bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying the Glycan Moiety of RNase B by Means of Raman and Raman Optical Activity
Authors: Mensch Carl , Pendrill Robert , Widmalm Göran , Johannessen Christian
Published: April 2014

Raman and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectroscopy are used to study the solution‐phase structure of the glycan moiety of the protein ribonuclease B (RNase B). Spectral data of the intact glycan moiety of RNase B is obtained by subtracting high‐quality spectral data of RNase A, the non‐glycosylated form of the RNase, from the spectra of the glycoprotein. The remaining difference spectra are compared to spectra generated from Raman and ROA data of the constituent disaccharides of the RNase glycan, achieving convincing spectral overlap. The results show that ROA spectroscopy is able to extract detailed spectral data of the glycan moieties of proteins, provided that the non‐glycosylated isoform is available. Furthermore, good comparison between the full glycan spectrum and the regenerated spectra based on the disaccharide data lends great promise to ROA as a tool for the solution‐phase structural analysis of this structurally elusive class of biomolecules.
Anorexia nervosa complicated by diabetes mellitus: The case for permissive hyperglycemia
Authors: Brown Carrie , Mehler Philip S.
Published: April 2014

The coexistence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and anorexia nervosa results in an increased incidence of known diabetic complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy, presumably because blood glucose is difficult to control within the throes of comorbid anorexia nervosa. In addition, even when a diabetic patient with anorexia nervosa has committed to resolving his or her eating disorder, glucose control is again difficult and fraught with complexity and peril as will be highlighted in the following case report. Prudence dictates that strict glucose control is not indicated for the relatively short period of time that constitutes the early stage of refeeding in a patient with severe anorexia nervosa. Rather, “permissive hyperglycemia” may be the more optimal course to pursue, as a clinical strategy which is considerate of both the criticality of the refeeding treatment plan and of the long‐term nature of the diabetic illness. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:671–674)
Neuropsychological function in patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
Authors: Weider Siri , Indredavik Marit Sæbø , Lydersen Stian , Hestad Knut
Published: April 2014

Objective

This study explored the neuropsychological performance of patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) compared with healthy controls (HCs). An additional aim was to investigate the effect of several possible mediators on the association between eating disorders (EDs) and cognitive function.

Method

Forty patients with AN, 39 patients with BN, and 40 HCs who were comparable in age and education were consecutively recruited to complete a standardized neuropsychological test battery covering the following cognitive domains: verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, speed of information processing, visuospatial ability, working memory, executive function, verbal fluency, attention/vigilance, and motor function.

Results

The AN group scored significantly below the HCs on eight of the nine measured cognitive domains. The BN group also showed inferior performance on six cognitive domains. After adjusting for possible mediators, the nadir body mass index (lowest lifetime BMI) and depressive symptoms explained all findings in the BN group. Although this adjustment reduced the difference between the AN and HC groups, the AN group still performed worse than the HCs regarding verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, visuospatial ability, working memory, and executive functioning.

Discussion

Patients with EDs scored below the HCs on several cognitive function measures, this difference being most pronounced for the AN group. The nadir BMI and depressive symptoms had strong mediating effects. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify the importance of weight restoration and treatment of depressive symptoms in the prevention of a possible cognitive decline. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:397–405)
Metallic Bi‐ and Monolayered Radical Cation Salts Based on Bis(ethylenedithio)­tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT‐TTF) with the Tris(oxalato)gallate Anion
Authors: Prokhorova Tatiana G. , Buravov Lev I. , Yagubskii Eduard B. , Zorina Leokadiya V. , Simonov Sergey V. , Shibaeva Rimma P. , Zverev Vladimir N.
Published: April 2014

New metallic triclinic (1) and monoclinic (2) crystals of the (BEDT‐TTF)4AI[MIII(C2O4)3]G family of organic molecular conductors have been prepared: α‐“pseudo‐κ”‐(BEDT‐TTF)4Kx(H3O)1–x[GaIII(C2O4)3]·1,2‐C6H4Br2 (x ≈ 0.45) (1) and β″‐(BEDT‐TTF)4Kx(H3O)1–x[GaIII(C2O4)3]·PhBr (x ≈ 0.33) (2). The triclinic crystals belong to a quite rare type of bilayered radical ion salts and contain alternating BEDT‐TTF layers with two distinct packing motifs (α‐ and “pseudo‐κ”). The monoclinic crystals contain one kind of BEDT‐TTF radical cation layers. The crystal structure, transport, and magnetotransport properties of 1 and 2 have been studied. The Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations were found in both phases. The structure and properties of 1 and 2 are compared with another similar phase with M = FeIII.
A Novel Potentiometric Detection Strategy for the Determination of Amlodipine Besylate Based on Functionalized Particles
Authors: El‐Kosasy Amira M. , Tawakkol Shereen M. , Ayad Miriam F. , Sheta Ahmed I.
Published: April 2014

