α‐methylhydrazines, 2‐nitro‐5‐chloro‐ and bromo‐phenylhydrazines were investigated as reagents for aldehydes and ketones.
The velocity of the cannizzaro reaction
Authors: Molt E. L.
Published: December 2015

The aim of this investigation was to study how the Cannizzaro reaction:

was affected by various factors. Experiments were carried out initially in ethyl alcoholic media. Ethyl alcohol, however, is not a suitable solvent in which to study this reaction, since, especially at higher temperatures, the Cannizzaro reaction is greatly affected by he Zagoumenny reaction:

in which the acetaldehyde formed resinifies. Methyl alcohol, however, proved a very satisfactory solvent since in this case the Zagoumenny reaction was practically non‐existant. Measurements carried out in methyl alcohol show that:

The Cannizzaro reaction is a trimolecular reaction

methyl alcohol has a retarding effect on the reaction

the reaction takes place 2.2 times more rapidly for a 10° rise in temperature.

there is practically no difference in the velocity of the reaction whether caustic potash or caustic soda is used as the alkali.

in so far as it is not interfered with by the Zagoumenny reaction, the reaction proceeds much more quickly in ethyl alcohol than in methyl alcohol.

anisaldehyde and p‐toluylaldehyde react much more slowly and p‐chlorobenzaldehyde more rapidly than benzaldehyde.
Schmelzlinien von Kaliumrhodanid mit Kaliumchlorid, ‐Bromid und ‐Jodid
Authors: Dingemans P.
Published: December 2015

Von den binären Systemen des Kaliumrhodanids mit Kaliumchlorid, des Kaliumrhodanids mit Kaliumbromid und des Kaliumrhodanids mit Kaliumjodid wurde nachgewiesen, dass sie das einfache eutektische Schmelzdiagramm besitzen, wobei sich also die beiden Komponenten in reinem Zustand aus der Schmelze absetzen.

Die Schmelzlinien des Kaliumrhodanids in diesen Systemen wurden auf thermischem Wege genau bestimmt, ebenso die eutektischen Temperaturen.

Die eutektische Flüssigkeit wurde mit Hilfe einer besonderen Apparatur von der Krystallmasse geschieden und analysiert, wobei soviel wie möglich potentiometrische Titrationen benutzt wurden.

Aus den 3 Schmelzlinien konnten untereinander gut übereinstimmende Werte für die Schmelzwärme von Kaliumrhodanid berechnet werden.
Le 2,3‐Ditertiobutylbutadiène
Authors: Backer H. J.
Published: December 2015

Les pinacols de la pinacoline, chauffés avec les acides inorganiques ou le trichlorure de phosphore, donnent, entre autres produits, un hydrocarbure C12H22 bouillant a 180°, qui représente le 2,3‐ditertiobutylbutadiène. Ce butadiène, dont la structure est mise en évidence par l'ozonisation, ne fixe que deux atomes de brome, et cela principalement dans les positions 1 et 4. L'hydrogénation donne d'abord un dihydrure de structure asymétrique, et puis, assez difficilement, le tétrahydrure, le 2,3‐ditertiobutylbutane.

L'oxydation du dihydrure conduit à un époxyde, qui, sous l'influence d'acides, se transforme en un mélange d'une aldehyde et d'une cétone; l'oxydation de l'aldéhyde fournit l'acide 2,3‐ditertiobutyIbutyrique.

