bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Protein Import: Methods
Authors: Wagstaff Kylie M , Jans David A
Published: June 2014

Protein synthesis takes place predominantly in the cytoplasm, meaning that proteins that are needed in the nuclear compartment, such as those that control gene transcription, have to be transported from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Analysis of the regulation of nuclear import, which is central to cell responses to signalling pathways, and stress responses such as viral infection, requires dynamic experimental systems able to provide quantitative kinetic information. This article describes anin vitroreconstituted system as well as quantitative live cell imaging approaches, including the technique of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, that enable the rate and extent of nuclear import to be quantitatively determined, and assist mechanistic studies with respect to the nuclear transporters and targeting signals involved. This is critical to a full understanding of the importance of nuclear trafficking in biological systems.

Key Concepts:

The regulation of nuclear transport is critical to transcriptional control in response to cellular and developmental signals, viral infection, etc.

Using quantitative confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) can enable small changes in nuclear localisation to be identified.

Systems to reconstitute nuclear transportin vitrocan enable the delineation of nuclear transport mechanisms.

The technique of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching can be used to determine nuclear transport kinetics in the living cell.

Quantitative techniques to examine nuclear transport allow for sequences and mechanisms underpinning regulated nucleocytoplasmic protein transport to be dissected.
Molecular Genetics of Holt–Oram Syndrome
Authors: Barnett Phil , Postma Alex V
Published: June 2014

The Holt–Oram syndrome (HOS) is an autosomal‐dominant hand–heart syndrome characterised by malformations of the upper limbs, mainly involving the preaxial (radial) ray, and variable cardiac defects. Mutations in
TBX5,
a transcription factor that regulates a wide variety of developmental processes, underlie HOS. Thus far, more than a hundred
TBX5
mutations have been identified in patients with HOS. However, only the application of stringent diagnostic criteria will lead to a high sensitivity and specificity in
TBX5
mutation screening. Various pathogenic mechanisms that lead to HOS have been uncovered, ranging from loss‐of‐function to gain‐of‐function. Nonetheless, in a significant minority of HOS patients, who do fulfil the strict diagnostic criteria, no
TBX5
mutation is identified. This suggests that mutations in regulatory parts of
TBX5
could cause disease, or mutations in genes other than
TBX5
could underlie HOS. Application of exome sequencing or even whole‐genome sequencing should be pursued in those cases.

Key Concepts:

Holt–Oram syndrome is caused by
TBX5
mutations.

The majority of
TBX5
mutations lead to loss‐of‐function.

Application of stringent diagnostic criteria increases the yield of TBX5 mutation screening in HOS patients.

In a minority of HOS patients, who fulfil the stringent diagnostic criteria, no
TBX5
mutation is identified.

TBX5 is involved in the specification of the mesoderm and development of the heart, vasculature and limbs.
Autosomal Mutations and Spermatogenic Failure
Authors: Lima Ana C , Lopes Alexandra M
Published: June 2014

Male infertility is commonly due to an impairment in the production of viable sperm, capable of fertilisation. Spermatogenic failure can manifest in its most severe form by an absence of mature sperm or, more often, by a reduction in sperm counts, as an isolated phenotype or in combination with abnormalities in sperm motility and morphology. In only a fraction of patients with primary spermatogenic failure can an underlying genetic cause be identified, such as karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions. However, a small number of autosomal genes harbour rare variants/mutations with strong evidence of their impact in primary spermatogenic failure in otherwise healthy men (
SYCP3
,
NR5A1
,
DMRT1
,
CATSPER
,
DNAI1
,
DNAH5
,
DNAH11
,
SLC26A8
,
AURKC
,
SPATA16
,
DPY19L2
,
KLHL10
and
SEPT12
). Even though the clinical relevance of the majority of these variants is still uncertain, they represent promising markers for spermatogenesis deficits.

Key Concepts:

Spermatogenesis is an intricate process and a large number of genes on the autosomes are involved.

The etiopathogenesis of severe spermatogenic failure in otherwise healthy men is complex and still largely unknown.

A highly penetrant genetic variant resulting in male infertility should be rare in a population.

Validation of potentially deleterious variants must rely on the analysis of a large number of patients, replication in cohorts of different ethnicity, familial data and functional assays.

Spermatogenic failure may result from the disturbance of many different processes (gonadal formation and maintenance, meiosis and morphological differentiation of gametes).
Development and Role of the Human Reference Sequence in Personal Genomics
Authors: Smith Todd M , Porter Sandra G
Published: June 2014

Genome maps, like geographical maps, need to be interpreted carefully. Although maps are essential to exploration and navigation they cannot be completely accurate. Humans have been mapping the world for several millennia, but genomes have been mapped and explored for just a single century with the greatest advancements in making a sequence reference map of the human genome possible in the past 30 years. After the
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
sequence of the human genome was completed in 2003, the reference sequence underwent several improvements and today provides the underlying comparative resource for a multitude genetic assays and biochemical measurements. However, the ability to simplify genetic analysis through a single comprehensive map remains an elusive goal.

Key Concepts:

Maps are incomplete and contain errors.

DNA sequence data are interpreted through biochemical experiments or comparisons to other DNA sequences.

