bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Catch-and-Release Regulations on Brook Trout in Pennsylvania Streams
Authors: Detar Jason , Kristine David , Wagner Tyler , Greene Tom
Published: February 2014

In 2004, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission implemented catch-and-release (CR) regulations on headwater stream systems to determine if eliminating angler harvest would result in an increase in the number of adult (≥100 mm) or large (≥175 mm) Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis. Under the CR regulations, angling was permitted on a year-round basis, no Brook Trout could be harvested at any time, and there were no tackle restrictions. A before-after–control-impact design was used to evaluate the experimental regulations. Brook Trout populations were monitored in 16 treatment (CR regulations) and 7 control streams (statewide regulations) using backpack electrofishing gear periodically for up to 15 years (from 1990 to 2003 or 2004) before the implementation of the CR regulations and over a 7–8-year period (from 2004 or 2005 to 2011) after implementation. We used Poisson mixed models to evaluate whether electrofishing catch per effort (CPE; catch/100 m2) of adult (≥100 mm) or large (≥175 mm) Brook Trout increased in treatment streams as a result of implementing CR regulations. Brook Trout CPE varied among sites and among years, and there was no significant effect (increase or decrease) of CR regulations on the CPE of adult or large Brook Trout. Results of our evaluation suggest that CR regulations were not effective at improving the CPE of adult or large Brook Trout in Pennsylvania streams. Low angler use, high voluntary catch and release, and slow growth rates in infertile headwater streams are likely the primary reasons for the lack of response.

Received June 14, 2013; accepted August 28, 2013

Published online January 24, 2014
Retention of PIT and T-Bar Anchor Tags in Blue Catfish
Authors: Bodine Kristopher A. , Fleming Paul
Published: February 2014

We quantified retention of PIT and T-bar anchor tags in Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus. Eighty-one fish (364–1,005 mm TL) were injected with a PIT tag in the dorsal musculature immediately posterior to the dorsal fin and a T-bar anchor tag below the dorsal fin between the pterygiophores. Fish were held in a 0.24-ha earthen pond and retention was evaluated at 2, 4, and 6 months. Retention of PIT tags was 100% over the duration of the study. T-bar anchor tag retention was about 94% at 2 months and 76% at 6 months and was linearly related to time. We estimated that by 25 months, all T-bar tags would be lost. Our results suggest PIT tags can effectively be used in long-term studies (>6 months), whereas T-bar anchor tags are suited for short-term experiments.

Received July 29, 2013; accepted October 15, 2013

Published online January 24, 2014
Legitimism, liberalism and nationalism: the nature of the relationship between North and South in Italian unification
Authors: Meriggi Marco
Published: February 2014

During the years following national unification, the Mezzogiorno became one of the greatest problems for the Italian government. On the one hand, because of its social and economic backwardness and the loyalty of some sections of the population to the previous illiberal government, it was devalued by the national political and military elite as a part of the large and undeveloped ‘South’ of the world, which was at that time affected by the criticism of ‘orientalistic’ Western discourse. On the other hand, it was also the place where the democratic and progressive opposition to the moderate liberal national rulers was stronger. A transnational and transregional perspective shows how the Mezzogiorno contained two different coexisting nations, a reactionary and a progressive one, which were in mutual conflict and, at the same time, on different grounds, in conflict with the central State. Building the state in the South meant, for the Italian liberal elites, discovering an ambiguous and dangerous periphery of the Nation.
Assessing single nucleotide variant detection and genotype calling on whole-genome sequenced individuals
Authors: Cheng Anthony Youzhi , Teo Yik-Ying , Ong Rick Twee-Hee
Published: February 2014

Motivation: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is now routinely used for the detection and identification of genetic variants, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in humans, and this has provided valuable new insights into human diversity, population histories and genetic association studies of traits and diseases. However, this relies on accurate detection and genotyping calling of the polymorphisms present in the samples sequenced. To minimize cost, the majority of current WGS studies, including the 1000 Genomes Project (1 KGP) have adopted low coverage sequencing of large number of samples, where such designs have inadvertently influenced the development of variant calling methods on WGS data. Assessment of variant accuracy are usually performed on the same set of low coverage individuals or a smaller number of deeply sequenced individuals. It is thus unclear how these variant calling methods would fare for a dataset of ∼100 samples from a population not part of the 1 KGP that have been sequenced at various coverage depths.

Results: Using down-sampling of the sequencing reads obtained from the Singapore Sequencing Malay Project (SSMP), and a set of SNP calls from the same individuals genotyped on the Illumina Omni1-Quad array, we assessed the sensitivity of SNP detection, accuracy of genotype calls made and variant accuracy for six commonly used variant calling methods of GATK, SAMtools, Consensus Assessment of Sequence and Variation (CASAVA), VarScan, glfTools and SOAPsnp. The results indicate that at 5× coverage depth, the multi-sample callers of GATK and SAMtools yield the best accuracy particularly if the study samples are called together with a large number of individuals such as those from 1000 Genomes Project. If study samples are sequenced at a high coverage depth such as 30×, CASAVA has the highest variant accuracy as compared with the other variant callers assessed.