Il semble que l'influence stérique des deux groupes butyle tertiaire (groupes volumineux) éloigne, l'une de l'autre, les deux doubles liaisons; celles‐ci ne sont pas capables de donner des produits d'addition cycliques, ni avec l'anhydride sulfureux, ni avec l'anhydride maléique.
On the influence of certain salts on the lowest temperature at which a reaction between methane and oxygen is observed
Authors: Jorissen W. P. , Lebbink H. O.
Published: December 2015

An investigation of the influence of the halides of four alkali metals on the lowest temperature at which a reaction between methane and oxygen can be observed.
The transition point diagram of the zirconium‐titanium system
Authors: Fast J. D.
Published: December 2015

Titanium and zirconium, both in their hexagonal and in their regular forms, form a continuous series of solid solutions with a transition point minimum for the atomic ratio 1:1. In this composition, transition from the hexagonal close‐packed to the body‐centred cubic modification takes place at 545° C, i. e. at a temperature more than 300° C below the transition temperatures of the pure components (fig. 6). The transition point of pure titanium was newly determined and found to be 885° ± 10° C. In the melting point diagram there is again a minimum which is probably located at the atomic ratio Ti: Zr = 2 : 1 and at a temperature of about 1575° C.
Die Katalytische Hydrierung von Pyridin in Essigsäureanhydrid. Die Bildung von Piperidin und von Kondensationsprodukten
Authors: Arens J. F. , Wibaut J. P.
Published: December 2015

Bei der katalytischen Hydrierung von Pyridin in Essigsäure‐Anhydrid mit Platin‐Katalysator können verschiedene Produkte entstehen. Wenn der Versuch beendet wird, wenn erst ein Mol. Wasserstoff pro Mol. Pyridin aufgenommen ist, so finden wir: unverändertes Pyridin, N‐Acetylpiperidin II, 1,4‐Diacetyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridin III, 4‐Aethylpyridin IV. γ,γ′‐Dipyridyl V und nicht identifizierte Produkte. Führt man die Hydrierung weiter, bis zwei Mol. Wasserstoff pro Mol. Pyridin absorbiert sind, dann enthält das Reaktionsprodukt N‐Acetylpiperidin II und N,N′‐Diacetyl‐γ,γ′‐dipiperidyl VI neben nicht identifizierten Substanzen. Wird die Hydrierung weitergeführt, bis kein Wasserstoff mehr aufgenommen wird, dann enthält das Reaktionsprodukt N‐Acetylpiperidin II, N,N′‐Diacetyl‐γ,γ′‐dipiperidyl VI und eine krystallisierte Acetylverbindung des γ,γ′‐Dipiperidyls.
Mechanistic aspects of the fluorination of cyclohexane and cyclohexene with acetyl hypofluorite in acetic acid
Authors: Visser G. W. M. , Herscheid J. D. M. , Hoekstra A. , Bakker C. N. M. , Halteren B. W. V. , Brinkman G. A.
Published: December 2015

The reaction of acetyl hypofluorite in acetic acid with both cyclohexane and cyclohexene has been investigated. Analysis by GCMS and radio‐HPLC, using 18F as a tracer, revealed that, apart from typical products expected from a radical reaction, several compounds originating from carbocationic intermediates were formed. On the basis of the observed products, a single‐electrontransfer (SET) mechanism leading to an intermediate radical‐cation is proposed.
Alternative synthesis and regioselective coupling of 1,6‐anhydro‐2‐azido‐ and ‐2‐phthalimido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐galactopyranose
Authors: Kloosterman M. , de Wit D. , van Boom J. H. , de Hey H. T.
Published: December 2015

Easily accessible 1,6‐anhydro‐3,4‐isopropylidene‐β‐D‐galactopyranose has been converted in four steps (i.e., oxidation, reduction, triflation and Walden inversion with lithium azide or potassium phthalimide) into 1,6‐anhydro‐2‐azido‐ or ‐2‐phthalimido‐2‐deoxy‐3,4‐O‐isopropylidene‐β‐D‐galacto‐ pyranose. The 2‐azido derivative, obtained after acidolysis of the isopropylidene group, could be coupled regioselectively at the hydroxyl group at C‐4 with either 1,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐2‐phthalimido‐2‐deoxy‐β‐D‐ glucopyranose or 3,4,6‐tri‐O‐acetyl‐2‐phthalimido‐2‐deoxy‐α‐D‐glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of the soluble catalyst, trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulphonate, or the insoluble catalyst, silver silicate.
Novel hydrocarbyl and hydride compounds of bis‐pentamethylcyclopentadienylcerium (III)
Authors: Renkema Jaap , Teuben Jan H.
Published: December 2015