A reference genome sequence is a map that provides the essential coordinate system for annotating the functional regions of the genome and comparing differences between individuals' genomes.

The reference genome sequence is always product of understanding at a set point in time and continues to evolve.

DNA sequences evolve through duplication and mutation and, as a result, contain many repeated sequences of different sizes, which complicates data analysis.

DNA sequence variation happens on large and small scales with respect to the lengths of the DNA differences to include single base changes, insertions, deletions, duplications and rearrangements.

DNA sequences within the human population undergo continual change and vary highly between individuals.

The current reference genome sequence is a collection of sequences, an assembly, that include sequences assembled into chromosomes, sequences that are part of structurally complex regions that cannot be assembled, patches (fixes) that cannot be included in the primary sequence, and high variability sequences that are organised into alternate loci.

Genetic analysis is error prone and the data require validation because the methods for collecting DNA sequences create artifacts and the reference sequence used for comparative analyses is incomplete.
Multidirectional Light‐Harvesting Enhancement in Dye Solar Cells by Surface Patterning
Authors: López‐López Carmen , Colodrero Silvia , Jiménez‐Solano Alberto , Lozano Gabriel , Ortiz Reyes , Calvo Mauricio E. , Míguez Hernán
Published: June 2014

One dimensional gratings patterned on the surface of nanocrystalline titania electrodes are used as a light harvesting strategy to improve the overall performance of dye solar cells under both frontal and rear illumination conditions. A soft‐lithography‐based micromoulding approach is employed to replicate a periodic surface relief pattern onto the surface of the electrode, which is later sensitized with a dye. As the patterned surface acts as an optical grating both in reflection and transmission modes, its effect is to increase the light path of diffracted beams within the absorbing layer when it is irradiated either from the electrode or the counter electrode for a broad range of angles of incidence on each surface. Full optical and photovoltaic characterization demonstrates not only the optical quality of the patterned surfaces but also the multidirectional character of the enhancement of light harvesting and conversion efficiency. The approach herein presented thus permits to preserve the operation of the cell when irradiated from its two faces while increasing its overall power conversion efficiency. This feature is a key advantage over other light harvesting efficiency enhancing methods, such as the deposition of a back diffuse scattering layer, in which the performance of the cell under illumination from one of its sides is enlarged at the expense of reducing the output under reverse irradiation conditions.
Anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics of active and inactive saudi and british adolescents
Authors: Duncan Michael J. , Al‐hazzaa Hazzaa M. , Al‐Nakeeb Yahya , Al‐Sobayel Hana I. , Abahussain Nada A. , Musaiger Abdulrahman O. , Lyons Mark , Collins Peter , Nevill Alan
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To compare the anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics of active and inactive adolescents in Saudi Arabia and Britain.

Methods

A school‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted at four cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Al‐Khobar; N = 1,648) and Britain (Birmingham and Coventry; N = 1,158). The participants (14‐ to 18‐year‐olds) were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling. Measurements included anthropometric [BMI, Waist circumference (WC), Waist to height ratio], screen time, validated physical activity questionnaire and dietary habits.

Results

British males were lighter (P = 0.04, 64.4 vs. 68.2 kg), and had lower values for WC (P = 0.003, 77.1 vs. 78.7 cm) than Saudi males. Males (P = 0.0001) were significantly more active than females but the difference between inactive Saudi and British females was greater than that between inactive Saudi and British males. Being female was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with lower activity levels in both the Saudi and British adolescents. Having lower frequency of fruit intake was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with lower activity levels, whereas increased frequency of consumption of French fries/potato chips was significantly (P = 0.008) associated with increased activity levels in Saudi adolescents. Among British adolescents, lower frequency of breakfast was (P = 0.045) associated with lower activity levels, increased frequency of consumption of sweetened beverages was significantly (P = 0.005) associated with higher activity levels. Higher energy drinks intake frequency was significantly (P = 0.007) associated with higher activity levels.

Conclusion

The present study identifies crosscultural differences and similarities in lifestyle habits in adolescents from Britain and Saudi Arabia. Activity status (active vs. inactive) appears to play an important role in other lifestyle related behaviors, with active adolescent more likely to engage in healthy dietary behavior than their inactive peers, irrespective of country of origin. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:635–642, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bibliometric evolution: Is the journal of the association for information science and technology transforming into a specialty Journal?
Authors: Nicolaisen Jeppe , Frandsen Tove Faber
Published: June 2014

Applying a recently developed method for measuring the level of specialization over time for a selection of library and information science (LIS)‐core journals seems to reveal that Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (JASIST) is slowly transforming into a specialty journal. The transformation seems to originate from a growing interest in bibliometric topics. This is evident from a longitudinal study (1990–2012) of the bibliometric coupling strength between Scientometrics and other LIS‐core journals (including JASIST). The cause of this gradual transformation is discussed, and possible explanations are analyzed.
Adsorption‐based immobilization of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus cellobiose 2‐epimerase on Bacillus subtilis spores
Authors: Gu Junyan , Yang Ruijin , Hua Xiao , Zhang Wenbin , Zhao Wei
Published: June 2014

