bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery and purification of chitosanase produced by Bacillus cereus using expanded bed adsorption and central composite design
Authors: de Araújo Nathália Kelly , Pimentel Vanessa Carvalho , da Silva Nayane Macedo Portela , de Araújo Padilha Carlos Eduardo , de Macedo Gorete Ribeiro , dos Santos Everaldo Silvino
Published: December 2015

This study presents a system for expanded bed adsorption for the purification of chitosanase from broth extract in a single step. A chitosanase‐producing strain was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus C‐01 and used to produce chitosanases. The expanded bed adsorption conditions for chitosanase purification were optimized statistically using STREAMLINETM DEAE and a homemade column (2.6 × 30.0 cm). Dependent variables were defined by the quality criteria purification factor (P) and enzyme yield to optimize the chromatographic process. Statistical analyses showed that the optimum conditions for the maximum P were 150 cm/h load flow velocity, 6.0 cm settled bed height, and 7.36 cm distributor height. Distributor height had a strong influence on the process, considerably affecting both the P and enzyme yield. Optimizing the purification variables resulted in an approximately 3.66‐fold increase in the P compared with the value under nonoptimized conditions. This system is promising for the recovery of chitosanase from B. cereus C‐01 and is economically viable because it promotes the reduction steps.
Triblock Terpolymers by Simultaneous Tandem Block Polymerization (STBP)
Authors: Freudensprung Ines , Klapper Markus , Müllen Klaus
Published: December 2015

A route of synthesizing triblock terpolymers in a one‐pot, “one‐step” polymerization approach is presented. The combination of two distinct polymerization techniques through orthogonal catalyst/initiator functionalities attached to a polymeric linker furnishes novel pathways to ABC‐terpolymers. Both polymerizations have to be compatible regarding mechanisms, chosen monomers, and solvents. Here, an α,ω‐heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) serves as poly­meric catalyst/initiator to obtain triblock terpolymers of poly(norbornene)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lactic acid) PNB‐PEG‐PLLA via simultaneous ring opening metathesis poly­merization and ring opening polymerization in a fast one‐pot polymerization. Structural characterization of the polymers is provided via 1H‐, DOSY‐, and 1H,1H‐COSY‐NMR, while solution and thin film self‐assembly are investigated by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy.

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Combining selected immunomodulatory Propionibacterium freudenreichii and Lactobacillus delbrueckii strains: Reverse engineering development of an anti‐inflammatory cheese
Authors: Plé Coline , Breton Jérôme , Richoux Romain , Nurdin Marine , Deutsch Stéphanie‐Marie , Falentin Hélène , Hervé Christophe , Chuat Victoria , Lemée Riwanon , Maguin Emmanuelle , Jan Gwénaël , Van de Guchte Maarten , Foligné Benoit
Published: December 2015

Scope: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) constitutes a growing public health concern in western countries. Bacteria with anti‐inflammatory properties are lacking in the dysbiosis accompanying IBD. Selected strains of probiotic bacteria with anti‐inflammatory properties accordingly alleviate symptoms and enhance treatment of ulcerative colitis in clinical trials. Such properties are also found in selected strains of dairy starters such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii and Lactobacillus delbrueckii (Ld). We thus investigated the possibility to develop a fermented dairy product, combining both starter and probiotic abilities of both lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria, designed to extend remissions in IBD patients.

Methods and results: We developed a single‐strain Ld‐fermented milk and a two‐strain P. freudenreichii and Ld‐fermented experimental pressed cheese using strains previously selected for their anti‐inflammatory properties. Consumption of these experimental fermented dairy products protected mice against trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid induced colitis, alleviating severity of symptoms, modulating local and systemic inflammation, as well as colonic oxidative stress and epithelial cell damages. As a control, the corresponding sterile dairy matrix failed to afford such protection.

Conclusion: This work reveals the probiotic potential of this bacterial mixture, in the context of fermented dairy products. It opens new perspectives for the reverse engineering development of anti‐inflammatory fermented foods designed for target populations with IBD, and has provided evidences leading to an ongoing pilot clinical study in ulcerative colitis patients.
Human‐Serum‐Albumin‐Coated Prussian Blue Nanoparticles as pH‐/Thermotriggered Drug‐Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Thermochemotherapy
Authors: Li Zhenglin , Hu Ying , Jiang Tingting , Howard Kenneth A. , Li Yonggang , Fan Xuelei , Sun Ye , Besenbacher Flemming , Yu Miao
Published: December 2015