The synthesis of novel hydrocarbyl and hydride cerium complexes Cp*2CeCH(SiMe3)2 (Cp* = η5 ‐C5Me5) and (Cp*CeH)2 is reported. The hydrocarbyl shows Lewis acid properties and complexes salts like LiCl. The hydride is exceptionally reactive and activates P‐C bonds in PMe5.
Synthesis of aldehydes by a one‐carbon homologation of ketones and aldehydes via α,β‐unsaturated isocyanides
Authors: Moskal Janusz , van Leusen Albert M.
Published: December 2015

Ketones and aldehydes react via a Wittig‐Horner‐Emmons reaction using diethyl (isocyanomethyl)phosphonate to form α,β‐unsaturated isocyanides (4), which are either hydrolyzed as such, under acid conditions, or hydrolyzed after oxidation to α,β‐unsaturated isocyanides (6) to give aldehydes containing one additional carbon atom. The scope of the reaction is demonstrated by 20 examples.
Decoupling the Direct and Indirect Biological Effects of ZnO Nanoparticles Using a Communicative Dual Cell‐Type Tissue Construct
Authors: Chia Sing Ling , Tay Chor Yong , Setyawati Magdiel I. , Leong David T.
Published: December 2015

While matter at the nanoscale can be manipulated, the knowledge of the interactions between these nanoproducts and the biological systems remained relatively laggard. Current nanobiology study is rooted on in vitro study using conventional 2D cell culture model. A typical study employs monolayer cell culture that simplifies the real context of which to measure any nanomaterial effect; unfortunately, this simplification also demonstrated the limitations of 2D cell culture in predicting the actual biological response of some tissues. In fact, some of the characteristics of tissue such as spatial arrangement of cells and cell–cell interaction, which are simplified in 2D cell culture model, play important roles in how cells respond to a stimulus. To more accurately recapitulate the features and microenvironment of tissue for nanotoxicity assessments, an improved organotypic‐like in vitro multicell culture system to mimic the kidney endoepithelial bilayer is introduced. Results showed that important nano‐related parameters such as the diffusion, direct and indirect toxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles can be studied by combining this endoepithelial bilayer tissue model and traditional monolayer culture setting.
Flexible link functions in a joint model of binary and longitudinal data
Authors: Li Dan , Wang Xia , Song Seongho , Zhang Nanhua , Dey Dipak K.
Published: December 2015

Joint models of binary primary endpoint and a longitudinal continuous process have been proposed when their association is of interest. The dependence between these two submodels can be characterized by introducing a common set of latent random effects. An important consideration that has been less investigated is to choose appropriate link functions for the binary primary endpoint in this joint model. We introduce two families of flexible link functions based on the generalized extreme value distribution and the symmetric power logit distribution. Our work is the first to investigate the importance of an appropriate and flexible link function in improving the estimation and prediction of a Bayesian joint model. Markov chain Monte Carlo is used for the posterior computation and inference. Flexibility and gains of the proposed joint model are demonstrated through detailed studies on simulated data sets and a real data example. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Make student success central as you spearhead change
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2015

HOLLYWOOD, FLA. — Student services professionals face challenges helping students succeed in a time of rapid change. At community colleges, external drivers such as the K–20 concept and the completion agenda impact the work that needs to be done. College officials are asked to prove, using data, that learning is happening. One‐third of all students transferred at least once in five years. And those are just a few of the factors that influence campus initiatives, said Kevin Pollock, president of St. Clair County Community College in Michigan. He spoke at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Strategic Enrollment Management conference.
Communicate clearly, provide excellent customer service to guide students through enrollment
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2015

A personal touch from student services professionals can help applicants become students. At Wake Tech Community College in North Carolina, enrollment has grown steadily, despite a decline in applications.
Deaths and injuries from lightning in the UK, 1988–2012
Authors: Elsom Derek M. , Webb Jonathan D. C.
Published: December 2015

