bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary practices in ancient populations from northern Chile during the transition to agriculture (Tarapacá region, 1000 BC–AD 900)
Authors: Santana‐Sagredo Francisca , Uribe Mauricio , Herrera María José , Retamal Rodrigo , Flores Sergio
Published: August 2015

Objective

The goal of this research is to understand the relevance of diet diversity during the transition to agriculture, in ancient populations from northern Chile, especially considering the significance of marine resources and crops in a lesser degree.

Methods

A total of 14 human individuals were sampled from the Tarapacá 40 cemetery. Both bone and tooth samples were collected. Samples were studied from bone/dentine collagen for carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis; and bone/enamel apatite for carbon isotope analysis. Inferential statistical analyses were performed in order to compare Tarapacá 40 stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values with other Formative and Late Intermediate Period groups. A nonparametrical hypothesis Kruskal–Wallis test was used.

Results

The results show that the individuals from Tarapacá 40 are intermediate to the values observed for terrestrial and marine fauna as well as C3 and C4 plants.

Conclusions

A gradual transition to crop consumption, especially maize, is suggested. This complemented the earlier hunter‐gatherer tradition of marine resources and wild fruit consumption. Contrarily to the predictions made by some archaeologists, the results obtained for northern Chile contrast with the classical perspective of a “Neolithic Revolution” in which transition to agriculture occurred more abruptly and linearly. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:751–758, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐energy precision tests of the standard model: a snapshot
Authors: Hertzog David W.
Published: August 2015

This brief review describes a class of uniquely crafted particle physics experiments that typically each tackle just one investigation—and they do that very well. The aim of these experiments is to both establish Standard Model parameters and also to provide unique tests in search of new physics. I provide a brief snapshot of many of the current activities, selected with a bias toward low‐energy and high precision. These include searches for permanent electric dipole moments, charged lepton flavor violation, tests of the weak interaction, and other broad searches for deviations from very precise Standard Model predictions, such as the muon's anomalous magnetic moment. I highlight what drives these efforts and how they might impact a new Standard Model.

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Copper immobilized on aminated ferrite nanoparticles by 2‐aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate (Fe3O4@AEPH2‐CuII) catalyses the conversion of aldoximes to nitriles
Authors: Zarghani Monireh , Akhlaghinia Batool
Published: August 2015

CuII immobilized on aminated ferrite nanoparticles by 2‐aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate (Fe3O4@AEPH2‐CuII) was prepared and characterized using FT‐IR, TGA, TEM, EDX, VSM, XRD, CHN and ICP techniques. The easily prepared heterogeneous nanocatalyst demonstrated a significant catalytic performance for the transformation of aldoximes to nitriles that is far superior to previously reported methods. The reaction allows for the conversion of a wide variety of aldoximes including aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic aldoximes in good to excellent yields (50–98%). High efficiency, mild reaction conditions, easy work‐up, operational simplicity, simple purification of products and safe handling of the catalyst are important advantages of this method. In addition, the environmentally benign heterogeneous nanocatalyst can be easily recovered from reaction mixtures using an external magnet and reused several times without any loss of activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular dynamics study of CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate dissociation
Authors: Yi Lizhi , Liang Deqing , Liang Shuai , Zhou Xuebing
Published: August 2015

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the dissociation process of CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate with different gas composition at P = 5 MPa and T = 275 K, 280 K, and 285 K. Our simulation results show that the concentration of CO2 in 51262 cages greatly influences the structural stability of CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate, and the CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate with θco2 = 75 % is more stable compared to θco2 = 50 %, 25 % L, 25 % S counterparts. The dissociation rate of CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate strongly depends on the temperature used, with higher dissociation rates at higher temperatures. Moreover, we find that the dissociation of CH4–CO2 mixed hydrate is not strictly layer by layer. The released CH4 and CO2 molecules can reoccupy the incomplete cages near the interface, emphasizing the stochastic nature of the dissociation processes. Structural defects consisted of CH4 and CO2 molecules co‐occupied in a cage are also observed. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasonic characterization of conductive epoxy resin/polyaniline composites
Authors: Oral Imran
Published: August 2015

This study presents the ultrasonic characterization of conductive epoxy resin (ER)/polyaniline (PANI) composites. The prepared PANI is mixed with ER matrix at weight percentages of 5%, 10%, and 15% for preparing the ER/PANI composites. The effects of PANI amount on the mechanical properties of ER/PANI composites are investigated by ultrasonic pulse‐echo‐overlap method. Also, electrical conductivity, ultrasonic wave velocity and ultrasonic micro‐hardness values of ER/PANI composites are correlated. Experimental results show that there is an excellent correlation between ultrasonic micro‐hardness and ultrasonic shear wave velocity. Also, the results of ultrasonic velocities and elastic constants values illustrate that the appropriate combination ratio is 95 : 5 for ER and PANI in ER/PANI composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42748.
Modeling journal bibliometrics to predict downloads and inform purchase decisions at university research libraries
Authors: Coughlin Daniel M. , Jansen Bernard J.
Published: August 2015