Availability and implementation:  

Contact:  twee_hee_ong@nuhs.edu.sg

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A further study of superoutbursts and superhumps in SU UMa stars by the Kepler light curves of V1504 Cygni and V344 Lyrae
Authors: Osaki Yoji , Kato Taichi
Published: February 2014

We made a supplementary study of the superoutbursts and superhumps in SU UMa stars by using the recently released Kepler public data of V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr. One of the superoutbursts in V1504 Cyg was preceded by a precursor normal outburst which was well separated from the main superoutburst. The superhump first appeared during the descending branch of the precursor normal outburst and it continued into its quiescence (the deep dip between the precursor and the main superoutburst), and it began to grow in amplitude with the development of the main superoutburst after the quiescence ended. A similar phenomenon was also observed in V344 Lyr. This observation very clearly demonstrates that the superoutburst was triggered by the superhump (i.e., by the tidal instability), supporting the thermal tidal instability model. Smak (2013, Acta Astron., 63, 109) criticized our previous paper (Osaki & Kato, 2013, PASJ, 65, 50) and challenged our main conclusion that various lines of observational evidence of V1504 Cyg support the thermal tidal instability model for the superoutbursts of SU UMa stars. We present our detailed accounts to all of his criticisms by offering clear explanations. We conclude that the thermal tidal instability model is, after all, only the viable model for the superoutbursts and superhumps in SU UMa stars.
Use of Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite With Autologous BMA and Local Bone in the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Robbins Stephen , Lauryssen Carl , Songer Matthew N.
Published: February 2014

Study Design:

A retrospective, multicenter, medical record review and independent analysis of computed tomographic scans was performed in 46 patients to determine radiographic arthrodesis rates after 1-segment, 2-segment, or 3-segment instrumented posterolateral fusions (PLF) using autograft, bone marrow aspirate (BMA), and a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone void filler (nHA).

Objective:

To determine the radiographic arthrodesis rates after instrumented lumbar PLF using local autograft, BMA, and nHA.

Summary of Background Data:

The use of iliac crest autograft in posterolateral spine fusion carries real and significant risks. Many forms of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite have been studied in various preclinical models, but no human studies have reviewed its efficacy as a bone graft supplement in PLF.

Methods:

Posterolateral arthrodesis progression was documented approximately 12 months postoperatively using a computed tomographic scan and evaluated by an independent radiologist for the presence of bridging bone. One-year postoperative clinical outcomes were assessed using the PROLO score.

Results:

Radiographically, 91% patients treated exhibited bilateral or unilateral posterolateral bridging bone. Ninety-four percent of the segments treated exhibited bilateral or unilateral posterolateral bridging bone, whereas 6% segments exhibited no posterolateral bridging bone on either side. A total of 93% individual sites treated exhibited posterolateral bridging bone. In 1-segment, 2-segment, and 3-segment arthrodesis, 88%, 93%, and 100%, respectively, of individual sites exhibited radiographic bridging bone. One-year postoperative PROLO scores for 77% patients were excellent or good. There were no complications related to the posterolateral graft mass and no symptomatic nonunions.

Conclusions:

The arthrodesis rates after instrumented lumbar fusion using local autograft mixed with BMA and the nHA is equivalent to the rates reported for iliac crest autograft in these indications, including stringent indications, such as 3-segment procedures. By approximately 12 months postoperatively, there was no significant difference in the rates of bridging bone between the 1-segment, 2-segment, and 3-segment procedures.
Economic and Operational Implications of a Standardized Approach to Hemodynamic Support Therapy Using Percutaneous Cardiac Assist Devices
Authors: Wohns David , Muthusamy Purushothaman , Davis Alan T. , Khan Mohsin , Postma Joseph K. , Williams Elbert E. , Gile Cynthia M. , Scotti Dennis J. , Gregory David
Published: February 2014

Objective

Impella 2.5 has been shown to reduce major adverse events for patients undergoing elective high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. We performed a single-center retrospective study to compare the costs and resource use of Impella 2.5 and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support.

Methods

All high-risk patients who received Impella 2.5 (n = 35) and IABP (n = 295) support from December 2008 to July 2011 were included. Propensity score matching identified a balanced 1:1 matched cohort (35 Impella vs 35 IABP) based on indications for implantation, preimplantation hemodynamics, and age. Diagnostic, procedural, financial, and resource use data were collected.

Results

As compared with IABP, Impella offered a more predictable course of treatment/resource consumption and was not associated with any extreme cost outliers (17.1% vs 0.0%, respectively; P = 0.025). The mean admission and 90-day episode of care total costs for Impella were 5.5% ($67,681 vs $71,608, P = 0.79) and 4.2% ($70,680 vs $73,476, P = 0.85) lesser than that for IABP, respectively. Although not statistically significant, Impella patients had a trend toward lower rehospitalization rates (11.4% vs 20%), lesser mean index length of hospital stay (11.2 vs 13.7), and 90-day (11.7 vs 14.2) episode of care length of hospital stay.

