bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Electrospun Polystyrene Membranes as a Preliminary Step for Rapid Diagnosis
Authors: Isık Tuğba , Horzum Nesrin , Yıldız Ü. Hakan , Liedberg Bo , Demir Mustafa M.
Published: May 2016

Recent advances in clinical practice drive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as an important class of biomarker. Monitoring the change in their concentration suggests the initiation and/or progression of various disorders. However, low quantity of DNA biomarkers in body fluids requires a delicate isolation methodology that provides efficient separation and easy handling. This study describes a newer‐generation separation technology relying on electrospun fibers of sub‐micrometer diameter of a commodity polymer for DNA biomarkers in simulative serum. Fibrous polystyrene membranes are prepared by electrospinning and they are subjected to post‐modification with Au. The composite membranes may provide a convenient environment for the removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from BSA and DNA mixtures. The eluent can be used as an efficient tool for detection of DNA biomarkers associated with diagnosis of numerous life‐threatening diseases.

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One‐Reactant Photografting of ATRP Initiators for Surface‐Initiated Polymerization
Authors: Styan Katie E. , Easton Christopher D. , Weaver Lucy G. , Meagher Laurence
Published: May 2016

Self‐initiated photografting polymerization is used to couple the polymerizable initiator monomer 2‐(2‐chloropropanoyloxy)ethyl acrylate to a range of polymeric substrates. The technique requires only UV light to couple the initiator to surfaces. The initiator surface density can be varied by inclusion of a diluent monomer or via selection of initiator and irradiation parameters. The functionality of the initiator surface is demonstrated by subsequent surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Surfaces are characterized by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV‐induced changes to the initiator are assessed by 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). This is the first time this one‐reactant one‐step technique has been demonstrated for creating an initiator surface of variable density.

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Self‐Assembly of Polyether Diblock Copolymers in Water and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Kobayashi Yumi , Kitazawa Yuzo , Komori Takahiro , Ueno Kazuhide , Kokubo Hisashi , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: May 2016

Here the thermoresponsive self‐assembly of diblock copolymers comprising poly(ethyl glycidyl ether) (PEGE) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in water and ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated. PEGE undergoes lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase separation in both water and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][NTf2]), while PEO is a compatible segment for these solvents. The diblock copolymers, PEGE‐b‐PEO, undergo thermosensitive unimer‐micelle transitions at temperatures close to the LCST point (TLCST) of the PEGE homopolymer in water but not in [C2mim][NTf2], even at temperatures much higher than TLCST. The difference in the thermoresponsivity of these solutions is explored using differential scanning calorimetry results from rather small magnitudes of the thermodynamic parameters for the phase transition of the PEGE segment in [C2mim][NTf2], compared with those in water. Due to such small magnitudes, TLCST of the PEGE segment for the block copolymers in the IL is greatly affected by the elongation of soluble PEO segments.

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Functional connectivity underpinnings of fatigue in “Drug‐Naïve” patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Tessitore Alessandro , Giordano Alfonso , De Micco Rosa , Caiazzo Giuseppina , Russo Antonio , Cirillo Mario , Esposito Fabrizio , Tedeschi Gioacchino
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Fatigue is a common problem in PD either in the early or later stage of the disease. Using resting‐state functional MRI, we investigated the functional correlates of fatigue in a cohort of “drug‐naïve” patients with PD.

Methods

MRI at 3Tesla was collected in 40 patients with PD, 20 with and 20 without fatigue, and 20 matched healthy controls. Presence and the severity of fatigue were defined based on the 16‐item Parkinson fatigue scale. Single‐subject and group‐level independent component analysis was used to investigate functional connectivity differences within the major resting state networks between patients subgroups and healthy controls. In addition, we used voxel‐based morphometry to test whether between‐group functional changes were related to structural differences.

Results

Distressing fatigue was associated with a decreased connectivity in the supplementary motor area within the sensorimotor network and an increased connectivity in the prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices within the default mode network (P < 0.05 corrected). Fatigue severity was correlated with both sensorimotor and default mode networks connectivity changes. Voxel‐based morphometry analysis did not reveal any significant volume differences between all patients with PD and healthy controls and between patients with PD with and without fatigue (P < 0.05; family‐wise error).

