bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New species of Scolelepis (Polychaeta, Spionidae) from the Norwegian coast and Barents Sea with a brief review of the genus
Authors: Sikorski Andrey , Pavlova Lyudmila
Published: October 2015

The species Scolelepis finmarchicus sp. nov. is described from the Norwegian and Barents Seas along the northern Norwegian coast and Kola peninsula. The occurrence of this species in the Kola Bay could be seen as a sign of climate warming in the area. Taxonomic issues existing in the genus Scolelepis within the area along the Norwegian coast and in the Barents Sea are briefly touched upon. Seven species belonging to Scolelepis have recently been recorded from the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. Scolelepis (S.) matsugae Sikorski, 1994 is newly synonymized with S. (S.) laonicola (Tzetlin, 1985). This article provides a brief review of Scolelepis together with an identification key for the genus from the Atlantic sector of the Arctic
Bumblebee assemblages (Hymenoptera, Apidae) of ruderal habitats in the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia
Authors: Potapov Gregory Sergeevich , Kolosova Yulia S. , Kondakov Alexander V.
Published: October 2015

Bumblebee assemblages of ruderal habitats were studied in the Kola Peninsula in 2012. The number of species in the assemblages varies from 7 to 11. Of cryptic species Bombus sensu stricto in the Kola Peninsula only Bombus cryptarum was registered. The most abundant species in the study habitats are B. jonellus and B. cryptarum. Abundances of tundra species B. lapponicus, B. alpinus, B. balteatus are low in all localities. B. distinguendus and B. veteranus are southern immigrants in the region. Ruderal habitats in the Kola Peninsula are potentially important for bumblebee conservation.
Beta: An Experiment in Funded Undergraduate Start-up
Authors: Jones Paul , Forbes-Simpson Kellie , Maas Gideon , Newbery Robert
Published: October 2015

This paper reports on an evaluation of a funded undergraduate project designed to enable student business start-up. The programme, entitled ‘Beta’, provides undergraduate students with £1,500 of seed-corn funding. The key objective of the project is for the participants to exit it with a viable and legal business entity through which they can start trading on completion of the course. The study adopts a case study approach and evaluates all aspects of the Beta programme, the actors involved and its processes and practices. The authors examine the development of the project and the challenges and hurdles that were identified and overcome to realize the project's goals.
Demand for International Medical Travel to the USA
Authors: Johnson Tricia J. , Garman Andrew N.
Published: October 2015

The USA has developed a global reputation for providing high-quality, cutting-edge medical care, and individuals from across the world travel to the country to receive care for complex medical conditions. Beyond this goal of higher quality of care, however, very little is known about the motivational patterns influencing medical travellers' decision making, including the extent to which existing tourism theory and forecasting models apply to this specialized group. The present study seeks to contribute to the knowledge base by developing and testing a macro-level model of international medical travel to the USA. Using country-level data from the US Department of Commerce, World Health Organization, World Bank and Central Intelligence Agency, a two-part regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with the presence and volume of inbound medical travel by country of origin. The results indicate that travel time and out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure are significant predictors of inbound medical tourism from a given country, and travel time, travel cost, services trade and the number of outbound travellers are significant predictors of the total volume of inbound medical travellers by country. The results are discussed in the light of existing tourism research, and guidance for hospitals, policy makers and the tourism industry is provided on where to target resources for developing relationships with providers and payers abroad.
Pulp and Paper Evaluation of Solid Wastes from Agricultural Produce
Authors: Omotoso Mopelola , Owolabi Abdul
Published: October 2015

The pulp and paper potentials of solid-waste of Ananas comosus (pine-apple leaves), Cocos nucifera (coir i.e. fiber from coconut husk), Tithionia diversifolia (sunflower) and Sansevieria liberica (mother-in-law’s tongue) were investigated. Pulp was produced by soda pulping process at liquor to solid ratio 7:1 and bleached with hydrogen peroxide in basic medium. The pulp yield of pineapple leaves, coir, sunflower, and Sansevieria liberica were 80%, 75%, 79% and 82.5% respectively. The fiber morphology were determined after maceration with 1:1 acetic acid–hydrogen peroxide ratio. The fiber length of the pine apple leaves, Tithonia diversifolia, coir and Sansevieria liberica were 0.935mm, 0.758mm, 0.894mm and 2.291mm respectively. The Runkel Ratio were 0.639, 0.540, 1.057 and 0.923mm respectively. The experimental design adopts the use of complete randomized block design on morphological examination of the solid-waste. In this configuration, we construct and solve as optimal network flow, the problem of minimizing the cost of disposing wastes from sources of generation to dumpsites by establishing processing mills in rural areas. The surface response results indicated optimum conditions for the production of good quality pulp and paper from the studied solid-wastes is when the fiber length is 0.61mm, fiber diameter is 17.16µm, lumen width is 12.40µm, cell wall thickness is 1.31µm, and Runkel Ratio is 0.2073. The average fiber length of 0.61mm coupled with low Runkel ratio 0.2073 would result in highly flexible fibers that can easily collapse to produce pulp and paper of good optical and strength properties.
Concise Review: Stem Cell Microenvironment on a Chip: Current Technologies for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Biology
Authors: Park DoYeun , Lim Jaeho , Park Joong Yull , Lee Sang-Hoon
Published: October 2015