Constructing novel multimodal antitumor therapeutic nanoagents has attracted tremendous recent attention. In this work, a new drug‐delivery vehicle based on human‐serum‐albumin (HSA)‐coated Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs) is synthesized. It is demonstrated that doxorubicin (DOX)/HSA is successfully loaded after in situ polymerization of dopamine onto PB NPs, and the PB@PDA/DOX/HSA NPs are highly compatible and stable in various physiological solutions. The NPs possess strong near‐infrared (NIR) absorbance, and excellent capability and stability of photothermal conversion for highly efficient photothermal therapy applications. Furthermore, a bimodal on‐demand drug release sensitively triggered by pH or NIR irradiation has been realized, resulting in a significant chemotherapeutic effect due to the preferential uptake and internalization of the NPs by cancer cells. Importantly, the thermochemotherapy efficacy of the NPs has been examined by a cell viability assay, revealing a remarkably superior synergistic anticancer effect over either monotherapy. Such multifunctional drug‐delivery systems composed of approved materials may have promising biomedical applications for antitumor therapy.
The enhancement of the output characteristics in the GaN based multiple‐channel planar Gunn diode
Authors: Wang Ying , Yang Lin‐An , Wang Zhi‐Zhe , Ao Jin‐Ping , Hao Yue
Published: December 2015

We present an explicit numerical analysis on GaN‐based multi‐quantum‐well planar Gunn diodes. The simulation demonstrates that Gunn oscillations generated in the multi‐channel can be self‐synchronized to each other, which significantly improves the output characteristics of planar Gunn diode due to the superposition of the dipole domain in each channel. The optimized output characteristics are obtained in the triple‐channel Gunn diode, where the RF output power is about 6.45 mW and the DC‐to‐RF conversion efficiency is about 2.39% at the fundamental frequency of 216.05 GHz, more than three times larger than that of the single‐channel AlGaN/GaN Gunn diode. The proposed GaN HEMT‐like multi‐channel planar Gunn diode with higher level of output characteristics shows great potential as a solid‐state radiation source of millimeter‐wave and sub‐terahertz.
Utilizing Accelerated Degradation and Field Data for Life Prediction of Highly Reliable Products
Authors: Liu Le , Li Xiao‐Yang , Jiang Tong‐Min , Sun Fu‐Qiang
Published: December 2015

For newly developed, highly reliable, and long‐lifespan products, it is quite difficult to implement effective remaining useful life (RUL) prediction in the early usage under limited time cost. However, accelerated degradation testing (ADT) is generally used for lifetime evaluation for such products with harsher test conditions and shorter test time in the late research and development phase. Thus, in this paper, we propose a life prediction framework to integrate the information from ADT to conduct field RUL prediction for highly reliable products. Because ADT belongs to reliability testing used for inferring the population information from the selected test samples, we at first present the modified Wiener process (MWP) model. Different from traditional methods that embody both the random variability and unit‐to‐unit variability into the diffusion coefficient, the proposed method describes them separately in ADT analysis. Then, the MWP model from ADT is used as a prior for field RUL prediction of the target product during which the strong tracking filtering algorithm is introduced for updating the hidden state and computing the RUL prediction results when the new monitoring data are available. Because of the complexity of the MWP model, the Markov chain Monte Carlo method is provided to estimate the unknown parameters. Finally, the simulation study and the light‐emitting diode application verify the effectiveness of the proposed framework that can achieve reasonable life prediction results for highly reliable products for both linear and nonlinear scenarios. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diet‐tissue discrimination factors and turnover of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in tissues of an adult predatory coral reef fish, Plectropomus leopardus
Authors: Matley J. K. , Fisk A. T. , Tobin A. J. , Heupel M. R. , Simpfendorfer C. A.
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N values) provide a unique perspective into the ecology of animals because the isotope ratio values of consumers reflect the values in food. Despite the value of stable isotopes in ecological studies, the lack of species‐specific experimentally derived diet‐tissue discrimination factors (DTDFs) and turnover rates limits their application at a broad scale. Furthermore, most aquatic feeding experiments use temperate, fast‐growing fish species and few have considered medium‐ to large‐sized adults with low growth rates from tropical ecosystems.

Methods

A controlled‐diet stable isotope feeding trial was conducted over a 196‐day period for the adult predatory reef fish leopard coralgrouper (Plectropomus leopardus). This study calculated δ13C and δ15N DTDFs and turnover rates in five tissues (liver, plasma, red blood cells (RBC), fin, and muscle) using a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer equipped with an elemental analyzer. In addition, the effect of chemical lipid extraction (LE) on stable isotope values was examined for each tissue.

Results

Turnover was mainly influenced by metabolism (as opposed to growth) with LE δ15N half‐life values lowest in fin (37 days) and plasma (66 days), and highest in RBC (88 days) and muscle (126 days). The diet‐tissue discrimination factors for δ15N values in all tissues (Δ15N: –0.15 to 1.84‰) were typically lower than commonly reported literature values. Lipid extraction altered both δ15N and δ13C values compared with untreated samples; however, for the δ15N values, the differences were small (mean δ15NLE‐Bulk <0.46‰ in all tissues).

Conclusions

This study informs future interpretation of stable isotope data for medium‐ to large‐sized fish and demonstrates that DTDFs developed for temperate fish species, particularly for δ15N values, may not apply to tropical species. Sampling of muscle and/or RBC is recommended for a relatively long‐term representation of feeding habits, while plasma and/or fin should be used for a more recent indication of diet. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tandem mass spectrometry sequencing in the negative ion mode to read binary information encoded in sequence‐defined poly(alkoxyamine amide)s
Authors: Charles Laurence , Laure Chloé , Lutz Jean‐François , Roy Raj Kumar
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Digitally encoded oligomers composed of two distinct amide coding units spaced by a nitroxide moiety were recently decrypted using a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) sequencing approach developed for protonated oligomers. Here, the MS/MS behavior of deprotonated oligomers was explored in the negative ion mode to provide both structural and mechanistic complementary information.

