bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Next-Generation Scientists Get a Taste of Their Future Careers
Authors: Edwards Patrick , George Linda , McTammany Matthew
Published: December 2015

High school and middle school students mingled with scientists from all over the world when they presented their posters at the Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting.
Ted Cruz Chairs Heated Senate Hearing on Climate Change
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2015

Republican-invited witnesses reject consensus view of climate change, charge bias in federal funding. Democratic senators decry attempt to stir controversy about well-established climate findings.
Greenhouse Gas Patterns Offer Promise, Puzzlement
Authors: Reed Christina
Published: December 2015

Emissions growth of carbon dioxide has suddenly slowed, but atmospheric methane concentrations continue to soar after a long hiatus. Both trends have a bearing on climate pacts sought this week.
Creating Community for Early-Career Geoscientists
Authors: Berghuijs Wouter , Harrigan Shaun , Kipnis Evan , Dogulu Nilay , Floriancic Marius , Müller Hannes , Pohle Ina , Saia Sheila , Sedlar Frank , Smoorenburg Maarten , Teutschbein Claudia , van Emmerik Tim
Published: December 2015

Student involvement in geoscience unions: A case study from hydrology
Autonomous Undersea Technologies to Vie for New XPRIZE
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: December 2015

The competition aims at improved health and understanding of Earth's oceans by spurring teams to devise better robotic technologies for seafloor mapping and exploration.
Historic Climate Agreement Reached in Paris
Authors: Richman Barbara
Published: December 2015

Climate negotiators reach consensus.
Tall Order
Authors: Traer Miles
Published: December 2015

A cartoonist wrestles with the Fall Meeting scientific program in search of amazing science to inspire drawings on new findings presented at the meeting.
The Backwards Earthquakes
Authors: Ross Erin
Published: December 2015

Earthquakes in Idaho's panhandle are usually caused by the Earth's crust pulling apart. So why were earthquakes on 24 April pushing the crust together?
Experts Focus on Efforts by Cities to Deal with Climate Change
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2015

Urban areas must take political and practical considerations into account as they prepare for the effects of climate change, say experts at AGU Fall Meeting.
Salty Secret Might Aid Carbon Impact of Restored Wetlands
Authors: Sullivan Cody
Published: December 2015

Research on a surprising way rainfall affected the salinity of a boreal peatland might help restorers of such wetlands wrecked by tar sands mining maximize carbon absorption of reclaimed marshes.
Elon Musk Meets Star Wars
Authors: Traer Miles
Published: December 2015

This year, the AGU Fall Meeting featured the Presidential Forum with Elon Musk and will pre-screen Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When those two powerhouses collide, strange things happen.
Plankton Reveal New Secrets About Ancient CO2 Levels
Authors: Jacewicz Natalie
Published: December 2015

An analysis of phytoplankton shells doubles previous estimates of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 11 million years ago.
Gore Calls Paris a Good Start on Climate, but More Action Needed
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2015

The former U.S. vice president said the Paris agreement offers hope for stabilizing the climate. He also discussed Earth observation instruments used to monitor and understand the planet.
Trying Out Muons to Detect Carbon Leaks
Authors: Sullivan Cody
Published: December 2015

Scientists look into tracking carbon dioxide within a sequestration reservoir—and spotting possible leaks—by observing naturally generated, fast-moving muons that penetrate the underground storage area.
Spectrophotometric determination of peroxymonosulfate anions via oxidative decolorization of dyes induced by cobalt
Authors: Zhang J. Q. , Ma J. , Zou J. , Chi H. Z. , Song Y.
Published: December 2015

Dyes can be decolorized by the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in the presence of cobalt, and four good linear correlations between the depletion of dyes at their maximum absorption wavelengths and the concentration of PMS are demonstrated under the optimum conditions.
A general metal-free route towards the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles from readily available primary amines and ketones
Authors: Thomas Joice , Jana Sampad , John Jubi , Liekens Sandra , Dehaen Wim
Published: December 2015

A metal-free route towards different 1,2,3-triazole heterocycles was accomplished by using inexpensive and readily available ketones and primary amines. This reaction is very general and was extended to functionalize different amino esters, dendrimers and natural products.
Experimental investigation of anion–π interactions – applications and biochemical relevance
Authors: Giese M. , Albrecht M. , Rissanen K.
Published: December 2015

Anion–π interactions, intuitively repulsive forces, turned from controversial to a well-established non-covalent interaction over the past quarter of a century.
The fabrication of a novel Ag3VO4/WO3 heterojunction with enhanced visible light efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of TC
Authors: Yan Ming , Wu Yilin , Zhu Fangfang , Hua Yinqun , Shi Weidong
Published: December 2015

The construction of efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years.
Charge transport dependent high open circuit voltage tandem organic photovoltaic cells with low temperature deposited HATCN-based charge recombination layers
Authors: Wei Huai-Xin , Zu Feng-Shuo , Li Yan-Qing , Chen Wen-Cheng , Yuan Yi , Tang Jian-Xin , Fung Man-Keung , Lee Chun-Sing , Noh Yong-Young
Published: December 2015