Stem cells have huge potential in many therapeutic areas. With conventional cell culture methods, however, it is difficult to achieve in vivo-like microenvironments in which a number of well-controlled stimuli are provided for growing highly sensitive stem cells. In contrast, microtechnology-based platforms offer advantages of high precision, controllability, scalability, and reproducibility, enabling imitation of the complex physiological context of in vivo. This capability may fill the gap between the present knowledge about stem cells and that required for clinical stem cell-based therapies. We reviewed the various types of microplatforms on which stem cell microenvironments are mimicked. We have assigned the various microplatforms to four categories based on their practical uses to assist stem cell biologists in using them for research. In particular, many examples are given of microplatforms used for the production of embryoid bodies and aggregates of stem cells in vitro. We also categorized microplatforms based on the types of factors controlling the behaviors of stem cells. Finally, we outline possible future directions for microplatform-based stem cell research, such as research leading to the production of well-defined environments for stem cells to be used in scaled-up systems or organs-on-a-chip, the regulation of induced pluripotent stem cells, and the study of the genetic states of stem cells on microplatforms.

Significance

Stem cells are highly sensitive to a variety of physicochemical cues, and their fate can be easily altered by a slight change of environment; therefore, systematic analysis and discrimination of the extracellular signals and intracellular pathways controlling the fate of cells and experimental realization of sensitive and controllable niche environments are critical. This review introduces diverse microplatforms to provide in vitro stem cell niches. Microplatforms could control microenvironments around cells and have recently attracted much attention in biology including stem cell research. These microplatforms and the future directions of stem cell microenvironment are described.
The Image of The Other in Jewish Interpretations of Alenu
Authors: Hoffman Jeffrey
Published: October 2015

The image of the non-Jewish Other stands at the center of the ancient Jewish prayer, Alenu. In it, the Other is contrasted with the Jews as the only worshipers of the true God. Alenu juxtaposes the correctness of Israel’s religion with the erroneousness of the Other’s religion. Jewish interpretations of Alenu, over time and across various geographical locations, form an interesting bellwether of Jewish approaches to the Other in general. The earliest versions of the prayer – in the Hekhalot Literature and in the Rosh ha-shanah liturgy – did not shy away from the severe image of the Other. The medieval commentators too continued the trend of acknowledging the anti-Other content of Alenu in a straightforward way and several medieval versions even amplified the negative image. Beginning with the early modern period however, and the commencement of even partial acceptance of Jews into non-Jewish society, all of the commentaries attempted to diminish that negative image to one degree or another. Contemporary Jewish commentaries produced for popular audiences (and some produced for academic audiences) softened the image of the Other in their interpretations of Alenu and all of the prayer books produced for contemporary American Jews that were surveyed similarly played down the negative depiction of the Other in this prayer. All of these trends in the way Jewish interpreters viewed the non-Jewish Other reflected the Jewish perception of non-Jews in the various periods.
Jeremy Brown. New Heavens and a New Earth: The Jewish Reception of Copernican Thought
Authors: Pear Rachel S. A.
Published: October 2015

No abstract is available.
Lauren Faulkner Rossi. Wehrmacht Priests: Catholicism and the Nazi War of Annihilation
Authors: Menke Martin R.
Published: October 2015

No abstract is available.
Ruth HaCohen. The Music Libel Against the Jews
Authors: Hess Jonathan M.
Published: October 2015

No abstract is available.
Paul R. Hinlicky. Before Auschwitz: What Christian Theology Must Learn from the Rise of Nazism
Authors: Cathey Robert
Published: October 2015

No abstract is available.
Celia M. Deutsch, Eugene J. Fisher, and James Rudin, Eds. Toward the Future: Essays on Catholic-Jewish Relations in Memory of Rabbi León Klenicki
Authors: Svartvik Jesper
Published: October 2015

No abstract is available.
The Acquisition of Translation Competence. Competences, Tasks, and Assessment in Translator Training
Authors: Hurtado Albir Amparo , Taylor Paul
Published: October 2015

The aim of this paper is to present the fundamental aspects of competence-based translator training. It begins with an overview of research on Translation Competence (TC) and its acquisition (ATC), with particular emphasis on the PACTE group’s TC and ATC models, which have been validated through experimental research. It subsequently deals with four cornerstones of competence-based translator training, namely the pedagogical approach called competence-based training; specific competences in translator training; the translation task and project-based approach as a methodological and curriculum design framework; and competence assessment in translator training. The paper provides examples of how to design translator training curriculums that centre on competence development and establishes assessment guidelines.
Quels défis pour l’histoire de la traduction et de la traductologie ?
Authors: D’hulst Lieven
Published: October 2015

