bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic and synergistic antibacterial potential of green synthesized silver nanoparticles: Their ecotoxicological evaluation on Poecillia reticulata
Authors: Borase Hemant P. , Patil Chandrashekhar D. , Salunkhe Rahul B. , Suryawanshi Rahul K. , Salunke Bipinchandra K. , Patil Satish V.
Published: December 2013

In the present study, stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were fabricated at a rapid rate from leaf extract of medicinally important plant Alstonia macrophylla. Biosynthesized AgNPs are of spherical shape and narrow size (70 nm), exhibiting a surface plasmon resonance peak at 435 nm, and a zeta potential of –30.8 mV and have a crystalline nature. A diverse biochemical consortium of protein, terpenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids in leaf extract of A. macrophylla was found to be responsible for AgNP synthesis as evidenced from qualitative–quantitative chemical analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. Nitroaromatic compounds are anthropogenic pollutants with long‐lasting environmental persistence and are needed to transform into less toxic derivatives. 4‐Nitrophenol and p‐nitroaniline were reduced to less hazardous and commercially useful 4‐aminophenol and p‐phenylenediamine by phytosynthesized AgNPs. Rate constants of 0.052 and 0.040 Min−1 were calculated for 4‐nitrophenol and p‐nitroaniline reduction, respectively. Thin‐layer chromatography also confirms the reduction of these nitroaromatic compounds. Combinational studies could be one of the strategies to overcome microbial resistance to antibiotics. In synergistic antibacterial assay, the highest increase in a fold area of 3.84 was reported against Staphylococcus aureus using a combination of AgNPs with penicillin. Biosynthesized AgNPs were found to be less toxic (LC50 = 9.13 ppm) than chemically synthesized AgNPs having a LC50 value of 2.86 ppm against nontarget fish Poecillia reticulata. Our green nanosynthesis method offers a faster rate of formation of stable AgNPs having antibacterial and catalytic potential with lower environmental toxicity.
Stereoselective Bromofunctionalization of Alkenes
Authors: Tan Chong Kiat , Yu Wesley Zongrong , Yeung Ying‐Yeung
Published: December 2013

The stereoselective bromofunctionalization of alkenes, particularly the enantioselective format, has been a subject of intense research in recent years. The ground‐breaking works are documented in recent reviews. On the other hand, this account will provide an insight into our group's approach in tackling the challenges in enantioselective bromocyclization of alkenes as well as the development of diastereoselective N‐bromosuccinimide‐initiated multicomponent reactions. Chirality 26:328–342, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Communication and computation optimization of concurrent kernels using kernel coalesce on a GPU
Authors: Neelima B. , Ram Mohana Reddy G. , Raghavendra Prakash S.
Published: December 2013

General purpose computation on graphics processing unit (GPU) is rapidly entering into various scientific and engineering fields. Many applications are being ported onto GPUs for better performance. Various optimizations, frameworks, and tools are being developed for effective programming of GPU. As part of communication and computation optimizations for GPUs, this paper proposes and implements an optimization method called as kernel coalesce that further enhances GPU performance and also optimizes CPU to GPU communication time. With kernel coalesce methods, proposed in this paper, the kernel launch overheads are reduced by coalescing the concurrent kernels and data transfers are reduced incase of intermediate data generated and used among kernels. Computation optimization on a device (GPU) is performed by optimizing the number of blocks and threads launched by tuning it to the architecture. Block level kernel coalesce method resulted in prominent performance improvement on a device without the support for concurrent kernels. Thread level kernel coalesce method is better than block level kernel coalesce method when the design of a grid structure (i.e., number of blocks and threads) is not optimal to the device architecture that leads to underutilization of the device resources. Both the methods perform similar when the number of threads per block is approximately the same in different kernels, and the total number of threads across blocks fills the streaming multiprocessor (SM) capacity of the device. Thread multi‐clock cycle coalesce method can be chosen if the programmer wants to coalesce more than two concurrent kernels that together or individually exceed the thread capacity of the device. If the kernels have light weight thread computations, multi clock cycle kernel coalesce method gives better performance than thread and block level kernel coalesce methods. If the kernels to be coalesced are a combination of compute intensive and memory intensive kernels, warp interleaving gives higher device occupancy and improves the performance. Multi clock cycle kernel coalesce method for micro‐benchmark1 considered in this paper resulted in 10–40% and 80–92% improvement compared with separate kernel launch, without and with shared input and intermediate data among the kernels, respectively, on a Fermi architecture device, that is, GTX 470. A nearest neighbor (NN) kernel from Rodinia benchmark is coalesced to itself using thread level kernel coalesce method and warp interleaving giving 131.9% and 152.3% improvement compared with separate kernel launch and 39.5% and 36.8% improvement compared with block level kernel coalesce method, respectively.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting and characterizing cellular responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis from histology slides
Authors: Niazi M. Khalid Khan , Beamer Gillian , Gurcan Metin N.
Published: December 2013