Charge transport between HATCN and its neighboring layers plays an important role in efficiency enhancement the same as recombination layers, which was proved by systematic UPS studies.
A dye-like ligand-based metal–organic framework for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production from aqueous solution
Authors: Sun Xiaojun , Yu Qi , Zhang Fengming , Wei Jinzhi , Yang Ping
Published: December 2015

A dye-like based Gd-MOF exhibits efficient photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation without a co-catalyst. Depositing Ag further enhances its activity.
Two-dimensional zeolites in catalysis: current status and perspectives
Authors: Opanasenko Maksym V. , Roth Wieslaw J. , Čejka Jiří
Published: December 2015

Two-dimensional zeolites have been studied and developed as diverse and fundamentally new forms of 3D framework structures.
DNA-templated microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured hydroxyapatite for storing and sustained release of an antibacterial protein
Authors: Chen Xi , Yang Bin , Qi Chao , Sun Tuan-Wei , Chen Feng , Wu Jin , Feng Xi-Ping , Zhu Ying-Jie
Published: December 2015

Hydroxyapatite nanostructured materials are prepared by a DNA-templated microwave-hydrothermal method and used for IgY loading/release and antibacterial study.
Magnetic nanoscale metal organic frameworks for potential targeted anticancer drug delivery, imaging and as an MRI contrast agent
Authors: Ray Chowdhuri Angshuman , Bhattacharya Dipsikha , Sahu Sumanta Kumar
Published: December 2015

The development of a novel multifunctional porous nanoplatform for targeted anticancer drug delivery with cell imaging and magnetic resonance imaging has been realised.
Computational insights into the photophysical and electroluminescence properties of homoleptic fac-Ir(C^N)3 complexes employing different phenyl-derivative-featuring phenylimidazole-based ligands for promising phosphors in OLEDs
Authors: Li Jieqiong , Wang Li , Sun Kenan , Zhang Jinglai
Published: December 2015

The electronic structures and photophysical properties of three homoleptic iridium(iii) complexes IrL3 with C^N ligands are investigated by means of the density functional theory method.
Lanthanide doped Bi2O3 upconversion luminescence nanospheres for temperature sensing and optical imaging
Authors: Lei Pengpeng , Liu Xiuling , Dong Lile , Wang Zhuo , Song Shuyan , Xu Xia , Su Yue , Feng Jing , Zhang Hongjie
Published: December 2015

The facile synthesis and surface modification of lanthanide doped Bi2O3 nanospheres, and their applications for temperature sensing and optical imaging.
Target-specific identification and characterization of the putative gene cluster for brasilinolide biosynthesis revealing the mechanistic insights and combinatorial synthetic utility of 2-deoxy-l-fucose biosynthetic enzymes
Authors: Chiu Hsien-Tai , Weng Chien-Pao , Lin Yu-Chin , Chen Kuan-Hung
Published: December 2015

From Nocardia was cloned and functionally characterized a giant gene cluster for biosyntheses of brasilinolides as potent immunosuppressive and anticancer agents.
Fire retardant and charring effect of cyclic phenolphthalein (phenylene phosphonate) oligomer on polybutylene terephthalate
Authors: Li Nana , Jiang Guowei , Zhou Guangyuan
Published: December 2015

A novel solid flame retardant cyclic phenolphthalein (phenylene phosphonate) (CPPA) oligomer was synthesized in high yields through the reaction of phenylphosphonic dichloride with phenolphthalein under pseudo-high dilution conditions via polycondensation.
Washing pretreatment with light bio-oil and its effect on pyrolysis products of bio-oil and biochar
Authors: Zhang Shuping , Xiong Yuanquan
Published: December 2015

This work demonstrates a new method where rice husk is converted into value added bio-based products, such as bio-oil and biochar, by washing pretreatment with light bio-oil followed by fast pyrolysis.
Hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol over Ni/carbon catalysts: effect of the support and Ni loading
Authors: Dongil A. B. , Ghampson I. T. , García R. , Fierro J. L. G. , Escalona N.
Published: December 2015

Commercial carbon nanotubes (CNT), oxidized CNT (CNTox) and activated carbon (AC) were used as supports to prepare Ni/C catalysts with a nominal loading of 15 wt%.
Synthesis of novel inhibitors of β-glucuronidase based on the benzothiazole skeleton and their molecular docking studies
Authors: Taha Muhammad , Ismail Nor Hadiani , Imran Syahrul , Selvaraj Manikandan , Rahim Fazal
Published: December 2015

Benzothiazole derivatives (1–20) were evaluated for β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity.
The rise of 3-d single-ion magnets in molecular magnetism: towards materials from molecules?
Authors: Frost Jamie M. , Harriman Katie L. M. , Murugesu Muralee
Published: December 2015

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) that contain one spin centre (so-called single-ion magnets) theoretically represent the smallest possible unit for spin-based electronic devices. These molecules hold the promise to revolutionize computing and change the methodology by which we store, employ and process information.
Organic solvent vapor treatment of lead iodide layers in the two-step sequential deposition of CH3NH3PbI3-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: El-Henawey M. I. , Gebhardt Ryan S. , El-Tonsy M. M. , Chaudhary Sumit
Published: December 2015