Dans un ouvrage récent (D’hulst 2014), j’ai plaidé pour une histoire de la traduction moins préoccupée par son positionnement au sein de la traductologie ou en bordure d’autres pratiques savantes prêtes à lui ménager une place (l’histoire culturelle et sociale, l’histoire des sciences, de la philosophie, de la littérature, de la linguistique, etc.) que par la spécificité et par la valeur du point de vue historiographique sur la traduction. Il s’agirait corrélativement de définir les objets et les méthodes au service de l’étude historique de ces derniers, en dialogue avec les savoirs et disciplines qui gravitent autour de celle-ci et lui procurent des concepts et des modélisations. Il s’agirait aussi de montrer la signification sinon l’importance des recherches historiques sur les traductions et les savoirs traductifs au regard d’autres activités intellectuelles et sociales. Ces différents défis forment l’objet de cette contribution ; elle s’appuiera sur des exemples puisés dans un éventail de domaines, périodes et aires culturelles.
Wnt signaling-mediated redox regulation maintains the germ line stem cell differentiation niche
Authors: Wang Su , Gao Yuan , Song Xiaoqing , Ma Xing , Zhu Xiujuan , Mao Ying , Yang Zhihao , Ni Jianquan , Li Hua , Malanowski Kathryn E , Anoja Perera , Park Jungeun , Haug Jeff , Xie Ting
Published: October 2015

Adult stem cells continuously undergo self-renewal and generate differentiated cells. In the Drosophila ovary, two separate niches control germ line stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation processes. Compared to the self-renewing niche, relatively little is known about the maintenance and function of the differentiation niche. In this study, we show that the cellular redox state regulated by Wnt signaling is critical for the maintenance and function of the differentiation niche to promote GSC progeny differentiation. Defective Wnt signaling causes the loss of the differentiation niche and the upregulated BMP signaling in differentiated GSC progeny, thereby disrupting germ cell differentiation. Mechanistically, Wnt signaling controls the expression of multiple glutathione-S-transferase family genes and the cellular redox state. Finally, Wnt2 and Wnt4 function redundantly to maintain active Wnt signaling in the differentiation niche. Therefore, this study has revealed a novel strategy for Wnt signaling in regulating the cellular redox state and maintaining the differentiation niche.
Spatial distribution of magnetic fluctuation power with period 40 to 600 s in the magnetosphere observed by THEMIS
Authors: Wang G. Q. , Zhang T. L. , Ge Y. S.
Published: October 2015

Ultralow frequency (ULF) fluctuations are ubiquitous in the magnetosphere and have significant influence on the energetic particle transport. We use Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) data to give the spatial distribution of the Pi2/Pc4 and Pc5 band magnetic fluctuation amplitude near the magnetic equator in the magnetosphere. Statistical results can be summarized as follows: (1) strong ULF fluctuations are common in the magnetotail plasma sheet; the amplitude of all three components of magnetic fluctuations decreases with decreasing radial distance; (2) during periods of high AE index, fluctuations can propagate toward the Earth as far as the data cutoff in the nightside of the magnetosphere, and the amplitude of magnetic fluctuations is clearly stronger near the dusk sector of the synchronous orbit than that near the dawn sector, suggesting that the substorm particle injection has significant contribution to these fluctuations; (3) intense compressional Pc5 band magnetic fluctuations are a persistent feature near two flanks of the magnetosphere. Clear peaks of the compressional Pi2/Pc4 band magnetic fluctuation power near two flanks can be found during periods of fast solar wind, while the power of compressional Pi2/Pc4 band fluctuations is weak when the solar wind is slow. (4) Solar wind dynamic pressure and its variations can globally affect the ULF fluctuation power in the magnetosphere. Magnetic fluctuations near the noonside can penetrate from the magnetopause to the synchronous orbit or inner when solar wind pressure variations are large.
Failure Mechanisms and Scaling Laws of Nanoporous Aluminum: A Computational Study
Authors: Winter Nicholas , Becton Matthew , Zhang Liuyang , Wang Xianqiao
Published: October 2015

Recent nanomechanical experiments and simulations reveal a ligament size‐dependent effect on the strength of nanowires, nanocolumns, and nanofoams. Here, we show the failure mechanism and scaling laws of nanoporous aluminum (np‐Al) using a molecular dynamics case study. We develop scaling laws for Young's modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, and toughness with respect to relative density and ligament diameter for np‐Al. Our findings offer useful insights into the knowledge of nanoporous metals’ mechanical properties in order to support material scientists’ intention of developing fully comprehensive scaling laws for nanoporous metals.
3D‐Printable Antimicrobial Composite Resins
Authors: Yue Jun , Zhao Pei , Gerasimov Jennifer Y. , van de Lagemaat Marieke , Grotenhuis Arjen , Rustema‐Abbing Minie , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. , Herrmann Andreas , Ren Yijin
Published: October 2015

3D printing is seen as a game‐changing manufacturing process in many domains, including general medicine and dentistry, but the integration of more complex functions into 3D‐printed materials remains lacking. Here, it is expanded on the repertoire of 3D‐printable materials to include antimicrobial polymer resins, which are essential for development of medical devices due to the high incidence of biomaterial‐associated infections. Monomers containing antimicrobial, positively charged quaternary ammonium groups with an appended alkyl chain are either directly copolymerized with conventional diurethanedimethacrylate/glycerol dimethacrylate (UDMA/GDMA) resin components by photocuring or prepolymerized as a linear chain for incorporation into a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network by light‐induced polymerization. For both strategies, dental 3D‐printed objects fabricated by a stereolithography process kill bacteria on contact when positively charged quaternary ammonium groups are incorporated into the photocurable UDMA/GDMA resins. Leaching of quaternary ammonium monomers copolymerized with UDMA/GDMA resins is limited and without biological consequences within 4–6 d, while biological consequences could be confined to 1 d when prepolymerized quaternary ammonium group containing chains are incorporated in a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network. Routine clinical handling and mechanical properties of the pristine polymer matrix are maintained upon incorporation of quaternary ammonium groups, qualifying the antimicrobially functionalized, 3D‐printable composite resins for clinical use.
Ti3+ Self‐Doped Dark Rutile TiO2 Ultrafine Nanorods with Durable High‐Rate Capability for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Jun , Song Weixin , Hou Hongshuai , Zhang Yan , Jing Mingjun , Jia Xinnan , Ji Xiaobo
Published: October 2015