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that primary PD‐related fatigue is associated with an altered default mode network and sensorimotor network connectivity in drug‐naïve patients. We hypothesize that these divergent motor and cognitive networks connectivity changes and their adaptive or maladaptive functional outcome may play a prominent role in the pathophysiology of fatigue in PD. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On the stability at all times of linearly extrapolated BDF2 timestepping for multiphysics incompressible flow problems
Authors: Akbas M. , Kaya S. , Rebholz L. G.
Published: May 2016

We prove long‐time stability of linearly extrapolated BDF2 (BDF2LE) timestepping methods, together with finite element spatial discretizations, for incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations (NSE) and related multiphysics problems. For the NSE, Boussinesq, and magnetohydrodynamics schemes, we prove unconditional long time L2 stability, provided external forces (and sources) are uniformly bounded in time. We also provide numerical experiments to compare stability of BDF2LE to linearly extrapolated Crank‐Nicolson scheme for NSE, and find that BDF2LE has better stability properties, particularly for smaller viscosity values. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 999–1017, 2017
Conservative compact finite difference scheme for the coupled Schrödinger–Boussinesq equation
Authors: Liao Feng , Zhang Luming
Published: May 2016

In this article, two conserved compact finite difference schemes for solving the nonlinear coupled Schrödinger–Boussinesq equation are proposed. The conservative property, existence, convergence, and stability of the difference solutions are theoretically analyzed. The numerical results are reported to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the methods and to confirm our theoretical analysis. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 1667–1688, 2016
Evaluation of the Effect of A Structured Program to Guide Residents’ Experience in Research (ASPIRE) on Pharmacy Residents’ Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitude toward Research
Authors: Billups Sarah J. , Olson Kari L. , Saseen Joseph J. , Irwin Adriane N. , Touchette Daniel R. , Chennault Rachel R. , Kurz Deanna
Published: May 2016

Study Objective

To evaluate the effect of A Structured Program to guide Resident Experience in Research (ASPIRE) on pharmacy residents’ knowledge, confidence, and attitude toward research.

Design

Nonrandomized controlled study using data from a validated questionnaire administered through an online survey.

Participants

Of 60 pharmacy residents (residency year 2013–2014) who completed the baseline assessment, the 41 residents who also completed the follow‐up assessment were included in the final analysis; of those, 26 Colorado pharmacy postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) and year 2 (PGY2) residents were enrolled in ASPIRE between July 2013 and June 2014 (intervention group) and 16 PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents outside of Colorado did not participate in ASPIRE (control group).

Measurements and Main Results

Both the intervention and control groups completed a pre‐ and post‐assessment at the beginning (July 2013 [baseline]) and end (May/June 2014 [follow‐up]), respectively, of their residency year that measured knowledge (with a tool measuring biostatistics and research methodology knowledge), confidence, and attitude toward research. Research knowledge scores improved similarly from baseline to follow‐up in the intervention and control groups: 11.8% and 11.3%, respectively (adjusted p=0.8). Research confidence improved significantly more in the intervention group, with a 48% increase in confidence score from before to after residency completion, compared with a 15% increase in the control group (adjusted p=0.002). Residents in both the intervention and control groups expressed positive attitudes toward pharmacist‐conducted research, with 100% and 87% of intervention and control residents, respectively (adjusted p=0.970), agreeing that pharmacist‐conducted research is essential to driving pharmacy practice and expanding the roles of pharmacists.

Conclusion

ASPIRE was not associated with greater research methodology knowledge but did significantly increase confidence in performing research.
The MTA1 subunit of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex can recruit two copies of RBBP4/7
Authors: Schmidberger Jason W. , Sharifi Tabar Mehdi , Torrado Mario , Silva Ana P. G. , Landsberg Michael J. , Brillault Lou , AlQarni Saad , Zeng Yi Cheng , Parker Benjamin L. , Low Jason K. K. , Mackay Joel P.
Published: May 2016

The nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex remodels the genome in the context of both gene transcription and DNA damage repair. It is essential for normal development and is distributed across multiple tissues in organisms ranging from mammals to nematode worms. In common with other chromatin‐remodeling complexes, however, its molecular mechanism of action is not well understood and only limited structural information is available to show how the complex is assembled. As a step towards understanding the structure of the NuRD complex, we have characterized the interaction between two subunits: the metastasis associated protein MTA1 and the histone‐binding protein RBBP4. We show that MTA1 can bind to two molecules of RBBP4 and present negative stain electron microscopy and chemical crosslinking data that allow us to build a low‐resolution model of an MTA1‐(RBBP4)2 subcomplex. These data build on our understanding of NuRD complex structure and move us closer towards an understanding of the biochemical basis for the activity of this complex.
Optimized properties of xBiInO3−(1−x)PbTiO3 thin films deposited by an RF‐magnetron sputtering method
Authors: Sun Ke‐Xue , Zhang Shu‐Yi , Wasa Kiyotaka , Shui Xiu‐Ji
Published: May 2016

Ferroelectric xBiInO3−(1−x)PbTiO3 (x = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30) thin films are deposited on (101)SrRuO3/(100)Pt/(100)MgO substrates by an RF‐magnetron sputtering method. By adjusting the deposition conditions, the electric properties of the thin films are optimized. The ferroelectricities of the thin films show that the remnant polarizations (Pr) decrease from 43 to 34 µC cm−2 as x increases from 0.15 to 0.25, and the coercive fields (Ec) are about 177 kV cm−1. The Curie temperatures (Tc) increase from 580 to 650 °C on increasing x from 0.15 to 0.30. The results illustrate that the xBI−(1−x)PT films have high ferroelectricities, high coercive fields, and high Curie temperatures simultaneously, which may have wide potential applications in high‐temperature and ‐voltage environments.
A 3D auxetic material based on intersecting double arrowheads
Authors: Lim Teik‐Cheng
Published: May 2016