To assess the lightning risk to people in the UK, a 25‐year database was compiled of incidents in which people experienced an electrical shock due to lightning. The 445 known incidents involved 722 people. On average, two people were killed each year. Incident locations are analysed and discussed. Nearly half of all incidents occurred indoors but outdoor incidents accounted for two‐thirds of all people struck. 44% of outdoor incidents resulted in serious injuries or death but only 2% of indoor incidents involved serious injury and none were fatal. The incidents highlight that more lightning risk awareness is needed.
Herstellung und Eigenschaften von Silbersolen nach dem Verfahren von Kohlschütter
Authors: Mathur Rai Parmatma Prasad , Dhar N. R.
Published: December 2015

Im Gegensatz zu den Beobachtungen von Kohlschütter ist gezeigt worden, daß stabile Sole von Silber zwischen 50° und 80° hergestellt werden können. Die maximalen Konzentrationen der Sole sind bei verschiedenen Temperaturen erhalten worden.
Dichtemessungen an Erdmetallen
Authors: Bommer Heinrich , Hohmann Emil
Published: December 2015

1. Durch pyknometrische Messungen wurden die aus röntgenographischen Bestimmungen ermittelten Atomvolumina von Europium, Dysprosium und Ytterbium bestätigt.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection into oocytes matured in vitro and early embryonic development in the owl monkey (Aotus lemurinus)
Authors: Watanabe Hideaki , Matsumoto Takuya , Nishi Moeka , Kusakabe Ken Takeshi , Kuraishi Takeshi , Hattori Shosaku , Matsumoto Hiromichi , Fukui Emiko , Kuwahata Akiko , Ochi Masanori , Kiso Yasuo , Kai Chieko , Yoshizawa Midori
Published: December 2015

Purpose

We explored the possibility of employing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), involving oocytes and sperm of owl monkeys, to increase the availability of this species for investigations relating to malaria, etc., by increasing the number of animals in our laboratory.

Methods

Two owl monkeys (a female and a male), raised at the Amami Laboratory of the University of Tokyo, were used. Follicular oocytes surrounded with cumulus cells were cultured in vitro for approximately 25 h and cumulus cells were removed with 0.1 % hyaluronidase. Because of the poor motility of caudal epididymal sperm, sperm were injected without adding polyvinylpyrrolidone to immobilize them. The ICSI procedure was performed by an individual with considerable experience of human ICSI.

Results

We were able to produce two owl monkey embryos using ICSI of oocytes that matured to MII stage. Both embryos reached the 10‐cell stage at 98 h after ICSI and showed signs of compaction, but failed to cleave further.

Conclusions

Although we successfully produced owl monkey embryos after ICSI, the embryos did not develop to the blastocyst stage. Many parameters need to be studied further, including superovulation, selection of culture media, and selection of good quality sperm in order to achieve successful ICSI in the owl monkey.
Experimental sensitivity analysis and control of thermoacoustic systems
Authors: Rigas Georgios , Jamieson Nicholas P. , Li Larry K. B. , Juniper Matthew P.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we report the results of an experimental sensitivity analysis on a thermoacoustic system – an electrically heated Rijke tube. We measure the change of the linear stability characteristics of the system, quantified as shifts in the growth rate and oscillation frequency, that is caused by the introduction of a passive control device. The control device is a mesh, which causes drag in the system. The rate of growth is slow, so the growth rate and frequency can be measured very accurately over many hundreds of cycles in the linear regime with and without control. These measurements agree qualitatively well with the theoretical predictions from adjoint-based methods of Magri & Juniper (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 719, 2013, pp. 183–202). This agreement supports the use of adjoint methods for the development and implementation of control strategies for more complex thermoacoustic systems.
South America’s earliest (Ordovician, Floian) crinoids
Authors: Guensburg Thomas E. , Waisfeld Beatriz G.
Published: December 2015