Dark‐colored rutile TiO2 nanorods doped by electroconducting Ti3+ have been obtained uniformly with an average diameter of ≈7 nm, and have been first utilized as anodes in lithium‐ion batteries. They deliver a high reversible specific capacity of 185.7 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C (33.6 mA g−1) and maintain 92.1 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at an extremely high rate 50 C with an outstanding retention of 98.4%. Notably, the coulombic efficiency of Ti3+–TiO2 has been improved by approximately 10% compared with that of pristine rutile TiO2, which can be mainly attributed to its prompt electron transfer because of the introduction of Ti3+. Again the synergetic merits are noticed when the promoted electronic conductivity is combined with a shortened Li+ diffusion length resulting from the ultrafine nanorod structure, giving rise to the remarkable rate capabilities and extraordinary cycling stabilities for applications in fast and durable charge/discharge batteries. It is of great significance to incorporate Ti3+ into rutile TiO2 to exhibit particular electrochemical characteristics triggering an effective way to improve the energy storage properties.
In Situ Studies of Surface‐Plasmon‐Resonance‐Coupling Sensor Mediated by Stimuli‐Sensitive Polymer Linker
Authors: Lee Ji‐Eun , Chung Kyungwha , Lee Jumi , Shin Kwanwoo , Kim Dong Ha
Published: October 2015

Hybrid plasmonic nanostructures comprising gold nanoparticle (AuNP) arrays separated from Au substrate through a temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) linker layer are constructed, and unique plasmonic‐coupling‐based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing properties are investigated. The optical properties of the model system are investigated by in situ and scan‐mode SPR analysis. The swelling‐shrinking transitions in the polymer linker brush are studied by in situ contact‐mode atomic force microscopy at two different temperatures in water. It is revealed that the thickness of the PNIPAM layer is decreased from 30 to 14 nm by increasing the temperature from 20 to 32 °C. For the first time the dependence of the coupling behavior in AuNPs is investigated with controlled density on the temperature in a quantitative manner in terms of the change in SPR signals. The device containing AuNPs with optimized AuNP density shows 3.2‐times enhanced sensitivity compared with the control Au film‐PNIPAM sample. The refractive index sensing performance of the Au film‐PNIPAM‐AuNPs is greater than that of Au film‐PNIPAM by 19% when the PNIPAM chains have a collapsed conformation above lower critical solution temperature.
The ADR Importance of Understanding The Role of the International Court of Justice
Authors: Naranjo Dan A.
Published: October 2015

In 2010, the world's population topped 7 billion, and is expected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. Christopher C. Joyner, International Law in the 21st Century: Rules for Global Governance 23 (Deborah J. Gerner, et al. eds., 2005).
Assessing the Role of Capping Molecules in Controlling Aggregative Growth of Gold Nanoparticles in Heated Solution
Authors: Cheng Han‐Wen , Schadt Mark J. , Zhong Chuan‐Jian
Published: October 2015

This report describes findings of an investigation of the role of capping molecules in the size growth in the aggregative growth of pre‐formed small‐sized gold nanoparticles capped with alkanethiolate monolayers toward monodispersed larger sizes. The size controllability depends on the thiolate chain length and concentration in the thermal solution. The size evolution in solution at different concentrations of alkanethiols is analyzed in relation to adsorption isotherms and cohesive energy. The size dependence on thiolate chain length is also analyzed by considering the cohesive energy of the capping molecules, revealing the importance of cohesive energy in the capping structure. Theoretical and experimental comparisons of the surface plasmonic resonance optical properties have also provided new insights into the mechanism, thus enabling the exploitation of size‐dependent nanoscale properties.
Guaranteed Cost Control of Networked Control Systems Under Transmission Control Protocol with Active Queue Management
Authors: Zhu Qixin , Lu Kaihong , Zhu Yonghong
Published: October 2015

The problem of a guaranteed cost controller design of networked control systems under transmission control protocol (TCP) is derived. To improve the overall performance of the networked control system, a scheme to simultaneously control the plant and the network is presented. An analytical TCP model is used to design active queue management (AQM) to achieve the desired queue length, which is helpful in reducing the variation of the network induced delay. Moreover, a new closed loop model of networked control systems is obtained by augmenting the TCP communication model with the control plant. The guaranteed cost controller is addressed in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) to render the system asymptotically stable based on Lyapunov‐Krasovskii theory and weighted technology. Finally, numerical simulations are included to demonstrate the theoretical results.
Development of Planning in Children with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Unterrainer Josef M. , Rauh Reinhold , Rahm Benjamin , Hardt Jochen , Kaller Christoph P. , Klein Christoph , Paschke‐Müller Mirjam , Biscaldi Monica
Published: October 2015