Recent years have seen a consistent trend in the extension of 2D auxetic models towards 3D ones. This article introduces a 3D auxetic linkage structure by extending the double arrowhead honeycomb structure to an intersecting double arrowhead structure. A geometrical analysis on the basis of rigid linkages with rotational joints shows that auxeticity is manifested in all three orthogonal planes. Results reveal that the geometry, in terms of either the relative linkage lengths or the half angles, can be changed to substantially control the Poisson's ratio. It is herein suggested that functionally graded beams and plates that exhibit gradual change in Poisson's ratio from negative to positive, as well as functionally graded solids with opposing auxeticity trends on different planes, are easily achievable by 3D printing using the intersecting double arrowhead structure, and that further mechanistic analysis be performed.
Parametrizing the Antarctic stable boundary layer: synthesizing models and observations
Authors: Walesby K. T. , Beare R. J.
Published: May 2016

The accurate representation of the stable boundary layer (SBL) is a key issue for weather prediction and climate models. The SBL exerts an important influence in controlling heat, moisture and momentum fluxes between the surface and the rest of the atmosphere. Some of the world's most stably stratified boundary layers develop on the Antarctic continent. Previous work investigating SBLs has tended to take either a purely observational or purely modelling‐based approach. Here, a novel three‐way methodology has been developed which uses observations from an Antarctic site, alongside large‐eddy simulation (LES) and single‐column model (SCM) techniques to examine a case‐study. Reasonable agreement was generally achieved between the LES and observations. The choice of stability function is an important decision for column‐based parametrizations of the SBL. Four schemes were tested in the SCM, providing persuasive evidence for the use of shorter‐tailed stability functions. The LES data were also used to extract implied stability functions. These experiments reinforced the conclusion that shorter‐tailed stability functions offered improved performance for the Antarctic SBL. This approach represents a powerful framework for verifying SCM and LES results against a range of insitu observations.
Batch Sample Design from Databases for Logistic Regression
Authors: Ouyang Liwen , Apley Daniel W. , Mehrotra Sanjay
Published: May 2016

The prevalence of large observational databases offers potential for identifying predictive relationships among variables of interest, although observational data are generally far less informative and less reliable than experimental data. We consider the problem of selecting a subset of records from a large observational database, for the purpose of designing a small but powerful experiment involving the selected records. It is assumed that the database contains the predictor variables but is missing the response variable, and that the purpose is to fit a logistic regression model after the response is obtained via the experiment. Active learning methods, which treat a similar problem, usually select records sequentially and focus on the single objective of classification accuracy. In contrast, many emerging applications require batch sample designs and have a variety of objectives that may include classification accuracy or accuracy of the estimated parameters, the latter being more in line with the optimal design of experiments (DOE) paradigm. The aim of this paper is to explore batch sampling from databases from a DOE perspective, particularly regarding the configuration, performance, and robustness of the designs that result from the different criteria. Through extensive simulation, we show that DOE‐based batch sampling methods can substantially outperform random sampling and the entropy method that is popular in active learning. We also provide insight and guidelines for selecting appropriate design criteria and modeling assumptions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Passion on Growing Technology Ventures
Authors: Drnovsek Mateja , Cardon Melissa S. , Patel Pankaj C.
Published: May 2016

Research summary

Entrepreneurial passion has gained credence in recent years in explaining entrepreneurial efforts, yet examination of the dynamics of this emotion and its effects on venture growth is still in its infancy. Building on the literature on entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurial passion, we develop and test a model of entrepreneurial passion, goals, and venture growth. We utilize path analysis on a two‐wave sample of founders from 122 high technology firms. We find direct positive effects of passion for developing on venture growth and an indirect positive effect mediated by goal commitment, but not goal challenge. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Managerial summary

In this study, we show that entrepreneurs' positive feelings of entrepreneurial passion are positively associated with venture growth. We focus on a specific type of entrepreneurial passion—passion for developing a venture. Based on the findings from our study, we suggest that it is important for entrepreneurs to channel their passion for developing toward identifying challenging business goals and increasing commitment to business goals. We show that entrepreneurs who increase commitment toward business goals based on passion for developing realize higher venture growth. However, developing challenging goals based on passion does not lead to higher venture growth. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Metabolism Regulates Cellular Functions of Bone Marrow-Derived Cells used for Cardiac Therapy
Authors: Derlet Anja , Rasper Tina , Roy Choudhury Aaheli , Bothur Sabrina , Rieger Michael A. , Namgaladze Dmitry , Fischer Ariane , Schürmann Christoph , Brandes Ralf P. , Tschulena Ulrich , Steppan Sonja , Assmus Birgit , Dimmeler Stefanie , Zeiher Andreas M. , Seeger Florian H.
Published: May 2016

Administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMC) may increase cardiac function after myocardial ischemia. However, the functional capacity of BMC derived from chronic heart failure (CHF) patients is significantly impaired. As modulation of the energy metabolism allows cells to match the divergent demands of the environment, we examined the regulation of energy metabolism in BMC from patients and healthy controls (HC). The glycolytic capacity of CHF-derived BMC is reduced compared to HC, whereas BMC of metabolically activated bone marrow after acute myocardial infarction reveal increased metabolism. The correlation of metabolic pathways with the functional activity of cells indicates an influence of metabolism on cell function. Reducing glycolysis without profoundly affecting ATP-production reversibly reduces invasion as well as colony forming capacity and abolishes proliferation of CD34+CD38− lin− hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). Ex vivo inhibition of glycolysis further reduced the pro-angiogenic activity of transplanted cells in a hind limb ischemia model in vivo. In contrast, inhibition of respiration, without affecting total ATP production, leads to a compensatory increase in glycolytic capacity correlating with increased colony forming capacity. Isolated CD34+, CXCR4+, and CD14+ cells showed higher glycolytic activity compared to their negative counterparts. Metabolic activity was profoundly modulated by the composition of media used to store or culture BMC. This study provides first evidence that metabolic alterations influence the functional activity of human HSPC and BMC independent of ATP production. Changing the balance between respiration and glycolysis might be useful to improve patient-derived cells for clinical cardiac cell therapy.
Identification of indicators of efficacy of the kampo formulation unkeito for cold syndrome, using a patient‐based questionnaire database
Authors: Kimura Yoko , Tanaka Akira , Kurokawa Takayo , Morioka Yoriko , Kume Yumi , Chikada Naoko , Isomura Tomoko , Yamazaki Mayuko , Kawashima Haruka , Otani Kahori , Jinnai Atsuko , Sato Hiroshi , Ito Takashi
Published: May 2016

Aim

Coldness is a common complaint in kampo medicine, and is commonly treated with unkeito, but recommended indications (so‐called
Kuketsu) are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was therefore to identify a set of self‐reported symptoms that would predict a positive outcome of treatment for coldness with unkeito, and that would therefore serve as specific indications for treatment with unkeito.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 70 female patients (median age, 33 years; range, 22–71 years) without organic abnormalities who complained of coldness, and who completed a self‐report questionnaire about their health using the present kampo questionnaire database system on their first visit. Another 26 female patients (median age, 38 years; range, 22–60 years) were assigned to verify the discriminatory predictive ability of the developed logit model. Patients were treated with two or three packages of unkeito per day for 1 month, and the efficacy of treatment was then recorded as a binary response.

Results

Unkeito decreased frequency and severity scales (0–4) of coldness from a median of 3.0 (range, 1–4) to 2.0 (range, 0–4;
P
 < 0.001) and from 3.0 (range, 2–4) to 2.0 (range, 0–4;
P
 < 0.001), respectively. Both frequency and severity of coldness were improved in 77.1% of patients. The developed model for prediction of treatment effect consisted of dry lips (Akaike information criterion (AIC), −14.10), with coldness in the feet (AIC, −25.01) but not in the whole body (AIC, −25.01). Model validation with 26 new patients gave a predictive accuracy of 77%.

Conclusion

Dry lips, accompanied by coldness in the feet, but not in the whole body, are important indications for treatment with unkeito.
Yeast culture collections in the twenty‐first century: new opportunities and challenges
Authors: Boundy‐Mills Kyria L. , Glantschnig Ewald , Roberts Ian N. , Yurkov Andrey , Casaregola Serge , Daniel Heide‐Marie , Groenewald Marizeth , Turchetti Benedetta
Published: May 2016

The twenty‐first century has brought new opportunities and challenges to yeast culture collections, whether they are long‐standing or recently established. Basic functions such as archiving, characterizing and distributing yeasts continue, but with expanded responsibilities and emerging opportunities. In addition to a number of well‐known, large public repositories, there are dozens of smaller public collections that differ in the range of species and strains preserved, field of emphasis and services offered. Several collections have converted their catalogues to comprehensive databases and synchronize them continuously through public services, making it easier for users worldwide to locate a suitable source for specific yeast strains and the data associated with these yeasts. In‐house research such as yeast taxonomy continues to be important at culture collections. Because yeast culture collections preserve a broad diversity of species and strains within a species, they are able to make discoveries in many other areas as well, such as biotechnology, functional, comparative and evolution genomics, bioprocesses and novel products. Due to the implementation of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol (NP), there are new requirements for both depositors and users to ensure that yeasts were collected following proper procedures and to guarantee that the country of origin will be considered if benefits arise from a yeast's utilization. Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are extremely relevant to the current access and benefit‐sharing (ABS) mechanisms; most research and development involving genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge will be subject to this topic. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rewinding the process of mammalian extinction
Authors: Saragusty Joseph , Diecke Sebastian , Drukker Micha , Durrant Barbara , Friedrich Ben‐Nun Inbar , Galli Cesare , Göritz Frank , Hayashi Katsuhiko , Hermes Robert , Holtze Susanne , Johnson Stacey , Lazzari Giovanna , Loi Pasqualino , Loring Jeanne F. , Okita Keisuke , Renfree Marilyn B. , Seet Steven , Voracek Thomas , Stejskal Jan , Ryder Oliver A. , Hildebrandt Thomas B.
Published: May 2016