The two step sequential deposition of CH3NH3PbI3-based perovskite solar cells has been modified by applying toluene and chlorobenzene vapors during the preparation of PbI2 films leading to the growth of the PbI2 grain size.
Efficient hollow double-shell photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light and in darkness
Authors: Nguyen Chinh-Chien , Vu Nhu-Nang , Do Trong-On
Published: December 2015

First synthesis of hollow double-shell H:Pt–WO3/TiO2–Au nanospheres with very high specific surface area, high TiO2/WO3interface and strong visible light absorption. This type of material shows high charge separation and electron storage capacity for efficient degradation of organic pollutants both under visible light and in the dark with very high quantum efficiency.
Spectroscopic study on deuterated benzenes. II. High-resolution laser spectroscopy and rotational structure in the S1 state
Authors: Kunishige Sachi , Katori Toshiharu , Baba Masaaki , Hayashi Masato , Hasegawa Hirokazu , Ohshima Yasuhiro
Published: December 2015

High-resolution spectra of the S1←S0 transition in jet-cooled deuterated benzenes were observed using pulse dye amplification of single-mode laser light and mass-selective resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection. The vibrational and rotational structures were accurately analyzed for the vibronic levels in the S1 state. The degenerate 61 levels of C6H6 or C6D6 are split into 6a1 and 6b1 in many of deuterated benzenes. The rigid-rotor rotational constants were assessed and found to be slightly different between 6a and 6b because of different mean molecular structures. Their rotational levels are significantly shifted by Coriolis interactions. It was found that the Coriolis parameter proportionally changed with the number of substituted D atoms.
Spectroscopic study on deuterated benzenes. III. Vibronic structure and dynamics in the S1 state
Authors: Kunishige Sachi , Katori Toshiharu , Kawabata Megumi , Yamanaka Takaya , Baba Masaaki
Published: December 2015

We observed the fluorescence excitation spectra and mass-selected resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) excitation spectra for the 601, 601101, and 601102 bands of the S1←S0 transition of jet-cooled deuterated benzene and assigned the vibronic bands of C6D6 and C6HD5. The 60110n (n = 0, 1, 2) and 000 transition energies were found to be dependent only on the number of D atoms (ND), which was reflected by the zero-point energy of each H/D isotopomer. In some isotopomers some bands, such as those of out-of-plane vibrations mixed with 611n, make the spectra complex. These included the 611021n level or combination bands with ν12 which are allowed because of reduced molecular symmetry. From the lifetime measurements of each vibronic band, some enhancement of the nonradiative intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) process was observed. It was also found that the threshold excess energy of “channel three” was higher than the 6112 levels, which were similar for all the H/D isotopomers. We suggest that the channel three nonradiative process could be caused mainly by in-plane processes such as IVR and internal conversion at the high vibrational levels in the S1 state of benzene, although the out-of-plane vibrations might contribute to some degree.
Tuning the Dirac point to the Fermi level in the ternary topological insulator (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3
Authors: Kellner Jens , Eschbach Markus , Kampmeier Jörn , Lanius Martin , Młyńczak Ewa , Mussler Gregor , Holländer Bernhard , Plucinski Lukasz , Liebmann Marcus , Grützmacher Detlev , Schneider Claus M. , Morgenstern Markus
Published: December 2015

In order to stabilize Majorana excitations within vortices of proximity induced topological superconductors, it is mandatory that the Dirac point matches the Fermi level rather exactly, such that the conventionally confined states within the vortex are well separated from the Majorana-type excitation. Here, we show by angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy that (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 thin films with x = 0.94 prepared by molecular beam epitaxy and transferred in ultrahigh vacuum from the molecular beam epitaxy system to the photoemission setup match this condition. The Dirac point is within 10 meV around the Fermi level, and we do not observe any bulk bands intersecting the Fermi level.
Tracking speed bumps in organic field-effect transistors via pump-probe Kelvin-probe force microscopy
Authors: Murawski J. , Mönch T. , Milde P. , Hein M. P. , Nicht S. , Zerweck-Trogisch U. , Eng L. M.
Published: December 2015

One of the great challenges in designing modern organic field-effect transistors is lowering the injection barriers that arise at the interfaces between the metallic electrodes and the semiconducting transport channel. Currently, these barriers are quantified mostly by time-independent and external inspection, techniques lacking temporal insight into the most relevant switching dynamics. We address this problem here by pump-probe Kelvin-probe force microscopy, which combines the high spatial resolution of standard Kelvin-probe force microscopy with a pump-probe, enabling time resolution down to nanoseconds. When investigating a dynamically operated pentacene-based organic field-effect transistor, pump-probe Kelvin-probe force microscopy is capable of in-situ probing the temporal charge evolution at any sample spot within the device. Thus, Schottky-barriers arising at the boundaries between electrodes and transport channel are identified as speed bumps for high-speed organic field-effect transistor operation, manifested by residual charges that are retained within the organic film upon switching the device.
Communication: Towards ab initio self-energy embedding theory in quantum chemistry
Authors: Lan Tran Nguyen , Kananenka Alexei A. , Zgid Dominika
Published: December 2015