Conclusions

Impella support was associated with consistent course of treatment/resource consumption with significantly fewer 90-day extreme cost outliers than was IABP. The lower index and 90-day follow-up cost trends observed for Impella were driven by shorter length of hospital stay and fewer rehospitalizations. As providers strive to improve quality of care by reducing variability, these findings have implications for the development of hemodynamic support algorithms.
Bacteroides luti sp. nov., an anaerobic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic bacterium isolated from methanogenic sludge
Authors: Hatamoto Masashi , Kaneshige Masami , Nakamura Akinobu , Yamaguchi Takashi
Published: February 2014

A mesophilic, anaerobic, cellulolytic and xylanolytic strain, UasXn-3T, was isolated from anaerobic granular sludge in a mesophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor, which was used to treat municipal sewage. The cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and non-spore-forming rods. The optimal temperature for growth was 37–40 °C and the optimal pH for growth was pH 6.5–7.0. Strain UasXn-3T could grow on several polysaccharides and sugars, including cellulose, cellobiose, xylan, xylose, glucose, fructose, arabinose, mannose, raffinose, trehalose and starch. The DNA G+C content was 44.4 mol%. On the basis of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain UasXn-3T was identified as a member of the genus

Bacteroides

and most closely related to

Bacteroides oleiciplenus

,

B. intestinalis

,

B. cellulosilyticus

and

B. graminisolvens

(sequence similarities of 91.3–91.6 %). Since the genetic and phenotypic properties suggest that strain UasXn-3T represents a novel species, we propose the name Bacteroides luti sp. nov. The type strain is UasXn-3T ( = JCM 19020T = DSM 26991T).
A C-terminal, cysteine-rich site in poliovirus 2CATPase is required for morphogenesis
Authors: Wang Chunling , Ma Hsin-Chieh , Wimmer Eckard , Jiang Ping , Paul Aniko V.
Published: February 2014

The morphogenesis of viruses belonging to the genusEnterovirusin the familyPicornaviridaeis still poorly understood despite decades-long investigations. However, we recently provided evidence that 2CATPasegives specificity to poliovirus encapsidation through an interaction with capsid protein VP3. The polypeptide 2CATPaseis a highly conserved non-structural protein of enteroviruses with important roles in RNA replication, encapsidation and uncoating. We have identified a site (K279/R280) near the C terminus of the polypeptide that is required for morphogenesis. The aim of the current project was to search for additional functional sites near the C terminus of the 2CATPasepolypeptide, with particular interest in those that are required for encapsidation. We selected for analysis a cysteine-rich site of the polypeptide and constructed four mutants in which cysteines or a histidine was changed to an alanine. The RNA transcripts were transfected into HeLa cells yielding two lethal, one temperature-sensitive and one quasi-infectious mutants. All four mutants exhibited normal protein translationin vitroand three of them possessed severe RNA replication defects. The quasi-infectious mutant (C286A) yielded variants with a pseudo-reversion at the original site (A286D), but some also contained one additional mutation: A138V or M293V. The temperature-sensitive mutant (C272A/H273A) exhibited an encapsidation and possibly also an uncoating defect at 37 °C. Variants of this mutant revealed suppressor mutations at three different sites in the 2CATPasepolypeptide: A138V, M293V and K295R. We concluded that the cysteine-rich site near the C terminus of 2CATPaseis involved in encapsidation, possibly through an interaction with an upstream segment located between boxes A and B of the nucleotide-binding domain.
HTSeq – A Python framework to work with high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Anders Simon , Pyl Paul Theodor , Huber Wolfgang
Published: February 2014

Motivation:

A large choice of tools exists for many standard tasks in the analysis of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data. However, once a project deviates from standard work flows, custom scripts are needed.

Results:

We present HTSeq, a Python library to facilitate the rapid development of such scripts. HTSeq offers parsers for many common data formats in HTS projects, as well as classes to represent data such as genomic coordinates, sequences, sequencing reads, alignments, gene model information, variant calls, and provides data structures that allow for querying via genomic coordinates. We also present htseq-count, a tool developed with HTSeq that preprocesses RNA-Seq data for differential expression analysis by counting the overlap of reads with genes.

Availability:

HTSeq is released as open-source software under the GNU General Public Licence and available fromhttp://www-huber.embl.de/HTSeqor from the Python Package Indexhttps://pypi.python.org/pypi/HTSeq.