Methods

Binary‐encoded oligo(alkoxyamine)amides, containing coding 0/1 amide units spaced by a TEMPO nitroxide moiety, were ionized in negative ion mode electrospray thanks to their α end‐group containing a carboxylic acid function. Deprotonated molecules were subjected to collision‐induced dissociation in MS/MS and MS3 experiments, combined with accurate mass measurements, for a thorough investigation of their dissociation behavior.

Results

Deprotonated oligomers readily dissociated upon collisional activation via competitive homolytic cleavages of all fragile alkoxyamine linkages between any coding 0 or 1 monomers and a nitroxide moiety. As expected, only product ions holding the deprotonated α end‐group were detected while complementary moieties containing the ω termination were released as radicals. The so‐formed distonic radical anions were observed to further depolymerize according to a radical‐induced process, as evidenced by MS3 experiments.

Conclusions

Messages encoded in oligo(alkoxyamine)amides were readily decrypted by MS/MS sequencing performed in the negative ion mode. When compared with results obtained in positive ion mode ESI‐MS/MS, these data provided further evidence regarding the influence of adducted proton on the charge‐remote homolytic cleavage of alkoxyamine linkages. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupling of size‐exclusion chromatography with electrospray ionization charge‐detection mass spectrometry for the characterization of synthetic polymers of ultra‐high molar mass
Authors: Viodé Arthur , Dagany Xavier , Kerleroux Michel , Dugourd Philippe , Doussineau Tristan , Charles Laurence , Antoine Rodolphe
Published: December 2015

Rationale

Coupling size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) with mass spectrometry (MS) allowed generation of a SEC calibration curve based on the analyte itself, which is more reliable than calibration based on non‐related standards and faster than the use of the multiple detection mode. However, such SEC/MS couplings were limited to rather small synthetic polymers.

Methods

Based on the concept of image current detection, charge‐detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) is a useful method for weighing macro‐ions from compounds with masses higher than one megadalton (MDa). Using columns designed to allow analysis of synthetic polymers of over 15 million Dalton in mass, performance of the SEC/ESI‐CDMS coupling was evaluated for polyacrylamide (PAM, 5–6 MDa) and a poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS, 2 MDa).

Results

The SEC/ESI‐CDMS profiles were first compared with SEC‐UV profiles: the systematic shift in retention time was assigned to the slightly different geometries of the two instrumental systems. The SEC/ESI‐CDMS data were then compared with results obtained after the direct infusion of each sample into the ESI source. Both the shape of the molecular weight distribution and the mass values were similar with or without separation prior to ESI, and these values were consistent with data provided by the sample supplier.

Conclusions

SEC/MS incorporating an online ESI‐CDMS coupling was shown to be a rapid and efficient technique for the analysis of water‐soluble synthetic polymers with ultra‐high molecular mass in the megadalton range. The coupling also afforded an attractive solution for SEC calibration without the use of external standards. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morbid Obesity is Associated with Increased Mortality, Surgical Complications, and Incremental Health Care Utilization in the Peri‐Operative Period of Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Hussan Hisham , Gray Darrell M. , Hinton Alice , Krishna Somashekar G. , Conwell Darwin L. , Stanich Peter P.
Published: December 2015

Background

Morbid obesity (Basic Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2) leads to increased long‐term mortality after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Little is known about its effects on peri‐operative CRC surgery outcomes.

Methods

85,300 discharges for CRC surgery were identified using the redesigned 2012 National Inpatient Sample. Outcomes of interest were mortality, healthcare charges, and surgical outcomes in morbidly obese patients which were compared to those in nonobese patients.

Results

There were 4385 (5.14%) morbidly obese patients who underwent CRC surgery during the study period. Morbid obesity was associated with younger age, females, and African Americans in our study (p < 0.05). Morbidly obese patients had higher prevalence of CRC peri‐operative co‐morbidities, surgical complications, and conversions from laparoscopic to open surgery. On multivariate analysis, morbid obesity led to an increased CRC surgery peri‐operative mortality (OR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.15, 2.97). Mortality remained significant even after adjusting for surgical complications (OR 1.79, 95 % CI 1.12, 2.88). Morbidly obese patients undergoing CRC also had a prolonged length of hospitalization (1.22 day, 95 % CI 0.67, 1.78), a $15,582 increase in total hospital charges (95 % CI 8419, 22,745), and increased disposition to short‐term rehabilitation facilities (OR 2.25, 95 % CI 1.79, 2.84).