With only three living individuals left on this planet, the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) could be considered doomed for extinction. It might still be possible, however, to rescue the (sub)species by combining novel stem cell and assisted reproductive technologies. To discuss the various practical options available to us, we convened a multidisciplinary meeting under the name “Conservation by Cellular Technologies.” The outcome of this meeting and the proposed road map that, if successfully implemented, would ultimately lead to a self‐sustaining population of an extremely endangered species are outlined here. The ideas discussed here, while centered on the northern white rhinoceros, are equally applicable, after proper adjustments, to other mammals on the brink of extinction. Through implementation of these ideas we hope to establish the foundation for reversal of some of the effects of what has been termed the sixth mass extinction event in the history of Earth, and the first anthropogenic one. Zoo Biol. 35:280–292, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do weaponless males of the hermit crab Pagurus minutus give up contests without escalation? Behavior of intruders that lack their major cheliped in male–male contests
Authors: Yasuda Chiaki I. , Koga Tsunenori
Published: May 2016

In dyadic contests, theoretical studies have predicted that weaker contestants are less likely to engage in fights to minimize the cost of aggression. Since the major cheliped of decapod crustaceans is critically important as a weapon, contestants without a major cheliped should be more likely to give up the contests. We therefore examined whether loss of the major cheliped by the hermit crab Pagurus minutus would affect their decision to escalate male–male contests over guarded females. Intruders without a major cheliped showed no difference in the frequency of escalation compared with intact intruders, and the decision to give up was affected by the body size difference between the contestants. After escalation, compared with intact intruders, intruders without a major cheliped had significantly decreased success of takeover of a female from opponents, suggesting a strong disadvantage of losing their major cheliped. Although the decision of weaponless intruders to escalate seems irrational, several factors, such as poor accuracy of resource holding potential assessment, the influence of body size, and a high benefit to cost ratio of male–male contests, may have affected their behavior.
Sirtuin activation as a therapeutic approach against inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Bleeker Jeannette C. , Houtkooper Riekelt H.
Published: May 2016

Protein acylation has emerged as a large family of post translational modifications in which an acyl group can alter the function of a wide variety of proteins, especially in response to metabolic stress. The acylation state is regulated through reversible acylation/deacylation. Acylation occurs enzymatically or non‐enzymatically, and responds to acyl‐CoA levels. Deacylation on the other hand is controlled through the NAD+‐dependent sirtuin proteins. In several inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), accumulation of acyl‐CoAs, due to defects in amino acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways, can lead to hyperacylation of proteins. This can have a direct effect on protein function and might play a role in pathophysiology. In this review we describe several mouse and cell models for IEM that display high levels of lysine acylation. Furthermore, we discuss how sirtuins serve as a promising therapeutic target to restore acylation state and could treat IEMs. In this context we examine several pharmacological sirtuin activators, such as resveratrol, NAD+ precursors and PARP and CD38 inhibitors.
Economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea: New goals and new approaches
Authors: Zakharova Liudmila
Published: May 2016

For many years the Soviet Union was the key economic partner of North Korea. After the USSR broke up, Russia has not played such an important role in the DPRK's economic development. In 2013, its share in the foreign trade of North Korea accounted for a mere 1%. However, in the second decade of the 21st century bilateral, contacts have intensified significantly. Judging by the recent developments, the Russian leadership has made a political decision to expand economic cooperation with North Korea and stimulate Russia's business interests with the DPRK. Russia has set a goal of growing the volume of its trade with North Korea by a factor of ten by 2020. Moreover, Moscow is currently developing a number of investment projects in the DPRK and Russian companies are also looking at developing more of them. Another important aim for Russia is the implementation of big infrastructure projects with both Koreas. The article examines the current position and future prospects for economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea and analyses main forms and potential opportunities for developing bilateral economic relations. Particular attention is paid to the expanding cooperation mechanisms and joint economic projects between Russia and the DPRK and also the potential participation of the Republic of Korea.
Improving the quality of orthopaedic elective and trauma operative notes: A completed audit loop study
Authors: Shah Parth Arvind , Badiani Raj , Davis Benjamin M. , Kalairajah Yegappan
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Good medical practice dictates that comprehensive documentation of all surgical procedures is paramount in maintaining a high standard of patient care. This study audited the quality of operative note keeping for elective and trauma procedures against the standards set by the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) guidelines.