University libraries provide access to thousands of online journals and other content, spending millions of dollars annually on these electronic resources. Providing access to these online resources is costly, and it is difficult both to analyze the value of this content to the institution and to discern those journals that comparatively provide more value. In this research, we examine 1,510 journals from a large research university library, representing more than 40% of the university's annual subscription cost for electronic resources at the time of the study. We utilize a web analytics approach for the creation of a linear regression model to predict usage among these journals. We categorize metrics into two classes: global (journal focused) and local (institution dependent). Using 275 journals for our training set, our analysis shows that a combination of global and local metrics creates the strongest model for predicting full‐text downloads. Our linear regression model has an accuracy of more than 80% in predicting downloads for the 1,235 journals in our test set. The implications of the findings are that university libraries that use local metrics have better insight into the value of a journal and therefore more efficient cost content management.
Visualizing the world's scientific publications
Authors: Chen Rex H.‐G. , Chen Chi‐Ming
Published: August 2015

Automated methods for the analysis, modeling, and visualization of large‐scale scientometric data provide measures that enable the depiction of the state of world scientific development. We aimed to integrate minimum span clustering (MSC) and minimum spanning tree methods to cluster and visualize the global pattern of scientific publications (PSP) by analyzing aggregated Science Citation Index (SCI) data from 1994 to 2011. We hypothesized that PSP clustering is mainly affected by countries' geographic location, ethnicity, and level of economic development, as indicated in previous studies. Our results showed that the 100 countries with the highest rates of publications were decomposed into 12 PSP groups and that countries within a group tended to be geographically proximal, ethnically similar, or comparable in terms of economic status. Hubs and bridging nodes in each knowledge production group were identified. The performance of each group was evaluated across 16 knowledge domains based on their specialization, volume of publications, and relative impact. Awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of each group in various knowledge domains may have useful applications for examining scientific policies, adjusting the allocation of resources, and promoting international collaboration for future developments.
Comparing and combining Content‐ and Citation‐based approaches for plagiarism detection
Authors: Pertile Solange de L. , Moreira Viviane P. , Rosso Paolo
Published: August 2015

The vast amount of scientific publications available online makes it easier for students and researchers to reuse text from other authors and makes it harder for checking the originality of a given text. Reusing text without crediting the original authors is considered plagiarism. A number of studies have reported the prevalence of plagiarism in academia. As a consequence, numerous institutions and researchers are dedicated to devising systems to automate the process of checking for plagiarism. This work focuses on the problem of detecting text reuse in scientific papers. The contributions of this paper are twofold: (a) we survey the existing approaches for plagiarism detection based on content, based on content and structure, and based on citations and references; and (b) we compare content and citation‐based approaches with the goal of evaluating whether they are complementary and if their combination can improve the quality of the detection. We carry out experiments with real data sets of scientific papers and concluded that a combination of the methods can be beneficial.
Microalgal culture strategies for biofuel production: a review
Authors: Zhu Liandong
Published: August 2015

In response to the energy crisis, global warming and climate change, microalgae have received a lot of attention as a promising feedstock for the production of biofuels. However, microalgal biofuels are still unaffordable due to low productivity and their substantial requirements in capital investment and operation costs. Much original research regarding the various microalgal cultivation strategies has been reported, in an attempt to promote microalgal biofuel production. However, current literature indicates the fragmented nature of information available regarding the strategies for the improvement of microalgal production for biofuel conversion. From a systematic perspective, this review highlights the main microalgal cultivation strategies for the achievement of improved biomass and biofuel productivity. It first discloses the current state of microalgal production as a biofuel feedstock, giving general introduction to the topic. Subsequently, it summarizes the current microalgae cultivation technology. Microalgal cultivation strategies are then discussed systematically, including integration with wastewater treatment and CO2 mitigation, batch vs. semi‐continuous vs. continuous culture, two‐stage continuous cultivation, co‐culture, stress culture, and microalgal cultivation with harvest water recycling. Finally, concluding remarks are put forward. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Sliding subject positions: knowledge and teacher educators
Authors: Brown Tony , Rowley Harriet , Smith Kim
Published: August 2015

In England, adjustments to policy in teacher education have had implications for how subject knowledge is understood and for how job descriptions are defined. That is, the interface between teacher educator and subject knowledge representation has been changing. This paper reports on a wider study that considers the experience of university teacher educators adjusting to new academic and operational conditions. On the one hand, the teacher educators are confronted with their subject specialism being set according to new learning objectives and to new time and curriculum constraints. On the other hand, their professional identity is reshaped in response to structural changes to teacher education where earlier job definitions had been reconfigured or removed. The paper analyses resultant conceptions of subject knowledge and of teacher education emerging through this changing interface and how these conceptions are variously located across staffing arrangements. A Lacanian model of subjectivity provides a theoretical approach to depicting teacher educator and pre‐service teacher identification with subject knowledge. The paper provides a theoretical account of how the teacher educator/trainee interface has been reshaped in line with the market‐led terminology that governs current practices. Specifically, the analytical tools enable us to dismantle and restructure the prevalent symbolic order guiding current teacher practice and understanding, particularly our entrapment within specific discourses and identity constructs that shape our interactions with subject knowledge.
Synchronization of the mammalian circadian timing system: Light can control peripheral clocks independently of the SCN clock
Authors: Husse Jana , Eichele Gregor , Oster Henrik
Published: August 2015