Nonrecombinant spore was examined as a novel immobilization support to adsorb enzymes. Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus cellobiose 2‐epimerase (CsCE), efficiently producing lactulose using lactose as a single substrate, was immobilized on Bacillus subtilis spores via adsorption. The immobilization process was optimized, and the properties of immobilized CsCE and the interactions between the enzyme and spores were also investigated. Under the optimized conditions (pH 4.5, temperature 4 °C, reaction time 2 H, and initial enzyme concentration 2.4 mg/mL), the maximum adsorbed amount of CsCE was 1.47 mg/1011 spores, and the enzyme activity recovery was 79.4%. The spore‐immobilized CsCE presented a higher pH and thermal stability than a free enzyme. Total desorption of the immobilized enzyme was only achieved by treatment with 1.0 M NaCl at pH 1.0, indicating a strong adsorption between CsCE and B. subtilis spores. Efficient binding may require a potent combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between spores and an enzyme. The immobilized CsCE was applied to produce 395 g/L lactulose after 4 H. Moreover, the spores could be regenerated and the spore‐immobilized enzyme showed good reusability as it retained approximately 70% of its initial activity after eight recycles.
A Rational Designed Dual‐channel Chemosensor for Mercury Ions Based on Hydrolysis of Schiff Base
Authors: Wu Guiyuan , Shi Bingbing , Hu Bing , Zhang Youming , Lin Qi , Yao Hong , Wei Taibao
Published: June 2014

A bilateral Schiff base is reported for the colorimetric and fluorometric dual‐channel sensing of Hg2+ ions by taking advantage of the hydrolysis of carbon‐nitrogen double bond, altering an ICT state mechanism and then Hg2+ ions coordinating with amino moieties of 1,5‐DAN and leading to the aggregation of 1,5‐DAN. Meanwhile, it formed a stable neutral complex of amino‐Hg‐amino. In addition, test strips based on L were fabricated, which also exhibited a good selectivity to Hg2+ as in solution. This work provides a novel approach for the selective recognition of mercury ions. Notably, the color changes are very significant and all the recognition processes can be observed by the naked eyes. We believe the test strips can act as a convenient and efficient Hg2+ test kit.
Facile Fabrication of Polymeric Ionic Liquid Grafted Porous Polymer Monolith for Mixed‐Mode High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Li Yaping , Qi Li , Shen Ying , Zhang Haizhi , Ma Huimin
Published: June 2014

A novel polymeric ionic liquid grafted porous polymer monolith has been facilely fabricated for mixed‐mode chromatography. The column is prepared from poly (glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolith through hydrolyzation of the epoxy moieties into hydroxyl groups, followed by "grafting from" polymerization of ionic liquid of 1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium chloride. Successful modification is characterized by scanning electron microscope, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The HPLC performance of developed column is evaluated by separating acidic vitamin B analytes, neutral steroids and basic aromatic amines in mixed‐mode chromatography on a single column, respectively. The ionic liquid affords the monolith with both enhanced separation ability and improved column efficiency.
Spectroscopic and Computational Characterizations of Alkaline‐Earth‐ and Heavy‐Metal‐Exchanged Natrolites
Authors: Liu Dan , Chen Xin , Ma Yanming , Liu Zhenxian , Vogt Thomas , Lee Yongjae
Published: June 2014

Synchrotron infrared (IR) and micro‐Raman spectra of natrolites containing alkaline‐earth ions (Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+) and heavy metals (Cd2+, Pb2+, and Ag+) as extra‐framework cations (EFCs) were measured under ambient conditions. Complementing our previous spectroscopic investigations of natrolites with monovalent alkali metal (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+) EFCs, we establish a correlation between the redshifts of the frequencies of the 4‐ring and helical 8‐ring units and the size of the EFCs in natrolite. Through ab initio calculations we have derived structural models of Ca2+‐ and Ag+‐exchanged natrolites with hydrogen atoms, and found that the frequency shifts in the HOH bending mode and the differences in the OH stretching vibration modes can be correlated with the orientations of the water molecules along the natrolite channel. Assuming that the members of a solid solution series behave as an ideal mixture, we will be able to use spectroscopy to probe compositions. Deviation from ideal behavior might indicate the occurrence of phase separation on various length scales.
Catalytic Conversion of γ‐Valerolactone to ε‐Caprolactam: Towards Nylon from Renewable Feedstock
Authors: Raoufmoghaddam Saeed , Rood Marcus T. M. , Buijze Florine K. W. , Drent Eite , Bouwman Elisabeth
Published: June 2014

The conversion of γ‐valerolactone (GVL) in three atom‐efficient steps to the important polymer precursor ε‐caprolactam is reported. The bio‐based GVL can be converted to a mixture of isomeric methyl pentenoates (MP) via trans‐esterification with methanol with 94 % yield (ratio of 3‐MP/4‐MP=3:1); subsequent aminolysis with ammonia leads to a mixture of pentenamides (PA) almost quantitatively (99 % conversion). The resulting pentenamides are ultimately converted into ε‐caprolactam via a rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroamidomethylation reaction, comprising an initial hydroformylation of the alkene moiety of PA and subsequent ring‐closing reductive amidation of the resulting aldehyde with the amide functionality. A promising yield of caprolactam of about 90 % can be obtained with a Rh/xantphos catalyst system in a two‐stage hydroformylation–reductive amidation using pure 4‐PA as feedstock. The use of 3‐PA as a substrate not only results in a significantly lower regioselectivity for the 7‐membered lactam, but also in the formation of high amounts of valeramide (VA). Consequently, a best overall yield of caprolactam of nearly 40 % could be demonstrated with a Rh/POP‐xantphos [POP‐xantphos=4,5‐bis(2,8‐dimethyl‐10‐phenoxaphosphino)‐9,9,‐dimethylxanthene] catalyst system based on the 3:1 mixture of 3‐PA/4‐PA directly obtainable from GVL.
Small sample sorting of primary adherent cells by automated micropallet imaging and release
Authors: Shah Pavak K. , Herrera‐Loeza Silvia Gabriela , Sims Christopher E. , Yeh Jen Jen , Allbritton Nancy L.
Published: June 2014

