bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Results of a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐ and active‐controlled, multicenter study of mirabegron, a β3‐adrenoceptor agonist, in patients with overactive bladder in Asia
Authors: Kuo Hann‐Chorng , Lee Kyu‐Sung , Na Yanqun , Sood Rajeev , Nakaji Shigeru , Kubota Yosuke , Kuroishi Kentarou
Published: August 2014

Aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of mirabegron 50 mg once daily compared with placebo and the active control, tolterodine extended‐release (ER) 4 mg once daily, in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in Taiwan, Korea, China, and India.

Methods

A 12‐week multinational, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group placebo‐ and active‐controlled trial. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to final visit in mean number of micturitions/24 hr. Secondary endpoints were: mean number of urgency episodes, incontinence episodes and urge incontinence episodes/24 hr, mean number of nocturia episodes per night, mean volume voided per micturition, and quality‐of‐life (QoL) scores as assessed by the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ).

Results

Of 1,126 patients who were randomized to receive double‐blind study drug, 921 patients (300, 311, and 310 in the placebo, mirabegron 50 mg, and tolterodine ER 4 mg groups, respectively) completed the treatment period. Demographic characteristics were similar across treatment groups. A statistically significant improvement versus placebo in mean number of micturitions/24 hr was seen with mirabegron 50 mg at all timepoints (P < 0.05) as well as final visit (−0.57 with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] of [−1.04, −0.09], P = 0.019). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in improvement from baseline to final visit in any of the secondary outcome measures except volume voided per micturition. The overall incidence of drug‐related adverse events was 17.2%, 15.8%, and 21.3%, in the placebo, mirabegron 50 mg, and tolterodine ER 4 mg groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Mirabegron 50 mg once daily for 12 weeks was superior to placebo in reducing the frequency of micturitions in patients with symptoms of OAB in Taiwan, Korea, China, and India. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:???–???, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of outcome and prognostic factors in extraosseous Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Biswas Bivas , Shukla N.K. , Deo S.V.S. , Agarwala Sandeep , Sharma D.N. , Vishnubhatla Sreenivas , Bakhshi Sameer
Published: August 2014

Background

Data on extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (EES) with uniform chemotherapy protocol are minimal. We aimed to examine this aspect in our patients, identify prognostic factors and compare the same with osseous Ewing sarcoma.

Procedures

A single institutional data review of patients with EES treated between June 2003 and November 2011 with uniform chemotherapy and evaluated on intent‐to‐treat analysis was done.

Results

Of 374 patients with Ewing sarcoma, 60 (16%) were EES with median age 16 years; 20 (33%) had metastases. After median follow‐up of 25 months (range: 1.7–104.4), 5‐year event free survival (EFS), OS, and local‐control‐rate were 47.1 ± 7.9%, 61.6 ± 7.8%, and 77.9 ± 8.6%, respectively for entire EES cohort. In multivariate analysis, hemoglobin ≤10 g/dl (P = 0.03), and white blood cell count (WBC) >11 × 109/L (P = 0.009) predicted inferior EFS for the entire EES cohort. Low hemoglobin (P = 0.05) and high LDH (P = 0.01) predicted inferior OS for the entire EES cohort on multivariate analysis. As compared to the cohort of skeletal primary (n = 314), higher proportion of patients underwent surgery in the cohort of EES (P = 0.003); EFS (P = 0.004) and OS (P = 0.08) were superior for patients with EES than patients with skeletal Ewing sarcoma.

Conclusion

These data of EES suggests that low hemoglobin and high WBC count adversely affect EFS. Overall outcome was significantly better for EES than skeletal primary tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1925–1931. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early diagnosis of Gaucher disease in pediatric patients: Proposal for a diagnostic algorithm
Authors: Di Rocco Maja , Andria Generoso , Deodato Federica , Giona Fiorina , Micalizzi Concetta , Pession Andrea
Published: August 2014

Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by an enzyme deficiency that leads to the accumulation of glycolipids in various organs. Although the signs and symptoms of GD emerge in childhood in the majority of patients, the disease often remains unrecognized for many years with delay of benefits of therapy or development of irreversible complications. Based on published data and data from the International Collaborative Gaucher Group Registry, an algorithm has been drafted for early diagnosis of GD in pediatric patients. It will help hematologists in promoting a timely diagnosis and early access to therapy for pediatric patients with GD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1905–1909. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High prevalence of early hypothalamic‐pituitary damage in childhood brain tumor survivors: Need for standardized follow‐up programs
Authors: Clement Sarah C. , Meeteren Antoinette Y.N. Schouten‐van , Kremer Leontien C.M. , van Trotsenburg A.S. Paul , Caron Huib N. , van Santen Hanneke M.
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) are at increased risk to develop endocrine disorders. Alerted by two cases who experienced delay in diagnosis of endocrine deficiencies within the first 5 years after brain tumor diagnosis, our aim was to investigate the current screening strategy and the prevalence of endocrine disorders in survivors of a childhood brain tumor outside of the hypothalamic‐pituitary region, within the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Procedures

Firstly, we performed a retrospective study of 47 CBTS treated in our center, diagnosed between 2008 and 2012. Secondly, the literature was reviewed for the prevalence of endocrine disorders in CBTS within the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Results

Of 47 CBTS eligible for evaluation, in 34% no endocrine parameters had been documented at all during follow up. In the other 66%, endocrine parameters had been inconsistently checked, with different parameters at different time intervals. In 19% of patients an endocrine disorder was found. At literature review 22 studies were identified. The most common reported endocrine disorder within the first 5 years after diagnosis was growth hormone deficiency (13–100%), followed by primary gonadal dysfunction (0–91%) central hypothyroidism (0–67%) and primary/subclinical hypothyroidism (range 0–64%).