A vast network of cellular circadian clocks regulates 24‐hour rhythms of behavior and physiology in mammals. Complex environments are characterized by multiple, and often conflicting time signals demanding flexible mechanisms of adaptation of endogenous rhythms to external time. Traditionally this process of circadian entrainment has been conceptualized in a hierarchical scheme with a light‐reset master pacemaker residing in the hypothalamus that subsequently aligns subordinate peripheral clocks with each other and with external time. Here we review new experiments using conditional mouse genetics suggesting that resetting of the circadian system occurs in a more “federated” and tissue‐specific fashion, which allows for increased noise resistance and plasticity of circadian timekeeping under natural conditions.
A fluorescein‐labeled AmpC β‐lactamase allows rapid characterization of β‐lactamase inhibitors by real‐time fluorescence monitoring of the β‐lactamase‐inhibitor interactions
Authors: Tsang Man‐Wah , Chan Pak‐Ho , Liu Sze‐Yan , Wong Kwok‐Yin , Leung Yun‐Chung
Published: August 2015

Rapid emergence of class C β‐lactamases has urged an immediate need for developing class C β‐lactamase specific inhibitors for effective clinical treatment. To facilitate the development of effective class C β‐lactamase inhibitors, we propose a new approach for a rapid analysis of the interaction of AmpC β‐lactamase and its inhibitors using our recently developed V211Cf fluorescent β‐lactamase biosensor during drug screening. Since the fluorescein of V211Cf can report the local environment change in the active site of AmpC β‐lactamase, fluorescence responses of V211Cf toward its substrates/inhibitors can provide real‐time traces of the dynamic change of the interaction of the β‐lactamase with its substrates/inhibitors. In this study, we found that V211Cf displayed distinct fluorescence signal patterns toward different kinds of inhibitors (including clavulanic acid, sulbactam, tazobactam and 2‐thiopheneboronic acid) due to the differences in their interactions with β‐lactamase. V211Cf not only enables a high throughput screening for inhibitors but can also provide a rapid preliminary indication on the inhibitor's potency and stability to β‐lactamase's hydrolytic action as well as how the inhibitors interact with the target enzyme, thereby speeding up the drug discovery and development cycle of class C β‐lactamase inhibitors.
Sekundärstoffe – die Geheimwaffen der Pflanzen
Authors: Wink Michael
Published: August 2015

Mindestens seit dem Landgang vor 400 Millionen Jahren produzieren Pflanzen Sekundärstoffe als Abwehrsubstanzen gegen Pflanzenfresser, Mikroorganismen und konkurrierende Pflanzen. Sekundärstoffe sind meist Wirkstoffe, die mit vielen Zielstrukturen in Tieren und Mikroorganismen interagieren können. Deshalb sind viele Pflanzen und daraus isolierte Substanzen pharmazeutisch und medizinisch nutzbar. Einige Sekundärstoffe dienen außerdem zur Anlockung von Bestäubern und samenverbreitenden Tieren, aber auch als UV‐Schutz, Antioxidantien oder mobile Stickstoffspeicher. Die Biologie und Evolution des Sekundärstoffwechsels sowie seine physiologische und genetische Basis werden in dieser Übersicht erörtert.
Recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection: First case report in men with three episodes of spontaneous coronary dissection in separate vascular territories
Authors: Papireddy Muralidhar R. , Nandish Shailesh , Mishkel Gregory J.
Published: August 2015

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. In the literature, more than 1,200 cases of SCAD have been reported, with a low rate of recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection (r‐SCAD) described in only 63 cases. Among these patients with r‐SCAD, just three cases had three separate episodes of dissection and all were in women. We report the first case of r‐SCAD in men, with three episodes of dissection in different coronary arteries and review the published literature on predisposing factors for r‐SCAD and its management. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strukturmotiv von Proteinen verhindert Migration von Krebszellen
Authors: Feil Sylvia
Published: August 2015

Kleine synthetische Moleküle mit Protein‐ähnlichen Strukturen sollen die Wechselwirkung von Proteinen untereinander unterbinden und zugleich Wirkstoffe darstellen, die Membranen passieren können [1]. Adressiert sind Prolin‐reiche Segmente, sie zählen zu den am weitesten verbreiteten Sequenz‐Motiven von Proteinen und sind an der Regulation vieler wichtiger Signalwege beteiligt.
TPX2 regulates neuronal morphology through kinesin‐5 interaction
Authors: Kahn Olga I. , Ha Ngoc , Baird Michelle A. , Davidson Michael W. , Baas Peter W.
Published: August 2015