Patients and methods:

A retrospective assessment of the operative notes of every patient undergoing a total knee and hip replacement (elective cases) was carried out over a period of 2 months. Data recorded were compared against BOA guidelines. Within this time a randomised selection of trauma operative notes were also assessed, and the recorded data were compared against RCSE guidelines. Change in practice was implemented and the audit cycle completed. A total of 173 operative notes were evaluated.

Results:

There was a significant improvement (p-value < 0.05) in the quality of total knee replacement notes, with an increase in the percentage of data points from 68.6% to 93%. Similarly the quality of total hip replacement notes showed significant improvement (p-value < 0.01) with an increase in the percentage of data points from 67.5% to 86%. However trauma operative notes showed minimal improvement.

Discussion:

This study showed that the quality of elective operative notes was improved through surgeon education and the circulation of a guideline based electronic operative note. We have further plans to implement procedure specific notes for the most common types of trauma cases to help improve the quality of trauma operative notes.

Highlights
Understanding the genetics of APOE and TOMM40 and role of mitochondrial structure and function in clinical pharmacology of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Roses Allen , Sundseth Scott , Saunders Ann , Gottschalk William , Burns Dan , Lutz Michael
Published: May 2016

The methodology of Genome‐Wide Association Screening (GWAS) has been applied for more than a decade. Translation to clinical utility has been limited, especially in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It has become standard practice in the analyses of more than two dozen AD GWAS studies to exclude the apolipoprotein E (APOE) region because of its extraordinary statistical support, unique thus far in complex human diseases. New genes associated with AD are proposed frequently based on SNPs associated with odds ratio (OR) < 1.2. Most of these SNPs are not located within the associated gene exons or introns but are located variable distances away. Often pathologic hypotheses for these genes are presented, with little or no experimental support. By eliminating the analyses of the APOE‐TOMM40 linkage disequilibrium region, the relationship and data of several genes that are co‐located in that LD region have been largely ignored. Early negative interpretations limited the interest of understanding the genetic data derived from GWAS, particularly regarding the TOMM40 gene. This commentary describes the history and problem(s) in interpretation of the genetic interrogation of the “APOE” region and provides insight into a metabolic mitochondrial basis for the etiology of AD using both APOE and TOMM40 genetics.
Tau: From research to clinical development
Authors: Holtzman David M. , Carrillo Maria C. , Hendrix James A. , Bain Lisa J. , Catafau Ana M. , Gault Laura M. , Goedert Michel , Mandelkow Eckhard , Mandelkow Eva‐Maria , Miller David S. , Ostrowitzki Susanne , Polydoro Manuela , Smith Sean , Wittmann Marion , Hutton Michael
Published: May 2016

Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable Fall 2015—Tau: From research to clinical development. Tau pathology is recognized as the key driver of disease progression in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Although this makes tau an attractive target for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, the mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of tau‐related neurotoxicity remain elusive. Recent strides in the development of sophisticated preclinical models and the emergence of tau PET imaging and fluid biomarkers provide new opportunities to increase our understanding of tau biology, overcome translational challenges, and accelerate the advancement of tau therapeutics from bench to bedside. With this in mind, the Alzheimer's Association convened a Research Roundtable in October 2015, bringing together experts from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies to discuss the latest understanding of tau pathogenic pathways and review the evolution of tau therapeutics and biomarkers currently in development. The meeting provided a forum to share experience and expertise with the common goal of advancing the discovery and development of new treatment strategies and expediting the design and implementation of efficient clinical trials.
Relación entre rasgos y tipos de personalidad con la especialidad médica elegida por un grupo de médicos residentes
Authors: Ruiz Zavala Jorge Humberto , Enríquez Sandoval Matilde Loreto , Gómez Sánchez Enrique Alfonso , León Hernández Saúl Renán
Published: May 2016