Conclusion

Analysis of national level data demonstrates that morbidly obese patients have an increased CRC surgery peri‐operative mortality with higher prevalence of co‐morbidities, surgical complications, and more health care resource utilization. Future research efforts should concentrate on ameliorating these outcomes in morbidly obese patients.
Safety of Laparoscopic Pelvic Exenteration with Urinary Diversion for Colorectal Malignancies
Authors: Ogura Atsushi , Akiyoshi Takashi , Konishi Tsuyoshi , Fujimoto Yoshiya , Nagayama Satoshi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Ueno Masashi
Published: December 2015

Background

Although the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has been demonstrated, the safety of laparoscopic pelvic exenteration (PE) with urinary diversion for colorectal malignancies remains poorly studied. The present study aimed to examine the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic PE in patients with colorectal malignancies.

Methods

Thirty‐one consecutive patients who underwent anterior or total PE with urinary diversion for colorectal malignancies between July 2004 and April 2015 at our institution were included in the study. Perioperative outcomes were compared between patients undergoing laparoscopic (n = 13) and open (n = 18) PE.

Results

There were no conversions to open surgery. The estimated blood loss (930 vs. 3003 ml; P = 0.001) and total volume of blood transfusion (0 vs. 1990 ml; P = 0.002) were significantly lower in patients undergoing laparoscopic compared with open PE. R0 resection was performed in all patients. The operation time (laparoscopic, 829 min vs. open, 875 min; P = 0.660), complication rate (laparoscopic, 61.5 % vs. open, 83.3 %; P = 0.171), and postoperative hospital days (laparoscopic, 29 days vs. open, 33 days; P = 0.356) were similar in both groups. Three patients undergoing laparoscopic PE readmitted within 30 days due to ileus, although the rate of readmission did not differ significantly (laparoscopic, 23.1 % vs. open, 5.6 %; P = 0.284).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic PE performed by experienced laparoscopic pelvic surgeons should be considered as a safe and preferred option in selected patients with colorectal malignancies, with a significant advantage in terms of reduced blood loss compared with open surgery.
Adenosine kinase deficiency: expanding the clinical spectrum and evaluating therapeutic options
Authors: Staufner Christian , Lindner Martin , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo , Freisinger Peter , Dobbelaere Dries , Douillard Claire , Makhseed Nawal , Straub Beate K. , Kahrizi Kimia , Ballhausen Diana , la Marca Giancarlo , Kölker Stefan , Haas Dorothea , Hoffmann Georg F. , Grünert Sarah C. , Blom Henk J.
Published: December 2015

Background

Adenosine kinase deficiency is a recently described defect affecting methionine metabolism with a severe clinical phenotype comprising mainly neurological and hepatic impairment and dysmorphism.

Methods

Clinical data of 11 additional patients from eight families with adenosine kinase deficiency were gathered through a retrospective questionnaire. Two liver biopsies of one patient were systematically evaluated.

Results

The main clinical symptoms are mild to severe liver dysfunction with neonatal onset, muscular hypotonia, global developmental retardation and dysmorphism (especially frontal bossing). Hepatic involvement is not a constant finding. Most patients have epilepsy and recurrent hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism. Major biochemical findings are intermittent hypermethioninemia, increased S‐adenosylmethionine and S‐adenosylhomocysteine in plasma and increased adenosine in urine. S‐adenosylmethionine and S‐adenosylhomocysteine are the most reliable biochemical markers. The major histological finding was pronounced microvesicular hepatic steatosis. Therapeutic trials with a methionine restricted diet indicate a potential beneficial effect on biochemical and clinical parameters in four patients and hyperinsulinism was responsive to diazoxide in two patients.

Conclusion

Adenosine kinase deficiency is a severe inborn error at the cross‐road of methionine and adenosine metabolism that mainly causes dysmorphism, brain and liver symptoms, but also recurrent hypoglycemia. The clinical phenotype varies from an exclusively neurological to a multi‐organ manifestation. Methionine‐restricted diet should be considered as a therapeutic option.
Possible Role of Different Yeast and Plant Lysophospholipid:Acyl‐CoA Acyltransferases (LPLATs) in Acyl Remodelling of Phospholipids
Authors: Jasieniecka‐Gazarkiewicz Katarzyna , Demski Kamil , Lager Ida , Stymne Sten , Banaś Antoni
Published: December 2015