Planning impairment is often observed in children with high‐functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but attempts to differentiate planning in ASD from children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and typically developing children (TD) have yielded inconsistent results. This study examined differences between these groups by focusing on development and analyzing performance in searching ahead several steps (“search depth”) in addition to commonly used global performance measures in planning. A cross‐sectional consecutive sample of 83 male patients (6–13 years), subgrouped as ASD without (ASD−, n = 18) or with comorbid ADHD (ASD+, n = 23), ADHD only (n = 42) and n = 42 TD children (6–13 years) were tested with the Tower‐of‐London‐task. For global performance, ASD+ showed the lowest accuracy in younger children, but similar performance as TD at older ages, suggesting delayed development. Typically, a prolongation of planning time with increasing problem difficulty is observed in older children as compared to younger children. Here, this was most pronounced in ASD−, but under‐expressed in ADHD. In contrast to global performance, effects of search depth were independent of age. ASD−, but not ASD+, showed increased susceptibility to raised demands on mentally searching ahead, along with the longest planning times. Thus, examining both global and search depth performance across ages revealed discernible patterns of planning between groups. Notably, the potentially detrimental impact of two diagnosed disorders does not add up in ASD+ in this task. Rather, our results suggest paradoxical enhancement of performance, ostensibly attributable to disruption of behavioral rigidity through increased impulsivity, which did not take place in ASD−. Autism Res 2016, 9: 739–751. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fabrication of multiwalled carbon nanotube–polyaniline/platinum nanocomposite films toward improved performance for a cholesterol amperometric biosensor
Authors: Xu ZeHong , Cheng XiaoDan , Tan JianHong , Gan Xianxue
Published: October 2015

A simple and high sensitive cholesterol amperometric biosensor, which is based on in situ electropolymerization of multi‐walled carbon nanotube‐polyaniline (MWCNT‐PANI) nanocomposite and electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticle (nano‐Pt) films onto the glassy carbon electrode surface for cholesterol oxidase immobilization, was constructed in this study. The preparation process of the modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and chronoamperometry. Because of the synergistic electrocatalytic activity between MWCNT‐PANI nanocomposites and nano‐Pt, the cholesterol biosensor exhibited an excellent performance with a linear range of 2.0–510.0 µM, a detection limit of 0.8 µM (signal‐to‐noise ratio = 3), a high sensitivity of 109.9 µA mM−1, and a short response time within 5 Sec. Moreover, the reproducibility, stability, and selectivity of the biosensor were also investigated.
GC‐biased gene conversion links the recombination landscape and demography to genomic base composition
Authors: Mugal Carina F. , Weber Claudia C. , Ellegren Hans
Published: October 2015

The origin and evolutionary dynamics of the spatial heterogeneity in genomic base composition have been debated since its discovery in the 1970s. With the recent availability of numerous genome sequences from a wide range of species it has been possible to address this question from a comparative perspective, and similarities and differences in base composition between groups of organisms are becoming evident. Ample evidence suggests that the contrasting dynamics of base composition are driven by GC‐biased gene conversion (gBGC), a process that is associated with meiotic recombination. In line with this hypothesis, base composition is associated with the rate of recombination and the evolutionary dynamics of the recombination landscape, therefore, governs base composition. In addition, and at first sight perhaps surprisingly, the relationship between demography and genomic base composition is in agreement with the gBGC hypothesis: organisms with larger populations have higher GC content than those with smaller populations.
RNA approaches the B‐form in stacked single strand dinucleotide contexts
Authors: Sedova Ada , Banavali Nilesh K.
Published: October 2015

Duplex RNA adopts an A‐form structure, while duplex DNA interconverts between the A‐ and B‐forms depending on the environment. The C2′‐endo sugar pucker seen in B‐form DNA can occur infrequently in ribose sugars as well, but RNA is not understood to assume B‐form conformations. Through analysis of over 45,000 stacked single strand dinucleotide (SSD) crystal structure conformations, this study demonstrates that RNA is capable of adopting a wide conformational range between the canonical A‐ and B‐forms at the localized SSD level, including many B‐form‐like conformations. It does so through C2′‐endo ribose conformations in one or both nucleotides, and B‐form‐like neighboring base stacking patterns. As chemical reactions on nucleic acids involve localized changes in chemical bonds, the understanding of how enzymes distinguish between DNA and RNA nucleotides is altered by the energetic accessibility of these rare B‐form‐like RNA SSD conformations. The existence of these conformations also has direct implications in parametrization of molecular mechanics energy functions used extensively to model nucleic acid behavior., 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 65–82, 2016
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2‐Phenylimino‐5((5‐phenylfuran‐2‐yl)methylene)thiazolidin‐4‐ones as IKK2 Inhibitors
Authors: Kim Hee Sook , Shin Min Jae , Lee Byungho , Oh Kwang‐Seok , Choo Hyunah , Pae Ae Nim , Roh Eun Joo , Nam Ghilsoo
Published: October 2015

