bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water level regulation affects niche use of a lake top predator, Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Authors: Eloranta Antti P. , Sánchez‐Hernández Javier , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Skoglund Sigrid , Brush Jaclyn M. , Henriksen Eirik H. , Power Michael
Published: July 2016

Water level fluctuations are expected to deteriorate the littoral zone in heavily regulated hydropower reservoirs, but there is limited empirical evidence of how food webs and fish populations are affected. We contrasted the size, growth, condition, niche use (i.e., habitat and diet), and parasite infection of allopatric Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) populations in two neighboring and comparable Norwegian mountain lakes. We hypothesized that the presumed abiotic and biotic deterioration of the littoral zone would lead to reduced abundance and growth as well as to increased pelagic niche use and reduced niche width of the charr in the heavily regulated Govdajavri (maximum regulation amplitude 24 m) as compared with the unregulated Cazajavri. Our stable isotope and parasite data showed that charr had a slightly narrower and more pelagic feeding niche in the regulated than in the unregulated lake. The relative abundance of charr was lower in the regulated lake, but no between‐lake differences were observed in charr condition, and the charr grew slightly faster in the regulated than in the unregulated lake. Our study suggests that impaired littoral production can alter food webs in alpine hydropower reservoirs and induce a pelagic niche shift by top predators. These results argue for further investigations of hydropower impacts on lake food webs along with other factors that influence the abundance and niche use of fish, such as intraspecific interactions and compensatory growth, which may partly mask the potential impacts.
Restoring movement representation and alleviating phantom limb pain through short‐term neurorehabilitation with a virtual reality system
Authors: Osumi M. , Ichinose A. , Sumitani M. , Wake N. , Sano Y. , Yozu A. , Kumagaya S. , Kuniyoshi Y. , Morioka S.
Published: July 2016

Background and Objective

We developed a quantitative method to measure movement representations of a phantom upper limb using a bimanual circle‐line coordination task (BCT). We investigated whether short‐term neurorehabilitation with a virtual reality (VR) system would restore voluntary movement representations and alleviate phantom limb pain (PLP).

Methods

Eight PLP patients were enrolled. In the BCT, they repeatedly drew vertical lines using the intact hand and intended to draw circles using the phantom limb. Drawing circles mentally using the phantom limb led to the emergence of an oval transfiguration of the vertical lines (‘bimanual‐coupling’ effect). We quantitatively measured the degree of this bimanual‐coupling effect as movement representations of the phantom limb before and immediately after short‐term VR neurorehabilitation. This was achieved using an 11‐point numerical rating scale (NRS) for PLP intensity and the Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF‐MPQ). During VR neurorehabilitation, patients wore a head‐mounted display that showed a mirror‐reversed computer graphic image of an intact arm (the virtual phantom limb). By intending to move both limbs simultaneously and similarly, the patients perceived voluntary execution of movement in their phantom limb.

Results

Short‐term VR neurorehabilitation promptly restored voluntary movement representations in the BCT and alleviated PLP (NRS: p = 0.015; 39.1 ± 28.4% relief, SF‐MPQ: p = 0.015; 61.5 ± 48.5% relief). Restoration of phantom limb movement representations and reduced PLP intensity were linearly correlated (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

VR rehabilitation may encourage patient's motivation and multimodal sensorimotor re‐integration of a phantom limb and subsequently have a potent analgesic effect.

Significance

There was no objective evidence that restoring movement representation by neurorehabilitation with virtual reality alleviated phantom limb pain. This study revealed quantitatively that restoring movement representation with virtual reality rehabilitation using a bimanual coordination task correlated with alleviation of phantom limb pain.
Hydrogen Evolution Facilitates Reduction of DNA Guanine Residues at the Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode: Evidence for a Chemical Mechanism
Authors: Daňhel Aleš , Havran Luděk , Trnková Libuše , Fojta Miroslav
Published: July 2016

Guanine (G), as well as G residues in nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids, undergo chemically reversible (but electrochemically irreversible) reduction/oxidation processes at the mercury‐based electrodes. It has been established that G is reduced to 7,8‐dihydroguanine at highly negative potentials. The reduction product is oxidized back to G around −0.25 V, giving rise to anodic peak G. Previous studies suggested involvement of a chemical mechanism involving electrochemically generated hydrogen radicals in the G reduction process. In this work we studied effects of cisplatin and pH on the G reduction process. We have found that catalytic hydrogen evolution accompanying electrochemical reduction of cisplatin markedly facilitates reduction of G. Minimum negative potential required for G reduction were shifted to less negative values and correlated with the onset of catalytic currents of cisplatin. Analogous shifts of the potential of G reduction were observed upon lowering pH of the background electrolyte (i.e., increasing the availability of protons to generate hydrogen radicals). Ammonium ions markedly increased efficiency of G reduction, which may be explained by generation of active hydrogen via formation and subsequent decomposition of ammonium amalgam. Our results strongly suggest that chemical mechanism(s) involving hydrogen radicals, electrochemically and/or electrocatalytically generated at the HMDE, contribute to the guanine → 7,8‐dihydroguanine conversion.
Mean platelet volume as a predictive marker for venous thromboembolism and mortality in patients treated for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Rupa‐Matysek Joanna , Gil Lidia , Kroll‐Balcerzak Renata , Barańska Marta , Komarnicki Mieczysław
Published: July 2016

It has been suggested that mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and increased mortality in patients with cancer.