Primary patient samples are the gold standard for molecular investigations of tumor biology yet are difficult to acquire, heterogeneous in nature and variable in size. Patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs) comprised of primary tumor tissue cultured in host organisms such as nude mice permit the propagation of human tumor samples in an in vivo environment and closely mimic the phenotype and gene expression profile of the primary tumor. Although PDX models reduce the cost and complexity of acquiring sample tissue and permit repeated sampling of the primary tumor, these samples are typically contaminated by immune, blood, and vascular tissues from the host organism while also being limited in size. For very small tissue samples (on the order of 103 cells) purification by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) is not feasible while magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) of small samples results in very low purity, low yield, and poor viability. We developed a platform for imaging cytometry integrated with micropallet array technology to perform automated cell sorting on very small samples obtained from PDX models of pancreatic and colorectal cancer using antibody staining of EpCAM (CD326) as a selection criteria. These data demonstrate the ability to automate and efficiently separate samples with very low number of cells. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Systematic reviews, overviews of reviews and comparative effectiveness reviews: a discussion of approaches to knowledge synthesis
Authors: Hartling Lisa , Vandermeer Ben , Fernandes Ricardo M
Published: June 2014

Background

The Cochrane Collaboration has been at the forefront of developing methods for knowledge synthesis internationally.

Objectives

We discuss three approaches to synthesize evidence for healthcare interventions: systematic reviews (SRs), overviews of reviews and comparative effectiveness reviews.

Methods

We illustrate these approaches with examples from knowledge syntheses on interventions for bronchiolitis, a common acute paediatric condition. Some of the differences among these approaches are subtle and methods are not necessarily mutually exclusive to a single review type.

Results and Conclusions:

Systematic reviews bring together evidence from multiple studies in a rigorous fashion for a single intervention or group of interventions. Systematic reviews, as they have developed within healthcare, often focus on single or select interventions and direct pairwise comparisons; therefore, end‐users may need to read several individual SRs to inform decision making. Overviews of reviews compile information from multiple SRs relevant to a single health problem. Overviews provide the end‐user with a quick overview of the available evidence; however, overviews are dependent on the methods and decisions employed at the SR level. Furthermore, overviews do not often integrate evidence from different SRs quantitatively. Comparative effectiveness reviews, as we define them here, synthesize relevant evidence from individual studies to describe the relative benefits (or harms) of a range of interventions. Comparative effectiveness reviews may use statistical methods (network meta‐analysis) to incorporate direct and indirect evidence; therefore, they can provide stronger inferences about the relative effectiveness (or safety) of interventions. While potentially more expensive and time‐consuming to produce, a comparative effectiveness review provides a synthesis of a range of interventions for a given condition and the relative efficacy across interventions using consistent and standardized methodology.
Heterometallic Pentanuclear [Ni4Ln] (LnIII = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) Complexes: Accidental Orthogonality Leading to Ferromagnetic Interactions
Authors: Das Sourav , Hossain Sakiat , Dey Atanu , Biswas Sourav , Pardo Emilio , Lloret Francesc , Chandrasekhar Vadapalli
Published: June 2014

The reaction of 6‐formyl‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methylphenol (LH2) with NiII and LnIII salts afforded a series of heterometallic pentanuclear compounds [Ni4Ln(L)4(OAc)2(MeOH)4](NO3)(MeOH) [LnIII = Gd (1), Dy (2), Tb (3), Ho (4)]. Four dianionic L2– ligands and two acetate anions hold together four NiII and one LnIII ion to form a Ni4Ln core possessing a distorted tetrahedral geometry. All the NiII ions are hexacoordinate (6 O) with a distorted octahedral geometry whereas the LnIII ion is octacoordinate (8 O) with a distorted square‐antiprism geometry. All the NiII ions are connected to the central LnIII ion through μ2 bridging of one deprotonated phenolic oxygen and two deprotonated alkoxy oxygen atoms. The magnetic properties of 1–4 were investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K. The magnetic properties of 1 were fitted by using a Hamiltonian containing isotropic exchange, NiII local zero‐field‐splitting, and Zeeman effects (Ĥ = Ĥexchange + Ĥzfs + Ĥzeeman). The molecular structures of 1–4 reveal that the Ni–O–Ln angle is around 89° whereas the Ni–O–Ni angle is about 96°. Because of this accidental orthogonality, ferromagnetic interactions between the nearest‐neighbor NiII ions and between NiII and LnIII ions have been observed. The observed J values are 0.34 and 1.88 cm–1 between GdIII–NiII and NiII–NiII, respectively.
Synthesis and Characterization of Spirosilanes – 1,2‐Hydroboration and 1,1‐Carboboration
Authors: Khan Ezzat , Wrackmeyer Bernd , Döring Cristian , Kempe Rhett
Published: June 2014