In a search for novel molecules to treat inflammatory disorders, we identified several compounds with inhibitory action against the IKK2 enzyme using in silico methods. Based on the virtual hit of compounds 1 and 2, a novel series of 2‐phenylimino‐5((5‐phenylfuran‐2‐yl)methylene)thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for IKK2 inhibitory activity. Among the synthesized derivatives, compounds 17f and 19f showed good IKK2 inhibitory potency, which have 4‐carboxaminophenyl on the 2‐furan ring and a methoxy group on the phenylimino moiety at the 2‐position of the core structure. The most potent compound was 2‐(2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)imino‐5((5(4‐carboxaminophenyl)furan‐2‐yl)methylene)thiazolidin‐4‐one (19f, IC50
= 0.94 μM), which represents a synergic effect of the two virtual hit compounds against IKK2. We also identified compounds showing inhibitory activities against interleukin (IL)‐17, CCK‐8, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), which are NF‐κB‐dependent pro‐inflammatory cytokine mediators.
Syntheses, Structure, and Properties of Four Metal‐Organic Polymers Based on Rigid Multiple Carboxylate Ligands and N‐Donor Ligands
Authors: Zhou Yong , Zhao Wen‐Hao , Wang Jin , Wei Jin‐Rui , Yin Xian‐Hong , Wei Xiang‐Bo , Lin Cui‐Wu
Published: October 2015

Four metal‐organic coordination polymers, {[Cd2(BIBP)2(H2DTDA)2]
n
 · 2(H2O)} (1), [Zn (BIBP) (H2TDA)2]
n
(2), [Cd2(BIBP)(H2TDA)2]
n
(3), and [Ni2(BIBP)2(H2DTDA)2(μ‐O)]
n

, (4) [where BIBP = 4,4′‐bis(1‐imidazoly)biphenyl, H2TDA = [1,1′:4′1″‐terphen‐yl]‐3,3″‐dicarboxylic acid, and H2DTDA = 2′,5′‐dimethyl‐[1,1′:4′,1″‐terphenyl]‐3,3″‐dicarboxylic acid] were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG, luminescence, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. X‐Ray diffraction analysis reveals that the four complexes exhibit new frameworks due to diverse coordination conformations. The different coordination modes of the ligands BIBP and two aromatic carboxylate acids play important roles in the construction of the final structure for the complexes. X‐ray structure analysis reveals that 1, 2, and 4 are 3D coordination polymers, while complex 3 is a 2D network polymer.
Guided inquiry activities for learning about the macro‐ and micronutrients in introductory nutrition courses
Authors: Smith Andri L. , Purcell Rebecca J. , Vaughan Joel M.
Published: October 2015

Most students enroll in general education introductory nutrition classes because they want to improve their diets in order to lose weight or enhance athletic performance. These nonscience majors are often less interested in learning about the fundamental biochemical principles underlying nutrition or are surprised that this foundational knowledge of biochemistry is essential for appropriate diet planning. Furthermore, nonscience majors sometimes find traditional, lecture‐oriented science classes that encourage competition rather than collaboration to be uninviting and unappealing. For these reasons, we have developed a set of guided inquiry activities about macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) for use in introductory nutrition courses for nonscience majors. In our first study (Spring 2012), we divided students into two groups with two different approaches for learning about the macronutrients: (1) a traditional, lecture‐based approach and (2) an active learning approach with guided inquiry activities. We showed through the use of embedded common exam questions that students mastered concepts related to the macronutrients equally well using either approach. Due to positive student and faculty feedback from the first study, we decided to have all students use the guided inquiry approach in a subsequent study the following year (Spring 2013). In our second study we used pre/post survey data to evaluate both students' concept mastery and confidence in answering questions about the macro‐ and micronutrients. We found that (1) students showed gains in both concept mastery and confidence and (2) as students' confidence increased, post‐test concept scores also increased. © 2015 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 43:449–459, 2015.
Severe scalp hair loss in a female patient with acromegaly treated with lanreotide autogel after unsuccessful surgery
Authors: Alvarez‐Escola Cristina , Cárdenas‐Salas Jersy J. , Pelegrina Beatriz , Sanz‐Valtierra Angel , Lecumberri Beatriz
Published: October 2015

Key Clinical Message

Scalp hair loss is an underreported adverse event of somatostatin analogs therapy that in severe cases may require treatment withdrawal. It can be related to an acute decrease in GH/IGF‐1 levels, but a direct effect cannot be ruled out.
Improving the Electrochemical Performance of Li1.14Ni0.18Mn0.62O2 by Modulating Structure Defects via a Molten Salt Method
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li Jun‐Tao , Liu Jie , Deng Ya‐Ping , Wu Zhen‐Guo , Yin Zu‐Wei , Wu Jiao‐Hong , Huang Ling , Sun Shi‐Gang
Published: October 2015