We evaluated the association of MPV with VTE and mortality in patients treated for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Retrospective analyses were performed on 184 adult patients (median age 59, 55% men), of whom 141 were newly diagnosed, and 43 had relapse/refractory DLBCL.

During the observation period (median 499 days), 39 (21.2%) patients developed VTE. Thirty‐nine patients died of various causes. In univariate analysis, only the MPV and the treatment line were associated with the occurrence of VTE. In multivariate analysis, MPV ≤10th percentile (odd ratio 1.81; 95% confidence interval 1.06–3.11, p = 0.03) and salvage therapy (odd ratio 2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.66–3.65, p < 0.001) remained significant factors for developing VTE. Other patient‐related factors—age, gender, disease‐related factors—stage, the International Prognostic Index score, DLBCL subclassification (the germinal centre type and the activated B‐cell type), Ki‐67 index and VTE risk assessment model failed to be prognostic for VTE.

In a Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with MPV >10th percentile had statistically significantly longer VTE‐free survival than patients with lower MPV. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, MPV ≤10th percentile (hazard ratio 5.56, p < 0.001), male gender, age, Ki‐67 index, high or high‐intermediate International Prognostic Index and VTE development (hazard ratio 7.81, p = 0.029) all significantly correlated with the risk of mortality. The probability of survival was higher in patients with MPV >10th percentile.

In conclusion, our results suggest that the pre‐chemotherapy MPV value is a cheap and available parameter that may be a useful prognostic marker for a significant risk of VTE and inferior survival rates in patients with DLBCL.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between the Alliance Negotiation Scale and Psychotherapy Process and Outcome
Authors: Doran Jennifer M. , Safran Jeremy D. , Muran J. Christopher
Published: July 2016

Objective

This study examines the validity of the Alliance Negotiation Scale (ANS) in a psychotherapy research program. Analyses were designed to evaluate the relationship between the ANS and psychotherapy process and outcome variables.

Method

Data were collected in a metropolitan psychotherapy research program. Participants completed 30 sessions of therapy, postsession assessments, and a battery of measures at intake and termination.

Results

Relationships were found between the ANS and session outcome, working alliance, and the presence of ruptures and their resolution. Relationships emerged between the ANS and treatment outcome on measures of psychiatric distress and interpersonal problems.

Conclusions

The ANS demonstrated relationships with several psychotherapy process and outcome variables. The ANS was the most differentiated from the working alliance on measures of interpersonal functioning and in discriminating personality disorder pathology. These results extend previous findings on the ANS’ psychometric integrity, and offer new data on the relationship between negotiation and treatment outcome.
Fully automated synthesis of [18F]fluoro‐dihydrotestosterone ([18F]FDHT) using the FlexLab module
Authors: Ackermann Uwe , Lewis Jason S. , Young Kenneth , Morris Michael J. , Weickhardt Andrew , Davis Ian D. , Scott Andrew M.
Published: July 2016

Imaging of androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer using F‐18 FDHT is becoming increasingly popular. With the radiolabelling precursor now commercially available, developing a fully automated synthesis of [18F] FDHT is important. We have fully automated the synthesis of F‐18 FDHT using the iPhase FlexLab module using only commercially available components. Total synthesis time was 90 min, radiochemical yields were 25‐33% (n = 11). Radiochemical purity of the final formulation was > 99% and specific activity was > 18.5 GBq/µmol for all batches. This method can be up‐scaled as desired, thus making it possible to study multiple patients in a day. Furthermore, our procedure uses 4 mg of precursor only and is therefore cost‐effective. The synthesis has now been validated at Austin Health and is currently used for [18F]FDHT studies in patients. We believe that this method can easily adapted by other modules to further widen the availability of [18F]FDHT.
Pharmacokinetic parameters of three active ingredients hederacoside C, hederacoside D, and ɑ‐hederin in Hedera helix in rats
Authors: Yu Miao , Liu Jiaxin , Li Lin , Xu Haiyan , Xing Yanyan , Zhao Yunli , Yu Zhiguo
Published: July 2016

In Hedera helix hederacoside C, hederacoside D, and ɑ‐hederin are three major bioactive saponins and play pivotal roles in the overall biological activity. In this study, a specific and sensitive ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of three major bioactive saponins in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed‐phase Thermo Hypersil GOLD C18 column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.9 μm) using a gradient mobile phase system of acetonitrile‐water containing 0.1% formic acid. The assay was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic behavior of the three analytes in rats after oral and intravenous administration of a mixture of saponins (hederacoside C, hederacoside D, and ɑ‐hederin). Further research was performed to compare the pharmacokinetic behavior of the three analytes after the oral administration of a mixture of saponins and an extract of saponins from Hedera helix, and results showed that double peaks were evident on concentration–time profile for each of the three saponins. The difference in the pharmacokinetic characteristics of three saponins between a mixture of saponins and an extract of saponins from Hedera helix was found in rat, which would be beneficial for the preclinical research and clinical use of Hedera helix.
Toxic contaminants of thermo‐oxidatively processed edible oils/fats
Authors: Aladedunye Felix
Published: July 2016