Conclusion

Endocrine disorders are frequently seen within the first 5 years after diagnosis of a childhood brain tumor outside of the hypothalamic‐pituitary region. Inconsistent endocrine follow up leads to unnecessary delay in diagnosis and treatment. Endocrine care for this specific population should be improved and standardized. Therefore, high‐quality studies and evidence based guidelines are warranted. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2285–2289. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A viscosity model for technical polymers describing chemical and physical aging
Authors: Heinzler Felix A. , Mielicki Christoph , Wortberg Johannes
Published: August 2014

Rheological techniques, like oscillating rheometry and high‐pressure capillary rheometry were used to measure and to describe chemical and physical aging influences on the rheology of polyamide and polybutylene terephthalate in an advanced viscosity model. Viscosity drop was found as cause of combined time and temperature effects and understood as chemical aging that was reduced to a thermally induced degradation. The influence of chemical aging on viscosity was described based on a novel structural change shift factor aSC. In addition, viscosity drop was found as cause of residual moisture. Its influence was described by a novel physical change shift factor aPC. The functional relationships for both factors were derived from measured data. Moreover, both factors contain additional parameters that were optimized with respect to specific processing and boundary conditions. The consideration of chemical and physical aging by means of aSC and aPC provides a better understanding with respect to rheological changes and thus a better control of process variations and an enhanced product quality. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1628–1633, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
EWMA Dispersion Control Charts for Normal and Non‐normal Processes
Authors: Abbasi Saddam Akber , Riaz Muhammad , Miller Arden , Ahmad Shabbir , Nazir Hafiz Zafar
Published: August 2014

Process monitoring through control charts is a quite popular practice in statistical process control. This study is planned for monitoring the process dispersion parameter using exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart scheme. Most of the EWMA dispersion charts that have been proposed are based on the assumption that the parent distribution of the quality characteristic is normal, which is not always the case. In this study, we develop new EWMA charts based on a wide range of dispersion estimates for processes following normal and non‐normal parent distributions. The performance of all the charts is evaluated and compared using run length characteristics (such as the average run length). Extra quadratic loss, relative average run length, and performance comparison index measures are also used to examine the overall effectiveness of the EWMA dispersion charts.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives on Heterogeneous Photochemistry
Authors: Friend Cynthia M.
Published: August 2014

Heterogeneous photochemistry has a potentially important role in production of energy, in environmental remediation and in sustainable production of chemicals. Photochemical efficiency depends on both materials properties and the desired chemical reaction that is promoted through creation of an excited state. A detailed understanding of the interplay between materials properties and reactivity requires a molecular‐scale approach that determines the elementary steps in the overall process. This personal account summarizes the role of defects in determining the photochemical and thermal reactions on rutile titania, a model for semiconductor metal oxide photocatalysts that defects, e.g., Ti interstitials present in the subsurface region, and O adatoms on the surface, have a substantial impact on the efficiency for photochemical conversion through modification of molecular binding and also through likely modification of charge carrier dynamics. Design of materials must include engineering of the optical and electronic properties of the semiconductor photocatalyst, and understanding of the key photochemical steps involved in specific processes to ensure proper alignment of their electronic states with the band structure of the material. Thus, fundamental surface science studies and development of time‐dependent theoretical methods that map out the reaction mechanism for photochemical processes on materials with controlled composition and structure are critical.
The Zintl Phase Cs7NaSi8 – From NMR Signal Line Shape Analysis and Quantum Mechanical Calculations to Chemical Bonding
Authors: Pecher Oliver , Esters Marco , Görne Arno , Mausolf Bernhard , Ormeci Alim , Haarmann Frank
Published: August 2014

Powder samples as well as red and transparent single crystals of the Zintl phase Cs7NaSi8 were synthesized and characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Cs7NaSi8 was found to be isotypic to the recently reported phase Rb7NaSi8. It crystallizes in the Rb7NaGe8 structure type forming trigonal pyramidal Si44– anions. Two unique environments of the cations are observed, a linear arrangement [Na(Si4)2]7– with short Na–Si distances of 3.0 Å and a Cs2 atom coordinated by six Si44– anions with long Cs–Si distances of 4.2 Å. The bonding situation was investigated by a combined application of 29Si, 23Na, and 133Cs solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations of the NMR coupling parameters. In addition the electronic density of states (DOS), the electron localizability indicator (ELI) and the atomic charges using the QTAIM approach were studied. Good agreement of the calculated and experimental values of the NMR coupling parameters was obtained. An anisotropic bonding situation of the silicon atoms is indicated by the chemical shift anisotropy being similar to Rb7NaSi8. Confirmation is given by the observation of one lone‐pair‐like feature for each silicon atom and two types of two‐center Si–Si bonds using the ELI. Calculation and NMR spectroscopic determination of the 23Na and 133Cs electric field gradients prove anisotropies of the charge distribution around the cations. Due to the similar values for the Na atoms in M7NaSi8 (M = Rb, Cs) equal bonding situations can be concluded. The much larger anisotropy of the charge distribution of the Cs atoms can be addressed as the main difference to Rb7NaSi8.
Synthesis and Structure of an Arylmanganese(II) 8‐Hydroxyquinolinate Tetranuclear Cluster
Authors: Justyniak Iwona , Kornowicz Arkadiusz , Prochowicz Daniel , Sokołowski Kamil , Lewiński Janusz
Published: August 2014