Starting from dichloro(divinyl)silane, the dialkynyl(divinyl)silanes (CH2=CH)2Si(C≡CR)2 (R = tBu, p‐tolyl, 3‐thienyl, CH2NMe2) were prepared. These silanes were treated with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) for 1,2‐hydroboration of the vinyl groups. The hydroboration products rearranged quickly and quantitatively by intramolecular 1,1‐carboboration into the respective target compounds, the axially chiral 5‐silaspiro[4.4]nona‐1,6‐dienes bearing boryl groups at the 2‐ and 7‐positions and the R substituents at the 1‐ and 6‐positions. Simple protodeborylation with acetic acid proved possible, except for R = tBu. The remaining Si–C function in (CH2=CH)2Si(Cl)C≡CtBu opens the way to new spirosilanes after a sequence of hydroboration/carboboration/hydroboration, for which a first example was studied. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction in the solid state and NMR spectroscopy in solution (1H, 11B, 13C, 15N, 29Si), complemented by optimization of gas‐phase structures and calculation of NMR parameters by DFT methods.
Switchable 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethylation and gem‐Difluorovinylation of Organoboronic Acids with 2,2,2‐Trifluorodiazoethane
Authors: Wu Guojiao , Deng Yifan , Wu Chaoqiang , Wang Xi , Zhang Yan , Wang Jianbo
Published: June 2014

The transition‐metal‐free 2,2,2‐trifluoroethylation and gem‐difluorovinylation of arylboronic acids were developed. By employing different reaction conditions, these transformations provide both (2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)arenes and gem‐difluorovinylarenes from arylboronic acids and 2,2,2‐trifluorodiazoethane. The operation is simple and scalable with good functional group tolerance.
Optimal energy efficient joint power allocation for two‐hop single‐antenna relaying systems
Authors: Li Chunguo , Cioffi John M. , Yang Luxi
Published: June 2014

In this paper, the joint source‐relay power allocation issue in green dual‐hop single‐antenna relaying systems is investigated from the energy efficiency point of view. By considering a practical power consumption model, the optimal transmit power of the source and that of the relay are derived in the form of analytical expressions based on the maximisation of energy efficiency with a guarantee of the required spectral efficiency. The novelty of the work lies in that the highly complicated optimisation problem is solved by deliberately manipulating the Lagrangian function using the properties of the Lambert function. It is shown that the optimal relay‐to‐source power ratio is adaptive to the ratio of the instantaneous two‐hop channel gains. Numerical simulations have illustrated the effectiveness of our proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An overall characterization of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia with CRLF2 overexpression
Authors: Yano Mio , Imamura Toshihiko , Asai Daisuke , Moriya‐Saito Akiko , Suenobu So‐ichi , Hasegawa Daiichiro , Deguchi Takao , Hashii Yoshiko , Kawasaki Hirohide , Hori Hiroki , Kosaka Yoshiyuki , Kato Koji , Horibe Keizo , Yumura‐Yagi Keiko , Hara Junichi , Matsumoto Kenji , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Oda Megumi , Sato Atsushi ,   for the Japan Association of Childhood Leukemia Study (JACLS)
Published: June 2014

For an overall characterization of pediatric B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCPALL) with CRLF2 overexpression (OE), we conducted genetic analysis of CRLF2 in 167 pediatric BCPALL patients. CRLF2 OE was detected in 30 (18%) of 167 patients, the P2RY8‐CRLF2 fusion was identified in only 3 (1.8%) of 167 patients, all of which demonstrated CRLF2 OE. Moreover, CRLF2 gain was identified in 18 (11%) of 167 patients. Messenger RNA sequencing revealed a novel fusion transcript, CSF2RA‐CRLF2, in a case with CRLF2 OE, suggesting that this fusion is associated with CRLF2 OE. In survival analysis, no significant differences in 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival were observed between patients with and without CRLF2 OE (70.7 vs. 75.4%, log rank P = 0.68 and 96.4 vs. 82.1%, log rank P = 0.11, respectively). However, a significant difference in 5‐year EFS between CRLF2 OE patients with and without IKZF1 deletion was observed (44.4 vs. 83.1%, log rank P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, only IKZF1 deletion was a significant predictor of inferior OS (hazard ratio: 2.427, P = 0.04).These findings suggest that CRLF2 OE is not an independent prognostic factor in pediatric BCPALL. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two New Cycloartane Triterpenoids from Kleinhovia hospita
Authors: Mo Jian‐Xia , Bai Yang , Liu Bo , Zhou Chang‐Xin , Zou Li , Gan Li‐She
Published: June 2014