Contact:

sanders@fs.tum.de
No evidence that natural selection has been less effective at removing deleterious mutations in Europeans than in West Africans
Authors: Do Ron , Balick Daniel , Li Heng , Adzhubei Ivan , Sunyaev Shamil , Reich David
Published: February 2014

Non-African populations have experienced major bottlenecks in the time since their split from West Africans, which has led to the hypothesis that natural selection to remove weakly deleterious mutations may have been less effective in non-Africans. To directly test this hypothesis, we measure the per-genome accumulation of deleterious mutations across diverse humans. We fail to detect any significant differences, but find that archaic Denisovans accumulated non-synonymous mutations at a higher rate than modern humans, consistent with the longer separation time of modern and archaic humans. We also revisit the empirical patterns that have been interpreted as evidence for less effective removal of deleterious mutations in non-Africans than in West Africans, and show they are not driven by differences in selection after population separation, but by neutral evolution.
Mapping the structure of drosophilid behavior
Authors: Berman Gordon J. , Choi Daniel M. , Bialek William , Shaevitz Joshua W.
Published: February 2014

Most animals possess the ability to actuate a vast diversity of movements, ostensibly constrained only by morphology and physics. In practice, however, a frequent assumption in behavioral science is that most of an animal’s activities can be described in terms of a small set of stereotyped motifs. Here we introduce a method for mapping the behavioral space of organisms, relying only upon the underlying structure of postural movement data to organize and classify behaviors. We find that six different drosophilid species each perform a mix of non-stereotyped actions and over one hundred hierarchically-organized, stereotyped behaviors. Moreover, we use this approach to compare these species’ behavioral spaces, systematically identifying subtle behavioral differences between closely-related species.
A GWAS platform built on iPlant cyber-infrastructure
Authors: Wang Liya , Ware Doreen , Lushbough Carol , Merchant Nirav , Stein Lincoln
Published: February 2014

We demonstrated a flexible Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) platform built upon the iPlant Collaborative Cyber-infrastructure. The platform supports big data management, sharing, and large scale study of both genotype and phenotype data on clusters. End users can add their own analysis tools, and create customized analysis workflows through the graphical user interfaces in both iPlant Discovery Environment and BioExtract server.
New insights into the catalytic active-site structure of multicopper oxidases
Authors: Komori Hirofumi , Sugiyama Ryosuke , Kataoka Kunishige , Miyazaki Kentaro , Higuchi Yoshiki , Sakurai Takeshi
Published: February 2014

Structural models determined by X-ray crystallography play a central role in understanding the catalytic mechanism of enzymes. However, X-ray radiation generates hydrated electrons that can cause significant damage to the active sites of metalloenzymes. In the present study, crystal structures of the multicopper oxidases (MCOs) CueO from Escherichia coli and laccase from a metagenome were determined. Diffraction data were obtained from a single crystal under low to high X-ray dose conditions. At low levels of X-ray exposure, unambiguous electron density for an O atom was observed inside the trinuclear copper centre (TNC) in both MCOs. The gradual reduction of copper by hydrated electrons monitored by measurement of the Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectra led to the disappearance of the electron density for the O atom. In addition, the size of the copper triangle was enlarged by a two-step shift in the location of the type III coppers owing to reduction. Further, binding of O2 to the TNC after its full reduction was observed in the case of the laccase. Based on these novel structural findings, the diverse resting structures of the MCOs and their four-electron O2-reduction process are discussed.
Structural and thermodynamic basis of the inhibition of Leishmania major farnesyl diphosphate synthase by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates
Authors: Aripirala Srinivas , Gonzalez-Pacanowska Dolores , Oldfield Eric , Kaiser Marcel , Amzel L. Mario , Gabelli Sandra B.
Published: February 2014

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) is an essential enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of sterols (cholesterol in humans and ergosterol in yeasts, fungi and trypanosomatid parasites) as well as in protein prenylation. It is inhibited by bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used in humans to treat diverse bone-related diseases. The development of bisphosphonates as antiparasitic compounds targeting ergosterol biosynthesis has become an important route for therapeutic intervention. Here, the X-ray crystallographic structures of complexes of FPPS from Leishmania major (the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis) with three bisphosphonates determined at resolutions of 1.8, 1.9 and 2.3 Å are reported. Two of the inhibitors, 1-(2-hydroxy-2,2-diphosphonoethyl)-3-phenylpyridinium (300B) and 3-butyl-1-(2,2-diphosphonoethyl)pyridinium (476A), co-crystallize with the homoallylic substrate isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and three Ca2+ ions. A third inhibitor, 3-fluoro-1-(2-hydroxy-2,2-diphosphonoethyl)pyridinium (46I), was found to bind two Mg2+ ions but not IPP. Calorimetric studies showed that binding of the inhibitors is entropically driven. Comparison of the structures of L. major FPPS (LmFPPS) and human FPPS provides new information for the design of bisphosphonates that will be more specific for inhibition of LmFPPS. The asymmetric structure of the LmFPPS–46I homodimer indicates that binding of the allylic substrate to both monomers of the dimer results in an asymmetric dimer with one open and one closed homoallylic site. It is proposed that IPP first binds to the open site, which then closes, opening the site on the other monomer, which closes after binding the second IPP, leading to the symmetric fully occupied FPPS dimer observed in other structures.
Structural characteristics of alkaline phosphatase from the moderately halophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. 593
Authors: Arai Shigeki , Yonezawa Yasushi , Ishibashi Matsujiro , Matsumoto Fumiko , Adachi Motoyasu , Tamada Taro , Tokunaga Hiroko , Blaber Michael , Tokunaga Masao , Kuroki Ryota
Published: February 2014