A novel potentiometric strategy based on functionalized magnetite nanoparticles and microparticles were compared with the classical potentiometric strategy. This strategy provided nano‐ and microsized particles that were highly dispersed and coated with ionophore and plasticizer to promote an in situ cooperative ion‐pairing interaction between the ionophore and the analyte present in inner solution of sensor membrane, compared to the classical technique. Three amlodipine (AML) sensors were constructed using functionalized nanoparticles in sensor 1; microparticles in sensor 2, as ionophores, and the polymeric membrane ionophoric property in sensor 3.
Intrinsically Porous Polymer Protects Catalytic Gold Particles for Enzymeless Glucose Oxidation
Authors: Rong Yuanyang , Malpass‐Evans Richard , Carta Mariolino , McKeown Neil B. , Attard Gary A. , Marken Frank
Published: April 2014

The enzymeless glucose oxidation process readily occurs on nano‐gold electrocatalyst at pH 7, but it is highly susceptible to poisoning (competitive binding), for example from protein or chloride. Is it shown here that gold nanoparticle catalyst can be protected against poisoning by a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM‐EA‐TB with BET surface area 1027 m2 g−1). This PIM material when protonated, achieves a triple catalyst protection effect by (i) size selective repulsion of larger protein molecules (albumins) and (ii) membrane ion selection effects, and (iii) membrane ion activity effects. PIM materials allow “environmental control” to be introduced in electrocatalytic processes.
Transformation im Zeichen des Digitalen
Authors: Funke Peter
Published: April 2014

Big Data, Digitalisierung, Open Access — die wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken stehen vor großen Herausforderungen. Diesen müssen auch die Infrastrukturprogramme der DFG Rechnung tragen. Ein weiterer Schritt dazu ist die Einführung von „Fachinformationsdiensten für die Wissenschaft”︁.
Wertvolle Aversion
Authors: Schedlowski Manfred
Published: April 2014

Auch das menschliche Immunsystem kann lernen. Wie es dafür mit dem Gehirn kommuniziert, lässt sich mithilfe der klassischen Konditionierung untersuchen. Immunreaktionen und Krankheitsverläufe besser zu verstehen ist das Ziel.
Index-based dietary patterns and risk of incident hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality from chronic liver disease in a prospective study
Authors: Li Wen-Qing , Park Yikyung , McGlynn Katherine A. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Taylor Philip R. , Goldstein Alisa M. , Freedman Neal D.
Published: April 2014

The role of diet in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its typical precursor, chronic liver disease (CLD), is poorly understood. Following dietary recommendations has been shown to reduce risk of many cancers, but whether such diets are associated with HCC and CLD is unknown. We prospectively evaluated the association of two dietary indices, the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) and the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED), with HCC incidence and CLD mortality in a large U.S. prospective cohort. We calculated the HEI-2010 and aMED scores for 494,942 participants in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health study, based on typical diet assessed using a food frequency questionnaire FFQ between 1995 and 1996. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for quintiles of each index were estimated using Cox's proportional hazards regression, after adjusting for alcohol intake, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, and other covariates. A total of 509 HCC cases (1995-2006) and 1,053 CLD deaths (1995-2011) were documented during follow-up. Higher HEI-2010 scores, reflecting favorable adherence to dietary guidelines, were associated with lower risk of HCC (HR, 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.97 for the highest quintile, compared to lowest; P trend = 0.03) and lower mortality resulting from CLD (HR, 0.57; 95% CI: 0.46-0.71; P trend < 0.0001). High aMED scores were also associated with lower risk of HCC (HR, 0.62; 95% CI: 0.47-0.84; P trend = 0.0002) and lower risk of CLD mortality (HR, 0.52; 95% CI: 0.42-0.65; P trend < 0.0001). Conclusions: Adhering to dietary recommendations may reduce the risk of developing HCC and dying of CLD. (Hepatology 2014;60:588–597)
Involvement of the lateral entorhinal cortex for the formation of cross‐modal olfactory‐tactile associations in the rat
Authors: Boisselier Lise , Ferry Barbara , Gervais Rémi
Published: April 2014

While the olfactory and tactile vibrissal systems have been extensively studied in the rat, the neural basis of these cross‐modal associations is still elusive. Here we tested the hypothesis that the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) could be particularly involved. In order to tackle this question, we have developed a new behavioral paradigm which consists in finding one baited cup (+) among three, each of the cups presenting a different and specific odor/texture (OT) combination. During the acquisition of a first task (Task OT1), the three cups were associated with the following OT combination: O1T1 for the baited cup; O2T1 and O1T2 for non‐baited ones. Most rats learn this task within three training sessions (20 trials/session). In a second task (Task OT2) animals had to pair another OT combination with the reward using a new set of stimuli (O3T3+, O4T3, and O3T4). Results showed that rats manage to learn Task OT2 within one session only. In a third task (Task OT3) animals had to learn another OT combination based on previously learned items (e.g. O4T4+, O1T4 and O4T1). This task is called the “recombination task.” Results showed that control rats solve the recombination task within one session. Animals bilaterally implanted with cannulae in the LEC were microinfused with d‐APV (3 µg/0.6 µL) just before the acquisition or the test session of each task. The results showed that NMDA receptor blockade in LEC did not affect recall of Task OT1 but strongly impaired acquisition of both Task OT2 and OT3. Moreover, two control groups of animals infused with d‐APV showed no deficit in the acquisition of unimodal olfactory and tactile tasks. Taken together, these data show that the NMDA system in the LEC is involved in the acquisition of association between an olfactory and a tactile stimulus during cross‐modal learning task. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topological Mapping of BRIL Reveals a Type II Orientation and Effects of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Mutations on Its Cellular Destination
Authors: Patoine Alexa , Gaumond Marie-Hélène , Jaiswal Prashant K , Fassier François , Rauch Frank , Moffatt Pierre
Published: April 2014