Two new Early Ordovician crinoids have been discovered in Gondwanan rocks of northwest Argentina.Ramseyocrinus argentinusn. sp., among the most complete for the genus, aids in reconstructing key morphology.Ramseyocrinusis unorthodox with just four radials forming the entire cup, these articulating to five arms above and a tetrameric stem below. Evidence is presented radials comprise A, B, D, and E ray elements (C absent) with B and D radials adjoining to form a compound facet for the C arm. Thus the cup entirely lacks posterior plating; an elongate anal sac projects from the CD tegmen region alongside the C arm. Cup synapomorphies closely linkRamseyocrinusand the Middle OrdovicianTetragonocrinus; inclusion of this clade within disparids is tenuous.Quechuacrinus ticsan. gen. and sp., increases the paleogeographic range of reteocrinid camerates, previously documented only from Laurentia. This taxon expresses synapomorphies characterizing the Late OrdovicianReteocrinus, demonstrating the antiquity of this morphotype.
Dietary carbohydrate intake, glycaemic load, glycaemic index and ovarian cancer risk in African-American women
Authors: Qin Bo , Moorman Patricia G. , Alberg Anthony J. , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Bondy Melissa , Cote Michele L. , Funkhouser Ellen , Peters Edward S. , Schwartz Ann G. , Terry Paul , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Bandera Elisa V.
Published: December 2015

Epidemiological evidence regarding the association between carbohydrate intake, glycaemic load (GL) and glycaemic index (GI) and risk of ovarian cancer has been mixed. Little is known about their impact on ovarian cancer risk in African-American women. Associations between carbohydrate quantity and quality and ovarian cancer risk were investigated among 406 cases and 609 controls using data from the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES). AACES is an ongoing population-based case–control study of ovarian cancer in African-Americans in the USA. Cases were identified through rapid case ascertainment and age- and site-matched controls were identified by random-digit dialling. Dietary information over the year preceding diagnosis or the reference date was obtained using a FFQ. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95 % CI adjusted for covariates. The OR comparing the highest quartile of total carbohydrate intake and total sugar intake v. the lowest quartile were 1·57 (95 % CI 1·08, 2·28; Ptrend=0·03) and 1·61 (95 % CI 1·12, 2·30; Ptrend<0·01), respectively. A suggestion of an inverse association was found for fibre intake. Higher GL was positively associated with the risk of ovarian cancer (OR 1·18 for each 10 units/4184 kJ (1000 kcal); 95 % CI 1·04, 1·33). No associations were observed for starch or GI. Our findings suggest that high intake of total sugars and GL are associated with greater risk of ovarian cancer in African-American women.
The Nazi Magicians’ Controversy: Enlightenment, “Border Science,” and Occultism in the Third Reich
Authors: Kurlander Eric
Published: December 2015

Over the past two decades, a number of scholars have called into question the existence of any meaningful relationship between Nazism and the occult. This article paints a different picture. First, virtually all Nazi leaders appeared to recognize the widespread popularity of occult practices and “border-scientific” thinking across the German population and within the Nazi Party itself. Second, although Adolf Hitler's Reich Chancellery, Joseph Goebbels’s Propaganda Ministry, and even Heinrich Himmler'sGestapoconsistently advocated anti-occult policies or pro-enlightenment campaigns during the first six years of the Third Reich, most Nazi officials worked to differentiate between popular or commercial occultism, which they deemed ideologically “sectarian,” and acceptable “scientific” occultism, which was generally tolerated and intermittently sponsored by the regime. Third, the regime's reticence to eradicate even popular or commercial occultism—indicated by the fact that the environment for professional debunkers becamemorehostile with the outbreak of World War II––reflected the popularity of supernatural and border-scientific thinking within the German population. Indeed, whereas some Nazis intervened on the side of occultism for reasons of public opinion, many did so because they truly believed in its “scientific” value.
How advances in light technology have shaped ENT
Authors: Mozaffari M , Fishman J M , Tolley N S
Published: December 2015