Recent results have suggested that plant lysophosphatidylcholine:acyl‐coenzyme A acyltransferases (LPCATs) can operate in reverse in vivo and thereby catalyse an acyl exchange between the acyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) pool and the phosphatidylcholine. We have investigated the abilities of Arabidopsis AtLPCAT2, Arabidopsis lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferase (LPEAT2), S. cerevisiae lysophospholipid acyltransferase (Ale1) and S. cerevisiae lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (SLC1) to acylate lysoPtdCho, lysoPtdEtn and lysoPtdOH and act reversibly on the products of the acylation; the PtdCho, PtdEtn and PtdOH. The tested LPLATs were expressed in an S. cervisiaeale1 strain and enzyme activities were assessed in assays using microsomal preparations of the different transformants. The results show that, despite high activity towards lysoPtdCho, lysoPtdEtn and lysoPtdOH by the ALE1, its capacities to operate reversibly on the products of the acylation were very low. Slc1 readily acylated lysoPtdOH, lysoPtdCho and lysoPtdEtn but showed no reversibility towards PtdCho, very little reversibility towards PtdEtn and very high reversibility towards PtdOH. LPEAT2 showed the highest levels of reversibility towards PtdCho and PtdEtn of all LPLATs tested but low ability to operate reversibly on PtdOH. AtLPCAT2 showed good reversible activity towards PtdCho and PtdEtn and very low reversibility towards PtdOH. Thus, it appears that some of the LPLATs have developed properties that, to a much higher degree than other LPLATs, promote the reverse reaction during the same assay conditions and with the same phospholipid. The results also show that the capacity of reversibility can be specific for a particular phospholipid, albeit the lysophospholipid derivatives of other phospholipids serve as good acyl acceptors for the forward reaction of the enzyme.
Functionality of Coatings with Salep and Basil Seed Gum for Deep Fried Potato Strips
Authors: Karimi Nazgol , Kenari Reza Esmaeilzadeh
Published: December 2015

We investigate the efficiency of using a coating made from novel hydrocolloid basil seed gum (BSG), salep, and a mixed solution of BSG and salep as well as oil origin (canola or palm olein) to reduce oil absorption in deep‐fried potato strips. We also evaluate the coating pick up, its effect on moisture content, frying yield value of fried potatoes and flow behavior of the coating suspensions. Flow curves show that all the studied suspensions are pseudoplastic and have shear thinning characteristics. The most effective coating formulations were 0.5 % BSG and 1.5 % salep. For these formulations, maximum oil uptake reduction was 28.8 and 28.7 % for potato strips compared to uncoated samples; the increase in moisture content was 29.1 and 17.5 %, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in moisture content resulted in an increase in frying yield up to 16.62 % for 0.5 % BSG. The oil type significantly (p < 0.05) influenced oil uptake.
The American Energy Revolution: Challenging Europe and the Middle East
Authors: Andrijanič Mark Boris
Published: December 2015

The American energy revolution is depressing oil prices and disrupting global energy flows. The surge in shale gas and tight oil production will most probably help American energy imports and exports to come into balance within the next decade. The energy revolution has increased American self-reliance and strengthened US energy security, while record-low energy prices have boosted its competitive edge, especially over Europe. Moreover, diminishing oil imports are providing fertile ground for a revolution in the US's Middle Eastern policy, leading to a more independent and less engaging American role in the region. While the resulting security vacuum is hurting Europe, the increasingly shared regional interests may lead to enhanced cooperation between the US, the EU and China.
“Are CRT upgrade procedures more complex and associated with more complications than de novo CRT implantations?” A single centre experience
Authors: ter Horst I.A.H. , Kuijpers Y. , van ’t Sant J. , Tuinenburg A.E. , Cramer M.J. , Meine M.
Published: December 2015

Objective

The objective of the study was to examine whether cardiac resynchronisation therapy upgrade procedures are more complex and associated with more complications than de novo implantations.

Method

We retrospectively compared 134 upgrade procedures performed between 2006–2012 with a random, equally sized, sample of de novo CRT device implantations in the same period. Procedural data and the occurrence of periprocedural (≤ 30 days) and long-term device-related (≤ 1 year) complications were analysed. Complications with consequences were defined as those in need of adjustment of standard care.

Results

Median time to upgrade was 57 (31–115) months. There were no significant differences in procedure duration, radiation time or total hospitalisation between upgrades and de novo implantations. Perioperative complications occurred in 6.7 % of upgrade patients and in 9.0 % of de novo patients. The most frequently seen complications were phrenic nerve stimulation, coronary sinus dissection and pocket haematoma. Procedure success was comparable (upgrade: 98.5 % versus de novo: 96.3 %). A total of 236 patients completed 1 year of follow-up. Ten (4.2 %) patients had a long-term device-related complication with consequences including phrenic nerve stimulation, lead dislodgement/dysfunction, and infection (upgrade: 3.5 % versus de novo: 4.9 %).

Conclusion

Upgrade procedures are not more complex nor associated with more complications than de novo CRT implantations.
THE IMPACT OF PRICE VARIABILITY ON CASH/FUTURES MARKET RELATIONSHIPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKET EFFICIENCY AND PRICE DISCOVERY
Authors: ARNADE CARLOS , HOFFMAN LINWOOD
Published: December 2015

This study investigates the relationship between cash and futures prices of soybeans and soybean meal from 1992 to 2013. Error correction models are estimated for the prices of both commodities. An exogenous measure of price variability is included in both models to determine if variability increases the speed with which cash and futures prices return to their long-run equilibrium relationship. This is used to measure the impact of price variability on short-run market efficiency and the price discovery process. The findings indicate that the level of price variability influences market adjustment rates and the price discovery process.
Critical Appraisal of the Milwaukee Protocol for Rabies: This Failed Approach Should Be Abandoned
Authors: Zeiler Frederick A. , Jackson Alan C.
Published: December 2015