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) results in immune cell recruitment to the lungs, forming macrophage‐rich regions (granulomas) and lymphocyte‐rich regions (lymphocytic cuffs). The objective of this study was to accurately identify and characterize these regions from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)‐stained tissue slides. The two target regions (granulomas and lymphocytic cuffs) can be identified by their morphological characteristics. Their most differentiating characteristic on H&E slides is cell density. We developed a computational framework, called DeHiDe, to detect and classify high cell‐density regions in histology slides. DeHiDe employed a novel internuclei geodesic distance calculation and Dulmange Mendelsohn permutation to detect and classify high cell‐density regions. Lung tissue slides of mice experimentally infected with M.tb were stained with H&E and digitized. A total of 21 digital slides were used to develop and train the computational framework. The performance of the framework was evaluated using two main outcome measures: correct detection of potential regions, and correct classification of potential regions into granulomas and lymphocytic cuffs. DeHiDe provided a detection accuracy of 99.39% while it correctly classified 90.87% of the detected regions for the images where the expert pathologist produced the same ground truth during the first and second round of annotations. We showed that DeHiDe could detect high cell‐density regions in a heterogeneous cell environment with non‐convex tissue shapes. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Generation of a mouse line harboring a bi‐transgene expressing luciferase and tamoxifen‐activatable creERT2 recombinase in cartilage
Authors: Cascio Leandro Lo , Liu Ke , Nakamura Hiro , Chu Grace , Lim Ngee Han , Chanalaris Anastasios , Saklatvala Jeremy , Nagase Hideaki , Bou‐Gharios George
Published: December 2013

We have used an aggrecan gene enhancer to generate a transgenic murine line (Acan‐CreER‐Ires‐Luc) expressing firefly luciferase and tamoxifen activatable Cre recombinase (Cre‐ERT2). The expression and efficiency of the inducible Cre recombinase activity were tested in double transgenic mice created by crossing the Acan‐CreER‐Ires‐Luc line with a Rosa26‐lacZ reporter mouse. The expression pattern of the transgene of our line was restricted to cartilage from embryonic to adult stages. β‐galactosidase staining was observed in growth plate, articular cartilage, as well as fibrocartilage of meniscus, trachea, and intervertebral discs. Similar staining was observed in a previously described Agc1 tm(IRES‐creERT2) murine line. The presence of luciferase in our transgene allows the visualization of the transgene expression in live animals. Weekly measurements from 2 to 8 weeks of age showed a reduction in luminescence in knee joints between 2 and 4 weeks of age, but stabilization thereafter. Following the surgical induction of osteoarthritis at 12 weeks of age, the level of luminescence remained the same in the knee joints for 8 weeks. This Acan‐CreER‐Ires‐Luc murine line allows indirect monitoring of the transcriptional activity of the Acan gene via expression of luciferase, while the inducible Cre recombinase activity facilitates studies involving gain or loss of gene expression in cartilage. genesis 52:110–119. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Workspace‐Based Controller Design and Performance Evaluation of MDOF Force Sensorless Bilateral System
Authors: Horie Ryosuke , Murakami Toshiyuki
Published: December 2013

Redundant multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) bilateral system in workspace is expected to be a key technology for the development of next‐generation robots because of the variety of feasible tasks. Nowadays, four‐channel bilateral structures based on acceleration control have been introduced to realize both position and force tracking in a bilateral control system. Additionally, torque observers have been implemented to facilitate force feedback without the use of torque/force sensors. However, differences in controller composition between the joint space and workspace are still unclear. In particular, observer designs in both spaces are important for a realization of torque/force sensorless bilateral control. This paper presents a performance evaluation of an MDOF force sensorless bilateral system performed by considering the design space of observers by numerical and experimental analyses. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 186(4): 70–80, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22481
Estimation and Reduction of Motor Input Surge Voltage Using Frequency Response Analysis
Authors: Wakimoto Toru , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Kimura Norihito , Narumi Yukitoshi , Hayakawa Naoki
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a plain method of calculating the voltage waveform at motor input terminals from the inverter output terminal voltage and also a method of reducing the voltage. The voltage waveform at the motor input terminals is obtained by a frequency domain calculation using the transfer function of the cable and the frequency characteristics of the voltage waveform at the inverter output terminals. The analysis using this method clarifies the mechanism of the rise of the maximum voltage at the motor input terminals, that is, ringing at the motor input terminals, which occurs at specific frequencies at which the transfer gain increases, causing the rise of the maximum voltage. Therefore, to decrease the maximum voltage at the motor input terminals, it is effective to shorten the cable length or cancel the ringing voltage by preswitching. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 186(4): 11–19, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22482
Influence of morphology and ammonium polyphosphate dispersion on the flame retardancy of polystyrene/nylon‐6 blends
Authors: Lu Chang , Cao Qing‐qing , Hu Xiao‐ning , Liu Cui‐yun , Huang Xin‐hui , Zhang Yu‐qing
Published: December 2013