TPX2 (targeting protein for Xklp2) is a multifunctional mitotic spindle assembly factor that in mammalian cells localizes and regulates mitotic motor protein kinesin‐5 (also called Eg5 or kif11). We previously showed that upon depletion or inhibition of kinesin‐5 in cultured neurons, microtubule movements increase, resulting in faster growing axons and thinner dendrites. Here, we show that depletion of TPX2 from cultured neurons speeds their rate of process outgrowth, similarly to kinesin‐5 inhibition. The phenotype is rescued by TPX2 re‐expression, but not if TPX2's kinesin‐5‐interacting domain is deleted. These results, together with studies showing a spike in TPX2 expression during dendritic differentiation, suggest that the levels and distribution of TPX2 are likely to be determinants of when and where kinesin‐5 acts in neurons. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of subgroups of heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction with possible implications for prognosis and treatment response
Authors: Kao David P. , Lewsey James D. , Anand Inder S. , Massie Barry M. , Zile Michael R. , Carson Peter E. , McKelvie Robert S. , Komajda Michel , McMurray John JV , Lindenfeld JoAnn
Published: August 2015

Background

Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have a poor prognosis, and no therapies have been proven to improve outcomes. It has been proposed that heart failure, including HFpEF, represents overlapping syndromes that may have different prognoses. We present an exploratory study of patients enrolled in the Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Study (I‐PRESERVE) using latent class analysis (LCA) with validation using the Candesartan in Heart failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM)‐Preserved study to identify HFpEF subgroups.

Methods and results

In total, 4113 HFpEF patients randomized to irbesartan or placebo were characterized according to 11 clinical features. The HFpEF subgroups were identified using LCA. Event‐free survival and effect of irbesartan on the composite of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization were determined for each subgroup. Subgroup definitions were applied to 3203 patients enrolled in CHARM‐Preserved to validate observations regarding prognosis and treatment response. Six subgroups were identified with significant differences in event‐free survival (P < 0.001). Clinical profiles and prognoses of the six subgroups were similar in CHARM‐Preserved. The two subgroups with the worst event‐free survival in both studies were characterized by a high prevalence of obesity, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, anaemia, and renal insufficiency (Subgroup C) and by female predominance, advanced age, lower body mass index, and high rates of atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, renal insufficiency, and anaemia (Subgroup F).

Conclusion

Using a data‐driven approach, we identified HFpEF subgroups with significantly different prognoses. Further development of this approach for characterizing HFpEF subgroups is warranted.
Progesterone promotes maternal–fetal tolerance by reducing human maternal T‐cell polyfunctionality and inducing a specific cytokine profile
Authors: Lissauer David , Eldershaw Suzy A. , Inman Charlotte F. , Coomarasamy Aravinthan , Moss Paul A. H. , Kilby Mark D.
Published: August 2015

Progesterone is a steroid hormone essential for the maintenance of human pregnancy, and its actions are thought to include promoting maternal immune tolerance of the semiallogenic fetus. We report that exposure of maternal T cells to progesterone at physiological doses induced a unique skewing of the cytokine production profile of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, with reductions not only in potentially deleterious IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production but also in IL‐10 and IL‐5. Conversely, production of IL‐4 was increased. Maternal T cells also became less polyfunctional, focussing cytokine production toward profiles including IL‐4. This was accompanied by reduced T‐cell proliferation. Using fetal and viral antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell clones, we confirmed that this as a direct, nonantigen‐specific effect. Yet human T cells lacked conventional nuclear progesterone receptors, implicating a membrane progesterone receptor. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responded to progesterone in a dose‐dependent manner, with subtle effects at concentrations comparable to those in maternal blood, but profound effects at concentrations similar to those at the maternal–fetal interface. This characterization of how progesterone modulates T‐cell function is important in understanding the normal biology of pregnancy and informing the rational use of progesterone therapy in pregnancies at risk of fetal loss.
Nitrogen‐Based Alternative Fuel: Safety Considerations
Authors: Grinberg Dana Alon , Shter Gennady E. , Grader Gideon S.
Published: August 2015

Due to increasing global greenhouse gas emissions there is urgency to pursue all measures to develop carbon‐neutral energy technologies. The most attractive approach for large‐scale energy storage is perhaps in the form of synthetic fuels. In this work, a nitrogen‐based fuel consisting of an aqueous solution of urea and ammonium nitrate is evaluated for chemical stability and handling safety. The steady combustion of the fuel was demonstrated at 10 MPa. Thermal analysis under an ambient pressure dry air flow in the range of 25–500 °C showed that the monofuel does not react with atmospheric oxygen in a ventilated open system, and only endothermic thermal processes were observed in the condensed phase. Under applied pressure the fuel combusts exothermically above 300 °C, after water vaporization. The fuel described herein is an excellent gas generator with a potential effluent composition of 73.0 % H2O, 21.6 % N2, and 5.4 % CO2, which is an environmentally friendly working fluid.
Dissociated neural effects of cortisol depending on threat escapability
Authors: Montoya Estrella R. , van Honk Jack , Bos Peter A. , Terburg David
Published: August 2015