Reaction of 8‐hydroxyquinoline with dimesitylmanganese [(Mes)2Mn]3 results in the formation of arylomanganese(II) tetranuclear cluster [(Mes)2Mn4(q)6]·4PhMe (1) supported by the quinolinate ligands. Molecular studies showed that the centrosymmetric molecule of 1 contains two pairs of manganese atoms of different coordination modes formed by association of the two dinuclear [MesMn(q)][Mn(q)2] moieties. A detailed analysis of the crystal structure of 1 revealed that single molecules of 1 self‐assemble through a network of intermolecular CHar···π interactions into closely packed quasi‐grid 2D layers.
Low Prospects and High Risk: Structural Determinants of Health Associated with Sexual Risk Among Young African American Women Residing in Resource‐Poor Communities in the South
Authors: Raiford Jerris L. , Herbst Jeffrey H. , Carry Monique , Browne Felicia A. , Doherty Irene , Wechsberg Wendee M.
Published: August 2014

African American women at increased risk of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) may engage in risky sex as a coping mechanism for depressed economic conditions. This study examines the association between high‐risk sexual behavior and structural determinants of sexual health among a sample of young African American women. 237 young African American women (16–19 years old) from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in North Carolina were enrolled into a randomized trial testing the efficacy of an adapted HIV/STI prevention intervention. Logistic regression analyses predicted the likelihood that young women reporting lack of food at home, homelessness and low future prospects would also report sexual risk behaviors. Young women reporting a lack of food at home (22 %), homelessness (27 %), and low perceived education/employment prospects (19 %) had between 2.2 and 4.7 times the odds as those not reporting these risk factors of reporting multiple sex partners, risky sex partners including older men and partners involved in gangs, substance use prior to sex, and exchange sex. Self‐reported structural determinants of sexual health were associated with myriad sexual risk behaviors. Diminished economic conditions among these young women may lead to sexual risk due to hopelessness, the need for survival or other factors.
Structure and Physical Properties of Organogels Developed by Sitosterol and Lecithin with Sunflower Oil
Authors: Han Lijuan , Li Lin , Li Bing , Zhao Lei , Liu Guo‐qin , Liu Xinqi , Wang Xuede
Published: August 2014

High linoleic acid sunflower oil (HLSO) with various sitosterol (Sit) to lecithin (Lec) mass ratios (i.e., 0:100–100:0) were used to develop organogels at two storage temperatures (Ts: 5 and 25 °C). The results showed that, at 25 °C, the hardness value of organogels obtained from HLSO with both Sit and Lec was higher than that of organogels developed from HLSO with only Sit or Lec. Microscopy revealed that the shapes of the crystals in the organogels varied significantly with the composition of the structurant and the Ts. At both Ts used, the Sit:Lec (80:20) system had a lower degree of supersaturation compared with the (100:0) system. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that Sit:Lec mass ratio of 70:30, 80:20 and 100:0 had similar short spacings, and the presence of Lec might be adverse to the formation of Sit crystal in oil. Small‐angel X‐ray scattering (SAXS) showed that the layer thickness of Sit/Lec/HLSO organogel was larger than that of Sit/HLSO organogel. It was found that the presence of Lec induced the change of self‐assembly structure of Sit in HLSO and caused the changes of physical properties of organogels obtained.
The role of signaling pathways on proliferation and self‐renewal of cultured bovine primitive germ cells
Authors: Sahare Mahesh , Otomo Ayagi , Komatsu Kana , Minami Naojiro , Yamada Masayasu , Imai Hiroshi
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Gonocytes are primitive male germ cells residing in the neonatal testes and are unipotent in nature, but also have pluripotent stem cell ability in mice under appropriate culture conditions. This study was performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of self‐renewal and survival of cultured bovine gonocytes.

Methods

Gonocytes were isolated from neonatal bull calves and were cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 15 % knock‐out serum replacement (KSR) and glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Cells were analyzed six days after culturing for cell‐signaling molecular markers.

Results

Colony formation was observed 3–4 days after being cultured. Addition of GDNF enhanced mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1/2 (MAPK1/2) phosphorylation and activated the MAPK signaling pathway. Inhibition of MAPK signaling reduced cell proliferation and abolished colony formation. However, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐AKT (PI3K‐AKT) signaling, a dominant pathway for self‐renewal of mouse germ cells, did not show any effects on cultured bovine gonocytes. Expression of cell cycle‐related regulators cyclin D2 and cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) was downregulated with inhibition of MAPK signaling.