BRIL/IFITM5 is a membrane protein present almost exclusively in osteoblasts, which is believed to adopt a type III (N-out/C-out) topology. Mutations in IFITM5 cause OI type V, but the characteristics of the mutant protein and the mechanism involved are still unknown. The purpose of the current study was to re-assess the topology, localization, and biochemical properties of BRIL and compare it to the OI type V mutant in MC3T3 osteoblasts. Immunofluorescence labeling was performed with antibodies directed against BRIL N- or C-terminus. In intact cells, BRIL labeling was conspicuously detected at the plasma membrane only with the anti-C antibody. Detection of BRIL N-terminus was only possible after cell permeabilization, revealing both plasma membrane and Golgi labeling. Trypsinization of live cells expressing BRIL only cleaved off the C-terminus, confirming that it is a type II protein and that its N-terminus is intracellular. A truncated form of BRIL lacking the last 18 residues did not appear to affect localization, whereas mutation of a single leucine to arginine within the transmembrane segment abolished plasma membrane targeting. BRIL is first targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum as the entry point to the secretory pathway and rapidly traffics to the Golgi via a COPII-dependent pathway. BRIL was found to be palmitoylated and two conserved cysteine residues (C52 and C53) were critical for targeting to the plasma membrane. The OI type V mutant BRIL, having a five residue extension (MALEP) at its N-terminus, presented with exactly the same topological and biochemical characteristics as wild type BRIL. In contrast, the S42 > L mutant BRIL was trapped intracellularly in the Golgi. BRIL proteins and transcripts were equally detected in bone from a patient with OI type V, suggesting that the cause of the disease is a gain of function mediated by a faulty intracellular activity of the mutant BRIL. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
IMPLEMENTATION OF POST‐CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT AID INITIATIVES: EVIDENCE FROM AFGHANISTAN
Authors: Kadirova Diloro
Published: April 2014

This study examines what drives success in the implementation of international reconstruction and development aid projects in a post‐conflict environment. It tests a novel explanatory model using an original data set of 124 projects implemented in Afghanistan. Study results highlight that the national (recipient) government's political support and the quality of international project leadership consistently influence project success. In combination, these two factors not only make projects more likely to succeed but allow achieving the highest rates of success.The qualitative findings add to the conventional ‘instrumental’ qualities of leadership the qualities of ‘moral’ leadership, such as the ability to build trust and respect with national counterparts based on the record of competence, dedication and delivery. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motivation Enhances the Ability to Detect Truth from Deception in Audio‐only Messages
Authors: Wu Song , Cai Wei , Jin Shenghua
Published: April 2014

Previous studies have found that motivation to detect deception impairs participants' ability to do so when truthful/deceitful statements are presented via an audio‐visual medium. However, the effect of motivation on detecting deception may be different if statements are presented via a different medium. The present study explored how motivation influences accuracy in detecting deception in an audio‐only context. Eighty‐one participants (45 women) were randomly assigned to a high‐motivation or low‐motivation condition, and participants' motivation was manipulated via a monetary reward. Participants were then asked to judge 10 audio‐only statements about a travelling experience on a binary scale (truth or deceit). A 2 (motivation: high vs low) × 2 (messages veracity: truth‐accuracy vs lie‐accuracy) × 2 (participant gender) mixed model analysis of variance revealed that highly motivated participants performed better than less‐motivated participants did in terms of truth‐accuracy and total accuracy rates but not in terms of lie‐accuracy rates. The theoretical and practical implications of the present results are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Revisiting the Royal Commission on Copyright
Authors: Lauriat Barbara
Published: April 2014

The Royal Commission on Copyright, which reported in , had the formidable task of scrutinizing the existing copyright regime from fundamental principles to minor details—on an international scale as well as on a domestic. The resulting Report and Minutes informed copyright debates in their time and decades after; they are now valuable resources for today's copyright scholars and book historians. This article addresses some modern accounts of the Commission in the academic literature on copyright and publishing history. In particular, it analyses the contribution of Sir Louis Mallet, placing it in the context of his broader economic views and free trade ideology in order to consider critically the uses that recent works of copyright history have made of Mallet's Dissent and the Commission Report.
Investigation of Polymer‐Filler Interactions in TiO2‐Filled Poly(n‐alkyl methacrylates) by Low‐Field NMR Relaxometry
Authors: Guthausen Gisela , Räntzsch Volker , Biquet Cloé , Schlabach Sabine , Wilhelm Manfred
Published: April 2014

Low‐field NMR relaxometry is sensitive to molecular mobility within well‐defined time windows and can thus be applied to study interactions between polymers and inorganic filler particles in composite materials. Volume fraction and dispersion of the filler influence the polymer chain dynamics, which also modify the macroscopic properties of the polymer composites. As model systems, TiO2‐filled poly(n‐alkyl methacrylates) with different side‐chain lengths and filler contents are prepared by melt mixing. Several 1H NMR relaxation parameters, which are sensitive and selective toward polymer–filler interactions, are investigated at a Larmor frequency of 20 MHz as a function of temperature. Both physical and empirical models are used to analyze the NMR data, and the results are compared with the aim of an unambiguous detection of polymer–filler interactions.