Evolution has provided us with a highly flexible neuroendocrine threat system which, depending on threat imminence, switches between active escape and passive freezing. Cortisol, the “stress‐hormone”, is thought to play an important role in both fear behaviors, but the exact mechanisms are not understood. Using pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging we investigated how cortisol modulates the brain's fear systems when humans are under virtual‐predator attack. We show dissociated neural effects of cortisol depending on whether escape from threat is possible. During inescapable threat cortisol reduces fear‐related midbrain activity, whereas in anticipation of active escape cortisol boosts activity in the frontal salience network (insula and anterior cingulate cortex), which is involved in autonomic control, visceral perception and motivated action. Our findings suggest that cortisol adjusts the human neural threat system from passive fear to active escape, which illuminates the hormone's crucial role in the adaptive flexibility of fear behaviors. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4304–4316, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Region‐specific disturbed iron distribution in early idiopathic Parkinson's disease measured by quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: He Naying , Ling Huawei , Ding Bei , Huang Juan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Zhongping , Liu Chunlei , Chen Kemin , Yan Fuhua
Published: August 2015

In Parkinson's disease (PD), iron elevation in specific brain regions as well as selective loss of dopaminergic neurons is a major pathologic feature. A reliable quantitative measure of iron deposition is a potential biomarker for PD and may contribute to the investigation of iron‐mediated PD. The primary purpose of this study is to assess iron variations in multiple deep grey matter nuclei in early PD with a novel MRI technique, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). The inter‐group differences of susceptibility and R2* value in deep grey matter nuclei, namely head of caudate nucleus (CN), putamen (PUT), global pallidus (GP), substantia nigra (SN), and red nucleus (RN), and the correlations between regional iron deposition and the clinical features were explored in forty‐four early PD patients and 35 gender and age‐matched healthy controls. Susceptibility values were found to be elevated within bilateral SN and RN contralateral to the most affected limb in early PD compared with healthy controls (HCs). The finding of increased susceptibility in bilateral SN is consistent with work on a subgroup of patients at the earliest clinical detectable state (Hoehn and Yahr [1967]: Neurology 17:427–442; Stage I). However, increased R2* values were only seen within SN contralateral to the most affected limb in the PD group when compared with controls. Furthermore, bilateral SN magnetic susceptibility positively correlated with disease duration and UPDRS‐III scores in early PD. This finding supports the potential value of QSM as a non‐invasive quantitative biomarker of early PD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4407–4420, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Possible role of a dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system in antisocial personality disorder
Authors: Bandelow Borwin , Wedekind Dirk
Published: August 2015

Around half the inmates in prison institutions have antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). A recent theory has proposed that a dysfunction of the endogenous opioid system (EOS) underlies the neurobiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In the present theoretical paper, based on a comprehensive database and hand search of the relevant literature, this hypothesis is extended to ASPD, which may be the predominant expression of EOS dysfunction in men, while the same pathology underlies BPD in women. According to evidence from human and animal studies, the problematic behaviours of persons with antisocial, callous, or psychopathic traits may be seen as desperate, unconscious attempts to stimulate their deficient EOS, which plays a key role in brain reward circuits. If the needs of this system are not being met, the affected persons experience dysphoric mood, discomfort, or irritability, and strive to increase binding of endogenous opioids to receptors by using the rewarding effects of aggression by exertion of physical or manipulative power on others, by abusing alcohol or substances that have the reward system as target, by creating an “endorphin rush” by self‐harm, by increasing the frequency of their sexual contacts, or by impulsive actions and sensation seeking. Symptoms associated with ASPD can be treated with opioid antagonists like naltrexone, naloxone, or nalmefene. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of aqueous pollen extracts using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and pattern recognition methods
Authors: Seifert Stephan , Merk Virginia , Kneipp Janina
Published: August 2015

Aqueous pollen extracts of varying taxonomic relations were analyzed with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by using gold nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions as SERS substrate. This enables a selective vibrational characterization of the pollen water soluble fraction (mostly cellular components) devoid of the spectral contributions from the insoluble sporopollenin outer layer. The spectra of the pollen extracts are species‐specific, and the chemical fingerprints can be exploited to achieve a classification that can distinguish between different species of the same genus. In the simple experimental procedure, several thousands of spectra per species are generated. Using an artificial neural network (ANN), it is demonstrated that analysis of the intrinsic biochemical information of the pollen cells in the SERS data enables the identification of pollen from different plant species at high accuracy. The ANN extracts the taxonomically‐relevant information from the data in spite of high intra‐species spectral variation caused by signal fluctuations and preparation specifics. The results show that SERS can be used for the reliable characterization and identification of pollen samples. They have implications for improved investigation of pollen physiology and for allergy warning.