Two new cycloartane triterpenoids, (23R)‐21,23:23,27‐diepoxycycloarta‐1,24‐diene‐3,27‐dione (1) and (3α)‐(α‐L‐arabinopyranosyloxy)‐1α‐hydroxy‐23‐oxocycloartan‐28‐oic acid (2), together with six known pentacyclic triterpenoids, 3–8, and five known C29 steroids, 9–13, were isolated from Kleinhovia hospita. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Moreover, the absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by quantum‐chemical TDDFT calculation of its ECD spectrum. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human colon carcinoma (HCT116) and gastric carcinoma (SGC7901) cell lines, and compounds 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12 exhibited antiproliferative activities with IC50 values ranging from 23.0 to 91.8 μM.
Polyhydroxylated Sterols from the South China Sea Gorgonian Verrucella umbraculum
Authors: Cao Fei , Shao Chang‐Lun , Wang Yu , Xu Kai‐Xia , Qi Xin , Wang Chang‐Yun
Published: June 2014

Two new polyhydroxylated sterols, named verumbsteroids A and B (1 and 2, resp.), along with seven known analog, 3–9, were isolated from the gorgonian Verrucella umbraculum collected from the South China Sea. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by using modified Mosher method with the acetonide derivative of 1. Compounds 1 and 3–5 were found to show cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines (HL‐60, K562, HeLa, A‐549, and HCT‐116) with the IC50 values ranging from 2.76 to 9.62 μM.
Accounting for the influence of runoff on event soil erodibilities associated with the EI30 index in RUSLE2
Authors: Kinnell P. I. A.
Published: June 2014

Soil erodibilities (K) associated with the EI30 index vary not only with soil properties but also with soil moisture as it varies in time and space. In Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Version 2 (RUSLE2), temporal variations in soil erodibility in the USA are calculated using monthly precipitation and temperature as independent variables. KUM, the soil erodibility factor associated with the QREI30 index, varies independently of runoff and the product of KUM and the runoff ratio for the unit plot (QR1) provides an alternative to the temporally varying Ks currently used in predicting storm soil loss in RUSLE2. Comparisons were made between the product of QR1 and KUM and RUSLE2 Ks for representative storms at four locations representing the north to south variation in climate in the USA. Peak erosion associated with the current approach used in RUSLE2 was slightly higher at two locations and slightly lower at the other two locations. One other location, Morris, MN, provided an exception with the peak loss predicted by using the product of QR1 and KUM being 1.7 times that obtained using RUSLE2 Ks. In theory, average annual KUM values should be better related to soil properties than the average annual values of K frequently used when the average annual values of EI30 are used to predict soil loss. However, work has yet to be performed to determine how KUM varies directly with soil properties and in space and time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Triazole and Pyridine Hybrid Molecules as Electron‐Transport Materials for Highly Efficient Green Phosphorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Li Xiang‐Long , Ye Hua , Chen Dong‐Cheng , Liu Kun‐Kun , Xie Gao‐Zhan , Wang Yi‐Fan , Lo Chang‐Cheng , Lien A. , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong , Su Shi‐Jian
Published: June 2014

A series of triazole and pyridine hybrid molecules, with a triazole core and pyridine periphery, were designed and synthesized as an electron‐transport layer (ETL) and a hole/exciton‐block layer for green phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes. Compared with the widely‐used electron‐transport material (ETM) of 3‐(biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole (TAZ) with a triazole core, lower‐lying HOMO and LUMO energy levels were obtained with the introduction of pyridine rings onto the periphery of the molecules, giving improved electron injection and carrier confinement. Significantly reduced driving voltages were achieved in a device structure of ITO/HATCN (5 nm)/TAPC (40 nm)/CBP:8 wt % Ir(PPy)3 (10 nm)/ETL (40 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (90 nm), giving a maximum power efficiency of 72.2 lm W−1 and an external quantum efficiency of 21.8 %, due to the improved electron injection and transport and thus, more balanced carrier recombination, which are much higher than those of the device based on TAZ.
Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Fisetin, a Bioflavonoid of Strawberries, Studied in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Prasath Gopalan Sriram , Subramanian Sorimuthu Pillai
Published: June 2014

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes is associated with profound changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, with resultant alterations in particle distribution within lipoprotein classes. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the antihyperlipidemic effect of fisetin in streptozotocin‐induced experimental diabetes in rats. Upon fisetin treatment to diabetic rats, the levels of blood glucose were significantly reduced with an improvement in plasma insulin. The increased levels of lipid contents in serum, hepatic, and renal tissues observed in diabetic rats were normalized upon fisetin administration. Also, the decreased levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL (VLDL) cholesterol in serum of diabetic rats were normalized. Oil Red O staining established a large number of intracellular lipid droplets accumulation in the diabetic rats. Fisetin treatment exacerbated the degree of lipid accumulation. The results of the present study exemplify the antihyperlipidemic property of the fisetin.
Hackers, Snoopers, and Thieves: How to Handle the Latest Threats
Authors: Cytryn Allan , Beck Eric , Ross Steven
Published: June 2014

Governments have been snooping on information systems in foreign countries and in their own. However, that's only part of a greater problem. The threat of cyberattacks from a variety of sources violates confidentiality and can cause the theft, abuse, manipulation, or destruction of information. But instead of narrowly focusing on a specific type of threat, the authors advise a well‐considered program: understand the actual risks, develop an overall information security strategy, and implement advanced and persistent defenses against cyberattacks.
Why Analytics Will Be the Next Competitive Edge
Authors: Maisel Lawrence , Cokins Gary
Published: June 2014