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“Heavy‐Atom” Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Gibson Gregory L. , Seferos Dwight S.
Published: April 2014

Heavy‐atom substitution chemistry in donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers has gained increasing attention in the past few years. Overall, the introduction of “heavy” atoms (below C in group 14; below N in group 15; below S in group 16) into D–A conjugated polymers allows control over properties through relatively straightforward synthetic chemistry, and produces materials with high molecular weights (>20 000 g mol−1), strong absorption (ε ≈ 40 000 L mol−1 cm−1), narrow highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps (<1 eV), as well as high charge‐carrier mobility (>10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1). This Trend article aims to describe heavy‐atom substitution effects in D–A polymers, and their applications, by systematically examining representative polymer structures.

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Regularity theory for a class of quasilinear equations
Authors: de Miranda L. H. , Montenegro M.
Published: April 2014

This paper addresses the analysis of the weak solution of in a bounded domain Ω subject to the boundary condition on , when the data f belongs to and . We prove existence and uniqueness of solution for this problem in the Nikolskii space . Moreover, we obtain energy estimates regarding the Nikolskii norm of ω in terms of the norm of f.
Optical Behaviors of Flexible Photonic Films via the Developed Multiple UV‐Exposed Fabrications
Authors: Chien Chih‐Chieh , Liu Jui‐Hsiang
Published: April 2014

Recently, extensive investigations are carried out on design of highly controlled architecture and morphology by polymerizing the monomers doped in well‐defined liquid crystalline materials, followed by removal of the template liquid crystal molecules. In this communication, a photonic structure used as a new photonic bandgap (PBG) material is developed by imprinting helical structures on polymer matrices through multiple photocrosslinking processes in an induced chiral nematic mesophase using flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films as substrates. The tuning properties of the reflection band of the imprinted cell are achieved using an uniaxial thermo‐stretching equipment. Furthermore, refilling of isotropic materials into the imprinted cells tune the reflection light wavelength leads to the change of color.

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Injection Moulding of Highly Filled Soft Magnetic Compounds for the Production of Complex Electric/Electronic (Micro‐) Parts
Authors: Michaeli Walter , Hopmann Christian , Fragner Jan
Published: April 2014

Electric/electronic devices become increasingly more complex and are used in highly integrated assembly groups. Soft magnets generally show only “moderate” magnetic properties; however, they exhibit a comparably high permeability which allows the material for being used in conjunction with hard magnets as a “magnetic conductor”. Thus, the magnetic flux density of such parts can be improved leading to a better accuracy and functionality of switches, valves or pumps. In particular for micro applications the use of plastics‐bonded soft magnets in combination with hard magnets integrated in one injection moulded part provides new opportunities for electric/electronic devices. The Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at the RWTH Aachen further develops in cooperation with Siemens, Oechsler, and Arburg soft magnetic compounds focusing on micro applications. The magnetic properties of plastics‐bonded soft magnets are significantly reduced compared to pressed or sintered materials. Compounds filled with spherically shaped fillers as iron‐silicon show better flow and processing properties compared to irregular‐ or flaky‐shaped fillers. Due to the specific flow conditions the magnetic properties are not homogeneous throughout the part. At the end of the flow path the filler content is considerably increased leading to higher soft magnetic properties. This can be well correlated by means of microscopic analyses.
Effect of Triclosan on Self‐Assembly of Alkyl Ammonium Surfactants Adsorbed within Montmorillonite Galleries in Silicone Elastomer Composites
Authors: Liauw Christopher M. , Taylor Rebecca L. , Munro Lindsey J. , Wilkinson Arthur N. , Cheerarot Onanong
Published: April 2014

Poly(propylene) homopolymer/fly ash (50% wt) composites have been prepared from two samples of fly ash that differ in terms of the geographic source of coal feedstock, which left one of the samples with a higher group I and II metal content. A screening study indicated that Lubrizol Solplus® C800 (an unsaturated carboxylic acid dimer coupling agent), initiated with dicumyl peroxide, conferred the best strength–toughness balance to the composites. In some cases, however this was related to detachment of the interfacial region due to possible extraction of PP‐C800 adduct‐group I and II ion reaction products. Interfacial adhesion was arguably too high in the case of the fly ash sample bearing a lower level of group I and II ions. These deductions were also supported by DSC data.
Probing the the Glass Transition of Atactic Polystyrene Thin Films Using Fiber Optic Refractometry
Authors: Giordano M. , Russo M. , Zarrelli M. , Cusano A. , Antonucci V.
Published: April 2014