The Milwaukee protocol has been attributed to survival in rabies encephalitis despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting its therapeutic measures. We have reviewed the literature with reference to specific treatment recommendations made within the protocol. Current literature fails to support an important role for excitotoxicity and cerebral vasospasm in rabies encephalitis. Therapies suggested in the Milwaukee protocol include therapeutic coma, ketamine infusion, amantadine, and the screening/prophylaxis/management of cerebral vasospasm. None of these therapies can be substantiated in rabies or other forms of acute viral encephalitis. Serious concerns over the current protocol recommendations are warranted. The recommendations made by the Milwaukee protocol warrant serious reconsideration before any future use of this failed protocol.
SONS OR DAUGHTERS? SEX PREFERENCES AND THE REVERSAL OF THE GENDER EDUCATIONAL GAP
Authors: Hazan Moshe , Zoabi Hosny
Published: December 2015

We provide a new explanation for the narrowing and reversal of the gender education gap. We assume that parents maximize the full income of their children and that males have an additional income, independently of education. This additional income biases preferences toward sons and implies that females have relative advantage in producing income through education. When the returns to human capital are low, the bias toward sons is high, so that parents whose first newborns are females have more children. Consequently, daughters are born to larger families and hence receive less education. As returns to human capital increase, gender differences in producing income diminish, bias toward sons declines, variation in family size falls and the positive correlation between family size and the number of daughters is weakened. Ultimately, the relative advantage of females in education dominates differences in family size, triggering the reversal in the gender education gap.
The effects of forced small-wavelength, finite-bandwidth initial perturbations and miscibility on the turbulent Rayleigh–Taylor instability
Authors: Roberts M. S. , Jacobs J. W.
Published: December 2015

Rayleigh–Taylor instability experiments are performed using both immiscible and miscible incompressible liquid combinations having a relatively large Atwood number of $A\equiv ({\it\rho}_{2}-{\it\rho}_{1})/({\it\rho}_{2}+{\it\rho}_{1})=0.48$. The liquid-filled tank is attached to a test sled that is accelerated downwards along a vertical rail system using a system of weights and pulleys producing approximately $1g$ net acceleration. The tank is backlit and images are digitally recorded using a high-speed video camera. The experiments are either initiated with forced initial perturbations or are left unforced. The forced experiments have an initial perturbation imposed by vertically oscillating the liquid-filled tank to produce Faraday waves at the interface. The unforced experiments rely on random interfacial fluctuations, resulting from background noise, to seed the instability. The main focus of this study is to determine the effects of forced initial perturbations and the effects of miscibility on the growth parameter, ${\it\alpha}$. Measurements of the mixing-layer width, $h$, are acquired, from which ${\it\alpha}$ is determined. It is found that initial perturbations of the form used in this study do not affect measured ${\it\alpha}$ values. However, miscibility is observed to strongly affect ${\it\alpha}$, resulting in a factor of two reduction in its value, a finding not previously observed in past experiments. In addition, all measured ${\it\alpha}$ values are found to be smaller than those obtained in previous experimental studies.
Internal hydraulic jumps in two-layer systems
Authors: Baines Peter G.
Published: December 2015

This paper describes a new model of internal hydraulic jumps in two-layer systems that places no restrictions (such as the Boussinesq approximation) on the densities of the two fluids. The model is based on that of Borden and Meiburg (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 276, 2013, R1) for Boussinesq jumps, and has the appropriate behaviour in various limits (single-layer, small amplitude, Boussinesq, infinite depth). The energy flux loss in each layer across the jump is positive for all realistic jumps, reaching a maximum for the jump with maximum speed. Larger-amplitude jumps are possible, with decreasing energy loss, down to the ‘conjugate state’ of zero energy loss. However, it is argued that such states may be difficult to realise in practice, and if formed, will tend to the jump with maximum speed. The energy loss is mostly in the contracting layer unless the density there is small. The two-layer model is extended to incorporate mixing between the layers within the jump, with mixing based on the Richardson number.
Intermittency caused by compressibility: a Lagrangian study
Authors: Yang Yantao , Wang Jianchun , Shi Yipeng , Xiao Zuoli , He X. T. , Chen Shiyi
Published: December 2015

We investigate how compressibility affects the turbulent statistics from a Lagrangian point of view, particularly in the parameter range where the flow transits from the incompressible type to a state dominated by shocklets. A series of three-dimensional simulations were conducted for different types of driving and several Mach numbers. For purely solenoidal driving, as the Mach number increases a new self-similar region first emerges in the Lagrangian structure functions at sub-Kolmogorov time scale and gradually extends to larger time scale. In this region the relative scaling exponent saturates and the saturated value decreases as the compressibility becomes stronger, which can be attributed to the shocklets. The scaling exponent for the inertial range is still very close to that of incompressible turbulence for small Mach number, and discrepancy becomes visible when the Mach number is high enough. When the driving force is dominated by the compressive component the shocklet-induced self-similar region occupies a much wider range of time scales than that in the purely solenoidal driving case. Regardless of the type of driving force, the probability density functions of the velocity increment collapse onto one another for the time scales in the new self-similar region after proper normalization.
Parents’ Perspectives of School Mental Health Promotion Initiatives are Related to Parents’ Self-Assessed Parenting Capabilities
Authors: Askell-Williams Helen
Published: December 2015