Analytics simplify data to amplify its value. The power of analytics is to reduce huge volumes of data into revealing and actionable insight. More traditional business intelligence (BI), by contrast, mainly summarized historical data, typically in table reports and graphs. BI consumes stored information, whereas analytics produces new information.
Balance as a measurement of fatigue in postcall residents
Authors: Cuthbertson David W. , Bershad Eric M. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar Haleh , Cohen Helen S.
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine the degree to which balance is impaired by fatigue in postcall medical residents and to assess the validity of posturography in quantifying that impairment.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Methods

Medical residents underwent the following tests before and immediately after overnight call: 1) computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) using the Equitest force platform (Natus Medical Inc., Clackamas, OR); 2) Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, in which the residents stood on a compliant foam mat with closed eyes and flexed and extended their necks; 3) a computerized reaction time test (available at www.humanbenchmark.com). All tests were performed before and after call at approximately the same time of day to exclude circadian rhythm influence on fatigue. The residents also completed questionnaires, including the Stanford Sleepiness Scale, describing their level of fatigue before and after call.

Results

A statistically significant difference was found between a resident's pre‐ and postcall test with regard to reaction time (P = .01), Stanford Sleepiness Scale score (P = .001), and preference for the visual system as measured by CDP (P = .05). Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between sleep deprivation and multiple performance variables measured by CDP.

Conclusions

With the growing attention paid to resident duty hours, there is an increasing need for research involving fatigue and practical ways to measure it. This study shows that residents who are measurably fatigued (both objectively and subjectively) may have difficulty utilizing vestibular input during quiet standing but can compensate by means of somatosensory and visual input.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:337–341, 2015
Combination of electrostrictive polymers composites and electrets for energy harvesting capability
Authors: Belhora F. , Hajjaji A. , Le M. ‐Q. , Mazroui M. , Guyomar D. , Boughaleb Y. , Touhtouh S. , Lebrun L.
Published: June 2014

More recently, the development of electrostrictive polymers has generated novel opportunities for high‐strain actuators. At present, the investigation of using electrostrictive polymers for energy harvesting is beginning to show potential for this application. Basically, the relative energy gain depends on the current induced by the mechanical strain and frequency. The aim of the present experimental work is to study the composites on the basis of terpolymer P(VDF–TrFE–CFE) filled with low concentrations of copper (Cu) powders. The scanning electron microscopy was performed essentially to verify the dispersion of the fillers within the polymeric matrix. The obtained results showed a relatively homogeneous dispersion for the microsized fillers and the existence of agglomerates for their nanosized counterparts. On the other hand, our experimental data show that the harvested power as well as the current is significantly important for nano‐Cu fillers with respect to micro‐Cu fillers by a factor of 45.9% in the case of the hybridization of electrostrictive polymers and electrets. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistical assembly of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyaniline network for dye‐sensitized solar cells
Authors: Chiang Tun‐Yuan , Huang Ming‐Chao , Tsai Chien‐Huang
Published: June 2014

In this study, an aniline (ANI) solution containing well‐dispersed multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been prepared. With an aim of improving the dispersability of CNTs in ANI monomer, we synthesize CNTs/ANI complexes using a reflux technique which can be electrochemically polymerized to form well‐dispersed CNTs/polyaniline (PANI) films. The refluxed CNTs/ANI solution can be used to prepare high porous CNTs/PANI network via an electrochemical polymerization for applying as counter electrodes in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Compared with the pristine PANI, the multiwalled CNTs/PANI network shows more porous morphology and higher electrocatalytic activity, resulting in the acceleration of the reaction (triiodide (I3−) to iodide (I−)) of the redox electrolyte. The enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the interactions between multiwalled CNTs and PANI, promoting the quinoid ring structure and thus enhancing the conductivity of the polymer chains. The device, assembled with multiwalled CNTs/PANI network as counter electrodes, delivers 7.67% power conversion efficiency, which is comparable to 7.43% of that with Pt. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of 5p deletion syndrome in a female fetus leading to identification of the same diagnosis in her mother
Authors: Nguyen Joanne Macayran , Gamble Candace , Smith Janice L. , Raia Marianna , Johnson Anthony , Czerwinski Jennifer
Published: June 2014

What's already known about this topic?

Elevated or decreased human chorionic gonadotrophin from second trimester maternal serum screens have been seen in pregnancies affected with 5p deletion syndrome (5p−syndrome).

Clinical variability does exist for 5p−syndrome, although the more severe, classic presentation is best described with limited descriptions available for milder presentations.

What does this study add?

Analyte values were normal in this case that suggests that normal fetal anatomy and maternal serum analytes may be present in the second trimester of pregnancy in cases of 5p−syndrome.