The influences of the distribution of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in polystyrene/nylon‐6 [PS/polyamide‐6 (PA6)] blends and the continuity of the (PA6 + APP) phase on flame retardancy were investigated. The flame retardant properties were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical flammability test and cone calorimeter tests. The results showed that APP is exclusively dispersed in the PA6 phase, and (PA6 + APP) phase formed a continuous state when the content of PA6 in PS/PA6 blends was higher than 32% (w/w). For blends with a continuous (PA6 + APP) phase, the decrease of PA6 content caused an increase in LOI values from 26% to 33% and a reduction of peak heat release rate. The improvement of flame retardancy was attributed to the increase of APP concentration in the PA6 phase, which benefited the fast formation of a continuous intumescent charred layer. The transformation of (PA6 + APP) phase morphology from a continuous state to a discontinuous state at a PA6 content of below 32% (w/w) caused a decrease in LOI. Results of thermo‐gravimetric and cone calorimeter tests indicated that the discontinuous intumescent charred layer thus formed could be responsible for the deterioration of flame retardant properties, which was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CO2‐rich fluid from metamorphic devolatilization of the Triassic Orogeny: an example from the Qiaxia copper deposit in Altay, NW China
Authors: Zheng Yi , Zhang Li , Chen Huayong , Li Dengfeng , Wang Chengming , Fang Jing
Published: December 2013

The Qiaxia Cu deposit occurs as veins controlled by NW‐extending structures in the Devonian volcano‐sedimentary Kelan Basin of the Altay orogenic belt, Xinjiang, China. Igneous and sedimentary strata exposed in the mining area have been subjected to greenschist‐facies metamorphism represented by an assemblage of chlorite–epidote–biotite ± garnet ± amphibole. The hydrothermal ore‐forming process can be divided into the early, middle and late stages, represented by banded magnetite‐quartz, Cu‐polymetallic‐quartz veins and carbonate‐quartz ± pyrite veinlets, respectively. The main ore minerals including chalcopyrite and other polymetallic sulphides are revealed to have mainly formed in the middle stage. Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs), including aqueous (W‐type), carbonic‐aqueous (C‐type), purely carbonic (PC‐type) and daughter mineral‐bearing (S‐type), have been identified at the Qiaxia copper deposit. The early‐stage quartz captures the C‐ and W‐type primary FIs completely homogenized at temperatures of 335–388 °C with low salinities of 5.51–8.66 wt.% NaCl equiv.; whilst the late‐stage quartz or calcite contains only the W‐type FIs with homogenization temperatures of 122–239 °C, and salinities of 0.18–7.86 wt.% NaCl equiv. This indicates that the metallogenic system evolved from CO2‐rich, metamorphic to CO2‐poor, with the addition of late meteoric fluid, and that a significant CO2‐escape may have occurred during the evolution. The coexistence of all four types of FIs can only be observed in the middle‐stage minerals, even in the microscopic domain of a crystal, representing an association trapped from a boiling fluid system. These FIs are homogenized at temperatures ranging mainly from 288 to 329 °C, with two salinity clusters of 3.39–11.75 wt.% NaCl equiv. and 38.93–46.37 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. The unique CO2‐rich FIs including C‐ and PC‐types in the middle stage implies the metal precipitation results from fluid boiling, CO2‐escape and transient oversaturation primarily from metamorphic devolatilization. Hence, the Qiaxia Cu deposit can be taken as an example of an orogenic lode Cu system resulting from metamorphic devolatilization in Triassic continent‐continental or intercontinental collision; and a deposit‐scale metallogenic model has been proposed to interpret the mechanism of formation of the Qiaxia Cu deposit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transformational Leadership and Creative Problem‐Solving: The Mediating Role of Psychological Safety and Reflexivity
Authors: Carmeli Abraham , Sheaffer Zachary , Binyamin Galy , Reiter‐Palmon Roni , Shimoni Tali
Published: December 2013

Previous research has pointed to the importance of transformational leadership in facilitating employees' creative outcomes. However, the mechanism by which transformational leadership cultivates employees' creative problem‐solving capacity is not well understood. Drawing on theories of leadership, information processing and creativity, we proposed and tested a model in which psychological safety and reflexivity mediate the effect of transformational leadership and creative problem‐solving capacity. The results of survey data collected at three points in time indicate that transformational leadership facilitates the development of employees' creative problem‐solving capacity by shaping a climate of psychological safety conducive to reflexivity processes. However, the findings also indicate that psychological safety is related both directly and indirectly, through reflexivity, to employees' creative problem‐solving capacity. This study sheds further light on the ways in which transformational leaders help to develop and cultivate employees' capacity for creative problem‐solving.
Minimum required angular resolution of smartphone displays for the human visual system
Authors: Spencer Lee , Jakobsen Martin , Shah Sunay , Cairns Graham
Published: December 2013