The development of light technologies, allowing anatomical visualisation of otherwise hidden structures, led to significant advances in ENT in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Natural light from the sun, and from candles, was initially harnessed using mirrors. Later, the invention of limelight and electricity preceded the emergence of the modern-day endoscope, which, in tandem with the discovery of coherent fibre-optics in the 1950s, significantly expanded the surgical repertoire available to otolaryngologists. This study aimed to trace the rich history of ENT through the specialty's use of light.
Auditory perception and word recognition in Cantonese-Chinese speaking children with and without Specific Language Impairment
Authors: KIDD JOANNA C. , SHUM KATHY K. , WONG ANITA M.-Y. , HO CONNIE S.-H. , AU TERRY K.
Published: December 2015

Auditory processing and spoken word recognition difficulties have been observed in Specific Language Impairment (SLI), raising the possibility that auditory perceptual deficits disrupt word recognition and, in turn, phonological processing and oral language. In this study, fifty-seven kindergarten children with SLI and fifty-three language-typical age-matched controls were assessed with a speech-gating task to measure spoken word recognition, psychophysical tasks to measure auditory Frequency Modulation (FM) detection and Frequency Discrimination (FD), and standardized psychometric tests of phonological processing and oral language. As a group, children with SLI took significantly longer than language-typical controls to recognize words with high neighborhood density, perhaps reflecting subpar phonological representations. FM, but not FD, was significantly worse in SLI. However, while both poorer speech-gating performance and poorer auditory thresholds (FM) were evident in SLI, spoken word recognition did not mediate any relation between auditory perception and either phonological processing or oral language.
Commentary on the required skills for ambulatory cardiac care in the young: is training necessary?
Authors: Boris Jeffrey R.
Published: December 2015

Extensive supplemental training exists for many subspecialty disciplines within fellowship training for paediatric cardiology in the United States of America. These disciplines, or domains, such as echocardiography, cardiac intensive care, interventional cardiology, and electrophysiology, allow for initial exposure and training during the basic 3 years of fellowship, plus mandate a 4th year of advanced training; however, ambulatory cardiology has no in-depth or additional training beyond the basic clinical exposure during fellowship training. Ambulatory cardiology is not included in the recommended scheduling of the various domains of cardiology training. This document reviews the reasons to consider augmenting the depth and breadth of training in ambulatory paediatric cardiology.
Perioperative feeding management of neonates with CHD: analysis of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4) registry
Authors: Alten Jeffrey A. , Rhodes Leslie A. , Tabbutt Sarah , Cooper David S. , Graham Eric M. , Ghanayem Nancy , Marino Bradley S. , Figueroa Mayte I. , Chanani Nikhil K. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Donohue Janet E. , Yu Sunkyung , Gaies Michael
Published: December 2015

Introduction

The optimal perioperative feeding strategies for neonates with CHD are unknown. In the present study, we describe the current feeding practices across a multi-institutional cohort.

Methods

Inclusion criteria for this study were as follows: all neonates undergoing cardiac surgery admitted to the cardiac ICU for ⩾24 hours preoperatively between October, 2013 and July, 2014 in the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry.

Results

The cohort included 251 patients from eight centres. The most common diagnoses included the following: hypoplastic left heart syndrome (17%), coarctation/aortic arch hypoplasia (18%), and transposition of the great arteries (22%); 14% of the patients were <37weeks of gestational age. The median total hospital length of stay was 21 days (interquartile range (IQR) 14–35) and overall mortality was 8%. Preoperative feeding occurred in 133 (53%) patients. The overall preoperative feeding rates across centres ranged from 29 to 79%. Postoperative feeds started on median day 2 (IQR 1–4); for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome postoperative feeds started on median day 4. Postoperative feeds were initiated in 89 (35%) patients before extubation (range across centres: 21–61%). The median cardiac ICU discharge feeding volume was 108 cc/kg/day, varying across centres. The mean discharge weight was 280 g above birth weight, ranging from +100 to 430 g across centres. A total of 110 (44%) patients had discharge feeding tubes, ranging from 6 to 80% across centres, and 40/110 patients had gastrostomy/enterostomy tubes placed. In addition, eight (3.2%) patients developed necrotising enterocolitis – three preoperatively and five postoperatively.