Conclusions

These results indicate activation of MAPK plays a critical role in self‐renewal and survival of bovine gonocytes via cyclin D1 and CDK2.
The White Wedding: Affect and Economy in South Africa in the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Erlank Natasha
Published: August 2014

Discussions of church weddings are not standard in accounts of African marriage in South Africa in the early twentieth century. However, from the 1890s onward, church weddings were becoming more common, and by the 1930s more Africans married in church than elsewhere. Indeed, these wedding ceremonies provide insight into how black families experienced and created their own social status in a context in which white South Africans viewed black weddings as a symbol of racial misappropriation. Via weddings and their associated commodification, families held on to and proclaimed the value of family life, and importantly, broader social networks as well as status-based associational life in an era of familial disintegration. At the same time weddings were often a double-edged indicator of status through their reference to sexual purity by means of white frocks.
Hegemonic African Masculinities and Men’s Heterosexual Lives: Some Uses for Homophobia
Authors: Ratele Kopano
Published: August 2014

Based on two relatively well-reported cases of homophobia in Malawi and South Africa, this article aims to show some of the ways in which hegemonic African men and masculinities are unsettled by, but also find ideological use for, the existence of homosexuality and nonheteronormative sexualities. Deploying the notion of psychopolitics, the article traces the interpenetrating psychosocial and sociopolitical aspects of homophobia. The argument is that analyses of issues of lesbian, gay, and “othered” sexualities are vital for a fuller understanding of the production of hegemonic forms of gender and masculinity in Africa. The article suggests that the threat posed by homosexuality is used as a distraction for some of the socioeconomic development-related failures of Africa’s ruling men but also, more significantly, for the impossibility of hegemonic African masculinity itself.
SakawaRituals and Cyberfraud in Ghanaian Popular Video Movies
Authors: Oduro-Frimpong Joseph
Published: August 2014

Sakawaindexes a cyberfraud practice in Ghana allegedly linked with occult rituals. This article examines the phenomenon as an analytically relevant example of a material understanding of religion. It then offers a critical reading of a popularsakawavideo series and contrasts its thematic perspectives with the reactions of some Ghanaian political leaders to the possible motivations for the practice. This critical approach is conceived as a response to the persistent myopic view of such popular genres as irrelevant to key debates around problematic Ghanaian issues and also to calls in global media studies to de-Westernize the field.
LEARNING THEORY IN THE ARITHMETIC HIERARCHY
Authors: BEROS ACHILLES A.
Published: August 2014

We consider the arithmetic complexity of index sets of uniformly computably enumerable families learnable under different learning criteria. We determine the exact complexity of these sets for the standard notions of finite learning, learning in the limit, behaviorally correct learning and anomalous learning in the limit. In proving the ${\rm{\Sigma }}_5^0$-completeness result for behaviorally correct learning we prove a result of independent interest; if a uniformly computably enumerable family is not learnable, then for any computable learner there is a ${\rm{\Delta }}_2^0$ enumeration witnessing failure.
R.J. THOMPSON’S GROUPSFANDTARE BI-INTERPRETABLE WITH THE RING OF THE INTEGERS
Authors: LASSERRE CLÉMENT
Published: August 2014

We show that R.J. Thompson’s groupsFandTare bi-interpretable with the ring of the integers. From a result by A. Khélif, these groups are quasi-finitely axiomatizable and prime. So, the groupTprovides an example of a simple group which is quasi-finitely axiomatizable and prime. This answers questions posed by T. Altınel and A. Muranov in [2], and by A. Nies in [12].
EXACT PAIRS FOR THE IDEAL OF THEK-TRIVIAL SEQUENCES IN THE TURING DEGREES
Authors: BARMPALIAS GEORGE , DOWNEY ROD G.
Published: August 2014

TheK-trivial sets form an ideal in the Turing degrees, which is generated by its computably enumerable (c.e.) members and has an exact pair below the degree of the halting problem. The question of whether it has an exact pair in the c.e. degrees was first raised in [22, Question 4.2] and later in [25, Problem 5.5.8].

We give a negative answer to this question. In fact, we show the following stronger statement in the c.e. degrees. There exists aK-trivial degreedsuch that for all degreesa, bwhich are notK-trivial anda > d, b > dthere exists a degreevwhich is notK-trivial anda > v, b > v. This work sheds light to the question of the definability of theK-trivial degrees in the c.e. degrees.
SEPARATING THE FAN THEOREM AND ITS WEAKENINGS
Authors: LUBARSKY ROBERT S. , DIENER HANNES
Published: August 2014

Varieties of the Fan Theorem have recently been developed in reverse constructive mathematics, corresponding to different continuity principles. They form a natural implicational hierarchy. Some of the implications have been shown to be strict, others strict in a weak context, and yet others not at all, using disparate techniques. Here we present a family of related Kripke models which separates all of the as yet identified fan theorems.
The politics and crisis of the Petroleum Industry Bill in Nigeria
Authors: Pérouse de Montclos Marc-Antoine
Published: August 2014

The Nigerian Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is currently being discussed in Parliament, aims at reforming the oil industry. But it also reveals the guiding forces of local politics. The PIB exposes the limitations of the state's ambitions, desire and capacity for reform, and it is strong evidence for the regional divisions and social tensions catalysing resistance against the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, which is accused of ethnic bias in favour of the oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta.
Cotton sector reform in Mali: explaining the puzzles
Authors: Serra Renata
Published: August 2014