There has been a rapid increase in the resolution of small‐sized and medium‐sized displays. This study determines an upper discernible limit for display resolution. A range of resolutions varying from 254–1016 PPI were evaluated using simulated display by 49 subjects at 300 mm viewing distance. The results of the study conclusively show that users can discriminate between 339 and 508 PPI and in many cases between 508 and 1016 PPI.
A Reversible Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Fluorescence Probe and the Design for Combinational Logic Gate Operations
Authors: Xia Hongyan , Xu Yangyang , Yang Guang , Jiang Hao , Zou Gang , Zhang Qijin
Published: December 2013

Here, a novel multi‐stimuli‐responsive fluorescence probe is developed by incorporating spiropyran group into the coumarin‐substituted polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles. The fluorescence of PDA can be turned on upon heating, and can be quenched upon exposure to UV light irradiation or pH stimuli owing to the fluorescene resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the red‐phase PDA and the open merocyanine (MC) form of spiropyran. Moreover, we have designed and experimentally realized a set of logic gate operations for the first time based on the fluorescence modulation of the designed system upon thermal, photo, and pH stimuli. This novel type of resettable logic gates augur well for practical applications in information storage, optical recording, and sensing in complicated microenvironments.

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New Evidence for Fish Processing in the Ancient Eastern Mediterranean: FormalisedEpinephelusButchery in Fifth CenturybcKinet Höyük, Turkey
Authors: Çakırlar C. , Ikram S. , Gates M‐H.
Published: December 2013

Archaeological evidence for fish preparation in the Eastern Mediterranean is scarce. A Late fifth century deposit at Kinet Höyük provides tangible evidence for the systematic butchering of large individuals ofEpinephelus(groupers), and possibly of Mugilidae (mullets), andClarias gariepinus(African catfish). Butchery marks on head and proximal trunk regions of groupers follow a consistent pattern, indicating the processing of large fish heads for, apparently, local redistribution and consumption at the settlement. Although elements of the vertebral column remaining between the atlas and the ultimate vertebra are virtually absent in the assemblage associated with these butchered fish remains, this differential representation of elements does not appear to be an unequivocal reflection of fish processing techniques and subsequent trade. The insufficiency of research on ancient fisheries and fishing in the Eastern Mediterranean poses an obstacle to contextualise this deposit within a general historical and archaeological framework. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longer time‐to‐pregnancy in spontaneously conceived pregnancies is associated with lower PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG in first trimester screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Kirkegaard I. , Uldbjerg N. , Tabor A. , Henriksen T. B.
Published: December 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether subfertility, measured as longer time‐to‐pregnancy (TTP) in spontaneously conceived pregnancies, affects the first trimester levels of pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and free beta‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐hCG) and hence the risk estimates in Down syndrome screening.

Methods

The study included a cohort of 10 469 singleton pregnant women who underwent first trimester combined screening and responded to a questionnaire regarding TTP. PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG levels were measured between gestational week 8 + 0 and 13 + 6 and were related to TTP.

Results

The median PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG MoMs were significantly lower in women with a TTP ≥24 months compared with the reference group with a TTP <6 months (PAPP‐A: 0.96 vs 1.06 MoM, p = 0.003; free β‐hCG: 1.04 vs 1.12 MoM, p = 0.03). This led to an increased odds for trisomy 21 risk ≥1 : 300 for TTP ≥24 months compared with TTP <6 months, but when adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) lost significance (OR 1.4, 95% confidence interval; 0.8–2.4).

Conclusion

Time‐to‐pregnancy ≥24 months in spontaneously conceived pregnancies is associated with decreased levels of PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled synthesis of poly[(butyl methacrylate)‐co‐(butyl acrylate)] via activator regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization: insights and improvement
Authors: Payne Kevin A , Van Steenberge Paul HM , D'hooge Dagmar R , Reyniers Marie‐Françoise , Marin Guy B , Hutchinson Robin A , Cunningham Michael F
Published: December 2013

The copolymerization of butyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate initiated by CuBr2/tris[(2‐pyridyl)methyl]amine/ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate, with tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate as reducing agent, is studied experimentally and using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations at 70 and 90 °C under batch activator regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization conditions in anisole at low Cu levels (down to 35 ppm Cu on a molar basis with respect to monomer). With increasing initial butyl acrylate content, the initiator efficiency is improved with an accompanying increase in polymer dispersity due to oligomer formation. The addition of reducing agent during the polymerization, i.e. a semi‐batch approach, allows an increase in polymerization rate and initiator efficiency, driving the polymerization towards full conversion and allowing for better initiator consumption. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Mitochondria in metabolic disease: Getting clues from proteomic studies
Authors: Peinado Juan R. , Diaz‐Ruiz Alberto , Frühbeck Gema , Malagon Maria M.
Published: December 2013