Conclusion

In this cohort, neonatal feeding practices and outcomes appear to vary across diagnostic groups and institutions. Only half of the patients received preoperative enteral nutrition; almost half had discharge feeding tubes. Multi-institutional collaboration is necessary to determine feeding strategies associated with best clinical outcomes.
Rules of Ministerial Recruitment
Authors: Annesley Claire
Published: December 2015

Ministerial office represents the pinnacle of political power. Quite rightly, politics and gender and comparative scholarship is paying increasing attention to women's access to political executives (Claveria 2014; Davis 1997; Escobar-Lemmon and Taylor-Robinson 2005; Krook and O'Brien 2012; Reynolds 1999; Siaroff 2000; Whitford, Wilkins, and Ball 2007). These studies develop and test a range of hypotheses relating to the demographic, socioeconomic, political cultural, or political institutional factors at state or system level deemed to shape women's access to political executive office. The conclusions primarily emphasize relatively general correlations between women's ministerial representation and a nation's familiarity with women in positions of power (Reynolds 1999), the prevalence of “egalitarian societies” and “leftist values” (Siaroff 2000), or international pressure and regional contagion (Escobar-Lemmon and Taylor-Robinson 2005). Studies that address the importance of political institutional factors affecting the supply and demand of female government ministers highlight the different procedures for appointing ministers in presidential versus parliamentary democracies (Reynolds 1999; Whitford, Wilkins, and Ball 2007) or the generalist versus specialist recruitment traditions of ministerial recruitment in parliamentary democracies (Claveria 2014; Davis 1997; Siaroff 2000). All studies flag the significance of the numerical presence of women in parliament, and some, the way the electoral system or gender quotas influence women's access to parliament (Claveria 2014; Krook and O'Brien 2012).
Gender and the Executive Branch
Authors: Annesley Claire , Franceschet Susan
Published: December 2015

The executive branch of government constitutes the pinnacle of political power. In principle, presidents and prime ministers, along with their cabinets, set the policy agenda, debate, and deliberate policy initiatives; introduce legislation; and oversee the implementation of public policies. Executives are the most visible political actors, representing the public “face” of government. Until very recently, executives were also the most masculinized of political institutions, with women absent entirely from the position of prime minister or president until the 1960s, and, at least until the last decade, holding only a small number of posts in cabinet. Yet one of the most striking global trends in recent years is the growing number of women elected to the post of prime minister or president: at the time of writing there are 12 countries where a woman occupies the top political office. A growing number of women are also being appointed cabinet ministers and, in some cases, to some of the most traditionally masculine posts. It is common today to define “parity” cabinets as those where women hold between 40% and 60% of ministerial portfolios. With that definition, countries as different as Spain, Bolivia, Sweden, and South Africa have had gender parity in cabinet. What is more, women's presence in cabinet is now a firmly established norm. Among the first questions raised by commentators after a newly elected president or prime minister announces her cabinet are, how many women were appointed? To which portfolios were they assigned?
Revealing the “Secret Garden”: The Informal Dimensions of Political Recruitment
Authors: Bjarnegård Elin , Kenny Meryl
Published: December 2015

Candidate selection and recruitment has been notably described as the “secret garden” of politics—an obscure process, often hidden from view, that is regulated largely by internal party rules, informal practices, and power relationships (cf. Gallagher and Marsh 1988). In this contribution, we contend that informal party practices and their gendered consequences are critically important for understanding the continuity of male political dominance and female underrepresentation. Rather than make a strict separation between formal and informal rules in the recruitment process, we argue that gender politics scholars must instead identify and empirically investigate the specific combinations of such rules that impact upon women's and men's political participation in parties. The proposed approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the bounded nature and variable outcomes of institutional innovation and party change.