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) from the moderate halophilic bacterium Halomonas sp. 593 (HaAP) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters over a wide salt-concentration range (1–4 M NaCl). In order to clarify the structural basis of its halophilic characteristics and its wide-range adaptation to salt concentration, the tertiary structure of HaAP was determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.1 Å resolution. The unit cell of HaAP contained one dimer unit corresponding to the biological unit. The monomer structure of HaAP contains a domain comprised of an 11-stranded β-sheet core with 19 surrounding α-helices similar to those of APs from other species, and a unique `crown' domain containing an extended `arm' structure that participates in formation of a hydrophobic cluster at the entrance to the substrate-binding site. The HaAP structure also displays a unique distribution of negatively charged residues and hydrophobic residues in comparison to other known AP structures. AP from Vibrio sp. G15-21 (VAP; a slight halophile) has the highest similarity in sequence (70.0% identity) and structure (Cα r.m.s.d. of 0.82 Å for the monomer) to HaAP. The surface of the HaAP dimer is substantially more acidic than that of the VAP dimer (144 exposed Asp/Glu residues versus 114, respectively), and thus may enable the solubility of HaAP under high-salt conditions. Conversely, the monomer unit of HaAP formed a substantially larger hydrophobic interior comprising 329 C atoms from completely buried residues, whereas that of VAP comprised 264 C atoms, which may maintain the stability of HaAP under low-salt conditions. These characteristics of HaAP may be responsible for its unique functional adaptation permitting activity over a wide range of salt concentrations.
4-Bromo-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide
Authors: Moreno-Fuquen Rodolfo , Azcárate Alexis , Kennedy Alan R.
Published: February 2014

The title nitrophenyl benzamide, C13H9BrN2O3, with two molecules in the asymmetric unit, has dihedral angles of 16.78 (15) and 18.87 (14)° between the benzene rings. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond is observed in each molecule. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by weak C—H...O interactions; halogen–halogen interactions are also observed [Br...Br = 3.4976 (7) Å]. These interactions formR22(10),R22(15) andR66(32) edge-fused rings along [010].
Trimethylphosphoniumtrans-tetrachloridobis(trimethylphosphane-κP)iridate(III)
Authors: Berg Michael A. , Davidson Jesse , Merola Joseph S.
Published: February 2014

The title compound, [HP(CH3)3][IrCl4{(H3C)3P}2], consists of a trimethylphosphonium cation and a tetrachloridobis(trimethylphosphane)iridate(III) anion. The anion has an octahedral arrangement of ligands, with the trimethylphosphane groups occupyingtranspositions. The IrIIIatom sits on an inversion center with one P(CH3)3ligand and two chloride ligands in the asymmetric unit. The trimethylphosphonium cation is disordered about a twofold rotation axis. The title compound is the first structurally characterized tetrachloridobis(phosphane)iridate complex.
Methyl 3′-benzyl-4′-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1′-methyl-2-oxospiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrolidine]-3′-carboxylate
Authors: Karthikeyan S. , Narayanan P. , Sethusankar K. , Devaraj Anthonisamy , Bakthadoss Manickam
Published: February 2014

In the title compound, C27H24Cl2N2O3, the indole ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.082 (2) Å for the carbonyl C atom. It makes a dihedral angle of 88.53 (6)° with the mean plane of the 4-methylpyrrolidine ring, which adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom at the flap position. The molecular structure is stabilized by intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds, which generateS(6) andS(7) ring motifs, and an intramolecular π–π interaction involving the benzyl and dichloro-substituted benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6291 (11) Å]. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, formingC(7) chains running parallel to [10-1].
N-[2-(9H-Carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)aniline
Authors: Lai Hongshan , Gallucci Judith C. , Li Chenglong
Published: February 2014

In the title molecule, C21H20N2O2S, the dihedral angle between the mean plane of the carbazole ring system [maximum deviation = 0.021 (4) Å] and the benzene ring is 80.15 (6)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds into aC(8) chain along [001].
Bis(2-amino-5-benzyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-5-ium) bis(4-methoxyphenyl)diphosphonate
Authors: Akkurt Mehmet , Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Younes Sabry H. H. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: February 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, 2C17H21N2O2S+·C14H14O7P22−, contains half of a centrosymmetric bis(4-methoxyphenyl)diphosphonate anion and one 2-amino-5-benzyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-5-ium cation. In the anion, the O atoms of the diphosphonate group are disordered over two positions with equal occupancies. In the cation, the ethyl group is disordered over two orientations with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.753 (5):0.247 (5), and the tetrahydropyridinium ring adopts a distorted half-chair conformation. In the crystal, the ions are linked by C—H...O, N—H...O and C—H...S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network.
Rietveld-based energy-dispersive residual stress evaluation: analysis of complex stress fields σij(z)
Authors: Apel Daniel , Klaus Manuela , Genzel Martin , Genzel Christoph
Published: February 2014