An high resolution optical technique based on the film fiber optic refractometer has been used to investigate the effect of the thickness on the glass transition dynamic of Atactic Polystyrene films in the range 20–120 nm. The thermo‐optic behavior of a set of layers dip coated onto the fiber has been analyzed upon cooling from long term equilibrated melt state. The glassy transition temperature is observed to be thickness‐independent as did both the width and the lower and upper bounds of the transition itself. At lowering the thickness of the film the relevant effect is the reduction of the “contrast” between the melt equilibrium phase and the glassy state. A double layers model where a surface soft layer (3.9 nm at 418 K) do not contribute to the glass dynamic retaining liquid features even at temperature well below the glass transition, while the core layer shows a bulk glass transition, is able to quantitatively reproduce reflectance experimental data.
Mechanical Properties of Magneto‐Sensitive Elastomers in a Homogeneous Magnetic Field: Theory and Experiment
Authors: Ivaneyko D. , Toshchevikov V. , Borin D. , Saphiannikova M. , Heinrich G.
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study is to present a microscopic theory which describes the mechanical behaviour of magneto‐sensitive elastomers (MSEs) under a uniform external magnetic field. For this we use a model where magnetic particles are located on the sites of the regular rectangular lattice. We introduce a structure parameter to describe isotropic, chain‐like and plane‐like particle distributions. Our theory is based on the equation for free energy as a function of strain. The magneto‐induced deformation and the shear modulus are calculated as functions of the magnetization. It is shown that interaction between the magnetic particles results in the contraction of an elastomer along the homogeneous magnetic field. With increasing magnetic field the shear modulus for the shear deformation perpendicular to the magnetic field increases for all spatial distributions of magnetic particles. Furthermore, we have compared our result for the shear modulus to the experimental data and found good agreement.
Termination Mechanisms Via H‐Transfer for Polyolefin Living Catalysis at DFT Level
Authors: Giammarino Gaetano , Villani Vincenzo
Published: April 2014

The mechanisms of H‐transfer in termination reactions, and the role of fluorine interactions to achieve the living polymerization of olefins, are investigated. Mecking's bis(enolatoimine)Ti catalysts are considered, with or without ortho‐F substituents. DFT calculations are performed on a parallel platform. The stationary structures are localized and energy barriers of activation are determined. Normal mode analysis is carried out and free energies are calculated. Different mechanisms can be involved in the termination: in all cases, the presence of F atoms rise the energy barrier of activation, according to experimental observations of living polymerization. The stabilizing role of the fluorine o‐F · · · H bonds in the equilibrium species, and destabilizing o‐F · · · H and o‐F · · · o‐F interactions in the transition states, are discussed.
Experimental dynamic analysis on naturally curved honeycomb sandwich beams with different damage patterns
Authors: Erdogan H. , Yetmez M.
Published: April 2014

In this study, dynamic analysis of naturally curved honeycomb sandwich beam including two surface cracks and an impact region at the facing skin is presented. Laminates of facing skin and backing skin are known as carbon fiber‐plain weave composite laminates with 1.6 mm in thickness. In the first part, in order to determine mechanical properties of both the skin with no‐crack/crack(s) and the honeycomb core of the composite beam, static tensile tests are conducted with respect to straingage measurement technique. In the second part, drop weight impact tests and vibration tests are performed to present the free vibration characteristics of the clamped‐clamped honeycomb sandwich beam including cracks and an impact‐damaged region. Corresponding to damage patterns of the sandwich beam, experimental dynamic analyses consist of six steps: (1) Vibration analysis with no‐crack and no‐impact region, (2) Vibration analysis with no‐crack and an impact region, (3) Vibration analysis with a surface crack and no‐impact region, (4) Vibration analysis with a surface crack and an impact region, (5) Vibration analysis with two surface cracks and no‐impact region, (6) Vibration analysis with two surface cracks and an impact region. For these purposes, an impact hammer with a force transducer is used to excite the undamaged or damaged naturally curved honeycomb sandwich beam through the selected points. After the excitation, the responses are obtained by an accelerometer. Resonant frequencies for the modal responses of the naturally curved honeycomb sandwich beam with different damage patterns are discussed.
Strategically manipulating social reputation by scheduling corporate social responsibility events
Authors: Wei Jiuchang , Wang Yuxia , Zhu Weiwei
Published: April 2014

This study intends to develop an effect assessment model to better understand how firms build social reputation by leveraging sequential corporate social responsibility (CSR) events. It incorporates the rehearsal, association, and recency effects to construct a model of social reputation that is derived from sequential CSR events with fixed and random corporate audiences. The results show that the evolution model of social reputation over time is a monotonically increasing function that has an upper limit. In the situation of fixed audiences, there is a definable CSR reputation saturation point. The values of social reputation increase sharply in the first stage of the profiles, which indicates that the CSR events significantly affect the social reputation in the short time subsequent to the first CSR event, and then the social reputation grows slowly. In the situation of random audiences, social reputation will only continue to increase when both the memorability rate and the association rate are much higher. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Rod‐Shaped Nanoparticles as Carriers for Gene Delivery
Authors: Fan Min‐Min , Zhang Wan‐Zhen , Cheng Cong , Liu Yan , Li Bang‐Jing , Sun Xun , Zhang Sheng
Published: April 2014