Mitochondria play a key role as major regulators of cellular energy homeostasis, but in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondria may generate reactive oxidative species and induce cellular apoptosis. Indeed, altered mitochondrial status has been linked to the pathogenesis of several metabolic disorders and specially disorders related to insulin resistance, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other comorbidities comprising the metabolic syndrome. In the present review, we summarize information from various mitochondrial proteomic studies of insulin‐sensitive tissues under different metabolic states. To that end, we first focus our attention on the pancreas, as mitochondrial malfunction has been shown to contribute to beta cell failure and impaired insulin release. Furthermore, proteomic studies of mitochondria obtained from liver, muscle, and adipose tissue are summarized, as these tissues constitute the primary insulin target metabolic tissues. Since recent advances in proteomic techniques have exposed the importance of PTMs in the development of metabolic disease, we also present information on specific PTMs that may directly affect mitochondria during the pathogenesis of metabolic disease. Specifically, mitochondrial protein acetylation, phosphorylation, and other PTMs related to oxidative damage, such as nitrosylation and carbonylation, are discussed.
Semiparametric methods for multistate survival models in randomised trials
Authors: Hudson Harold M. , Lô Serigne N. , John Simes R. , Tonkin Andrew M. , Heritier Stephane
Published: December 2013

Transform methods have proved effective for networks describing a progression of events. In semi‐Markov networks, we calculated the transform of time to a terminating event from corresponding transforms of intermediate steps. Saddlepoint inversion then provided survival and hazard functions, which integrated, and fully utilised, the network data.

However, the presence of censored data introduces significant difficulties for these methods. Many participants in controlled trials commonly remain event‐free at study completion, a consequence of the limited period of follow‐up specified in the trial design. Transforms are not estimable using nonparametric methods in states with survival truncated by end‐of‐study censoring. We propose the use of parametric models specifying residual survival to next event. As a simple approach to extrapolation with competing alternative states, we imposed a proportional incidence (constant relative hazard) assumption beyond the range of study data.

No proportional hazards assumptions are necessary for inferences concerning time to endpoint; indeed, estimation of survival and hazard functions can proceed in a single study arm. We demonstrate feasibility and efficiency of transform inversion in a large randomised controlled trial of cholesterol‐lowering therapy, the Long‐Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease study.

Transform inversion integrates information available in components of multistate models: estimates of transition probabilities and empirical survival distributions. As a by‐product, it provides some ability to forecast survival and hazard functions forward, beyond the time horizon of available follow‐up. Functionals of survival and hazard functions provide inference, which proves sharper than that of log‐rank and related methods for survival comparisons ignoring intermediate events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Death discussion in science read‐alouds: Cognitive, sociolinguistic, and moral processes
Authors: Oliveira Alandeom W. , Reis Giuliano , Chaize Daniel O. , Snyder Michele A.
Published: December 2013

Little research has been conducted on how to address the complex topic of death when teaching science to children. The present paper addresses this issue by examining how three elementary teachers discuss the death of wild animals during science read‐aloud sessions. Our findings reveal the variety of ways in which nonhuman death can be cognitively, sociolinguistically and morally organized in such contexts. In terms of cognition, animal death was conceptualized metaphorically in terms of linear or cyclic motion (SOURCE‐PATH‐GOAL and CYCLE image schemas). Sociolinguistically, animal death was sometimes approached as the product of an agent's action (e.g., a predator) and at other times as an agentless outcome (e.g., a biological event that simply befell upon living creatures). Lastly, natural death was presented as morally “good” (i.e., acceptable biological outcomes of life in the wild), whereas pollution‐related death was organized as unnatural and morally “bad” (i.e., unacceptable loss of natural life whose occurrence students should critically question). This study highlights the centrality of metaphorical structuring to nonhuman death discussions in the science read‐alouds investigated and the possible pedagogical implications of favoring the approaches described. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 117–146, 2014
Transfection of chimeric anti‐CD138 gene enhances natural killer cell activation and killing of multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Jiang Hua , Zhang Wenhao , Shang Peipei , Zhang Hui , Fu Weijun , Ye Fei , Zeng Tianmei , Huang Hejing , Zhang Xueguang , Sun Wanping , Man-Yuen Sze Daniel , Yi Qing , Hou Jian
Published: December 2013