Achieving broad-scale parent1engagement with school initiatives has proven elusive. This article reports survey data from 287 Maltese parents about their perceptions of the quality of their child's school's initiatives for promoting students’ wellbeing and mental health. Findings indicate that, on average, parents rated school initiatives highly. However, a MANCOVA of respondents grouped into three categories of Self-Assessed Parenting Capabilities (low, medium, high) showed that parents who held low perceptions of their own parenting capabilities also held significantly lower perceptions of the quality of schools’ mental health promotion initiatives. Less favourable dispositions towards school mental health promotion initiatives by parents with relatively low-parenting capabilities have implications for the design and delivery of school-based initiatives. For example, typical parent engagement, support and information provision activities (e.g., parent-teacher meetings, newsletters) might be less well received in families that arguably have a greater need to engage with such initiatives. This study has implications for whole-school mental health promotion initiatives that seek to include all parents.
The leafminerLiriomyza trifolii(Diptera: Agromyzidae) encapsulates its koinobiont parasitoidHalticoptera circulus(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae): implications for biological control
Authors: Kemmochi T. , Fujimori S. , Saito T.
Published: December 2015

The koinobiont parasitoidHalticoptera circulus(Walker) is a potential biological control agent of leafminers, but it has only rarely been collected from the invasive leafminer,Liriomyza trifolii(Burgess), in Japan. To understand why this is the case, parasitism and development ofH. circulusinL. trifoliiwas compared with parasitism and development in two indigenous leafminer species,Liriomyza chinensisKato andChromatomyia horticola(Goureau). There was no significant difference in parasitism rates byH. circulusin the three leafminer species and the eggs and larvae successfully developed inL. chinensisandC. horticola. However,H. circulusfailed to develop inL. trifolii, where developmental stages were encapsulated by host haemocytes. This parasitoid may be a good agent to control indigenous leafminers such asL. chinensisandC. horticolabut is unlikely to be useful for the biological control of the invasiveL. trifoliiin Japan.
The Uneven Recruitment of Korean Miners in Japan in the 1910s and 1920s: Employment Strategies of the Miike and Chikuhō Coalmining Companies
Authors: Arents Tom , Tsuneishi Norihiko
Published: December 2015

After Japan’s colonization of Korea in 1910, many Korean peasants lost their land owing to the changes imposed in agriculture, and several Japanese coalmining companies started to recruit them as a colonial surplus population. Despite the low wages they offered, not all of the companies relied on Korean miners – the distribution of this workforce was strikingly uneven. Focusing on the mines of Chikuhō and Miike in the Fukuoka prefecture during the 1910s and 1920s, this article argues that the distribution of Koreans was a consequence of uneven capital accumulation among different mining companies. This unevenness reflected the differing wages and recruitment policies of these companies. Correlating earlier groups of cheap labourers, such as convict workers, to this history, we suggest some explanations as to why some mining companies brought Korean workers into the coal-production process as an immediately available, cheap, and disposable workforce, while others did not.
BBC Proms 2015: Michael Finnissy, Tansy Davies and Christian Mason
Authors: Kilbey Paul
Published: December 2015

It's hardly easy to integrate new music into the Proms, a classical music festival that is unique, in this country at least, in the way it manages to harness popular appeal. And it's probably all but inevitable that many of the festival's commissions end up being expressly ‘inspired by’ or written ‘as a complement to’ the mainstream big-hitters alongside which they appear. Given the inevitable presence on the bill of Mahler, say (or Sibelius this anniversary year), it makes a certain amount of sense that the new piece – yet to be written when its slot is assigned, after all – might aim to relate in some tangible way to the rest of the programme.
Ultima Festival 2015, Oslo
Authors: Dodd Rose
Published: December 2015

The sheer diversity of Ultima events goes a great way towards explaining Oslo's creative impetus and influence within Northern Europe: the sense of play is tangible in deft, brave and astute programming. With the extension of Lars Petter Hagen's Ultima Festival directorship, taking a risk is still promoted, and very necessary in cultivating the talent and ideas we now expect from and associate with the music scene of Oslo. Ultima 2015, which I attended from 12 to 16 September, did not fail to deliver, provoking and poking at every twist and turn.
La Monte Young Trio for Strings Original Full Length Version, Dia 15 VI 13 545 West 22 Street Dream House, New York City
Authors: Dougherty William
Published: December 2015