The self-energy embedding theory (SEET), in which the active space self-energy is embedded in the self-energy obtained from a perturbative method treating the non-local correlation effects, was recently developed in our group. In SEET, the double counting problem does not appear and the accuracy can be improved either by increasing the perturbation order or by enlarging the active space. This method was first calibrated for the 2D Hubbard lattice showing promising results. In this paper, we report an extension of SEET to quantum chemical ab initio Hamiltonians for applications to molecular systems. The self-consistent second-order Green’s function method is used to describe the non-local correlations, while the full configuration interaction method is carried out to capture strong correlation within the active space. Using few proof-of-concept examples, we show that SEET yields results of comparable quality to n-electron valence state second-order perturbation theory with the same active space, and furthermore, the full active space can be split into smaller active spaces without further implementation. Moreover, SEET avoids intruder states and does not require any high-order reduced density matrices. These advantages show that SEET is a promising method to describe physical and chemical properties of challenging molecules requiring large active spaces.
Assessment of the biocompatibility of three-dimensional-printed polymers using multispecies toxicity tests
Authors: Zhu Feng , Friedrich Timo , Nugegoda Dayanthi , Kaslin Jan , Wlodkowic Donald
Published: December 2015

Additive manufacturing was adopted in multiple fields of life sciences. It is also becoming a popular tool for rapid prototyping of microfluidic and biomedical devices. Limited studies have been performed to investigate the biological implications of using 3D printed polymers. Here we assessed the biocompatibility of seven commercially available polymers, using a battery of standardized bioassays for chemical risk assessment. Our data show that leachates from photopolymers substrata appear to be very toxic to vertebrates and several invertebrate indicator organisms. These results demonstrate significant consequences for the use of selected photopolymers in the fabrication of bio-devices.
Linking climate change discourse with climate change policy in the Mekong: the case of Lao PDR.
Authors: Prosinger J. , Suhardiman D. , Giordano M.
Published: December 2015

Current discourse on climate change highlights the issue of uncertainty, risks and the importance of systems' resilience as a means to cope with impacts of climate change and climate variability. This chapter links the dominant approach of uncertainty as presented in the climate change discourse with policy discussions on climate adaptation strategies in the Lower Mekong Basin. Taking Lao PDR as our case study, we discuss how the idea of uncertainty can be perceived and interpreted differently by policy actors. While these different perceptions and interpretations might lead to multiple problem framings, they also reflect structural impediments and institutional barriers in the overall formulation process of climate change policy and adaptation strategies. The main message of the chapter is that understanding of these different notions of uncertainty is crucial to increase the actual significance of climate change policy. Policy and governance responses to climate change need to be formulated based on a more nuanced, sophisticated understanding of how various policy actors and stakeholders perceive and experience uncertainty.
CRTAM determines the CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte lineage
Authors: Takeuchi Arata , Badr Mohamed El Sherif Gadelhaq , Miyauchi Kosuke , Ishihara Chitose , Onishi Reiko , Guo Zijin , Sasaki Yoshiteru , Ike Hiroshi , Takumi Akiko , Tsuji Noriko M. , Murakami Yoshinori , Katakai Tomoya , Kubo Masato , Saito Takashi
Published: December 2015

Naive T cells differentiate into various effector T cells, including CD4+ helper T cell subsets and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTL). Although cytotoxic CD4+ T cells (CD4+CTL) also develop from naive T cells, the mechanism of development is elusive. We found that a small fraction of CD4+ T cells that express class I–restricted T cell–associated molecule (CRTAM) upon activation possesses the characteristics of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CRTAM+ CD4+ T cells secrete IFN-γ, express CTL-related genes, such as eomesodermin (Eomes), Granzyme B, and perforin, after cultivation, and exhibit cytotoxic function, suggesting that CRTAM+ T cells are the precursor of CD4+CTL. Indeed, ectopic expression of CRTAM in T cells induced the production of IFN-γ, expression of CTL-related genes, and cytotoxic activity. The induction of CD4+CTL and IFN-γ production requires CRTAM-mediated intracellular signaling. CRTAM+ T cells traffic to mucosal tissues and inflammatory sites and developed into CD4+CTL, which are involved in mediating protection against infection as well as inducing inflammatory response, depending on the circumstances, through IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxic activity. These results reveal that CRTAM is critical to instruct the differentiation of CD4+CTL through the induction of Eomes and CTL-related gene.
Using Recombinant Inbred Lines to Monitor Changes in the Race Structure of Phytophthora capsici in Chile Pepper in New Mexico
Authors: Jiang Li , Sanogo Soum , Bosland Paul W.
Published: December 2015

Since 2008, 11 races of Phytophthora capsici have been identified in New Mexico based on their reactions to a set of host differentials, the New Mexico Recombinant Inbred Lines (NMRILs) developed by the Chile Pepper Breeding Program at New Mexico State University. The objective of this study was to appraise the current race structure of 13 isolates of P. capsici newly collected from chile pepper fields in New Mexico. Of the 13 isolates, 12 were identified as new races. Race 25 (isolate PWB175) was the most virulent isolate, and showed virulence that was higher than that of race 1 (PWB24), which is widely used as a highly virulent race for resistance testing of chile peppers in the United States, and was considered as a potential risk for chile pepper production in New Mexico. Of the 17 NMRILs tested, only 7 were needed for the identification of the 12 new races. The NMRILs are genetically stable including their disease reactions, and hence, are invaluable as P. capsici race differentials. A resistance index that ranges from 0 to 1 with 1 being resistant to all isolates was developed in this study. Among all the NMRILs evaluated, one NMRIL (NMRIL-R) had a low resistance index of 0.17, demonstrating its susceptibility to most of the isolates, while other NMRILs (A, B, F, O, and Z) showed medium to high levels of resistance to the P. capsici evaluated with the range of resistance index from 0.75 to 0.89. The NMRILs with a high resistance index can be a good source of resistance for chile pepper breeding programs. The results of this study prove that multiple races of P. capsici can exist in a single production field and plant breeders must be cognizant to breed for more than one race in a given production location.