Reprogramming of NK cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) proved an effective strategy to increase NK cell reactivity and recognition specificity toward tumor cells. To enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells against CD138‐positive multiple myeloma (MM) cells, we generated genetically modified NK‐92MI cells carrying a CAR that consists of an anti‐CD138 single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) fused to the CD3ζ chain as a signaling moiety. The genetic modification through a lentiviral vector did not affect the intrinsic cytolytic activity of NK‐92MI toward human erythroleukemic cell line K562 cells or CD138‐negative targets. However, these retargeted NK‐92MI (NK‐92MI‐scFv) displayed markedly enhanced cytotoxicity against CD138‐positive human MM cell lines (RPMI8226, U266 and NCI‐H929) and primary MM cells at various effector‐to‐target ratios (E:T) as compared to the empty vector‐transfected NK‐92MI (NK‐92MI‐mock). In line with the enhanced cytotoxicity of NK‐92MI‐scFv, significant elevations in the secretion of granzyme B, interferon‐γ and proportion of CD107a expression were also found in NK‐92MI‐scFv in response to CD138‐positive targets compared with NK‐92MI‐mock. Most importantly, the enhancement in the cytotoxicity of NK‐92MI‐scFv did not attenuate with 10Gy‐irradiation that sufficiently blocked cell proliferation. Moreover, the irradiated NK‐92MI‐scFv exerted definitely intensified anti‐tumor activity toward CD138‐positive MM cells than NK‐92MI‐mock in the xenograft NOD‐SCID mouse model. This study provides the rationale and feasibility for adoptive immunotherapy with CD138‐specific CAR‐modified NK cells in CD138‐positive plasmacytic malignancies, which potentially further improves remission quality and prolongs the remission duration of patients with MM after upfront chemotherapy.
MoravaK-theory rings for the groupsG38, …,G41of order 32
Authors: Bakuradze Malkhaz , Jibladze Mamuka
Published: December 2013

B. Schuster [19] proved that themod2 MoravaK-theoryK(s)*(BG) is evenly generated for all groupsGof order 32. For the four groupsGof order 32 with the numbers 38, 39, 40 and 41 in the Hall-Senior list [11], the ringK(2)*(BG) has been shown to be generated as aK(2)*-module by transferred Euler classes. In this paper, we show this for arbitrarysand compute the ring structure ofK(s)*(BG). Namely, we show thatK(s)*(BG) is the quotient of a polynomial ring in 6 variables overK(s)*(pt) by an ideal for which we list explicit generators.
On the free-surface flow of very steep forced solitary waves
Authors: Wade Stephen L. , Binder Benjamin J. , Mattner Trent W. , Denier James P.
Published: December 2013

The free-surface flow of very steep forced and unforced solitary waves is considered. The forcing is due to a distribution of pressure on the free surface. Four types of forced solution are identified which all approach the Stokes-limiting configuration of an included angle of $12{0}^{\circ } $ and a stagnation point at the wave crests. For each type of forced solution the almost-highest wave does not contain the most energy, nor is it the fastest, similar to what has been observed previously in the unforced case. Nonlinear solutions are obtained by deriving and solving numerically a boundary integral equation. A weakly nonlinear approximation to the flow problem helps with the identification and classification of the forced types of solution, and their stability.
Accumulation of motile elongated micro-organisms in turbulence
Authors: Zhan Caijuan , Sardina Gaetano , Lushi Enkeleida , Brandt Luca
Published: December 2013

We study the effect of turbulence on marine life by performing numerical simulations of motile micro-organisms, modelled as prolate spheroids, in isotropic homogeneous turbulence. We show that the clustering and patchiness observed in laminar flows, linear shear and vortex flows, are significantly reduced in a three-dimensional turbulent flow mainly because of the complex topology; elongated micro-organisms show some level of clustering in the case of swimmers without any preferential alignment whereas spherical swimmers remain uniformly distributed. Micro-organisms with one preferential swimming direction (e.g. gyrotaxis) still show significant clustering if spherical in shape, whereas prolate swimmers remain more uniformly distributed. Due to their large sensitivity to the local shear, these elongated swimmers react more slowly to the action of vorticity and gravity and therefore do not have time to accumulate in a turbulent flow. These results show how purely hydrodynamic effects can alter the ecology of micro-organisms that can vary their shape and their preferential orientation.
Red Dirt Thinking on Education: A People-Based System
Authors: Bat Melodie , Guenther John
Published: December 2013

In Australia, the ‘remote education system’ presents itself as a simple system where the right inputs, such as quality teachers and leaders will engender the outputs that have been set by the system, such as certain levels of English literacy and numeracy. The system has measures in place, including national testing, to report on its success. For the most part, this system seems to be working quite well. However, this modelling breaks down when the education system of remote Australia is presented. This remote system is presented in much of the literature and in the press, as disadvantaged, under-resourced and underperforming. Reported results indicate that current activities are not bringing the desired outcomes. The so-called mainstream system makes adjustments using its model of input to output, but without success. There is a clear need for change. Just what this change might look like is the focus of this article. Theorising in this space is considered from two positions; the first being the published work of a number of Indigenous Australian educators and leaders writing in this space; the second, a consideration of western theorising using complex adaptive systems. Throughout the article, a metaphor of ‘red dirt thinking’ is applied as a mechanism to ground the thinking in the lives and lands of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of remote Australia.
Red Dirt Thinking on Child Wellbeing in Indigenous, Rural and Remote Australian Communities: The SpICE Model “I just don't want my kid to struggle like I did at school”
Authors: Clarke Kendall , Denton Marijke
Published: December 2013