Processing of edible oils during refining of the crude oil, or when used in frying, often exposes the oils to thermal and oxidative stresses. However, because of weaknesses inherent in their chemical structure, oils subsequently undergo structural decomposition and transformation in response to thermooxidative stresses. Whereas some of the decomposition products from the processed oils confer some value additions to the oils and the foods prepared in them (e.g. flavor, color, texture, and even stability), a number of edible oils' degradation products are known to be potentially toxic, and at reasonably high quantity, can compromise the health and wellbeing of consumers. This article describes the sources and updated knowledge on major toxic compounds that are generated during high temperature processing and usage of vegetable oils.
Well‐posedness of non‐autonomous linear evolution equations in uniformly convex spaces
Authors: Schmid J. , Griesemer M.
Published: July 2016

This paper addresses the problem of well‐posedness of non‐autonomous linear evolution equations in uniformly convex Banach spaces. We assume that for each t is the generator of a quasi‐contractive, strongly continuous group, where the domain D and the growth exponent are independent of t. Well‐posedness holds provided that is Lipschitz for all . Hölder continuity of degree is not sufficient and the assumption of uniform convexity cannot be dropped.
Scattering theorems of elastic waves for a thermoelastic body
Authors: Athanasiadou E. , Sevroglou V. , Zoi S.
Published: July 2016

In the present work, the scattering problem of an elastic wave by a penetrable thermoelastic body in an isotropic and homogeneous elastic medium is considered. The corresponding scattering problem is formulated in a suitable compact form, and taking into account the physical parameters of the thermoelastic body and integral representations for the total exterior elastic and the total interior thermoelastic field are presented. Using asymptotic analysis of the fundamental solution of the Navier equation, expressions of the far‐field patterns are obtained, and reciprocity theorems for plane and spherical wave incidence are established. Finally, a general scattering theorem for plane wave incidence is also presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intramolecular transformation of an antifungal antibiotic nystatin A1 into its isomer, iso‐nystatin A1 – structural and molecular modeling studies
Authors: Szwarc Katarzyna , Płosiński Marcin , Czerniejewska Karolina , Laskowski Tomasz , Leniak Arkadiusz , Czub Jacek , Kubica Paweł , Sowiński Paweł , Pawlak Jan , Borowski Edward
Published: July 2016

Nystatin A1, a polyene macrolide antifungal antibiotic, in a slightly basic or acidic solution undergoes an intramolecular transformation, yielding a structural isomer, the translactonization product, iso‐nystatin A1 with lactone ring diminished by two carbon atoms. Structural evidence is provided by advanced NMR and Mass Spectrometry (MS) studies. Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics calculations gave the insight into the course and mechanism of the transformation and its effect on the conformation of the subject molecule. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
13C dynamic nuclear polarization using isotopically enriched 4‐oxo‐TEMPO free radicals
Authors: Niedbalski Peter , Parish Christopher , Kiswandhi Andhika , Lumata Lloyd
Published: July 2016

The nitroxide‐based free radical 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) is a widely used polarizing agent in NMR signal amplification via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). In this study, we have thoroughly investigated the effects of 15N and/or 2H isotopic labeling of 4‐oxo‐TEMPO free radical on 13C DNP of 3 M [1‐13C] sodium acetate samples in 1 : 1 v/v glycerol : water at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. Four variants of this free radical were used for 13C DNP: 4‐oxo‐TEMPO, 4‐oxo‐TEMPO‐15N, 4‐oxo‐TEMPO‐d16 and 4‐oxo‐TEMPO‐15N,d16. Our results indicate that, despite the striking differences seen in the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral features, the 13C DNP efficiency of these 15N and/or 2H‐enriched 4‐oxo‐TEMPO free radicals are relatively the same compared with 13C DNP performance of the regular 4‐oxo‐TEMPO. Furthermore, when fully deuterated glassing solvents were used, the 13C DNP signals of these samples all doubled in the same manner, and the 13C polarization buildup was faster by a factor of 2 for all samples. The data here suggest that the hyperfine coupling contributions of these isotopically enriched 4‐oxo‐TEMPO free radicals have negligible effects on the 13C DNP efficiency at 3.35 T and 1.2 K. These results are discussed in light of the spin temperature model of DNP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pick the Right Pocket. Sub‐sampling of Bone Sections to Investigate Diagenesis and DNA Preservation
Authors: Hollund H. I. , Teasdale M. D. , Mattiangeli V. , Sverrisdóttir O. Ó. , Bradley D. G. , O'Connor T.
Published: July 2016