Nanocrystalline Li1.14Ni0.18Mn0.62O2 cathode materials are synthesized by a molten salt method using KCl as the molten agent. The influence of the sintering temperature and the mass ratio of KCl to Li1.14Ni0.18Mn0.62O2 on the structure and electrochemical performance are investigated. The sintering temperature can markedly affect the formation of the layered structure and the content of stacking faults. The amount of KCl influences the cation ordering of the materials. The ratios of Li+/Ni2+ replacement for the materials obtained at 800 °C with a KCl amount of R=4, 8, and 12 [R=m(KCl)/m(Li1.14Ni0.18Mn0.62O2)] are 16.51, 8.39, and 4.46 %, respectively. A lower steric hindrance—related to a better cationic ordering—is obtained when the amount of KCl is increased, which is in agreement with the tendency of the Li+ diffusion coefficient. This study demonstrates a new approach to control the Li+/Ni2+ replacement in lithium‐rich layered cathode materials to improve their electrochemical performance.
A Palladium‐ and Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Dihydro[1,2‐b]indenoindole‐9‐ol and Benzofuro[3,2‐b]indolines: Metal‐Controlled Intramolecular CC and CO Bond‐Forming Reactions
Authors: Boominathan Siva Senthil Kumar , Wang Jeh‐Jeng
Published: October 2015

A palladium‐ and copper‐catalyzed synthesis of dihydro[1,2‐b]indenoindole‐9‐ol and benzofuro[3,2‐b]indolines has been developed, whereby the same starting material is employed for the synthesis of both heterocyclic scaffolds and the selectivity of the product is controlled by switching the choice of metal. Salient features of these cascade reactions include wide‐ranging functional group tolerance, simple reaction conditions, and moderate to high yields.
Mass Flow Analysis and Metal Losses by the Degradation Process of Organic‐Containing WEEE Scraps
Authors: Diaz Fabian , Florez Sebastian , Friedrich Bernd
Published: October 2015

In the past years the topic of WEEE recycling has gained more relevance due to increased production and reduced effectiveness in metal recovery. Therefore, new processing technologies are evolving today as result of the increasing heterogeneity of WEEE. Such is the case of pyrolysis as an upgrading and conditioning method for different types of complex scraps, which also facilitate further mechanical separation of metal as well as production of an alternative fuel source. In this work, it has been concluded that pyrolysis can be easily integrated as a preprocessing step in a resource efficient recycling route.
Correlation of the New York Heart Association Classification and the 6‐Minute Walk Distance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yap Jonathan , Lim Fang Yi , Gao Fei , Teo Ling Li , Lam Carolyn Su Ping , Yeo Khung Keong
Published: October 2015

Background

Functional status assessment is the cornerstone of heart failure
management and trials. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD) are commonly used tools; however, the correlation between them is not well understood.

Hypothesis

We hypothesised that the relationship between the NYHA classification and 6MWD might vary across studies.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify all studies reporting both NYHA class and 6MWD. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and extracted data. Thirty‐seven studies involving 5678 patients were included.

Results

There was significant heterogeneity across studies in 6MWD within all NYHA classes: I (n = 16, Q = 934.2; P < 0.001), II (n = 25, Q = 1658.3; P < 0.001), III (n = 30, Q = 1020.1; P < 0.001), and IV (n = 6, Q = 335.5; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in average 6MWD between NYHA I and II (420 m vs 393 m; P = 0.416). There was a significant difference in average 6MWD between NYHA II and III (393 m vs 321 m; P = 0.014) and III and IV (321 m vs 224 m; P = 0.027). This remained significant after adjusting for region of study, age, and sex.

Conclusions

Although there is an inverse correlation between NYHA II–IV and 6MWD, there is significant heterogeneity across studies in 6MWD within each NYHA class and overlap in 6MWD between NYHA I and II. The NYHA classification performs well in more symptomatic patients (NYHA III/IV) but less so in asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic patients (NYHA I/II). Nonetheless, the NYHA classification is an easily applied first‐line tool in everyday clinical practice, but its potential subjectivity should be considered when performing comparisons across studies.
Natural History and Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Implantation After Revascularization for Stable Coronary Artery Disease With Depressed Ejection Fraction
Authors: Lewis Geoffrey F. , Harless Adam C. , Vazquez Lauren , Abi‐Samra Freddy M. , Bernard Michael L. , Khatib Sammy , Polin Glenn M. , Morin Daniel P.
Published: October 2015

Background

Following revascularization, most payors require 3 months of medical therapy, followed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reassessment, before implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation possibly contributing to incomplete follow‐up and suboptimal utilization of ICD therapy. The natural history of these patients, and their fate regarding ICD implantation, is unknown.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that a waiting period after revascularization for stable CAD results in missed opportunities to provide care with regard to ICD implantation.

Methods

We followed patients with LVEF ≤ 35% and no ICD who underwent revascularization (coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] or percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) for stable CAD. Follow‐up used chart review and scripted telephone interviews.

Results

Among 3164 revascularized patients (2198 [69%] PCI, 966 [31%] CABG), only 62 (2%; 33 [53%] male, age 67 ± 12 y, LVEF 28% ± 6%) had stable CAD, depressed LVEF, and no ICD. Over 35 ± 19 months, 35 (56%) of these 62 patients were no longer candidates for ICD based on improved LVEF, 14 (23%) received an ICD, 5 (8%) declined ICD despite physician recommendation, 3 (5%) were not offered ICD despite continued eligibility, 2 (3%) died, 1 (2%) was not a candidate due to substance abuse, and 1 (2%) had ICD implantation temporarily deferred. Only 1 (2%) was lost to follow‐up.