Fabrication of nonspherical particles for gene delivery remains a major challenge. In this study, novel rod‐like nanoparticles are prepared for efficient gene delivery by self‐assembly of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and polyethylenimine‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PEI‐mPEG). The study reveals that the rod‐like PEI‐mPEG/α‐CD particles can bind DNA effectively and the resulting PEI‐mPEG/α‐CD/DNA complexes show over four times higher gene delivery capability than their spherical counterparts and PEI(25K) due to more efficient cellular uptake. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of rod‐like PEI‐mPEG/α‐CD is about five times lower than that of the nanospheres, and 50 times lower than that of DNA/PEI(25K). These results indicate that shape is an important parameter for the design of gene delivery vectors.
Unfolding study of a trimeric membrane protein AcrB
Authors: Ye Cui , Wang Zhaoshuai , Lu Wei , Wei Yinan
Published: April 2014

The folding of a multi‐domain trimeric α‐helical membrane protein, Escherichia coli inner membrane protein AcrB, was investigated. AcrB contains both a transmembrane domain and a large periplasmic domain. Protein unfolding in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and urea was monitored using the intrinsic fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The SDS denaturation curve displayed a sigmoidal profile, which could be fitted with a two‐state unfolding model. To investigate the unfolding of separate domains, a triple mutant was created, in which all three Trp residues in the transmembrane domain were replaced with Phe. The SDS unfolding profile of the mutant was comparable to that of the wild type AcrB, suggesting that the observed signal change was largely originated from the unfolding of the soluble domain. Strengthening of trimer association through the introduction of an inter‐subunit disulfide bond had little effect on the unfolding profile, suggesting that trimer dissociation was not the rate‐limiting step in unfolding monitored by fluorescence emission. Under our experimental condition, AcrB unfolding was not reversible. Furthermore, we experimented with the refolding of a monomeric mutant, AcrBΔloop, from the SDS unfolded state. The CD spectrum of the refolded AcrBΔloop superimposed well onto the spectra of the original folded protein, while the fluorescence spectrum was not fully recovered. In summary, our results suggested that the unfolding of the trimeric AcrB started with a local structural rearrangement. While the refolding of secondary structure in individual monomers could be achieved, the re‐association of the trimer might be the limiting factor to obtain folded wild‐type AcrB.
Structure of vaccinia virus A46, an inhibitor of TLR4 signaling pathway, shows the conformation of VIPER motif
Authors: Kim Yongwoon , Lee Hasup , Heo Lim , Seok Chaok , Choe Jungwoo
Published: April 2014

Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes many proteins that interfere with the host immune system. Vaccinia virus A46 protein specifically targets the BB‐loop motif of TIR‐domain‐containing proteins to disrupt receptor:adaptor (e.g., TLR4:MAL and TLR4:TRAM) interactions of the toll‐like receptor signaling. The crystal structure of A46 (75–227) determined at 2.58 Å resolution showed that A46 formed a homodimer and adopted a Bcl‐2‐like fold similar to other VACV proteins such as A52, B14, and K7. Our structure also revealed that VIPER (viral inhibitory peptide of TLR4) motif resides in the α1‐helix and six residues of the VIPER region were exposed to surface for binding to target proteins. In vitro binding assays between wild type and six mutants A46 (75–227) and full‐length MAL identified critical residues in the VIPER motif. Computational modeling of the A46:MAL complex structure showed that the VIPER region of A46 and AB loop of MAL protein formed a major binding interface. In summary, A46 is a homodimer with a Bcl‐2‐like fold and VIPER motif is believed to be involved in the interaction with MAL protein based on our binding assays.
Role of connecting loop I in catalysis and allosteric regulation of human glucokinase
Authors: Martinez Juliana A. , Larion Mioara , Conejo Maria S. , Porter Carol M. , Miller Brian G.
Published: April 2014

Glucokinase (GCK, hexokinase IV) is a monomeric enzyme with a single glucose binding site that displays steady‐state kinetic cooperativity, a functional characteristic that affords allosteric regulation of GCK activity. Structural evidence suggests that connecting loop I, comprised of residues 47–71, facilitates cooperativity by dictating the rate and scope of motions between the large and small domains of GCK. Here we investigate the impact of varying the length and amino acid sequence of connecting loop I upon GCK cooperativity. We find that sequential, single amino acid deletions from the C‐terminus of connecting loop I cause systematic decreases in cooperativity. Deleting up to two loop residues leaves the kcat value unchanged; however, removing three or more residues reduces kcat by 1000‐fold. In contrast, the glucose K0.5 and KD values are unaffected by shortening the connecting loop by up to six residues. Substituting alanine or glycine for proline‐66, which adopts a cis conformation in some GCK crystal structures, does not alter cooperativity, indicating that cis/trans isomerization of this loop residue does not govern slow conformational reorganizations linked to hysteresis. Replacing connecting loop I with the corresponding loop sequence from the catalytic domain of the noncooperative isozyme human hexokinase I (HK‐I) eliminates cooperativity without impacting the kcat and glucose K0.5 values. Our results indicate that catalytic turnover requires a minimal length of connecting loop I, whereas the loop has little impact upon the binding affinity of GCK for glucose. We propose a model in which the primary structure of connecting loop I affects cooperativity by influencing conformational dynamics, without altering the equilibrium distribution of GCK conformations.
Active site conformational changes upon reaction intermediate biotinyl‐5'‐AMP binding in biotin protein ligase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ma Qingjun , Akhter Yusuf , Wilmanns Matthias , Ehebauer Matthias T.
Published: April 2014