Accepted for publication 3 December 2015. Published 17 December 2015.
Sir John Warcup Cornforth AC CBE. 7 September 1917 — 8 December 2013
Authors: Battersby Sir Alan R. , Young Douglas W.
Published: December 2015

Sir John Cornforth was a pioneer in discovering the detailed chemistry used by living systems to construct the organic substances they contain. From his teenage years, he was handicapped by profound deafness yet he overcame this to reach the highest pinnacles of scientific achievement. His work was carried out in several different research centres, both academic and medical, and he was a leading figure in all.
X-ray microtomography provides first data about the feeding behaviour of an endangered lizard, the Montserrat galliwasp (
Diploglossus montisserrati
)
Authors: Bochaton C. , Boistel R. , Charles L.
Published: December 2015

Reporting the diet of recently extinct or very rare taxa, only known by a few museum specimens, is challenging. This study uses X-ray microtomography, a non-destructive investigation method, to obtain the first data about feeding behaviours in the Montserrat galliwasp (
Diploglossus montisserrati
) by scanning one of the two specimens known to date. The scans revealed the occurrence of shell fragments of a freshwater snail (
Omalonyx matheroni
) in the digestive tract of the specimen. This data combined with morphological evidence shows the occurrence of a durophagous feeding habit and a possible tendency of association with freshwater environments. This information could be crucial to save this critically endangered lizard endemic on Montserrat island.
Rapid mimicry and emotional contagion in domestic dogs
Authors: Palagi Elisabetta , Nicotra Velia , Cordoni Giada
Published: December 2015

Emotional contagion is a basic form of empathy that makes individuals able to experience others’ emotions. In human and non-human primates, emotional contagion can be linked to facial mimicry, an automatic and fast response (less than 1 s) in which individuals involuntary mimic others’ expressions. Here, we tested whether body (play bow, PBOW) and facial (relaxed open-mouth, ROM) rapid mimicry is present in domestic dogs (
Canis lupus familiaris
) during dyadic intraspecific play. During their free playful interactions, dogs showed a stronger and rapid mimicry response (less than 1 s) after perceiving PBOW and ROM (two signals typical of play in dogs) than after perceiving JUMP and BITE (two play patterns resembling PBOW and ROM in motor performance). Playful sessions punctuated by rapid mimicry lasted longer that those sessions punctuated only by signals. Moreover, the distribution of rapid mimicry was strongly affected by the familiarity linking the subjects involved: the stronger the social bonding, the higher the level of rapid mimicry. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the presence of rapid mimicry in dogs, the involvement of mimicry in sharing playful motivation and the social modulation of the phenomenon. All these findings concur in supporting the idea that a possible linkage between rapid mimicry and emotional contagion (a building-block of empathy) exists in dogs.
Gene therapy: progress and predictions
Authors: Collins Mary , Thrasher Adrian
Published: December 2015

The first clinical gene delivery, which involved insertion of a marker gene into lymphocytes from cancer patients, was published 25 years ago. In this review, we describe progress since then in gene therapy. Patients with some inherited single-gene defects can now be treated with their own bone marrow stem cells that have been engineered with a viral vector carrying the missing gene. Patients with inherited retinopathies and haemophilia B can also be treated by local or systemic injection of viral vectors. There are also a number of promising gene therapy approaches for cancer and infectious disease. We predict that the next 25 years will see improvements in safety, efficacy and manufacture of gene delivery vectors and introduction of gene-editing technologies to the clinic. Gene delivery may also prove a cost-effective method for the delivery of biological medicines.
Epidemiological analysis of serum anti‐Pseudomonas aeruginosa PcrV titers in adults
Authors: Yasumoto Hiroaki , Katoh Hideya , Kinoshita Mao , Shimizu Masaru , Hamaoka Saeko , Akiyama Koichi , Naito Yoshifumi , Sawa Teiji
Published: December 2015