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the cotton sector reform process in Mali from 2000 to 2011, explaining reform delays and ambiguities in terms of the wider political and socio-economic context and aid relationships. Contrary to arguments pointing to lack of state commitment and ownership, domestic stakeholders increasingly worked towards finding an acceptable and consensual reform package. The process encountered quite serious obstacles, however, due to divergent actors' incentives, and the existence of opposing philosophies about what a restructured cotton sector should look like. As a consequence of donors' misjudgement of the political and social realities underlying the Malian cotton sector, dialogue among stakeholders was difficult and polarised, forcing the government to spend considerable time and resources to find a suitable compromise. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the merits and limits of pursuing consensual policy processes against the constraints posed by divergent donors' policy paradigms.
The Fiery Pacific: Volcanic Eruptions and Settler-State Theatricality in Oceania, 1780–1900
Authors: Looser Diana
Published: August 2014

In the closing scene of René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt's melodramaLa Tête de mort; ou, Les Ruines de Pompeïa(1827), audiences at Paris's Théâtre de la Gaîté were presented with the spectacular cataclysm of an erupting Mount Vesuvius that invaded the city and engulfed the hapless characters in its fiery embrace. “The theatre,” Pixérécourt writes, “is completely inundated by this sea of bitumen and lava. A shower of blazing and transparent stones and red ash falls on all sides…. The red color with which everything is struck, the terrible noise of the volcano, the screaming, the agitation and despair of the characters … all combine to form this terrible convulsion of nature, a horrible picture, and altogether worthy of being compared to Hell.” A few years later, in 1830, Daniel Auber's grand operaLa Muette de Portici(1828), which yoked a seventeenth-century eruption of Vesuvius with a popular revolt against Spanish rule in Naples, opened at the Théâtre de Monnaie in Brussels. The Belgian spectators, inspired by the opera's revolutionary sentiments, poured out into the streets and seized their country's independence from the Dutch. These two famous examples, which form part of a long genealogy of representing volcanic eruptions through various artistic means, highlight not only the compelling, immersive spectacle of nature in extremis but also the ability of stage scenery to intervene materially in the narrative action and assimilate affective and political meanings. As these two examples also indicate, however, the body of scholarship in literary studies, art history, and theatre and performance studies that attends to the mechanical strategies and symbolic purchase of volcanic representations has tended to focus mainly on Europe; more research remains to be undertaken into how volcanic spectacles have engaged with non-European topographies and sociopolitical dynamics and how this wider view might illuminate our understanding of theatre's social roles.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Flow State Scale
Authors: Calvo Tomás García , Castuera Ruth Jiménez , Ruano Francisco Javier Santos-Rosa , Vaíllo Raúl Reina , Gimeno Eduardo Cervelló
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this research was to examine the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of the Flow State Scale (FSS; Jackson & Marsh, 1996). This instrument is used to assess the Flow State in participants of physical activity, although it can be adapted to other contexts (such as work, educational contexts, etc.). This construct can be considered the optimal psychological state to carry out an activity, being closely related to motivation and personal enjoyment (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997). A sample of 2036 athletes was recruited from diverse sports activities. The results revealed satisfactory validity and internal consistency of the instrument, obtaining a factor model made up of a main factor and nine subscales. The correlations between motivational orientations and the flow state are highlighted. The Spanish translation of this instrument is found to be acceptable, with similar psychometric properties as the original scale, although future research in other contexts is needed to support these outcomes.
Neutralizing Antibodies Inhibit HIV-1 Infection of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells by an FcγRIIa Independent Mechanism and Do Not Diminish Cytokines Production
Authors: Lederle Alexandre , Su Bin , Holl Vincent , Penichon Julien , Schmidt Sylvie , Decoville Thomas , Laumond Géraldine , Moog Christiane
Published: August 2014

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) expressing FcγRIIa are antigen-presenting cells able to link innate and adaptive immunity and producing various cytokines and chemokines. Although highly restricted, they are able to replicate HIV-1. We determined the activity of anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and non-neutralizing inhibitory antibodies (NNIAb) on the infection of primary pDC by HIV-1 primary isolates and analyzed cytokines and chemokines production. Neutralization assay was performed with primary pDC in the presence of serial antibodies (Ab) concentrations. In parallel, we measured the release of cytokines and chemokines by ELISA and CBA Flex assay. We found that NAb, but not NNIAb, inhibit HIV-1 replication in pDC. This inhibitory activity was lower than that detected for myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) infection and independent of FcγRIIa expressed on pDC. Despite the complete protection, IFN-α production was detected in the supernatant of pDC treated with NAb VRC01, 4E10, PGT121, 10-1074, 10E8, or polyclonal IgG44 but not with NAb b12. Production of MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by pDC was also maintained in the presence of 4E10, b12 and VRC01. These findings suggest that pDC can be protected from HIV-1 infection by both NAb and IFN-α release triggered by the innate immune response during infection.
A metal-free synthesis of diaryl-1,2-diketones by C–C triple bond cleavage of alkynones
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Cheng Guolin , Shen Jinhai , Yang Xifa , Wei Ming-e , Feng Yadong , Cui Xiuling
Published: August 2014