Stepping inside the Dia Art Foundation's transformed gallery space in the heart of Chelsea is a special experience in itself. Darkly dressed ushers closely watch over your every move, preserving what is for the average audience member today a strikingly uncommon concert experience. ‘Turn off all cell phones, remove your shoes, and remain completely silent while in the Dream House’. Free of everyday noise and distractions, this unassuming venue is converted into an almost reverential space of mystical quasi-worship. The air is thick with the fragrance of incense and the floor is covered wall-to-wall with plush white carpet. Blends of deep magenta and rich blue light illuminate the space. In the centre of the room, facing the stage area, are three dark figures – the curators of this numinous sensory environment (La Monte Young, Marian Zazeela and Jung Hee Choi) – sitting silently on swivel chairs. They sit, literally elevated above the audience, which is relegated to the carpet. There are no chairs for mere onlookers, only small pillows, and not nearly enough for everyone. Most find themselves at points during the marathon-length evening lying prostrate: to rest aching backs and arms, but mostly just to take it all in.
23.—The Synthesis of Derivatives of Acenaphthenone
Authors: Bedford Michael J. , Crombie Douglas A.
Published: December 2015

Acenaphthenequinone (I) condensed with ethyl cyanoacetate in ethanol to give the unsaturated ester (IIIb) while condensation with malonic acid in toluene in the presence of diethylamine gave the hydroxy acid (IIa). Esterification of this acid gave an ester (IIb) which could also be obtained by condensation of acenaphthenequinone

with ethyl hydrogen malonate. The acid (IIa) on dehydration gave 2-oxo-Δ1,α-acenaphtheneacetic acid (IIIa) of m.p. 230°C. This result seems to be in conflict with that of Rodionov and Federova (1950) who reported a m.p. of 160° for the acid (IIIa) which they obtained directly by condensation of acenaphthenequinone with malonic acid in ethanol in the presence of ammonia. Our efforts to repeat their result gave only impure polymeric material and it seems unlikely, therefore, that their product was simply the geometric isomer of our acid.
Deaf children's bimodal bilingualism and education
Authors: Swanwick Ruth
Published: December 2015

This paper provides an overview of the research into deaf children's bilingualism and bilingual education through a synthesis of studies published over the last 15 years. This review brings together the linguistic and pedagogical work on bimodal bilingualism to inform educational practice. The first section of the review provides a synthesis of the research, addressing linguistic, cognitive and social aspects of bimodal bilingualism. This is followed by a focus on bimodal bilingual language experience and use in different learning contexts. These first two sections provide the context for the main focus of the review: education and learning. The third section reports on links made between bimodal bilingualism and learning with regard to deaf children's literacy development. The fourth section examines further research into bimodal bilingual pedagogies. The final section considers the theoretical and practical implications of the field to date in developing a contemporary model of bimodal bilingual education for deaf children. It also charts future research priorities.
English language teaching research in South Korea: A review of recent studies (2009–2014)
Authors: Moodie Ian , Nam Hyun-Jeong
Published: December 2015

This article reviews recent studies on English language teaching (ELT) in South Korea, where a great deal of research has been produced in recent years in local journals. In this article we review 95 studies from a pool of some 1,200 published between 2009 and 2014 on English language teaching and learning, focusing on research within the public school context. Using themes from the national curriculum as an organizing principle, the review covers selected studies in the following areas: (1) second language teacher education, (2) communicative language teaching, (3) language use and interaction in classrooms, (4) co-teaching with native-speaking English teachers, (5) curriculum and materials analysis, (6) treatments of teaching methods, and (7) assessment, testing and washback. We include commentary on the research undertaken in each area and conclude by discussing the limitations of the review and summarizing ideas for future research directions, perhaps the most important of which is questioning whether or not there is enough research of reasonable quality being produced to sustain roughly 60 journals publishing articles on English education in South Korea.
BAAL/CUP Seminar 2014: The Multilingual University: Linguistic diversity in higher education in English-dominant settings and English-medium instructional contexts
Authors: Preece Siân , Phan Le-Ha
Published: December 2015

This seminar took place at the Institute of Education, University of London, 4 July 2014 (UCL Institute of Education from 2 December 2014).
Diversity matters: parent input predicts toddler verb production
Authors: HSU NING , HADLEY PAMELA A. , RISPOLI MATTHEW
Published: December 2015

The contribution of parent input to children's subsequent expressive verb diversity was explored in twenty typically developing toddlers with small verb lexicons. Child developmental factors and parent input measures (i.e. verb quantity, verb diversity, and verb-related structural cues) at age 1;9 were examined as potential predictors of children's verb production in spontaneous language samples at age 2;3. Parent verb input diversity, rather than input quantity, was the primary input factor contributing to children's subsequent verb diversity. Regression analysis showed that verb diversity in parent input at age 1;9 accounted for 30% of the variance in children's verb production six months later, with children's total vocabulary size at age 1;9 accounting for an additional 16% of the variance. These findings demonstrate the relative contributions of developmental and input factors to individual differences in toddlers’ language development and establish the importance of input diversity to verb acquisition.
The European Challenge: Britain's EEC Application in 1961
Authors: Steinnes Kristian
Published: December 2015

In mid-July 1961 the Conservative government in Britain, headed by Harold Macmillan, decided to apply for full membership of the European Economic Community (EEC). Successive British governments had persistently opted for intergovernmental co-operation instead of supranational integration as in the case of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the EEC. Thus the application, which implied the intent to join a supranational structure and a customs union, marked an unexpected and somewhat surprising break with the well-established British post-war policy.