Of the various virulence mechanisms of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the type III secretion system (TTSS) has been characterized as a major factor associated with acute lung injury, bacteremia and mortality. In addition, PcrV, a component protein of the TTSS, has been characterized as a protective antigen against infection with P. aeruginosa. This study comprised an epidemiological analysis of serum anti‐PcrV titers in a cohort of Japanese adults. From April 2012 to March 2013, serum anti‐PcrV titers of 198 volunteer participants undergoing anesthesia for scheduled surgeries were measured. The median, minimum and maximum serum anti‐PcrV titers among the 198 participants were 4.09 nM, 1.01 nM and 113.81 nM, respectively. The maximum peaks in the histogram were within the anti‐PcrV 2.00–4.99 nM titer range; values for 115 participants (58.1%) were within this range. Anti‐PcrV titers were more than approximately three‐fold greater (>12 nM) than the median value in 21 participants (10.6%). Ten‐year interval age increases, history of treatment for traffic trauma, and a history of past surgery each showed statistically significant associations with higher anti‐PcrV titers (i.e., >10 nM) than did the other factors assessed by binomial analysis. This study revealed a considerable variation in anti‐PcrV titers in adult subjects without any obvious histories of infection with P. aeruginosa.
Tactical Voting in Norway: Context, Motives and Occurrence
Authors: Jenssen Anders Todal
Published: December 2015

Hitherto, tactical voting has not been a topic in Norwegian electoral research, despite the fact that tactical considerations have been publically discussed both by politicians and citizens for years. The complexity of the electoral system is partly to blame. Norwegian voters experience a number of tactical situations that give rise to rather different dilemmas, and hence several tactical motives. These need to be mapped and analysed separately. A set of survey questions has been especially designed for the present study to record these motives. Special attention has also been paid to the political sophistication of voters, campaign messages encouraging tactical voting, and the restraining effects of habitual voting and negative attitudes towards tactical voting. These factors may modify the inclination to tactical electoral behaviour. The web survey designed for the present project was conducted immediately following the Norwegian parliamentary election of 2013 (N = 2,278). Of the voters in the survey, 18.3 percent reported casting a tactically motivated vote. The 4 percent threshold on the distribution of compensatory seats, the competition for the last district seats and the composition of government coalitions triggered tactical voting. Tactical voters do not stand out as more politically sophisticated than other voters. Rather than calculating the expected utility for each party, they seem to rely on campaign information from the political parties and the media when voting tactically. For the habitual voters and voters with a strong dislike of tactical voting, the propensity for tactical voting is well below average.
Supreme Court Justices’ Economic Behaviour: A Multilevel Model Analysis
Authors: Skiple Jon Kåre , Grendstad Gunnar , Shaffer William R. , Waltenburg Eric N.
Published: December 2015

Supreme Court justices are overlooked, but important, national policy‐making players who render final and consequential decisions in cases on economic conflicts. The research question asks what forces explain the decisional behaviour of Supreme Court justices in economic rights cases between a private and a public party. Theoretically, the decisional behaviour of an individual justice is a function of his or her notion as to what makes ‘good’ law, pursued in a cultural‐collegial setting that is oriented by majoritarian requirements, while constrained by the legal nature of the case being considered. Empirically, all economic decisions made by Norwegian Supreme Court justices in five‐justice panels from 1963 to 2012 are analyzed. Our multilevel model demonstrates that individual, collegial and case‐level forces all contribute to explain the justices’ votes. These results suggest that case‐related dynamics, such as who the plaintiff is or the amount of disagreement between justices, matter, but also that ideology – via appointment mechanisms – matters when a nation's high court justices decide economic cases. Understanding the foundational assumptions and the institutional procedures is vital when transporting judicial behaviour models across polities.
Incidence of and risk indicators for vasa praevia: a systematic review
Authors: Ruiter L , Kok N , Limpens J , Derks JB , de Graaf IM , Mol BWJ , Pajkrt E
Published: December 2015

Background

Vasa praevia (VP) is a rare phenomenon that is assumed to increase the risk of severe complications, including fetal death. Critical data on its incidence are lacking, so there is no rational basis for prenatal screening.

Objectives

To review the literature on the incidence and risk indicators for VP.

Search strategy

We searched OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and PubMed for case–control and cohort studies on incidence and risk indicators for VP.

Selection criteria

Two reviewers selected studies and scored their methodological quality.

Data collection and analysis

We calculated the mean incidence of VP. We constructed 2 × 2 tables cross‐classifying potential risk indicators against the incidence of VP to calculate common odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, using the Mantel–Haenszel method.

Main results

We included 13 studies (two prospective cohort studies, ten retrospective cohort studies and one case–control study) reporting on 569 410 patients with 325 cases of VP. Based on ten included cohort studies providing information on the incidence, the mean incidence of VP was 0.60 per 1000 pregnancies. We identified five different risk indicators and markers for VP: second‐trimester placenta praevia, conception by assisted reproductive technologies, a bilobed or succenturiate placenta, umbilical cord insertion in the lower third part of the uterus at first‐trimester ultrasound and velamentous cord insertion. Almost 83% of the cases of VP had one or more risk indicators.

Authors' conclusions

In view of the low incidence, screening for VP in an unselected population is not advised. Targeted screening of women with one or more risk indicators as a part of routine mid‐gestation scanning should be considered.

Tweetable abstract

Vasa praevia is more common in placenta praevia, conception by ART, velamentous cord insertion and bilobed placenta.
The epidemiology and outcomes of women with postpartum haemorrhage requiring massive transfusion with eight or more units of red cells: a national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Green L , Knight M , Seeney FM , Hopkinson C , Collins PW , Collis RE , Simpson NAB , Weeks A , Stanworth SS
Published: December 2015

Objective

To ascertain the incidence of massive transfusion (MT) in obstetrics in the UK, and describe its management and clinical outcomes.