Conclusions

Following revascularization for stable CAD with depressed LVEF, ≥50% of patients' ventricular function improved enough to make ICD implantation unnecessary. A waiting period after revascularization prior to ICD implantation appears appropriate and does not significantly negatively impact follow‐up or the rate of appropriate ICD implantation.
Quality‐of‐life evaluation in cancer: The past and the future
Authors: Gralla Richard J.
Published: October 2015

A systematic review by Koller and colleagues in this issue demonstrates that quality‐of‐life/patient‐reported outcome measures can and should be used in the clinic. Wider use of validated measures allows a more complete evaluation of new therapies and, more important, should be provided to all patients with cancer.
BSP cost and scalability analysis for MapReduce operations
Authors: Senger Hermes , Gil‐Costa Veronica , Arantes Luciana , Marcondes Cesar A. C. , Marín Mauricio , Sato Liria M. , da Silva Fabrício A.B.
Published: October 2015

Data abundance poses the need for powerful and easy‐to‐use tools that support processing large amounts of data. MapReduce has been increasingly adopted for over a decade by many companies, and more recently, it has attracted the attention of an increasing number of researchers in several areas. One main advantage is that the complex details of parallel processing, such as complex network programming, task scheduling, data placement, and fault tolerance, are hidden in a conceptually simple framework. MapReduce is supported by mature software technologies for deployment in data centers such as Hadoop. As MapReduce becomes popular for high‐performance applications, many questions arise concerning its performance and efficiency. In this paper, we demonstrated formally lower bounds on the isoefficiency function for MapReduce applications, when these applications can be modeled as BSP jobs. We also demonstrate how communication and synchronization costs can be dominant for MapReduce computations and discuss the conditions under which such scalability limits are valid. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates scalability bounds for MapReduce applications. We also discuss how some MapReduce implementations such as Hadoop can mitigate such costs to approach linear, or near‐to‐linear speedups. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secure cryptographic functions via virtualization‐based outsourced computing
Authors: Qiang Weizhong , Zhang Kang , Dai Weiqi , Jin Hai
Published: October 2015

Cryptographic functions, such as encryption/decryption libraries, are common and important tools for applications to enhance confidentiality of the data. However, these functions could be compromised by subtle attacks launched by untrusted operating system or other applications, and sensitive keys or cryptographic procedures could then be compromised. In this paper, based on virtualization technology, we propose a novel approach that outsources the cryptographic functions in one virtual machine (VM) into another dedicated VM, so that sensitive keys and the cryptographic procedures are only contained by this VM with specific purpose. We also propose a prototype, called cryptographic function assurance (CFA), to enhance the security of cryptographic functions. Taking OpenSSL as an example, CFA allows those applications that use OpenSSL library to transparently utilize CFA to protect the cryptographic functions. We present the detailed implementation, as well as the security analysis of CFA. We also give the performance evaluation for OpenSSL's interfaces and Apache httpd, to show the overhead caused by the integration of CFA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanothermometry: From Microscopy to Thermal Treatments
Authors: Zhou Haiying , Sharma Monica , Berezin Oleg , Zuckerman Darryl , Berezin Mikhail Y.
Published: October 2015

Measuring temperature in cells and tissues remotely, with sufficient sensitivity, and in real time presents a new paradigm in engineering, chemistry and biology. Traditional sensors, such as contact thermometers, thermocouples, and electrodes, are too large to measure the temperature with subcellular resolution and are too invasive to measure the temperature in deep tissue. The new challenge requires novel approaches in designing biocompatible temperature sensors—nanothermometers—and innovative techniques for their measurements. In the last two decades, a variety of nanothermometers whose response reflected the thermal environment within a physiological temperature range have been identified as potential sensors. This review covers the principles and aspects of nanothermometer design driven by two emerging areas: single‐cell thermogenesis and image guided thermal treatments. The review highlights the current trends in nanothermometry illustrated with recent representative examples.
Cognitive Therapy and Task Concentration Training Applied as Intensified Group Therapies for Social Anxiety Disorder with Fear of Blushing—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Härtling Samia , Klotsche Jens , Heinrich Anke , Hoyer Jürgen
Published: October 2015

The current study examines the efficacy of intensified group therapy for social anxiety disorder with fear of blushing. Task concentration training (TCT) and cognitive therapy (CT) were applied during one weekend and compared with a waiting list condition in a randomized controlled trial including 82 patients. On a second weekend, another intervention was added (resulting in TCT–CT and CT–TCT sequences) to examine order effects.

Task concentration training and CT were both superior to the waiting list and equally effective after the first therapy weekend. Also, no differences were found between the sequences TCT–CT and CT–TCT at post‐assessment. At 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, effects remained stable or further improved. At the 6‐month follow‐up, remission rates in completers, established by diagnostic status, were between 69% and 73%.

Intensified group therapy is highly effective in treating social anxiety disorder with fear of blushing. Group formats for patients sharing a common primary concern may contribute to the dissemination of cognitive–behavioural therapy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

This study focuses on blushing from fearful individuals within the SAD spectrum to improve evidence for treatment efficacy in those whose social fears are centred around observable bodily sensations.

This study integrates task concentration training into the SAD model of Clark and Wells to combine two evidence‐based treatments for SAD under one treatment model.

This study uses an innovative format of brief, intensified group therapy, conducted on two full‐day weekend group sessions delivered over two weekends, with strong observed effect sizes.