It is important to further define the mild end of the 5p−phenotypic spectrum that may allow increased recognition of previously undiagnosed, affected individuals.
Actuarial Risk Analysis to Promote National Contingency Plan (NCP)‐Consistent Remediation
Authors: Herman Kurt
Published: June 2014

This article provides a case study of how green and sustainable remediation (GSR) concepts (including, but not limited to, worker risk) can be incorporated into the existing National Contingency Plan (NCP)/Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) remedy selection framework. The occupational risks of worker fatalities and injuries associated with two site remediation alternatives were calculated and compared. The results demonstrated that the increased worker risks associated with one of the remedy alternatives rendered it inferior based on the NCP “Balancing Criteria” of short‐term effectiveness. This type of approach is implementable at many sites by leveraging readily available information at the remedy selection stage using published methods and data sources. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microbially Mediated In Situ Desorption Accelerates Remediation of Large Gasoline Product Plume
Authors: Fowler Troy , Martin Chris
Published: June 2014

Remediation of a large separate‐phase hydrocarbon product and associated dissolved‐phase gasoline plume was accelerated by coupling multiphase extraction with in situ microbial stimulation. At the beginning of remediation activities, the separate‐phase hydrocarbon plume extended an estimated seven acres with product thickness measuring up to 2.1 feet thick. Within 18 months after beginning extraction, reduction of gasoline constituents in groundwater became asymptotic and measureable product disappeared from the upgradient source area. At that time, the remediation team initiated a program of limited in situ anaerobic bioremediation with the goal of stimulating production of natural surfactants from native microbes to release petroleum from the soil matrix. Groundwater concentrations of gasoline constituents increased gradually over the next three years, improving recovery without biofouling the pump‐and‐treat infrastructure. Using this approach, the groundwater component of the remedy was completed in less than five years, substantially less than the 10 years to 15 years predicted by modeling. This strategy demonstrated a more sustainable approach to remediation, reducing electrical usage by an estimated 800 megawatt hours, reducing infrastructure requirements, and preserving an estimated 150 million gallons of groundwater for this arid agricultural area. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serviceability uncertainties in flat slabs
Authors: Scott Richard
Published: June 2014

Service load tests on the 6th floor of the full‐scale reinforced concrete building at BRE Cardington are described. Both deflections and reinforcement strains were measured. Finite element analyses of the floor slab were then undertaken using the measured material properties and four different models for the behaviour of the concrete in tension, the tension stiffening effect being known to influence slab behaviour significantly. Calculated deflections and reinforcement strains from the four analyses were compared with values measured in the load tests. As a consequence, comments, reservations and recommendations are made concerning the use of FE analyses for predicting deflections and reinforcement strains. Finally, the need to appreciate and accommodate the indeterminate nature of many of the parameters involved is emphasized.
Bella Sky Hotel – taking precast concrete to the limit
Authors: Dahl Kaare K. B.
Published: June 2014

The Bella Sky Hotel consists of two towers each leaning away from each other at an angle of 15°. The basic principle is vertical loadbearing walls with precast concrete hollow‐core floor slabs.

At the ends of the building, inclined walls are used to carry the vertical walls above where they are undercut. At these junctions the horizontal forces induced by turning the vertical forces are huge, and need to be transferred through the floors into the longitudinal walls. The complexity of the structure comes from the number of openings in these walls for doors and services in conjunction with the enormity of the horizontal loads from the lean of the building.

The use of precast elements meant that the forces had to be transferred through the joints in the elements. Severe reinforcement congestion – plus the fact that most of the geometry throughout the building is unique – led to an enormous design and engineering effort required to produce a solution.

The final result is a simple, elegant hotel structure that with one of the greatest leans of any building worldwide jumps into the record books.
The influence of assets and environmental factors on gender differences in adolescent drug use
Authors: Aspy Cheryl B. , Tolma Eleni L. , Oman Roy F. , Vesely Sara K.
Published: June 2014

For adolescents, illicit drug use remains a significant public health problem. This study explored prospectively the differential effects of 17 youth assets and 5 environmental factors on drug use in adolescent males and females (Youth Asset Study – a 5‐wave longitudinal study of 1117 youth/parent pairs). Baseline analyses included 1093 youth (53% female). Mean age was 14.3 years (SD = 1.6) and the youth were 40% Non‐Hispanic White, 28% Hispanic, 24% Non‐Hispanic Black, and 9% Non‐Hispanic other. Analyses revealed that 16 assets for males and 15 for females as well as the total asset score were prospectively associated with no drug use. No environmental factors were prospectively associated with any drug use for males, and for a subset of females, only Neighborhood Support was significant. This study confirms and extends previous work regarding youth drug use by recognizing the importance of the protective effect of assets for both males and females.
Effect of large bulk viscosity on large-Reynolds-number flows
Authors: Cramer M. S. , Bahmani F.
Published: June 2014

We examine the inviscid and boundary-layer approximations in fluids having bulk viscosities which are large compared with their shear viscosities for three-dimensional steady flows over rigid bodies. We examine the first-order corrections to the classical lowest-order inviscid and laminar boundary-layer flows using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. It is shown that the effects of large bulk viscosity are non-negligible when the ratio of bulk to shear viscosity is of the order of the square root of the Reynolds number. The first-order outer flow is seen to be rotational, non-isentropic and viscous but nevertheless slips at the inner boundary. First-order corrections to the boundary-layer flow include a variation of the thermodynamic pressure across the boundary layer and terms interpreted as heat sources in the energy equation. The latter results are a generalization and verification of the predictions of Emanuel (Phys. Fluids A, vol. 4, 1992, pp. 491–495).