Many archaeological bones display a heterogeneous degradation pattern. Highly degraded bones could contain pockets of well‐preserved bone, harbouring good quality DNA. This dichotomy may explain why the relationships between global bone preservation parameters such as histological integrity, bone mineral crystallinity or collagen yield, and bulk DNA preservation/amplification success rate have been found to be at best, weak to moderate. In this pilot study, we explore whether or not a more localised approach will highlight a stronger relationship between diagenetic parameters and DNA preservation. This study includes a detailed histological characterisation of bone diagenesis in sub‐areas of three bone samples. Regions of the same bone, which displayed differential degrees of preservation or type of diagenesis were sampled for further analysis and both genetic (small scale Illumina MiSeq sequencing) and chemical (Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometric analysis) analyses were performed. The aim was to investigate how bone diagenetic processes relate to DNA preservation at a higher resolution than in previous studies. This is key in order to improve DNA analytical success rates. The expected relationship between bone and DNA preservation (retrieved endogenous DNA) was observed and the results corroborate previous work that DNA preservation is linked to the integrity of bone collagen and mineral. The results further suggest that non‐biological diagenetic alterations such as etching and the presence of mineral infiltrations and inclusions have a negative effect on DNA preservation/extraction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth of Compounding Awareness Predicts Reading Comprehension in Young Chinese Students: A Longitudinal Study From Grade 1 to Grade 2
Authors: Cheng Yahua , Zhang Jie , Li Hong , Wu Xinchun , Liu Hongyun , Dong Qiong , Li Liping , Nguyen Thi Phuong , Zheng Minglu , Zhao Ying , Sun Peng
Published: July 2016

Using a longitudinal sample of young Chinese students (fall and spring in grades 1 and 2: times 1–4, respectively) and growth curve analysis, this study examined whether the initial status and growth rates of compounding awareness from time 1 to time 4 uniquely contribute to reading comprehension at time 4 and whether word‐reading efficiency at time 4 mediates the association between initial status and growth in compounding awareness and reading comprehension at time 4. The results indicated that initial status and growth rates of compounding awareness made a significant direct contribution to reading comprehension at the end of second grade after controlling for IQ, phonological awareness, and vocabulary knowledge. The relationship between initial status and growth rates of compounding awareness and reading comprehension were fully mediated by word‐reading efficiency. The findings underscore the importance of growth in compounding awareness for reading comprehension and add to the literature about the nature of the morphological awareness and reading comprehension relationship in Chinese.
Improving Middle School Science Learning Using Diagrammatic Reasoning
Authors: CROMLEY JENNIFER G. , WEISBERG STEVEN M. , DAI TING , NEWCOMBE NORA S. , SCHUNN CHRISTIAN D. , MASSEY CHRISTINE , MERLINO F. JOSEPH
Published: July 2016

We explored whether existing curricula can be adapted to increase students’ skills at comprehending and learning from diagrams using an intervention delivered by regular middle‐school teachers in intact classrooms. Ninety‐two teachers in three states implemented our modified materials over six curricular units from two publishers: Holt (a reading‐focused curriculum) and Full Option Science System (FOSS) (an inquiry‐focused curriculum). Results were compared between two interventions—one based on selected principles of cognitive science (cognitive‐science‐based) that included instruction in diagram comprehension and one providing professional development in science content only (content‐only)—and a business‐as‐usual control. We analyze posttest items involving different degrees of reliance on diagrams to show how instruction in diagram comprehension can improve comprehension of diagrams during reasoning. At the classroom level, there were significant advantages of the cognitive‐science‐based intervention over both content‐only and business‐as‐usual with large effect sizes in all FOSS units (d = 0.41–0.52), but only one Holt unit (d = 0.11). Analyses by type of diagram suggested these effects were largest for transfer to diagrams from an uninstructed domain. Further analyses of high‐stakes state test scores available for the participants implementing the Holt units showed improved use of diagrams (d = 0.45–0.66). Results suggest that making sense of visualizations (diagrams) is not effortless and self‐evident, but that students who receive supports for comprehending can improve their comprehension, and the learning can transfer to new domains.
One‐Step Synthesis of Xanthones and Thio‐Xanthones by Using Magnetically Separable Copper ferrite Nanoparticles as a Catalyst under Ligand Free Conditions
Authors: Venkanna Avudoddi , Goud Palle Vinod Kumar , Prasad Pulaganti Vijaya , Shanker Medi , Rao Pallapothula Venkateswar
Published: July 2016

An efficient, highly versatile and simple protocol was developed for the synthesis of xanthones and thio‐xanthones via an intermolecular catalytic coupling of 2‐substituted benzaldehydes and various phenols under ligand free conditions by using nano‐CuFe2O4 as a catalyst and K3PO4 as a base in DMF solvent at 80 0C in air. The reaction proceeds smoothly with a wide range of starting materials and furthermore, the explored copper ferrite catalyst is air‐stable, inexpensive, magnetically separated, recyclable and reusable up to four cycles.
Facile Synthesis of Fully Decorated Imidazo[4,5‐b] and Imidazo[4,5‐c] Pyridines in Aqueous DMF via C‐H Activation under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Avinesh Mr. P. , Jaison Mr. Thadathil. J. , Sajith Ayyiliath. M. , Nagaswarupa H. P. , Muralidharan A.
Published: July 2016