Introducción: El estudio de los rasgos y tipos de personalidad de los médicos se inició en los Estados Unidos en 1960 bajo la hipótesis de que la personalidad induce la elección del tipo de especialidad médica que se decide realizar. En Chile y España es donde más se ha estudiado esta relación. En México hay pocos estudios que han servido para comprender las formas en las que afrontan los problemas que se presentan durante su formación. Este es el primer estudio que se realiza con los médicos residentes de las diferentes especialidades que se imparten en el Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra con la hipótesis de que existe relación entre los tipos de personalidad con la especialidad elegida.
Objetivo: Determinas si los tipos de personalidad de los médicos residentes del Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación difieren significativamente entre las distintas especialidades.
Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal aplicando el cuestionario factorial de la personalidad 16PF-5 a 50 médicos residentes de cinco de las siete especialidades que se cursan en el Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra. El cuestionario explora 16 rasgos primarios con los cuales se integran 5 dimensiones generales de personalidad. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron con SPSS 17. Para la comparación de dos proporciones se aplicó chi cuadrado, la forma de la distribución de las puntuaciones del cuestionario factorial de personalidad se corroboraron con el estadístico Kolmogorov Smirnov. Las comparaciones de medias por sexo se efectuaron con t de Student para muestras independientes o en su caso con U de Mann Whitney. Las comparaciones de medias por especialidad se hicieron con el análisis de varianza o con Kruskal- Wallis, los análisis multivariados se realizaron con el modelo de análisis  iscriminante y análisis de varianza de dos factores.
Resultados: De los 16 rasgos destacan: razonamiento, tensión y autosuficiencia; más bajas: afabilidad y vigilancia; de las 5 dimensiones sobresalieron independencia y ansiedad y más bajas extraversión y dureza. Por género se diferenciaron M vs. F: estabilidad 6.20 ± 1.3 vs.5.17 ± 1.5 (p = 0.018) y atrevimiento 6.45 ± 1.4 vs.4.70 ± 1.4 (p = 0.0001).
Conclusiones: Existen diferencias sobresalientes entre los rasgos y dimensiones de la personalidad.
Attenuation of wind-induced pressure perturbations in alpine snow
Authors: DRAKE STEPHEN A. , HUWALD HENDRIK , PARLANGE MARC B. , SELKER JOHN S. , NOLIN ANNE W. , HIGGINS CHAD W.
Published: May 2016

Windpumping has been identified as a process that could potentially enhance sublimation of surface snow at high forcing frequency and spawn air movement deeper in firn at lower frequencies. We performed an experiment to examine the relationship between high-frequency wind and pressure measurements within the top meter of an alpine snowpack and compared experimental results with two theoretical predictions. We find that both theoretical predictions underestimate high-frequency perturbation pressure attenuation with depth in the near-surface snowpack and the discrepancy between theory and measurement increases with perturbation pressure frequency. The impact of this result for near-surface snow is that potential enhanced sublimation will occur over a shallower snow depth than these two theories predict. Correspondingly, interstitial air mixing at depth in firn will be driven by lower frequencies than these two theories predict. While direct measurement of these energy-rich lower frequencies is beyond the scope of this paper, stationary pressure measurements validate the presence of a pressure field that could drive near-surface circulation.
Lake ice formation processes and thickness evolution at Lake Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: OHATA YU , TOYOTA TAKENOBU , SHIRAIWA TAKAYUKI
Published: May 2016

Lake-ice properties at Lake Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan, were examined using field observations and a 1-D thermodynamic model to clarify formation processes at mid-latitudes subject to significant snowfall as well as moderate air temperature. At all lake sites examined, the ice comprised two distinct layers: a snow ice (SI) layer on top and a congelation ice (CI) layer below. The SI layer occupied as much as 29–73% of the total ice thickness, a much greater fraction than that reported for lakes at Arctic high latitudes. In the model, the CI growth rate was estimated using the traditional heat budget method, while the SI growth rate was calculated assuming the excessive snowfall from the isostatic balance is converted to SI by a snow compression rate (β) with the surface melting rate added when the surface heat budget becomes positive. By tuning the value ofβto the observational results of SI thickness, the model outcome successfully reproduced the observational thicknesses of CI and SI, and the break-up date of the lake. Essentially, the model findings show how snow and its formation into SI reduce, by about half, the seasonal variability of total ice thickness.
SHAPING THE SAUDI STATE: HUMAN AGENCY'S SHIFTING ROLE IN RENTIER-STATE FORMATION
Authors: Hertog Steffen
Published: May 2016

PLease open the PDF to view the article.
Ex-Templars in England
Authors: FOREY A. J.
Published: May 2016

After their trial, Templars in England were in 1311 dispatched singly to religious houses, where
they were to observe their vows and do penance. Although there was some opposition from both
Templars and monasteries, the payment of pensions assigned to Templars caused longer-lasting
problems: the crown and later the Hospitallers frequently defaulted in making payment from
former Templar revenues. In 1318 John XXII instructed that Templars should enter a religious
house of their choice, either as brothers or lodgers. His decree was occasioned by the situation
in other countries, but was implemented in England, and some Templars transferred to
other religious houses, although opposition was again expressed by monasteries. There were,
however, some Templars in England who were never apprehended and lived out their lives in
freedom.
Competition: Key to Market Structure
Authors: Weeden Donald E.
Published: May 2016

Weeden & Co.'s business is that of making markets. We do it in many different types of securities and we take considerable inventory risk in the process. As market makers we learn to be direct in our dealings. “My market is 62 bid; offered at 62½.” “I can offer 5,000 at 62½ net.” The pace and the pressures of the marketplace tend to make us impatient with those who speak in vague terms, who mask their intentions, or who do not know the facts.
“This guy says I should talk like that all the time”: Challenging intersecting ideologies of language and gender in an American Stuttering English comedienne's stand-up routine
Authors: Dumas Nathaniel W.
Published: May 2016