Supporting children in their early development and learning has long-term benefits for both them and the broader community. Yet in Australia we still have significant examples of inequality of opportunity (Allan, 2010) and other structural barriers to family wellbeing, particularly in Indigenous and rural and remote communities (Bourke, Humphreys, Wakerman, & Taylor, 2012). One of the structural barriers is the frequently siloed approach to addressing issues around child wellbeing and learning, when a collaborative effort results in more effective and sustainable outcomes. Red Dirt (Indigenous, rural and remote) communities are fertile ground for the emergence of partnership models that provide solutions to perennial, complex community issues and siloed service provision that impact on learning outcomes. The aim of this article is to provide a background and commentary to contribute to the discussion about what works to promote child wellbeing in Australia and put forward the SpICE Model as part of the solution. Drawing on a body of literature and experiences in the field, this article will introduce a model for collaboration that should contribute to child wellbeing: the Specialist Integrated Community Engagement (SpICE) Model. First, we give an overview of the context of adversity as it specifically relates to educational outcomes for children. The principles underpinning the SpICE Model, on how to harness opportunity from adversity, are also described as they provide insight into how to achieve sustainable change in this context. In conclusion, some of the potential challenges of embedding SpICE into practice are discussed. The argument developed throughout this article is that the SpICE Model has currency for a wide range of education, health, disability and welfare collaborations and how they impact on child, family and community wellbeing.
Learning Versus Education: Rethinking Learning in Anangu Schools
Authors: Osborne Sam
Published: December 2013

In the remote schooling context, much recent media attention has been directed to issues of poor attendance, low attainment rates of minimal benchmarks in literacy and numeracy, poor retention and the virtual absence of transitions from school to work. The Australian government's recent ‘Gonski review’ (Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011) also strongly advocates the need to increase investment and effort into remote education across Australia in order to address the concerns of under-achievement, particularly of Indigenous students. Large-scale policies designed to improve access to services have caused a significant increase in services delivered from external sources, policy development at all levels of government, and tight accountability measures that affect remote communities and in turn, schools in various ways. Remote educators find themselves caught in the middle of this systemic discourse and the voices and values that exist in the remote communities where they live. Within this complex environment, the purpose of this article is to amplify Indigenous community voices and values in the discourse and by doing so, challenge ourselves as educators and educational leaders to examine the question: ‘While we're busy delivering education, is anybody learning anything?’ This article focuses on the Anangu (Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara) context of the North-West of South Australia, southern regions of the Northern Territory and into Western Australia. This region is referred to as the ‘tri-state’ region. Using a qualitative methodology, this article examines three Pitjantjatjara language oral narrative transcripts where Anangu reflect on their experiences of growing up and learning. By privileging these Anangu voices in the dialogue about learning in the remote Aboriginal community context, key themes are identified and analysed, highlighting important considerations for remote educators in understanding the values and cultural elements that inform Anangu students in their engagement with a formal education context.
Kulintja Nganampa Maa-kunpuntjaku (Strengthening Our Thinking): Place-Based Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing in Anangu Schools
Authors: Osborne Sam
Published: December 2013

MindMatters, implemented by Principals Australia Institute, is a resource and professional development initiative supporting Australian secondary schools in promoting and protecting the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of members of school communities, preferring a proactive paradigm (Covey, 1989) to the position of ‘disaster response’. While the MindMatters national focus has continued, grown and become embedded in schools since its beginning in 2000, MindMatters staff have also specifically sought to establish localised mental health and wellbeing (MHWB) promotion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that empowers local school and community groups to build on community values and intergenerational capacities for supporting the MHWB of young people. This article outlines the processes for successful practice that have been developed in a very remote Aboriginal school context, and highlights the strengths and benefits of this approach from the perspectives of Anangu (Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara people of Central Australia) educators. Using a community development approach, Anangu educators, skilled linguists, community members and MindMatters trained staff formed learning communities that recontextualised MHWB curriculum to be taught in Anangu schools. While critically reflecting on the process MindMatters has adopted, this article draws on the voices of A nangu to privilege the cultural philosophical positions in the discourse. In so doing, important principles for translating what is fundamentally a western knowledge system's construct into corresponding Anangu knowledge systems is highlighted. Through building on the knowledge base that exists in the community context, Anangu educators, school staff and community members develop confidence, shared language and capacity to become the expert educators, taking their knowledge and resources to other Anangu school communities to begin their MindMatters journey ‘Anangu way’. This process supports students as they engage in the school-based activities and build a language for reflecting on MHWB concerns, leading them to learn and practice ‘better ways of thinking and acting’ (Kulintja Palyantja Palya —the Pitjantjatjara language title for the MindMatters, ‘Anangu Way’ program).
Characteristics of energy intake under-reporting in French adults
Authors: Berta Vanrullen Isabelle , Volatier Jean-Luc , Bertaut Aurélie , Dufour Ariane , Dallongeville Jean
Published: December 2013