A novel and environmentally benign protocol for diaryl-1,2-diketones was developed.
Metal-catalyst-free growth of carbon nanotubes/carbon nanofibers on carbon blacks using chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zeng Zhi-Yan , Lin Jarrn-Horng
Published: August 2014

Carbon black can act as catalysts to grow carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers through a metal-catalyst-free thermal chemical vapor deposition.
Novel bio-based composites of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)
Authors: Lu Hong , Madbouly Samy A. , Schrader James A. , Kessler Micheal R. , Grewell David , Graves William R.
Published: August 2014

SEM morphology and DSC measurements for bio-based PHA/DDGS composites of different compositions.
Orthogonal alignment of DNA using hexafluoroisopropanol as solvent for film castings
Authors: Mamangun Donna Marie D. , Santana Jose L. , Ouchen Fahima , Grote James G. , Sotzing Gregory A.
Published: August 2014

The use of the fluorinated alcohol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as a processing solvent for orthogonal alignment of a DNA–surfactant complex is reported herein. 1-butanol (BuOH) was used as the control. At low frequencies, films of DNA–CTMA cast from HFIP exhibited a higher, more consistent dielectric constant and a lower dissipation factor compared to films cast from BuOH.
Highly-crystalline γ-MnS nanosaws
Authors: Beltran-Huarac Juan , Palomino Javier , Resto Oscar , Wang Jingzhou , Jadwisienczak Wojciech M. , Weiner Brad R. , Morell Gerardo
Published: August 2014

Bottom-up approach to fabricate dislocation-free luminescent γ-MnS nanosaws via CVD that can be used as anode material for Li-ion batteries.
The temperature-dependence of the structure-directing effect of 2-methylpiperazine in the synthesis of open-framework aluminophosphates
Authors: Huang Pai , Xu Jun , Wang Chao , Deng Feng , Yan Wenfu
Published: August 2014

The heating temperature can affect the crystallization process of the initial mixture and the structure-directing effect of 2-methylpiperazine by altering its structure, changing the equilibrium of the reactions, and modifying the assembly of the building oligomers.
Dual mechanism of HIV-1 integrase and RNase H inhibition by diketo derivatives – a computational study
Authors: Poongavanam Vasanthanathan , Narayana Moorthy N. S. Hari , Kongsted Jacob
Published: August 2014

Dual inhibition of HIV-1 integrase and RNase H by the diketo derivatives is investigated through ligand and structure based computational methods.
Superparamagnetic sandwich structured silver/halloysite nanotube/Fe3O4nanocomposites for 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Mu Bin , Wang Wenbo , Zhang Junping , Wang Aiqin
Published: August 2014

Superparamagnetic sandwich structured silver/halloysite nanotube/Fe3O4(Ag/HNT/Fe3O4) nanocomposites were fabricated by selective modification of the lumen of halloysite nanotubes with silver nanorods and the external wall with Fe3O4nanoparticles.
Highly stereoselective one-pot construction of trisubstituted tetrahydro-β-carboline-fused diketopiperazines: a synthetic route towards cialis analogues
Authors: Jida Mouhamad , Tourwé Dirk , Ballet Steven
Published: August 2014

A facile and efficient synthetic method for the stereoselective preparation of trisubstituted tetrahydro-β-carboline-fused diketopiperazine derivatives is reported.
Layer-by-layer assembly of low-temperature-imprinted poly(methacrylic acid)/gold nanoparticle hybrids for gaseous formaldehyde mass sensing
Authors: Iqbal Naseer , Afzal Adeel , Mujahid Adnan
Published: August 2014

New gas-sensing materials capable of selectively detecting sub-ppm levels of formaldehyde with fast response and recovery kinetics are designed by layer-by-layer assembly of imprinted polymer and Au nanoparticles.
Catalytic and direct methyl sulfonylation of alkenes and alkynes using a methyl sulfonyl radical generated from a DMSO, dioxygen and copper system
Authors: Jiang Yaojia , Loh Teck-Peng
Published: August 2014

A methyl sulfonyl radical generated from DMSO in the presence of catalytic Cu(i) under O2atmosphere is used to carry out methyl sulfonation of C–C unsaturated bonds to afford β-keto methyl sulfones and (E)-vinyl methyl sulfones.
Zeolite encapsulated Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes with tetradentate N2O2 Schiff base ligand: catalytic activity towards oxidation of benzhydrol and degradation of rhodamine-B
Authors: Ramanjaneya Reddy G. , Balasubramanian S. , Chennakesavulu K.
Published: August 2014

Metal hydrazone complexes were entrapped in the cavities of zeolite by fixed ligand method and their catalytic activity was studied towards the oxidation of benzhydrol and degradation of rhodamine-B.
Branched CNT@SnO2 nanorods@carbon hierarchical heterostructures for lithium ion batteries with high reversibility and rate capability
Authors: Chen Shuai , Xin Yuelong , Zhou Yiyang , Zhang Feng , Ma Yurong , Zhou Henghui , Qi Limin
Published: August 2014