Catalytic C−H bond activation of heteroarenes has gained tremendous potential in recent years due to their environmentally and economically benign nature. In this paper we report the regioisomeric synthesis of fully decorated imidazo pyridines employing a C−H activation protocol with a wide range of aryl/hetero aryl/alkyl boronic acids in aqueous DMF. The use of inexpensive copper catalyst and Bathophenanthroline as ligand were found to be instrumental in driving these reactions to completion. This optimised protocol was further extended to alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl potassium organo trifluoroborates. A wide range of diversely substituted imidazo pyridine analogues which are known for their potential therapeutic applications have been synthesized using this highly efficient and atom economical protocol.
Predictive Synthesis of Freeform Carbon Nanotube Microarchitectures by Strain‐Engineered Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Park Sei Jin , Zhao Hangbo , Kim Sanha , De Volder Michael , John Hart A.
Published: July 2016

High‐throughput fabrication of microstructured surfaces with multi‐directional, re‐entrant, or otherwise curved features is becoming increasingly important for applications such as phase change heat transfer, adhesive gripping, and control of electromagnetic waves. Toward this goal, curved microstructures of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be fabricated by engineered variation of the CNT growth rate within each microstructure, for example by patterning of the CNT growth catalyst partially upon a layer which retards the CNT growth rate. This study develops a finite‐element simulation framework for predictive synthesis of complex CNT microarchitectures by this strain‐engineered growth process. The simulation is informed by parametric measurements of the CNT growth kinetics, and the anisotropic mechanical properties of the CNTs, and predicts the shape of CNT microstructures with impressive fidelity. Moreover, the simulation calculates the internal stress distribution that results from extreme deformation of the CNT structures during growth, and shows that delamination of the interface between the differentially growing segments occurs at a critical shear stress. Guided by these insights, experiments are performed to study the time‐ and geometry‐depended stress development, and it is demonstrated that corrugating the interface between the segments of each microstructure mitigates the interface failure. This study presents a methodology for 3D microstructure design based on “pixels” that prescribe directionality to the resulting microstructure, and show that this framework enables the predictive synthesis of more complex architectures including twisted and truss‐like forms.
Low end‐to‐end delay fuzzy networking protocol for mobile wireless sensing
Authors: Mazaheri Mohammad , Kavian Yousef S. , Sharif Hamid , Rashvand Habib F.
Published: July 2016

Because of the practical limitations of the energy and processing capabilities, the deployment of many Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is facing two main challenges of increasing network lifetime and reducing End to End Delay (EED) which become critical when the nodes are mobile and use non‐rechargeable energy sources. One way to help to extend network lifetime is using fuzzy logic in a form of artificial intelligence. To this end we propose a new routing protocol for using mobile WSNs, which holds the nodes in an equal level of energy and decreases energy dissipation of the network. An optimum path is selected based on the cost of each node to increase network lifetime. In order to lessen EED, we also attempt to design a novel zoning‐scheme for the network area. In this scheme, zonation is dynamic and works based on the Data Link (DL) position. The simulation result shows a significant improvement in lifetime and EED by proposed protocol compared with existing protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blastobotrys (Arxula) adeninivorans: a promising alternative yeast for biotechnology and basic research
Authors: Malak Anna , Baronian Kim , Kunze Gotthard
Published: July 2016

Blastobotrys adeninivorans (syn. Arxula adeninivorans) is a non‐conventional, non‐pathogenic, imperfect, haploid yeast, belonging to the subphylum Saccharomycotina, which has to date received comparatively little attention from researchers. It possesses unusual properties such as thermo‐ and osmotolerance, and a broad substrate spectrum. Depending on the cultivation temperature B. (A.) adeninivorans exhibits different morphological forms and various post‐translational modifications and protein expression properties that are strongly correlated with the morphology. The genome has been completely sequenced and, in addition, there is a well‐developed transformation/expression platform, which makes rapid, simple gene manipulations possible. This yeast species is a very good host for homologous and heterologous gene expression and is also a useful gene donor. Blastobotrys (A.) adeninivorans is able to use a very wide range of substrates as carbon and/or nitrogen sources and is an interesting organism owing to the presence of many metabolic pathways, for example degradation of n‐butanol, purines and tannin. In addition, its unusual properties and robustness make it a useful bio‐component for whole cell biosensors. There are currently a number of products on the market produced by B. (A.) adeninivorans and further investigation may contribute further innovative solutions for current challenges that exist in the biotechnology industry. Additionally it may become a useful alternative to existing commercial yeast strains and as a model organism in research. In this review we present information relevant to the exploitation of B. (A.) adeninivorans in research and industrial settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Material feature representation and identification with composite surfacelets
Authors: Huang Wei , Wang Yan , Rosen David W.
Published: July 2016

Computer-aided materials design requires new modeling approaches to characterize and represent fine-grained geometric structures and material compositions at multiple scales. Recently, a dual-Rep approach was developed to model materials microstructures based on a new basis function, called surfacelet. As a combination of implicit surface and wavelets, surfacelets can efficiently identify and represent planar, cylindrical, and ellipsoidal geometries in material microstructures and describe the distribution of compositions and properties. In this paper, these primitive surfacelets are extended and composite surfacelets are proposed to model more complex geometries. Composite surfacelets are constructed by Boolean operations on the primitives. The surfacelet transform is applied to match geometric features in three-dimensional images. The composition of the material near the identified features can then be modeled. A cubic surfacelet and a v-joint surfacelet are developed to demonstrate the reverse engineering process of retrieving material compositions from material images.