A method for the evaluation of strongly inhomogeneous residual stress fields in the near-surface region of polycrystalline materials is introduced, which exploits the full information content contained in energy-dispersive (ED) diffraction patterns. The macro-stress-induced diffraction line shifts ΔEψhklobserved in ED sin2ψ measurements are described by modeling the residual stress state σij(z) in real space, based on Rietveld's data analysis concept. Therefore, the proposed approach differs substantially from currently used methods for residual stress gradient analysis such as the `universal plot' method, which enable access to the Laplace stress profiles σij(τ). With the example of shot-peened samples made of either 100Cr6 steel or Al2O3, it is demonstrated that the simultaneous refinement of all diffraction patterns obtained in a sin2ψ measurement with hundreds of diffraction lines provides very stable solutions for the residual stress depth profiles. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed evaluation concept even allows for consideration of the residual stress component σ33(z) in the thickness direction, which is difficult to detect by conventional sin2ψ analysis.
The self-assembling zwitterionic form ofL-phenylalanine at neutral pH
Authors: Mossou Estelle , Teixeira Susana C. M. , Mitchell Edward P. , Mason Sax A. , Adler-Abramovich Lihi , Gazit Ehud , Forsyth V. Trevor
Published: February 2014

The title zwitterion (2S)-2-azaniumyl-1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-1-olate, C9H11NO2, also known as L-phenylalanine, was characterized using synchrotron X-rays. It crystallized in the monoclinic space groupP21with four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The 0.62 Å resolution structure is assumed to be closely related to the fibrillar form of phenylalanine, as observed by electron microscopy and electron diffraction. The structure exists in a zwitterionic form in which π–π stacking and hydrogen-bonding interactions are believed to form the basis of the self-assembling properties.
The inorganic–organic hybrid zinc phosphite poly[(μ3-hydrogen phosphito-κ3O:O′:O′′)(piperidin-1-ium-4-carboxylate-κO)zinc(II)]
Authors: Wang Guo-Ming , Zhao Xiao-Meng , Zhang Xiao , Bao Zhen-Zhen
Published: February 2014

A new inorganic–organic hybrid zinc phosphite, [Zn(HPO3)(C6H11NO2)]n, has been synthesized hydrothermally. Protonated piperidin-1-ium-4-carboxylate (PDCA) was generatedin situby hydrolysis of the piperidine-4-carboxamide precursor. The P atom possesses a typical PO3H pseudo-pyramidal geometry. The crystal structure features an unusual (3,4)-connected two-dimensional inorganic zinc–phosphite layer, with organic PDCA ligands appended to the sheets and protruding into the interlayer region. Helical chains of opposite chirality are involved in the construction of a puckered sheet structure.
Hydrogen-bonded chains in threecis-dichloridoplatinum(II) complexes bearing piperidine and amine ligands
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thanh Chi , Nguyen Bich Ngan , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: February 2014

The crystal structures ofcis-dichlorido(ethylamine-κN)(piperidine-κN)platinum(II), [PtCl2(C2H7N)(C5H11N)], (I),cis-dichlorido(3-methoxyaniline-κN)(piperidine-κN)platinum(II), [PtCl2(C5H11N)(C7H9NO)], (II), andcis-dichlorido(piperidine-κN)(quinoline-κN)platinum(II), [PtCl2(C5H11N)(C9H7N)], (III), have been determined at 100 K in order to verify the influence of the nonpiperidine ligand on the geometry and crystal packing. The crystal packing is characterized by N—H...Cl hydrogen bonding, resulting in the formation of chains of molecules connected in a head-to-tail fashion. Hydrogen-bonding interactions play a major role in the packing of (I), where the chains further aggregate into planes, but less so in the case of (II) and (III), where π–π stacking interactions are of greater importance.
Momentum building for more women in senior appointments
Authors: J. Hurn Brian
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the encouraging progress and increased momentum in both business and Government for more women to be appointed to senior positions. It traces this momentum since the author's last article: “Are cracks now appearing in the boardroom glass ceiling?” in Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 45 No. 4, 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– Critical review of recent initiatives by both government and business.

Findings

– The article highlights the positive momentum towards greater gender equality in the workplace. It emphasises the need for more career guidance beginning early in school for girls and to change the male-dominated culture found in many areas of business.

Research limitations/implications

– Review of literature and media articles in the past 12 months.

Practical implications

– The increased antipathy towards quotas and the need for greater career guidance in both schools and colleges, together with work experience placements for women. Recruitment and selection should be gender-free, based on ability and experience and carried out by selection panels of both sexes.

Originality/value

– Highlights and analyses the recent encouraging trends and increasing awareness of the value women bring to a company board.
Modern trends in learning architecture
Authors: Little Bob , Knihova Ladislava
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine current practice in blended learning – notably the view of blended learning as a synthesis of different approaches to the delivery of learning in order to create high impact learning.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploration of the development of blended learning over the years, especially how it is being affected by developments in learning delivery technology and learning design.

Findings

– Learning architecture and design ought to be enhanced by the thoughtful use of various new tools, strategies and delivery platforms working in harmony. Only then can the learning process finally become highly attractive for new generations of learners.

Research limitations/implications

– New trends driving virtual learning prescribe the use of a portfolio of new tools. This, therefore, is producing changes in e-learning architecture, including the need for multi-device learning solutions, along with the need to implement multimedia formats in producing virtual learning solutions. Simultaneously, for educators, there have been changes in learning solutions' design based on the emergence of the self-determined and autonomous learner, as described by the concept of heutagogy.