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Biomechanical analysis of engineered bone with anti‐BMP2 antibody immobilized on different scaffolds
Authors: Ansari Sahar , Phark Jin‐Ho , Duarte Sillas , Paulino da Silva Maike , Sharifzadeh Navid , Moshaverinia Alireza , Zadeh Homayoun H.
Published: August 2015

Recently we have demonstrated the ability of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2 immobilized on different scaffolds to mediate bone formation, a process referred to as Antibody Mediated Osseous Regeneration (AMOR). One of the key properties of regenerated bone is its biomechanical strength, in particular in load‐bearing areas. This study sought to test the hypothesis that the biomechanical strength of regenerated bone depends of the mode of regeneration, as well as the scaffold used. Four different scaffolds, namely titanium granules (Ti), alginate hydrogel, anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM), and absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) were functionalized with anti‐BMP‐2 or isotype control mAb and implanted into rat critical‐size calvarial defects. The morphology, density and strength of the regenerated bone were evaluated after 8 weeks. Results demonstrated that scaffolds functionalized with anti‐BMP‐2 mAb exhibited varying degrees of bone volume and density. Ti and ABBM achieved the highest bone volume, density, and strength of bone. When anti‐BMP‐2 mAb was immobilized on Ti or ABBM, the strength of the regenerated bone were 80% and 77% of native bone respectively, compared with 60% of native bone in sites implanted with rh‐BMP‐2. Control interventions with isotype mAb did not promote considerable bone regeneration and exhibited significantly lower mechanical properties. SEM analysis showed specimens immobilized with anti‐BMP‐2 mAb formed new bone with organized structure bridging the crack areas. Altogether, the present data demonstrated that the morphological and mechanical properties of bone bioengineered through AMOR could approximate that of native bone, when appropriate scaffolds are used. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1465–1473, 2016.
Deploying Robots With Two Sensors in K1, 6‐Free Graphs
Authors: Abbas Waseem , Egerstedt Magnus , Liu Chun‐Hung , Thomas Robin , Whalen Peter
Published: August 2015

Let G be a graph of minimum degree at least 2 with no induced subgraph isomorphic to K1, 6. We prove that if G is not isomorphic to one of eight exceptional graphs, then it is possible to assign two‐element subsets of to the vertices of G in such a way that for every and every vertex the label i is assigned to v or one of its neighbors. It follows that G has fractional domatic number at least 5/2. This is motivated by a problem in robotics and generalizes a result of Fujita, Yamashita, and Kameda who proved that the same conclusion holds for all 3‐regular graphs.
Heck Reaction as Key Step in the Synthesis of Hydrogenated 2‐benzazepin‐1‐ones
Authors: Quick Matthias P. , Wünsch Bernhard
Published: August 2015

Two strategies were pursued for the synthesis of 2‐benzazepin‐1‐ones16and17with an N/O‐acetal or enamide in 3‐position. Establishment of the propionaldehyde substructure first and subsequently the amide moiety via a four step sequence failed to provide amides11. However the Pd‐catalyzedHeckreaction of 2‐iodobenzamides13with allyl alcohol and subsequent reaction of the products14/15with acid led to 2‐benzazepin‐1‐ones in a two‐step sequence. Depending on the size of the N‐substituent the 3‐methoxy derivative16aor the dihydro‐2‐benzazepine17bwas formed.
Crisis in Microfinance Institutions: Identifying Problems
Authors: Sainz‐Fernandez Isabel , Torre‐Olmo Begoña , López‐Gutiérrez Carlos , Sanfilippo‐Azofra Sergio
Published: August 2015

This article empirically analyses the reasons for crises in microfinance institutions (MFIs), using a sample of 832 MFIs from 74 countries for the period 2003–2011. The methodology used is logit analysis with panel data. The main results show that both internal and external factors influence the probability of a crisis. We find different factors that reduce the likelihood of a crisis (company's performance, country's economic growth, political stability, and existence of a private credit bureau). On the other hand, excessive liquidity, a higher proportion of deposits over loans and more loans per employee all increase the probability of a crisis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in Senegalese HIV‐1‐infected patients
Authors: Lô Gora , Sow‐Sall Amina , Diop‐Ndiaye Halimatou , Mandiouba Nokoa Chadia Ines Danty , Thiam Moussa , Diop Fatou , Ndiaye Ousseynou , Gueye Sokhna Bousso , Seck Sidy Mouhamed , Dioura Abou Abdallah Malick , Mbow Moustapha , Gaye‐Diallo Aïssatou , Mboup Souleymane , Touré‐Kâne Coumba
Published: August 2015

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to describe the HBV virological profiles among Senegalese HIV‐1‐infected patients. We conducted a retrospective study between 2006 and 2010 among Senegalese HIV‐1‐infected patients from the antiretroviral therapy cohort. Samples were screened using Determine® HBsAg or MONOLISA® POC test. The HBsAg positivity status was confirmed by Architect® HBsAg. Detection of HBeAg, anti‐HBe Ab, and HBV DNA load were done for the HBsAg‐positive samples. Then, Anti‐HBcAb was tested for the HBsAg‐negative samples. Microsoft Excel was used for data collection and statistical analyses were performed using Epi info 3.5.1. Overall, 466 HIV‐infected patients were enrolled including 271 women (58.4%), and 193 men (41.6%) with a median age of 39 years (19–74 years). The global prevalence of HIV/HBV coinfection (HBsAg positive) was 8.8% (41/466). For HBsAg positives samples, the prevalence of HBeAg and the anti‐HBeAb were, respectively, 24.4 and 69.2% and the median of HBV DNA viral load, for 27 HBsAg‐positive samples, was 3.75 log10 copies/ml. The virological profiles were the following: 7, 15, and 5 patients infected, respectively, by a replicative virus, an inactive virus and a probably mutant virus. For HBsAg‐negative samples, 83 out of 109 were positive for anti‐HBcAb. This study showed a significant decrease of the prevalence of HBV/HIV coinfection between 2004 and 2014 (P = 0.003), which highlighted the performance of the Senegalese HBV vaccine program. However, implementing a systematic quantification of HBV DNA viral load could improve the monitoring of HBV‐infected patient. J. Med. Virol. 88:461–465, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Human Bocavirus Type 1 infection in Panamanian children with respiratory illness
Authors: Moreno Brechla , Abrego Leyda , Carrera Jean‐Paul , Franco Danilo , Gaitán Melissa , Castillo Juan , Pascale Juan M. , Arbiza Juan
Published: August 2015