Design

A population‐based cross‐sectional study conducted through the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS).

Settings

All UK hospitals with consultant‐led maternity units.

Population

Any pregnant woman at ≥20 weeks of gestation receiving ≥8 units of red blood cells within 24 hours of giving birth, from July 2012 to June 2013.

Methods

Prospective case identification through the monthly mailing of UKOSS.

Results

We identified 181 women who had undergone MT, making the estimated incidence of MT associated with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) 23 per 100 000 maternities (95% confidence interval 19–26) per year. The median estimated blood loss was 6 l (interquartile range 4.5–8.0 l). The majority of women presented outside working hours (63%), 40% had had previous caesarean sections and 3% had normal vaginal births without risk factors. The main cause for MT was uterine atony (40%) and the main mode of birth was caesarean section (69%). Of the 181 women, 15 received >20 units of red blood cells. In total, 45% of women underwent hysterectomy, and among all causes of PPH, placenta accreta had the highest hysterectomy rate. Two women died, 82% were admitted to intensive care/high‐dependency units, and 28% developed major morbidities.

Conclusion

Massive transfusion due to PPH is associated with high rates of morbidity and hysterectomy. Clinical and research efforts should focus on approaches to recognise and optimise timely resuscitation and management of these severe cases.

Tweetable abstract

Massive transfusion due to postpartum haemorrhage is associated with high rates of morbidity and hysterectomy.
Late Quaternary Tectonic Deformation of the Eastern End of the Altyn Tagh Fault
Authors: Zhongyuan YU , Wei MIN , Tao CHEN , Yugang LIU , Peng SU
Published: December 2015

The Quaternary activity of the faults at the eastern end of the Altyn Tagh fault, including the Dengdengshan–Chijiaciwo, Kuantanshan and Heishan faults, was studied on the basis of interpretation of satellite images, trenching, geomorphologic offset measurements and dating. The Altyn Tagh fault has extended eastwards to Kuantanshan Mountain. The left–slip rates of the Altyn Tagh fault decreased through the Qilianshan fault and were transformed into thrust and folds deformation of many NW– trending faults within the Jiuxi basin. Meanwhile, under NE–directed compression of the Tibetan plateau, thrust dominated the Dengdengshan–Chijiaciwo fault northeast of the Kuantanshan uplift with a rate lower than that of every fault in the Jiuxi basin south of the uplift, implying that tectonic deformation is mainly confined to the plateau interior and the Hexi Corridor area. From continual northeastward enlargement of the Altyn Tagh fault, the Kuantanshan uplift became a triangular wedge intruding to the east, while the Kuantanshan area at the end of this wedge rose up strongly. In future, the Altyn Tagh fault will continue to spread eastward along the Heishan and Jintananshan faults. The results have implications for understanding the propagation of crustal deformation and the mechanism of the India–Eurasian collision.
Geochronology and Geochemical Characteristics of Intrusion in the Jinchangliang Gold Deposit, Inner Mongolia and Their Tectonic Significance
Authors: Zhenjun SUN , Guosheng SUN , Henan YU , Yi TIAN , Shanli LIU , Zhu XIANG , Jian MENG , Huaiyu XUE , Lina LU
Published: December 2015

Discovered and mined in recent years, the Jinchangliang gold deposit has not yet been studied in its genetic type. In this paper, the geological features of ore deposit, S isotopic composition, metallogenic age and elements geochemical of the granite closely related to mineralization were discussed. The results of the geological features of ore deposit and S isotopic composition show that ore‐bearing hydrothermal solution was closely related with the intrusion of magmatic. The granite is characteristic of high silica SiO2=72.38%–72.98%, high aluminum and Al2O3=14.22%–14.35%, low calcium CaO=0.16% –0.26%, and low value of FeOT/MgO (6.86–7.73), and rich in alkalis Na2O+K2O=9.11%–9.24%, suggesting that it is high‐K calc‐alkaline, highly fractionated, weak aluminum A‐type granite. The REE patterns are inclined to right and show intense fractionation between LREE and HREE, without obvious negative Eu anomaly (δEu=0.80–0.84). The primitive mantle‐normalized spidergrams are characterized by depletion of Ba, U, Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti and P, which implies that the granite has the characteristics of the crust‐mantle mixing. S isotopes also indicate that the material source of gold deposit is closely related to the granite rocks. The LA‐ICP‐MS Zircon U‐Pb age of the Damiao rock mass medium‐fine grained monzogranite (belonging to the early Indo‐China) is (245±1) Ma. It shows that Jinchangliang gold deposit was not formed in Yanshanian, but the early Indo‐China. Specifically speaking, the deposit was formed in the collision stage of the North China plate and the Siberian plate.
20 Years Advances in Preparation of Potassium Salts from Potassic Rocks: A Review
Authors: Hongwen MA , Jing YANG , Shuangqing SU , Meitang LIU , Hong ZHENG , Yingbin WANG , Hongbin QI , Pan ZHANG , Wengui YAO
Published: December 2015