Protein biotinylation, a rare form of post‐translational modification, is found in enzymes required for lipid biosynthesis. In mycobacteria, this process is essential for the formation of their complex and distinct cell wall and has become a focal point of drug discovery approaches. The enzyme responsible for this process, biotin protein ligase, substantially varies in different species in terms of overall structural organization, regulation of function and substrate specificity. To advance the understanding of the molecular mechanism of biotinylation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis we have biochemically and structurally characterized the corresponding enzyme. We report the high‐resolution crystal structures of the apo‐form and reaction intermediate biotinyl‐5'‐AMP‐bound form of M. tuberculosis biotin protein ligase. Binding of the reaction intermediate leads to clear disorder‐to‐order transitions. We show that a conserved lysine, Lys138, in the active site is essential for biotinylation.
Enhancement of the power factor in two‐phase silicon–boron nanocrystalline alloys
Authors: Narducci Dario , Lorenzi Bruno , Zianni Xanthippe , Neophytou Neophytos , Frabboni Stefano , Gazzadi Gian Carlo , Roncaglia Alberto , Suriano Francesco
Published: April 2014

In previous publications it was shown that the precipitation of silicon boride around grain boundaries may lead to an increase of the power factor in nanocrystalline silicon. Such an effect was further explained by computational analyses showing that the formation of an interphase at the grain boundaries along with high boron densities can actually lead to a concurrent increase of the electrical conductivity σ and of the Seebeck coefficient S. In this communication we report recent evidence of the key elements ruling such an unexpected effect. Nanocrystalline silicon films deposited onto a variety of substrates were doped to nominal boron densities in excess of 1020 cm−3 and were annealed up to 1000 °C to promote boride precipitation. Thermoelectric properties were measured and compared with their microstructure. A concurrent increase of σ and S with the carrier density was found only upon formation of an interphase. Its dependency on the film microstructure and on the deposition and processing conditions will be discussed.
Superparamagnetic behavior and magnetic entropy change in partially crystallized Fe–Mo–Cu–B alloy
Authors: Świerczek Jan
Published: April 2014

The microstructure and some thermomagnetic properties of the amorphous Fe76Mo10Cu1B13 alloy in the as‐quenched state and after annealing at 713 K for 0.5 h are studied. High‐resolution electron microscopy reveals the existence of medium‐range ordered (MRO) regions 1–2 nm in size within the amorphous phase that become the nuclei of the grains during primary crystallization at 713 K for 0.5 h. The α‐Fe grains with average diameter of 6 nm and mean distance between them of 26 nm behave like an assembly of noninteracting, single‐domain superparamagnetic particles. This is confirmed by the Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetization versus temperature and magnetizing field measurements above the Curie point of the amorphous remainder. The partial crystallization of the Fe76Mo10Cu1B13 alloy is accompanied by giant magnetic hardening. The maximum of the magnetic entropy change () in the as‐quenched state occurs at temperatures around the Curie point of the amorphous phase and equals to 0.88 J kg−1 K−1. After the annealing a threefold decrease of is observed with the flat maximum in the temperature range of 280–310 K and this may be attributed to the magnetic hardening. The magnetic entropy change depends on both the temperature and the maximum of magnetizing field induction according to . For the annealed samples the exponent n is close to 1 below the Curie point of the amorphous phase and does not reach 2 above these temperatures. Such behavior is ascribed to the α‐Fe granular phase embedded in the amorphous remainder after annealing at 713 K for 0.5 h. In this case, the material can be treated at least as biphasic one.
Optimization of GMI properties by AC Joule annealing in melt‐extracted Co‐rich amorphous wires for sensor applications
Authors: Liu Jingshun , Shen Hongxian , Xing Dawei , Sun Jianfei
Published: April 2014