Practical implications

– The complexities of creating an appropriate blend along with the most effective learning solutions for each learner – including the use of mobile platforms and social learning – have never been more challenging.

Originality/value

– Customising learning is in its early stages but, with the advent of new delivery technology and the growth of self-determined learners, it will become unavoidable.
What kills innovation? Your role as a leader in supporting an innovative culture
Authors: H. Soken Nelson , Kim Barnes B.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to suggest a set of leadership practices that can help to build and sustain a culture of innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article is based on the authors' many years of consulting and facilitating learning experiences in innovation management in a broad range of organizations. The authors have observed that specific leadership and management practices seem to be strongly related to the success or failure of organizations in building self-renewing innovation environments.

Findings

– Leadership and management behaviors that engender fear, a lack of focus and communication about organizational innovation strategy, a paucity of resources (time, money, encouragement) are among the factors that make innovation less likely or less successful. A clearly communicated purpose, the ability to accept and use failure, and an accessible process for getting a hearing on ideas are among the supportive factors.

Practical implications

– Many leaders understand that innovation is key to their organization's ability to survive in a connected and competitive business environment. Fewer understand and/or are willing to make the changes that will create and sustain a culture of innovation. Leaders who are willing to adopt some of these practices are likely to achieve better results in encouraging talented people to contribute their capabilities, ideas and efforts to strategic innovation initiatives.

Originality/value

– Successful innovation is not created through magic and good fortune. It is the product of strategic thinking, a supportive culture, great talent, managers who know when to be involved and when to step back, and leaders who listen, support risk, and learn from failure.
The rebirth of dependence – offering an alternative understanding of financial crisis
Authors: Hackett Ciara
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to contribute to the re-evaluation of the global market system using a Marxist inspired theory of development, dependency.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article draws on dependency theory as an alternative means of understanding global relationships. Building on existing literature, it modifies dependency to encapsulate technological developments and trends in the global market.

Findings

– Re-evaluating the global market and the relationships that underpin it, through an alternative theory, highlights the fragility of markets and associated relationships. Increasingly, nation states are becoming irrelevant. This presents a problem as the main actors in the global market today are “above” inter-state relations, yet the organs that regulate their behaviour still are grounded in inter-state rhetoric. The relationship between development and underdevelopment remains.

Research limitations/implications

– The financial crisis has propagated a wealth of interest in the relationships between states, between multi-national corporations (MNCs) and between MNCs and state. Using this broad theory of modified dependency, it can be applied to a range of different relationships. In the wake of financial crisis, there is the opportunity to raise awareness of these ingrained issues and initiate discussions at national, regional and international levels to alleviate some of the conditions of dependence.

Practical implications

– Regardless of the work of national governments and NGOs to instigate development in lesser-developed regions through policy and regulations, unless there is a conscientious commitment from MNCs operating in that region to contribute to development, the result will be the development of underdevelopment and the underdevelopment of development. CSR can help alleviate the conditions of the dependence on capital generated by MNCs, but this is not a solution to an ingrained problem, capitalism.

Originality/value

– This article introduces a modified theory of dependency for the first time. It applies the theory to the financial crisis and to the continent of Africa. It considers the role that CSR can play in alleviating the conditions of dependence.
Secure inpatient services: a needs assessment
Authors: Hall Ian , Yacoub Evan , Boast Neil , Bates Robert , Stamps Rebekah , Holder Sarah , Beadman Matthew
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to complete a thorough needs assessment that would enable the development of a robust pathway of care for adults with a learning disability requiring secure care, and to assist commissioners to make informed planning decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper identified people with a learning disability originating from London who were in secure care, and collected data about them. The paper used reference groups to inform the analysis.

Findings

– The paper identified 249 people in secure services and was able to include 136 patients in the analysis. In all, 64 were in NHS provision and 72 in independent sector provision; 109 (80.1 per cent) were male and 27 (19.9 per cent) female; on average, patients were cared for 61.5 miles away from their homes; NHS patients were far closer to home; 69.1 per cent had a mild learning disability; 82.3 per cent had a history of violence; approximately one in six patients could not progress due to a lack of an appropriate ward, facility, resource and/or intervention.

Practical implications

– Secure care for this population is a major public health issue. Many are placed a long way from home. Local services should be developed, and there should be sufficiently robust “step down” places for patients to be discharged to.

Originality/value

– Systematic identification of the needs of a marginalised group to enable better more appropriate care pathways to be developed in the future.
Economic analysis of aprepitant‐containing regimen to prevent chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Stephen L , Jen Jason , Burke Thomas , Pellissier James
Published: February 2014

Aim

We aim to evaluate the cost effectiveness of aprepitant‐containing regimens for the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among patients receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) in Hong Kong.

Methods

Both cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility analyses were conducted utilizing a decision‐analytic model to measure the economic costs and clinical outcomes associated with the aprepitant‐containing regimen versus a standard regimen in the prevention of CINV. Analyses were conducted on the basis of four published double‐blind randomized clinical trials involving different usages of serotonin receptor antagonists.