Novel branched CNT@SnO2 nanorods@carbon hierarchical heterostructures, consisting of carbon-coated SnO2 mesocrystalline nanorods grown radially on carbon nanotubes were fabricated, exhibited highly reversible lithium storage behavior and excellent rate capability.
Multifunctional water-soluble luminescent carbon dots for imaging and Hg2+ sensing
Authors: Zhai Yanling , Zhu Zhijun , Zhu Chengzhou , Ren Jiangtao , Wang Erkang , Dong Shaojun
Published: August 2014

We propose an ingenious method for large-scale fabrication of water-soluble photoluminescent carbon dots (CDs) by a one-step microwave route in the presence of citric acid and ethylenediamine.
Luminescence and electronic properties of Ba2MgSi2O7:Eu2+: a combined experimental and hybrid density functional theory study
Authors: Yan Jing , Ning Lixin , Huang Yucheng , Liu Chunmeng , Hou Dejian , Zhang Bingbing , Huang Yan , Tao Ye , Liang Hongbin
Published: August 2014

Luminescence and electronic properties of Ba2MgSi2O7:Eu2+were investigated under optical and low-voltage cathode ray excitations and by hybrid DFT calculations.
Synthesis and properties of low bandgap star molecules TPA-[DTS-PyBTTh3]3 and DMM-TPA[DTS-PyBTTh3]3 for solution-processed bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Lim Kimin , Lee Seung Yeon , Song Kihyung , Sharma G. D. , Ko Jaejung
Published: August 2014

Two symmetrical planar star shaped organic small molecules TPA[DTS-PyBTTh3]3 (1) and DMM-TPA[DTS-PyBTTh3]3 (2) with TPA and fused TPA core donors, respectively, and three branched DTS-PyBTTh3 units were synthesized and characterized.
Photophysical properties of ionic liquid-assisted porphyrin nanoaggregate–nickel phthalocyanine conjugates and singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Mandal Sadananda , Kundu Simanta , Bhattacharyya Santanu , Patra Amitava
Published: August 2014

Porphyrin nanoaggregates for singlet oxygen generation.
Insights into amyloid disease from fly models
Authors: Chen Ko-Fan , Crowther Damian C.
Published: August 2014

The formation of amyloid aggregates is a feature of most, if not all, polypeptide chains. In vivo modelling of this process has been undertaken in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster with remarkable success. Models of both neurological and systemic amyloid diseases have been generated and have informed our understanding of disease pathogenesis in two main ways. First, the toxic amyloid species have been at least partially characterized, for example in the case of the Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) associated with Alzheimer's disease. Secondly, the genetic underpinning of model disease-linked phenotypes has been characterized for a number of neurodegenerative disorders. The current challenge is to integrate our understanding of disease-linked processes in the fly with our growing knowledge of human disease, for the benefit of patients.
Amyloid β-peptide and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Allsop David , Mayes Jennifer
Published: August 2014

One of the hallmarks of AD (Alzheimer's disease) is the formation of senile plaques in the brain, which contain fibrils composed of Aβ (amyloid β-peptide). According to the ‘amyloid cascade’ hypothesis, the aggregation of Aβ initiates a sequence of events leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, neurodegeneration, and on to the main symptom of dementia. However, emphasis has now shifted away from fibrillar forms of Aβ and towards smaller and more soluble ‘oligomers’ as the main culprit in AD. The present chapter commences with a brief introduction to the disease and its current treatment, and then focuses on the formation of Aβ from the APP (amyloid precursor protein), the genetics of early-onset AD, which has provided strong support for the amyloid cascade hypothesis, and then on the development of new drugs aimed at reducing the load of cerebral Aβ, which is still the main hope for providing a more effective treatment for AD in the future.
Spontaneous self-assembly of pathogenic huntingtin exon 1 protein into amyloid structures
Authors: Trepte Philipp , Strempel Nadine , Wanker Erich E.
Published: August 2014

PolyQ (polyglutamine) diseases such as HD (Huntington's disease) or SCA1 (spinocerebellar ataxia type 1) are neurodegenerative disorders caused by abnormally elongated polyQ tracts in human proteins. PolyQ expansions promote misfolding and aggregation of disease-causing proteins, leading to the appearance of nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in patient neurons. Several lines of experimental evidence indicate that this process is critical for disease pathogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying spontaneous polyQ-containing aggregate formation and the perturbation of neuronal processes are still largely unclear. The present chapter reviews the current literature regarding misfolding and aggregation of polyQ-containing disease proteins. We specifically focus on studies that have investigated the amyloidogenesis of polyQ-containing HTTex1 (huntingtin exon 1) fragments. These protein fragments are disease-relevant and play a critical role in HD pathogenesis. We outline potential mechanisms behind mutant HTTex1 aggregation and toxicity, as well as proteins and small molecules that can modify HTTex1 amyloidogenesis in vitro and in vivo. The potential implications of such studies for the development of novel therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Performance analysis of space‐diversity free‐space optical systems over the correlated Gamma–Gamma fading channel using Padé approximation method
Authors: Yang Guowei , Khalighi Mohammad Ali , Ghassemlooy Zabih , Bourennane Salah
Published: August 2014