Highlights Modeling material distribution and edge singularity with composition of implicit surfaces. Identifying edge features in images with surface integrals and surfacelet transform. Enabling reverse engineering of materials with parametric representation.
Incidence of fistula after management of perianal abscess
Authors: Hasan Riyadh Mohamad
Published: July 2016

Background Perianal fistula is among the most common anorectal diseases encountered in adults, men are more prone to be affected than women. There is a close relationship of abscess and fistula in etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, therapy, complications and morbidity, it is appropriate to consider them as one entity.

Aim of study To determine the incidence of fistula formation and recurrent abscess in a sample of Iraqi patients in Baghdad and decide whether primary fistulotomy should be performed at the time of incision and drainage of perianal abscesses.

Patients and methods A retrospective study of 68 patients with perianal abscess operations conducted in Baghdad. They underwent incision and drainage under either local or general anesthesia at Al-Kindy Teaching Hospitals and private hospitals over a 15-year period from January 2000 to December 2015. Their ages ranged from 20 to 68 years (40.21 ± 1.34) males (63/68) (92.64%) were more than females (5/68) (7.35%). Patients were treated with incision over the abscess under anesthesia and drainage of the abscess was done. The patients were followed up for an average 18 months (range 12–24 months) after abscess drainage or until a fistula appeared and abscess recurrence.

Results The study group comprised of 68 (92.64%) patients with perianal abscess with a median age 39 years (range 20–68 years). The mean follow-up period was identified to be 18 months (range 12–24 months). Males (63/68) (92.64%) were more than females (5/68) (7.35%). The incidence of fistula formation after follow up, the patients with perianal abscess after incision and drainage was 31/68 (45.58%) and males (30/31) (44.11%) were more than females (1/31) (1.47%). The most common site was posterior then left lateral position. The percentage of patients with recurrent abscess n = 6 (8.82%)were lower than fistula formation n = 31 (45.58%). The percentage of males n = 4/6 (5.88%) were more than females 2/6 (2.94%).

Conclusions The incidence of anal fistula in a sample of Iraqi patients with perianal abscess was 45.58% and percentage of recurrence of perianal abscess was 8.82%. To avoid division of anal sphincter muscle, secondary fistulotomy is advised to be done later when anal fistula will be formed.
Cardiac conduction defects and Brugada syndrome: A family with overlap syndrome carrying a nonsense SCN5A mutation
Authors: Aoki Hisaaki , Nakamura Yoshihide , Ohno Seiko , Makiyama Takeru , Horie Minoru
Published: July 2016

Background

Phenotypes often differ even within family members carrying the same SCN5A mutation. We aimed to evaluate the genetic modifiers in a family with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and sick sinus syndrome (SSS) with an SCN5A mutation that causes the truncated alpha‐subunit of cardiac Na channel protein.

Methods

To detect the genetic modifiers, we performed targeted panel sequencing of the coding region of 46 genes that are related to primary arrhythmia syndrome, by using a bench‐top, next generation sequencer. Phenotype–genotype relationships were evaluated among the family members.

Results

Index proband was a 13‐year old (yo) boy with cardiac conduction defect as well as BrS. Genetic analysis revealed that he and his three asymptomatic family members carried a novel nonsense mutation: SCN5A‐Q779X. Both genotype‐positive mother and sister exhibited coved type ST elevation and his sister had SSS, whereas his elder brother exhibited saddleback type ST elevation induced by pilsicainide administration. We detected four non‐synonymous variants (DSG2‐R773K, SCN1B‐L210P, ‐S248R, and ‐R250T) in the proband, his mother and his sister, but not in his brother.

Conclusion

Phenotypic differences between the proband and his brother carrying the same nonsense SCN5A mutation could be explained by modifiers such as SCN1B, and DSG2 gene variants.
Federal Taxation in America
Authors: Brownlee W. Elliot
Published: July 2016

This authoritative and readable survey is a comprehensive historical overview of federal taxation and fiscal policy in the United States, extending from the era of the American Revolution to the present day. Brownlee relates the principal stages of federal taxation to the crises that led to their adoption, including but not limited to: the formation of the republic, the Civil War, World War I and II, and the challenges to government that took hold during the 1980s. In this third edition, Brownlee adds four new chapters covering the colonial era, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the 1920s, and the post-1945 era including the tax policies of the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. It features expanded discussion of government expenditures, deficits and debt, public resources, counter-cyclical fiscal policy, and state and local taxation. Its interdisciplinary interpretation makes it perfect for scholars, graduate students and advanced undergraduate students.
The Ancient Egyptian Economy
Authors: Muhs Brian
Published: July 2016