Results

The use of aprepitant‐containing regimens is associated with an improvement in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with non‐aprepitant regimens. For cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, the incremental cost per QALY gained is HKD 239 644 (1 USD approximates HKD 7.8) when ondansetron is administered on day 1 only. The incremental cost per QALY is HKD 440 950 when ondansetron is used on day 1 to 4. For anthracycline and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, the aprepitant‐containing regimen is associated with incremental cost of HKD 195 442 per QALY gained. Similar results were obtained when other 5HT3 receptor antagonists are used. The use of aprepitant was associated with higher cost of drug but lower costs of emesis‐related management. With the cost‐effectiveness threshold set at the World Health Organization endorsed criteria of three times gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (three times GDP per capita in Hong Kong in 2011 is HKD 798 078), the current analyses showed that the aprepitant‐containing regimen was cost‐effective.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing HEC, the use of aprepitant as the anti‐emetic is cost‐effective in Hong Kong.
Review of high‐dose intravenous vitamin C as an anticancer agent
Authors: Wilson Michelle K , Baguley Bruce C , Wall Clare , Jameson Michael B , Findlay Michael P
Published: February 2014

In the 1970s, Pauling and Cameron reported increased survival of patients with advanced cancer treated with high‐dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C (L‐ascorbate, ascorbic acid). These studies were criticized for their retrospective nature and lack of standardization of key prognostic factors including performance status. Subsequently, several well‐designed randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate a significant survival benefit, although these trials used high‐dose oral vitamin C. Marked differences are now recognized in the pharmacokinetics of vitamin C with oral and IV administration, opening the issue of therapeutic efficacy to question. In vitro evidence suggests that vitamin C functions at low concentrations as an antioxidant but may have pro‐oxidant activity at high concentrations. The mechanism of its pro‐oxidant action is not fully understood, and both intra‐ and extracellular mechanisms that generate hydrogen peroxide have been proposed. It remains to be proven whether vitamin C‐induced reactive oxygen species occur in vivo and, if so, whether this will translate to a clinical benefit. Current clinical evidence for a therapeutic effect of high‐dose IV vitamin C is ambiguous, being based on case series. The interpretation and validation of these studies is hindered by limited correlation of plasma vitamin C concentrations with response. The methodology exists to determine if there is a role for high‐dose IV vitamin C in the treatment of cancer, but the limited understanding of its pharmacodynamic properties makes this challenging. Currently, the use of high‐dose IV vitamin C cannot be recommended outside of a clinical trial.
Updated Japanese growth references for infants and preschool children, based on historical, ethnic and environmental characteristics
Authors: Kato Noriko , Takimoto Hidemi , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Yokoya Susumu , Tanaka Toshiaki , Tada Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

Aim

To provide updated growth references for Japanese children from birth to 6 years of age, for use in both growth monitoring and child care.

Methods

We analysed data from two national representative surveys that provided cross‐sectional data on 3000 areas in the 2005 national census and longitudinal data from 136 hospitals. Growth references for length/height, weight, head circumference and chest circumference were constructed using the lambda‐mu‐sigma (LMS) method, with estimates of the L, M and S parameters. These updated values were then compared with growth references published by the World Health Organization.

Results

The 3rd, 50th and 97th smoothed percentile values of length/height, weight, head circumference and chest circumference for boys and girls from birth to 6 years are presented. The comparisons show some large differences in median measurements between the charts.

Conclusion

Our growth references are based on a current, nationally representative sample of Japanese children. The results provide deep insight into child growth from a historical, ethnic and environmental point of view.
Inhaled corticosteroid use during childhood may reduce volumetric bone mineral density in the radius at school age
Authors: Sidoroff Virpi , Rikkonen Toni , Hyvärinen Mari , Kröger Liisa , Kröger Heikki , Korppi Matti
Published: February 2014

Aim

Corticosteroids have harmful dose‐dependent effects on bone metabolism and growth. This study used a new method for volumetric measurements to evaluate the association between inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for asthma and bone mineral density (BMD) in school‐aged children.

Methods

We evaluated children hospitalised for wheezing at the age of <24 months at 12.3 years (median). Volumetric BMD (vBMD) was measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) from the distal tibia and radius in 82 children. Data on ICSs used were collected from hospital records and parent interviews. Cumulative doses and the duration of ICS therapy were calculated.

Results

Girls had higher total and cortical vBMD in the tibia than boys. Pubertal children had higher total and cortical vBMD in the radius than prepubertal children. Higher cumulative doses of ICSs were associated with lower total (r = −0.175, adjusted p = 0.016), cortical (r = −0.138, adjusted p = 0.016) and trabecular (r = −0.156, adjusted p = 0.039) vBMD in the radius, but not in the tibia. Age, weight or the cumulative dose of systemic corticosteroids had no significant associations with vBMD.

Conclusion

Although correlations between cumulative ICS doses and vBMD were weak, ICS use during childhood may reduce BMD in the radius at school age.