American Stuttering English (ASE) speakers (or ‘persons who stutter’ in pathological perspectives) have historically had tense relationships with comedic representations of their speech. Mainstream representations pathologize and ridicule stuttering, rather than appreciate it as a legitimate language variety. These depictions also increase non-ASE speakers' ‘possessive investment’ (Lipsitz 1995) in Standard American Fluent English as the dominant language variety. Recently, some ASE speakers have reinterpreted ASE and comedic portrayals of their speech using stand-up comedy. This article analyzes the comedic work of Rona B, an ASE comedienne. Using data on her YouTube channel, I argue that Rona B draws on her intersectional experiences as a female ASE speaker to construct a voice that critiques both the political agendas of anti-linguistic discrimination, which downplays gender, and of antisexism, which minimizes sociolinguistic differences. This study expands on contemporary calls in sociolinguistics that position intracategorical intersectionality as key for analyzing performances on language variation. (Gender, variation, American Stuttering English, performance, stand-up comedy, language ideologies)*
MAKING HISTORY ONLINE
Authors: Hitchcock Tim , Shoemaker Robert
Published: May 2016

This article considers the implications of recent innovations in digital history for the relationship between the academy and the public. It argues that while digitisation and the internet have attracted large new audiences, academic historians have been reluctant to engage with this new public. We suggest that recent innovations in academic digital history, such as the highly technocratic ‘Culturomics’ movement, have had the unintended effect of driving a wedge between higher education and the wider public. Similarly, academic history writing has been slow to embrace the possibilities of the internet as a means of dissemination and engagement; and academic publishing has moved even more reluctantly. Despite these issues, this article argues that the internet offers real opportunities for bridging the divide between the academy and a wider audience. Through non-traditional forms of publication such as blogging; through Open Access policies; and through new forms of visualisation of complex data, the digital and online allow us to present complex history to a wider audience. We conclude that historians need to embrace the ‘affordances’ and ‘disruptions’ posed by the internet to render the discipline more open and democratically accessible.
Shape Measures of Random Increasing k-trees
Authors: DARRASSE ALEXIS , HWANG HSIEN-KUEI , SORIA MICHÈLE
Published: May 2016

Random increasing k-trees represent an interesting and useful class of strongly dependent graphs that have been studied widely, including being used recently as models for complex networks. In this paper we study an informative notion called BFS-profile and derive, by several analytic means, asymptotic estimates for its expected value, together with the limiting distribution in certain cases; some interesting consequences predicting more precisely the shapes of random k-trees are also given. Our methods of proof rely essentially on a bijection between k-trees and ordinary trees, the resolution of linear systems, and a specially framed notion called Flajolet–Odlyzko admissibility.
On the Richter–Thomassen Conjecture about Pairwise Intersecting Closed Curves
Authors: PACH JÁNOS , RUBIN NATAN , TARDOS GÁBOR
Published: May 2016

A long-standing conjecture of Richter and Thomassen states that the total number of intersection points between any n simple closed Jordan curves in the plane, so that any pair of them intersect and no three curves pass through the same point, is at least (1−o(1))n2.

We confirm the above conjecture in several important cases, including the case (1) when all curves are convex, and (2) when the family of curves can be partitioned into two equal classes such that each curve from the first class touches every curve from the second class. (Two closed or open curves are said to be touching if they have precisely one point in common and at this point the two curves do not properly cross.)

An important ingredient of our proofs is the following statement. Let S be a family of n open curves in ℝ2, so that each curve is the graph of a continuous real function defined on ℝ, and no three of them pass through the same point. If there are nt pairs of touching curves in S, then the number of crossing points is $\Omega(nt\sqrt{\log t/\log\log t})$.
Testimonial: Impact of Alzheimer's Disease on One Artist's Body of Work
Authors: Utermohlen Patricia
Published: May 2016

William Utermohlen was born in 1933. Upon completing his Bachelor's degree at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, he joined the Army and then moved to England to study at the University of Oxford. This is where he met his wife, Patricia. Bill painted scenes from his childhood in Philadelphia, images of Vietnam War veterans, and pictures inspired by Dante's Inferno. Later, many of his paintings depicted family life, conversations with friends, and his home—they were happy pictures.
From tag to task: Coming to grips with bilingual control issues
Authors: DIJKSTRA TON
Published: May 2016

The recent trend in psycholinguistics from autonomous, rule-oriented models with symbolic representations towards more interactive, regularity oriented, and subsymbolic models reflects an increasing awareness that the finer aspects of cognitive processing may be sensitive to “contextual factors.” Apparently, there is systematic variability in the data that depends on task demands and stimulus list composition, and their effect on the strategies and decision criteria maintained by the experimental subject. However, most current (computational) models at best embody a task-independent stimulus identification process with a simple decision process operating in the same rigid manner across different tasks (Dijkstra & de Smedt, 1996).