This book is the first economic history of ancient Egypt covering the entire pharaonic period, 3000–30 BCE, and employing a New Institutional Economics approach. It argues that the ancient Egyptian state encouraged an increasingly widespread and sophisticated use of writing through time, primarily in order to better document and more efficiently exact taxes for redistribution. The increased use of writing, however, also resulted in increased documentation and enforcement of private property titles and transfers, gradually lowering their transaction costs relative to redistribution. The book also argues that the increasing use of silver as a unified measure of value, medium of exchange, and store of wealth also lowered transaction costs for high value exchanges. The increasing use of silver in turn allowed the state to exact transfer taxes in silver, providing it with an economic incentive to further document and enforce private property titles and transfers.
Algorithms and Models for Network Data and Link Analysis
Authors: Fouss François , Saerens Marco , Shimbo Masashi
Published: July 2016

Network data are produced automatically by everyday interactions - social networks, power grids, and links between data sets are a few examples. Such data capture social and economic behavior in a form that can be analyzed using powerful computational tools. This book is a guide to both basic and advanced techniques and algorithms for extracting useful information from network data. The content is organized around 'tasks', grouping the algorithms needed to gather specific types of information and thus answer specific types of questions. Examples include similarity between nodes in a network, prestige or centrality of individual nodes, and dense regions or communities in a network. Algorithms are derived in detail and summarized in pseudo-code. The book is intended primarily for computer scientists, engineers, statisticians and physicists, but it is also accessible to network scientists based in the social sciences. Matlab/Octave code illustrating some of the algorithms will be available at: http://www.cambridge.org/9781107125773.
The Making of Friedrich Nietzsche
Authors: Blue Daniel
Published: July 2016

How did Nietzsche the philosopher come into being? The Nietzsche known today did not develop 'naturally', through the gradual maturation of some inborn character. Instead, from an early age he engaged in a self-conscious campaign to follow his own guidance, thereby cultivating the critical capacities and personal vision which figure in his books. As a result, his published works are steeped in values that he discovered long before he mobilized their results. Indeed, one could argue that the first work which he authored was not a book at all, but his own persona. Based on scholarship previously available only in German, this book examines Nietzsche's unstable childhood, his determination to advance through self-formation, and the ways in which his environment, notably the Prussian education system, alternately influenced and impeded his efforts to find his own way. It will be essential reading for all who are interested in Nietzsche.
Big Crisis Data
Authors: Castillo Carlos
Published: July 2016

Social media is an invaluable source of time-critical information during a crisis. However, emergency response and humanitarian relief organizations that would like to use this information struggle with an avalanche of social media messages that exceeds human capacity to process. Emergency managers, decision makers, and affected communities can make sense of social media through a combination of machine computation and human compassion - expressed by thousands of digital volunteers who publish, process, and summarize potentially life-saving information. This book brings together computational methods from many disciplines: natural language processing, semantic technologies, data mining, machine learning, network analysis, human-computer interaction, and information visualization, focusing on methods that are commonly used for processing social media messages under time-critical constraints, and offering more than 500 references to in-depth information.
Public Practice, Private Law
Authors: Chartier Gary
Published: July 2016

Marriage is ordinarily a public practice, supported by, as well as supportive of, society. But it need not fall within the purview of the state. Public Practice, Private Law articulates a conception of marriage as a morally rich and important institution that ought to be subject to private rather than legislative or judicial ordering. It elaborates a robust understanding of marriage that captures what both different-sex and same-sex couples might see as valuable about their relationships. It explains why sexual ethics won't yield a normative model of marriage, and why the kind of marital love worth wanting, can. It goes on to show how an understanding of marriage as rooted in demanding commitments can allow for divorce before arguing that the state should cease to sponsor marriages. It concludes by suggesting that both state and non-state institutions should acknowledge the marriages of same-sex couples.
Global Trade in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Wong John
Published: July 2016

In this engaging new study, John Wong examines the Canton trade networks that helped to shape the modern world through the lens of the prominent Chinese merchant Houqua, whose trading network and financial connections stretched from China to India, America and Britain. In contrast to interpretations that see Chinese merchants in this era as victims of rising Western mercantilism and oppressive Chinese traditions, Houqua maintained a complex balance between his commercial interests and those of his Western counterparts, all in an era of transnationalism before the imposition of the Western world order. The success of Houqua and Co. in configuring its networks in the fluid context of the early nineteenth century remains instructive today, as the contemporary balance of political power renders the imposition of a West-centric world system increasingly problematic, and requires international traders to adapt to a new world order in which China, once again, occupies center stage.
On Central Banking
Authors: Qvigstad Jan Fredrik
Published: July 2016

In these six lectures given at the Norwegian Royal Academy of Science and Letters, Jan Qvigstad draws on his deep experience at Norges Bank to outline key principles on which to base central bank policy. The first two lectures (Keeping promises and Transparency) emphasize the importance of credibility and ensuring accountability. Lectures 3-6 can be viewed as applying these key principles to specific issues (Making good decisions; Managing wealth; Learning from history; and Institutions). The lectures do not break new ground - indeed, Qvigstad nicely illustrates how these principles have been articulated in literature, history and politics. Rather, the lectures emphasize the lessons to be drawn by applying these principles to central banking history with primary reference to the case of Norway, such as managing Norway's sovereign wealth fund and designing institutions that will produce good policy outcomes.
Wordsworth and the Art of Philosophical Travel
Authors: Offord Mark
Published: July 2016