We report here on a comprehensive study of an alternating‐current Joule annealing (ACJA) method for optimizing the giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect of Co‐rich amorphous wires for sensor applications. Experimental results indicated that the proper ACJA treatment can drastically improve the GMI property of as‐cast wire. At 10 MHz, the maximum GMI ratio [ΔZ/Z0]max of ACJA‐ed wire increase to 205.38%, which is nearly 3.3 times that of 62.84% for as‐cast wire, and the maxima field response sensitivity ξmax of ACJA‐ed wire increases to 345.90%/Oe by more than twice that of 170.92%/Oe for as‐cast wire. With an increase of AC amplitude, a remarkable dependence of GMI performance appears on the microstructural evolution such as the structural relaxation, the degree of local order, as well as circular magnetic domains. Importantly, the atomic order orientation incorporating HRTEM observation and circumferential permeability were effectively increased by the co‐action of thermal activation energy and magnetic field energy during ACJA, further to enhance the magnetic properties to some extent. Based on both the numerical calculation of transient temperature rise and GMI behavior, we propose ACJA as an efficient annealing technique to achieve simultaneous best performance of [ΔZ/Z0]max and ξmax for potentially magnetic sensor applications in detecting weak magnetic fields.
The iterative proportional fitting algorithm for adjusted agreement in a non‐inferiority diagnostic clinical trial
Authors: El‐Khorazaty Jill Ann , Koch Gary , Preisser John
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we describe a method of comparing agreement between two diagnostic contingency tables after adjustment to more clinically relevant marginal distributions using the iterative proportional fitting algorithm. When the categories of a contingency table represent mild, moderate, and severe outcomes, the majority of patients often are in the mild category. Because it is often of more interest to evaluate agreement when patients are uniformly distributed among categories, we present the primary results of two clinical trials with adjustment to this structure. We also describe the relationship between the sponsor's pre‐specified agreement measure for the observed contingency table and kappa for the adjusted table; and by either criterion, we then show that the agreement of the new diagnostic tool with the standard diagnostic tool is comparably non‐inferior to the agreement of the standard diagnostic tool with itself. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the formation and maintenance of the stratospheric surf zone as inferred from the zonally averaged potential vorticity distribution
Authors: Scott R. K. , Liu Y. S.
Published: April 2014

The diagnostic relation between eddy potential vorticity flux and Eliassen–Palm flux convergence in the transformed Eulerian mean shallow‐water system is used to infer the flux convergence needed to establish a stratospheric surf zone comprising a single region of perfectly homogenized potential vorticity, or to maintain the surf zone in steady state against the restoring effect of radiative relaxation. In the transient case, and when wave breaking is assumed to mix potential vorticity on time‐scales shorter than the radiative time‐scale, the required flux convergence is an order of magnitude larger than that required to maintain the flow in steady state away from radiative equilibrium.
Prospects for decadal climate prediction in the Mediterranean region
Authors: Guemas Virginie , García‐Serrano Javier , Mariotti Annarita , Doblas‐Reyes Francisco , Caron Louis‐Philippe
Published: April 2014

The Mediterranean region stands as one of the most sensitive to climate change, both in terms of warming and drying. On shorter time‐scales, internal variability has substantially affected the observed climate and in the next decade might enhance or compensate long‐term trends. Here we compare the multi‐model climate predictions produced within the framework of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) project with historical simulations to assess the level of multi‐year climate prediction skill in the Mediterranean region beyond that originating from the model accumulated response to the external radiative forcings. We obtain a high and significant skill in predicting 4‐year averaged annual and summer mean temperature over most of the study domain and in predicting precipitation for the same seasons over northern Europe and sub‐Saharan Africa. A lower skill is found during the winter season but still positive for temperature. Although most of this high skill originates from the model response to the external radiative forcings, the initialization contributes to the temperature skill over the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding land areas. The high and significant correlations between the observed Mediterranean temperatures and the observed Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) in the summer and annual means are captured by the CMIP5 ensemble which suggests that the added skill is related to the ability of the CMIP5 ensemble to predict the AMO. Such a link to the AMO seems restricted to western Africa and summer means only for the precipitation case.
Ten years of ENVISAT observations at ECMWF: A review of activities and lessons learnt
Authors: Dragani R. , Abdalla S. , Engelen R. J. , Inness A. , Thépaut J.‐N.
Published: April 2014

In 2002, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched theENVIromentalSATellite(ENVISAT), which carried ten instruments to provide continuous observation of Earth's land, atmosphere, oceans and ice caps. During the satellite's lifetime, the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has routinely monitored a variety of products from many of its instruments. A subset of these data has also been assimilated in the ECMWF operational system, along with two of its applications: the reanalysis and the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC) systems. This article reviews those activities and summarizes the lessons learnt in monitoring and assimilating data from a research satellite within a numerical weather prediction system. The value of continuous data monitoring and the benefits that a close collaboration between data provider and data user can bring to both parties are highlighted. For observations that were assimilated, impact assessments on the ECMWF products have been performed periodically. Two cases are presented in this article. The first one shows that the assimilation of ocean wave information can reduce the wave‐height model random error by up to 8% at the analysis time, with benefits at later forecast times extending to up to 5 days in the Tropics. The second example shows that the assimilation of two ENVISAT ozone products improves the agreement of the ozone analyses with independent ozone observations obtained from sondes and the Microwave Limb Sounder. Finally, the use of ENVISAT reprocessed data is presented, with an emphasis on the importance of data reprocessing and long‐term data preservation as key activities to ensure the future usage of these datasets.