The human bocavirus (HBoV) was added as a new member of the Parvoviridae family in 2005 upon its discovery in nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with respiratory infection. Recently, there has been increasing evidence of worldwide circulation of HBoV; however, in Latin America few studies have been conducted. In order to detect the circulation of HBoV in Panama, based on the National Flu Surveillance System, we developed this retrospective, cross‐sectional study, from January 2011 to January 2012. Children younger than 6 years old who presented with respiratory disease were enrolled in this study. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken in sentinel surveillance sites. Samples were tested to detect mRNA from HBoV, as well as viral RNA and DNA from others respiratory viruses. A total of 1078 patients were enrolled in this study. Overall, 44 (4.1%) of the patients presented HBoV. The most common symptoms were cough (84.6%), fever (82.1%), rhinorrhea (74.4%), and sore throat (38.5%). Less than half (45.5%) of HBoV infected patients presented with monoinfection while 54.5% of cases presented with coinfection with others respiratory viruses. Both, outpatients and inpatients were included in this study. Outpatients corresponded to 52.3% of the cases and 47.7% were inpatients. Coinfection was observed in the 50% of the inpatient cases. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the circulating strains belonged to different clades of HBoV genotype 1. Taken together, our results support the pathogenic nature of this viral agent, especially in younger children. J. Med. Virol. 88:389–394, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Posttraumatic Stress Among Primary School Children
Authors: Litman Leib , Costantino Giuseppe , Waxman Richard , Sanabria‐Velez Caribel , Rodriguez‐Guzman Von Marie , Lampon‐Velez Anabelle , Brown Richard , Cruz Tomas
Published: August 2015

Peer victimization is a common stressor experienced by children. Although peer victimization has been studied extensively, few studies have examined the potential link between peer victimization and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and no studies of which we are aware have examined this link among children in primary school. The paucity of studies examining the link between PTSD and peer victimization in primary school is surprising because peer victimization occurs more frequently and is more likely to be physical among 7‐ and 8‐year‐old children. This study assessed the relationship between peer victimization and PTSD in a sample of 358 elementary school children (ages 6–11 years). Results indicated that peer victimization accounted for 14.1% of PTSD symptom severity among boys and 10.1% among girls. Additionally, we found gender differences in the types of peer victimization that were most associated with PTSD symptom severity (d = 0.38). The long‐term developmental consequences that may be associated with peer victimization‐linked PTSD symptomatology are discussed.
Diel vertical migration, size distribution and photoprotection in zooplankton as response to UV‐A radiation
Authors: Ekvall Mikael T. , Hylander Samuel , Walles Tim , Yang Xi , Hansson Lars‐Anders
Published: August 2015

The transparency regulator hypothesis (TRH) proposes that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a main driving force behind diel vertical migration (DVM) of zooplankton in clearwater systems. While previous studies have mainly studied DVM in relation to the TRH on a spatial scale across systems we here focus on long‐term trends in a single system in order to assess if UVR explains observed patterns in DVM. We show that the strength of DVM in Daphnia is to a large extent explained by UVR and we demonstrate a tipping point at which the UVR intensity drastically affects the strength of DVM in Daphnia. In contrast, the strength of DVM could not be explained by the level of UVR among calanoid copepods. The amount of photoprotective compounds did not differ between zooplankton found at different depths indicating that zooplankton do not change their vertical position in relation to the amount of accumulated photoprotective compounds. In addition, we show that both Daphnia and calanoid copepods display patterns of size structured migration.
The role of vitamin D in reducing gastrointestinal disease risk and assessment of individual dietary intake needs: Focus on genetic and genomic technologies
Authors: Ferguson Lynnette R. , Laing Bobbi , Marlow Gareth , Bishop Karen
Published: August 2015