At the heart of Wordsworth's concerns is the question of how travel - both foreign and everyday - might also become an adventure into philosophy itself. This is an art of travel both as an approach to experience - one that draws on habits in order to revise them in the shock of new - and as a poetic approach that gives voice to the singular and foreign through the unique shapes of verse. Close readings of Wordsworth's 'pictures of Nature, Man, and Society' show how the natural is entangled with - and not simply opposed to, as many critics have suggested - the social, the political and the historical in this verse. This book draws on both eighteenth-century anthropology and travel literature, and debates in modern critical theory, to highlight Wordsworth's remarkable originality and his ongoing ability to transform our theoretical prejudgements in the unknown territory of the travel encounter.
Encountering Islam on the First Crusade
Authors: Morton Nicholas
Published: July 2016

The First Crusade (1095–9) has often been characterised as a head-to-head confrontation between the forces of Christianity and Islam. For many, it is the campaign that created a lasting rupture between these two faiths. Nevertheless, is such a characterisation borne out by the sources? Engagingly written and supported by a wealth of evidence, Encountering Islam on the First Crusade offers a major reinterpretation of the crusaders' attitudes towards the Arabic and Turkic peoples they encountered on their journey to Jerusalem. Nicholas Morton considers how they interpreted the new peoples, civilizations and landscapes they encountered; sights for which their former lives in Western Christendom had provided little preparation. Morton offers a varied picture of cross cultural relations, depicting the Near East as an arena in which multiple protagonists were pitted against each other. Some were fighting for supremacy, others for their religion, many simply for survival.
New productide brachiopods (Productoidea) from the Carboniferous of Ixtaltepec Formation, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Torres-Martínez Miguel A. , Sour-Tovar Francisco
Published: July 2016

From the Santiago Ixtaltepec area, in Oaxaca State, southern Mexico, 11 species of productoid brachiopods, including a new genus and five new species, are described.Semicostellasp.,Antiquatoniasp.,Keokukia? sp.,Inflatia inflata,Reticulatiacf.R.huecoensis,Buxtonia websteri,Weberproductus donajiaen. gen. n. sp.,Dictyoclostus transversumn. sp.,Inflatia coodzavuiin. sp.,Buxtonia inexpletucostan. sp., andFlexaria magnan. sp. were collected from eight stratigraphic levels of the Ixtaltepec Formation. The presence ofSemicostellasp.,Keokukia? sp. andInflatia inflatain the basal strata, Units 1 to 3, of the formation indicate a Viséan-Serpukhovian (Late Mississippian) age.Reticulatiacf.R.huecoensisandBuxtonia websteri, found in Units 6 to 8, confirm the Pennsylvanian age for upper strata of the Ixtaltepec Formation.InflatiaandFlexariaare present in the uppermost beds of the formation so it is possible to extend their upper stratigraphic range to the Middle Pennsylvanian. All these taxa also occur in the United States Midcontinent, suggesting that during the Carboniferous the epicontinental sea extended at least to central Mexico.
Power Plants for Supersonic Transports
Authors: Alford J. S.
Published: July 2016

The honour that has been accorded me in being invited to deliver the Second Halford Lecture is very much appreciated. My personal acquaintance with Major Halford began about fifteen years ago, and every step since has been one of increasing respect and esteem. It is a privilege and pleasure to pay tribute to the memory of a man whom I recall as an effective crusader for simplicity and reliability in engine design. In the First Lecture, John Brodie discussed very fully the contribution of Major Halford to aircraft power plants, and little is left for subsequent lectures on this subject. I have therefore chosen to speak on the propulsion problems of high-speed aircraft—a field of primary interest to Halford, as demonstrated by the outstanding success of the Goblin and Ghost engines, and more recently by the Gyron series designed for supersonic propulsion.
Diabatic Nozzle Flow with Constant Small Stage Efficiency
Authors: Bryant R. A. A.
Published: July 2016

The concept of small stage efficiency is introduced when studying one-dimensional gas flow in nozzles in order to permit a closer approximation of real flow conditions than is possible from an isentropic analysis. It is more or less conventional to assume the flow conditions are adiabatic whenever the small stage efficiency is used. That is to say, small stage efficiency is generally considered in relation to flows contained within adiabatic boundaries, in which case it becomes a measure of the heat generated by internal frictional effects alone.
The Operation of Naval Aircraft and Aircraft Carriers
Authors: Furse J. P. W.
Published: July 2016

The title of this lecture is “The Operation of Naval Aircraft and Aircraft Carriers”, but its sub-title should be “New Aircraft into Old Carriers”, because I am going to talk about just one phase of the Aircraft and Carrier problem: that of converting our wartime designed Carriers so that they can operate our new Aircraft coming into service, particularly the Scimitar, Sea Vixen and N.A.39.