We propose an analytical approach to evaluate the performance of space‐diversity free‐space optical (FSO) systems over correlated Gamma–Gamma (ΓΓ) fading channels. To do this, we firstly derive an infinite series representation for the moment generating function (MGF) of the sum of arbitrarily correlated ΓΓ random variables (RVs). Then, a closed‐form approximate expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the sum of ΓΓ RVs is obtained from the MGF with the aid of Padé approximation. The performance of the FSO system is then evaluated based on this PDF. Through some numerical results we illustrate the accuracy of the proposed method and further discuss its limitations.
Use of ZnO nanorods grown atomic force microscope tip in the architecture of a piezoelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Hussain Mushtaque , Khan Azam , Abbasi Mazhar Ali , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus
Published: August 2014

The piezoelectric potential output has been studied using a ZnO nanorods (NRs) grown atomic force microscope (AFM) tip in lieu of the normally used AFM tip. The ZnO NRs were synthesised on the AFM tip and on the fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate using the aqueous chemical growth method. The as‐grown ZnO NRs were highly dense, well aligned and uniform both on the tip and on the substrate. The structural study was performed using X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The piezoelectric properties of as‐grown ZnO NRs were investigated using an AFM in contact mode. In comparison to the AFM tip without ZnO NRs, extra positive voltage peaks were observed when the AFM tip with ZnO NRs was used. The pair of ZnO NRs on the AFM tip and on the FTO glass substrate together worked as two oppositely gliding walls (composed of ZnO NRs) and showed an enhancement in the amount of the harvested energy as much as eight times. This approach demonstrates that the use of the AFM tip with ZnO NRs is not only a good alternative to improve the design of nanogenerators to obtain an enhanced amount of harvested energy but is also simple, reliable and cost‐effective.
Production and persistence of subtropical grasses in environments with Mediterranean climates
Authors: Moore G. A. , Albertsen T. O. , Ramankutty P. , Nichols P. G. H. , Titterington J. W. , Barrett-Lennard P.
Published: August 2014

The agricultural region of south-west Western Australia (WA) has a Mediterranean climate, characterised by a winter-dominant rainfall pattern. Perennial subtropical grasses are increasingly being grown to increase productivity and reduce erosion on infertile sandy soils in the northern agricultural region (NAR) of WA, an area with mild winters and dry, hot summers. However, little information exists on the persistence of different species or their expected seasonal production and feed quality. On the south coast of WA, an area with dry, warm summers and a maritime influence, kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) has been widely sown, but there is little information on the potential of other subtropical grasses. To address these issues, five trials were established across the agricultural area of south-west WA to measure the seasonal production, feed quality and persistence of the main, commercially available subtropical grasses over 3–4 years.
This study demonstrates that subtropical grasses have a long-term role in the NAR in areas with mild winters and/or where the rainfall is >400 mm. The best performing subtropical grasses across a range of sites were panic grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). These species can be expected to have a water-use efficiency of ~10 kg ha–1 mm–1 over a 12-month period, provided there is a good perennial grass density. On the south coast, panic grass, Rhodes grass and setaria (Setaria sphacelata) persisted well and produced significantly more biomass than kikuyu. These grasses could complement kikuyu by increasing out-of-season production. At Kojonup, a more inland site, most of the subtropical grasses died over winter from a combination of occasional frosts and cold, wet soils. However, kikuyu re-grew from rhizomes in spring and maintained >90% ground cover 4 years after sowing. The results from these experiments are likely to be applicable to other regions across the globe with Mediterranean climates and similar soil types.
Xylan-mediated aggregation of Lactobacillus brevis and its relationship with the surface properties and mucin-mediated aggregation of the bacteria
Authors: Saito Katsuichi , Nakamura Toshihide , Kobayashi Isao , Ohnishi-Kameyama Mayumi , Ichinose Hitomi , Kimura Keitarou , Funane Kazumi
Published: August 2014

Some Lactobacillus brevis strains were found to aggregate upon the addition of xylan after screening for lactic acid bacteria that interact with plant materials. The S-layer proteins of cell surface varied among the strains. The strains that displayed xylan-mediated aggregation retained its ability even after the removal of S-layer proteins. L. brevis had negative zeta potentials. A correlation between the strength of aggregation and zeta potential was not observed. However, partial removal of S-layer proteins resulted in decreases in the electric potential and aggregation ability of some strains. Therefore, xylan-mediated aggregation of L. brevis was considered to be caused by an electrostatic effect between the cells and xylan. L. brevis also aggregated in the presence of mucin, and the strengths of aggregation among the strains were similar to that induced by xylan. Thus, xylan- and mucin-mediated L. brevis aggregation was supposed to be caused by a similar mechanism.
A new assembly variation analysis model based on the method of power balance for auto-body parts
Authors: Xing Yanfeng , Wang Yansong
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a new assembly variation analysis model to analyze assembly variation for sheet metal parts. The main focus is to analyze assembly processes based on the method of power balance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Starting with issues in assembly variation analysis, the review shows the critical aspects of tolerance analysis. The method of influence coefficient (MIC) cannot accurately analyze the relationship between part variations and assembly variations, as the welding point is not a point but a small area. Therefore, new sensitivity matrices are generated based on the method of power balance.

Findings

– Here two cases illustrate the processes of assembly variation analysis, and the results indicate that new method has higher accuracy than the MIC.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited to assembly variation analysis for sheet metal parts, which can be used in auto-body and airplane body.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a new assembly variation analysis based on the method of power balance.