Energy intake under-reporting (UR) is a concern in nutritional epidemiological studies, as it may distort the relationships between dietary habits and health. Although UR is known to be associated with certain characteristics, few studies have investigated them in France. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of UR in French adults. UR was defined according to Goldberg's classification. A sample of 1567 adults was drawn from the nationally representative French dietary survey (Individuelle Nationale des Consommations Alimentaires 2 2006–7). Food intake (7 d record), dietary habits, socio-economic status, region of residence, sedentary behaviour and weight perception variables were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between UR and a number of covariates. The overall prevalence of UR was 22·5 %, similar in men and women. In both sexes, UR was positively associated with overweight and protein intake and inversely associated with age. In women, UR was associated with eating lunch in the office, poor perception of diet quality and sedentary behaviour and was inversely associated with educational level, residence in the Paris region, cereal product intake and eating lunch in a friend's or family member's home. In men, UR was positively associated with a history of slimming and inversely associated with dairy product intake and eating lunch at a staff canteen. In conclusion, UR is prevalent in French adults and is associated with several different characteristics. It is important to take account of UR when investigating diet–disease associations in adults.
Nutrient deposition partitioning and priorities between body compartments in two size classes of rainbow trout in response to feed restriction
Authors: Salze Guillaume , Alami-Durante Helene , Barbut Shai , Marcone Massimo , Bureau Dominique P.
Published: December 2013

Adaptations in growth dynamics in fish, i.e. how fish prioritise tissue accretion between organs, remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of graded feed restriction levels on nutrient deposition in 1·3 g fingerlings and 70 g juveniles. At the whole-body level, highly restricted juveniles strove to maintain body protein while mobilising lipid reserves and compensating for mass loss by increasing water content. In contrast, fingerlings maintained body water and energy contents. Additionally, we investigated deposition patterns in four body compartments (red and white axial muscles, viscera and rest of the carcass) in juveniles and changes in the cellularity of the white and red muscles in fingerlings. We provide evidence of priorities in growth and nutrient deposition in body compartments in response to low feeding levels. In juveniles, feed intake (FI) primarily affected the white muscle, while the red muscle and the viscera appeared to be preserved. Specific proteins (45 and 173 kDa) were preferentially deposited in the white muscle, while others (22 and 32 kDa) were preferentially mobilised. In fingerlings' muscle anterior to the anus, the cross-sectional surface areas increased with increasing FI in a logarithmic fashion in the white muscle, and in linear fashion in the red muscle. The maximum diameter of white fibres decreased linearly with fish length, while that of red fibres remained stable. This suggests an adaptation mechanism by decreasing white muscle hyperplasia in favour of hypertrophy when feed is restricted. Overall, these results indicate some mechanisms by which fish cope with low food availability. Our findings also suggest different adaptation strategies employed by fish of different body weights.
Tea consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: a dose–response meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Yang Wan-Shui , Wang Wei-Ye , Fan Wen-Yan , Deng Qin , Wang Xin
Published: December 2013

Tea consumption has inconsistently been shown to be associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the present study was to conduct a dose–response meta-analysis of cohort studies assessing the association between consumption of tea and risk of developing T2D. Pertinent studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE through 31 March 2013. A total of sixteen cohorts from fifteen articles that reported 37 445 cases of diabetes among 545 517 participants were included. A significant linearly inverse association between tea consumption and T2D risk was found (P for linear trend = 0·02). An increase of 2 cups/d in tea consumption was found to be associated with a 4·6 (95 % CI 0·9, 8·1) % reduced risk of T2D. On the basis of the dose–response meta-analysis, the predicted relative risks of diabetes for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cups of tea consumed per d were 1·00 (referent), 0·97 (95 % CI 0·94, 1·01), 0·95(95 % CI 0·92, 0·98), 0·93 (95 % CI 0·88, 0·98), 0·90 (95 % CI 0·85, 0·96), 0·88 (95 % CI 0·83, 0·93) and 0·85 (95 % CI 0·80, 0·91), respectively. There was a statistically significant heterogeneity within the selected studies (Q= 45·32, P< 0·001, I2= 60·3 %). No evidence of substantial small-study bias was found (P= 0·46). Our findings suggest that tea consumption could be linearly inversely associated with T2D risk. Future well-designed observational studies that account for different characteristics of tea such as tea types, preparation methods and tea strength are needed to fully characterise such an association.