With the endogenous formation of vitamin D being significantly curtailed because of public awareness of skin cancer dangers, attention is turning to dietary sources. Cumulative evidence has implicated vitamin D deficiency in increasing susceptibility to various gastrointestinal disorders, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. There is also reason to suggest adjunct vitamin D therapy for such diseases. Although there is justification for increasing vitamin D intake overall, optimal intakes will vary among individuals. Genomic technologies have revealed several hundreds of genes associated with vitamin D actions. The nature of these genes emphasizes the potentially negative implications of modulating vitamin D intakes in the absence of complementary human genetic and genomic data, including information on the gut microbiome. However, we are not yet in a position to apply this information. Genomic data (transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and metagenomics) could provide evidence that vitamin D sufficiency has been achieved. We suggest that there is an increasingly strong case for considering the more widespread use of vitamin D fortified foods and/or dietary supplements to benefit gastrointestinal health. However, intake levels might beneficially be informed by personalized genetic and genomic information, for optimal disease prevention and maintenance of remission.
Simultaneous in vivo comparison of water‐filled and air‐filled pressure measurement catheters: Implications for good urodynamic practice
Authors: Gammie A. , Abrams P. , Bevan W. , Ellis‐Jones J. , Gray J. , Hassine A. , Williams J. , Hashim H.
Published: August 2015

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate whether the pressure readings obtained from air‐filled catheters (AFCs) are the same as the readings from simultaneously inserted water‐filled catheters (WFCs). It also aimed to make any possible recommendations for the use of AFCs to conform to International Continence Society (ICS) Good Urodynamic Practices (GUP).

Methods

Female patients undergoing urodynamic studies in a single center had water‐filled and air‐filled catheters simultaneously measuring abdominal and intravesical pressure during filling with saline and during voiding. The pressures recorded by each system at each event during the test were compared using paired t‐test and Bland‐Altman analyses.

Results

62 patients were recruited, of whom 51 had pressures that could be compared during filling, and 23 during voiding. On average, the pressures measured by the two systems were not significantly different during filling and at maximum flow, but the values for a given patient were found to differ by up to 10 cmH2O.

Conclusions

This study shows that AFCs and WFCs cannot be assumed to register equal values of pressure. It has further shown that even when the pdet readings are compared with their value at the start of a test, a divergence of values of up to 10 cmH2O remains. If AFCs are used, care must be taken to compensate for any pdet variations that occur during patient movement. Before AFCs are adopted, new normal values for resting pressures need to be developed to allow good quality AFC pressure readings to be made. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:926–933, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Age‐related changes in bladder function with altered angiotensin II receptor mechanisms in rats
Authors: Mori Kenichi , Noguchi Mitsuru , Tobu Shohei , Sato Fuminori , Mimata Hiromitsu , Tyagi Pradeep , Chancellor Michael B. , Yoshimura Naoki
Published: August 2015

Aims

To examine alterations in expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) which induce organ tissue remodeling, angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2R) which protect against it, and related molecules in the bladder of matured rats with bladder dysfunction.

Methods

Female SD rats of three different ages were used: 8 weeks old (8W; n = 5), 9 months old (9M; n = 5), and 15 months old (15M; n = 5). After cystometry, the expression levels of AT1R, connexin43 (Cx43), MAP kinase (MAPK), collagen1, AT2R, PPAR‐γ, adiponectin (Adipo), and adiponectin receptor (Adipo‐R) were investigated in the bladder.

Results

Pressure threshold, post‐void residual volume and the number of non‐voiding contractions were significantly increased in 15M versus 8W rats (P < 0.01). Maximum voiding pressure was significantly decreased in 15M versus 8W rats (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CMG parameters between 8W and 9M rats. In the bladder, the mRNA expression of AT1R, Cx43, MAPK, collagen 1, AT2R, PPAR‐γ, Adipo, and Adipo‐R were significantly higher in 15M than in 8W rats. The relative expression ratio of AT1R protein against AT2R protein in the mucosa and detrusor was significantly increased in 15M versus 8W rats.

Conclusions

These results indicate that matured rats exhibit not only bladder overactivity but also impaired voiding, which are associated with upregulation of AT1R. The upregulation of AT2R also may play a significant role in the suppressing of AT1R induced remodelling. However, because AT1R upregulation is more dominant than AT2R increases, AT2R activation may not be sufficient to suppress AT1R stimulation in matured rats. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:908–913, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nurses' actions in response to nursing assistants' observations of signs and symptoms of infections among nursing home residents
Authors: Allemann Hanna , Sund‐Levander Märta
Published: August 2015

Aims

To describe what nurses do during episodes of suspected infection in elderly nursing home residents and if these actions are linked to who is initiating an episode and whether the episode is considered an infection or not.

Design

Prospective descriptive study. Data were collected in 2008–2010.

Methods

Summarized and categorized documentation by nursing assistants and nurses was used for summative content analysis.

Results

Nurses' actions seem to be related to who initiated the episode and if the episodes are categorized as ‘non‐infection’, ‘possible infection’ or ‘infection’. Actions could be ‘observation’, ‘screenings’, ‘engaged in waiting’, ‘follow‐ups’, ‘nurse‐prescribed actions’, ‘diagnosing’, ‘contacting the physician’, ‘carrying out an action prescribed by the physician’, ‘contacting an ambulance or arranging an emergency visit to the hospital’ and ‘prescribing screening’. As NAs often initiate episodes of suspected infection by observing changed conditions, it seems important to include the NA in the decision‐making process as these observations could detect possible early signs and symptoms of infections.