Long‐term research on key techniques of clean utilization of potassic rocks from over twenty localities has been performed to settle the shortage of soluble potassium resources in China. The results show that K‐feldspar as the principal mineral enriched in potassium could be decomposed in the media of Ca(OH)2, NaOH, KOH‐H2O solution via hydrothermal treatment, into tobermorite, hydroxyl‐cancrinite, and kalsilite respectively. By further processing, these compounds are feasible for being as slow‐release carrier of potassium nitrate, extracting alumina, and preparing farm‐oriented fertilizers of potassium sulphate and nitrate. Correspondingly, the filtrate is KOH, (Na, K)2SiO3, and K2SiO3 solution, from which potassium carbonate, sulphate, nitrate, and phosphate could be easily fabricated. As NaOH and KOH are recycled in the processing chains by causticizing sodium and/or potassium metasilicate solutions, the hydrothermal alkaline techniques as developed in this research have several advantages as lower consumption of disposable mineral resources and energy, maximized utilization of potassic mineral resources, as well as clean productions etc. Based on the approaches presented in this paper, the technical system of efficiently utilizing insoluble potassium resources has been established. The hydrothermal alkaline methods are feasible to be industrialized on a large scale, thus resulting in decreasing imports of potash fertilizers, improving the pattern of potassium fertilizer consumption, and enhancing the supplying guarantee of potassium resource in China.
Reproductive outcomes following hydroxychloroquine use for autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaplan Yusuf Cem , Ozsarfati Jak , Nickel Cheri , Koren Gideon
Published: December 2015

Aims

The objective of this meta‐analysis was to determine whether gestational use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for autoimmune disorders leads to an increase in the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to November 21 2014. Studies which reported the outcomes of pregnant women after exposure to HCQ during pregnancy and including a control (unexposed) group were included. Two independent reviewers carried out the review and the quality assessment using the Methodological Index for Non‐Randomized Studies (MINORS). A random effects method was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) for the outcomes.

Results

The meta‐analysis reported no significant increases in rates of major congenital (OR 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 2.17), craniofacial (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.13, 3.03), cardiovascular (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.29, 3.86), genitourinary (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.42, 4.53), nervous system malformations (OR 1.81, 95% CI 0.31, 10.52), stillbirth (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.35, 1.34), low birth weight (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.21, 2.27) or prematurity (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.95, 3.24). The rate of spontaneous abortions, however, was found to be significantly increased in HCQ exposed pregnancies (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.10, 3.13). No significant heterogeneity was detected among the studies for the evaluated outcomes except prematurity.

Conclusions

Prenatal exposure to HCQ for autoimmune diseases does not appear to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes except spontaneous abortion rate, which may be associated with the underlying disease activity (bias by indication) and needs further investigation.
ClassPrep: A peer review system for class preparation
Authors: Park Jooyong
Published: December 2015

Class preparation is recommended by instructors in most college courses, but checking whether a student does so is not easy. A new blended learning system, named ClassPrep, has been proposed and implemented. The usability of the system was examined for two undergraduate psychology courses: one advanced course (n = 11) and one introductory course (n = 59). In these courses, students were required to prepare for class through a series of activities. The first activity was to write a one‐page essay based on the assigned reading material. Another activity was to come up with three questions related to the material. The third activity was to review four essays written by peers, which were delivered by the ClassPrep system anonymously. The last activity was to evaluate peer review scores and comments. All these activities were to be done before class. During class, lectures were minimized. Instead, the students and the instructor worked together to answer some of the questions raised, discuss some other questions and review a few selected essays. Analyses of the survey on the system and the official course evaluation revealed that students' responses to the system were positive overall. The implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.
Urology technical and non‐technical skills development: the emerging role of simulation
Authors: Rashid Prem , Gianduzzo Troy R.J.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To review the emerging role of technical and non‐technical simulation in urological education and training.

Method

A review was conducted to examine the current role of simulation in urology training. A PUBMED search of the terms ‘urology training’, ‘urology simulation’ and ‘urology education’ revealed 11 504 titles. Three hundred and fifty‐seven abstracts were identified as English language, peer reviewed papers pertaining to the role of simulation in urology and related topics. Key papers were used to explore themes. Some cross‐referenced papers were also included.

Results

There is an ongoing need to ensure that training time is efficiently utilised while ensuring that optimal technical and non‐technical skills are achieved. Changing working conditions and the need to minimise patient harm by inadvertent errors must be taken into account. Simulation models for specific technical aspects have been the mainstay of graduated step‐wise low and high fidelity training. Whole scenario environments as well as non‐technical aspects can be slowly incorporated into the curriculum. Doing so should also help define what have been challenging competencies to teach and evaluate. Dedicated time, resources and trainer up‐skilling are important. Concurrent studies are needed to help evaluate the effectiveness of introducing step‐wise simulation for technical and non‐technical competencies.

Conclusion

Simulation based learning remains the best avenue of progressing surgical education. Technical and non‐technical simulation could be used in the selection process. There are good economic, logistic and safety reasons to pursue the process of ongoing development of simulation co‐curricula. While the role of simulation is assured, its progress will depend on a structured program that takes advantage of what can be delivered via this medium. Overall, simulation can be developed further for urological training programs to encompass technical and non‐technical skill development at all stages, including recertification.