bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BP’S CONSTRUCTION OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY ON ITS WEBSITE: A CASE STUDY OF DISCURSIVE LEGITIMIZATION
Authors: Trčková Dita
Published: March 2015

The paper presents a critical discourse analysis of the website of one of the world’s major oil companies, Beyond Petroleum (BP), formerly British Petroleum, with the focus on investigating the construction of BP’s corporate identity. The analysis reveals that BP enacts multiple positive discursive roles, including the identities of an indispensable organization, a philanthropist, an environmentally conscious company, an explorer, a researcher, an educator and an American dream achiever. These roles serve as a potent legitimizing strategy since they enable BP to be associated with higher social and moral values. The analysis shows that BP’s environmentally protective ethos adopts the ideology of the domination of human beings over nature through technology, an ideology which is suited to the company’s profit-making purpose.
Les parties prenantes consuméristes et l’impact de leur dynamique collective pour les entreprises
Authors: Roux Dominique , Chevalier Corinne , Nabec Lydiane
Published: March 2015

Analysant les différents acteurs engagés dans la protection du consommateur, cet article vise à montrer que l’émergence de nouvelles parties prenantes consuméristes et leur dynamique d’action imposent aux entreprises de les connaître et d’y faire face. Au-delà du diagnostic de leur pouvoir, de leur légitimité et de l’urgence avec laquelle elles imposent aux entreprises de réagir, nous retraçons, au travers de quatre cas d’actions collectives, la manière dont ces parties prenantes se coalisent et le rôle moteur qu’y jouent les consommateurs. Cette dynamique appelle des réflexions de la part des entreprises quant aux modalités de réaction et de prévention qui sont discutées à la fin de cet article.
Schiavi, poveri e benefattori nell’Anatolia tardoantica: la visione socio-economica delle comunità enkratite attraverso gli atti apocrifi degli apostoli
Authors: Filippini Alister
Published: March 2015

Different sources (epigrahical, literary, apocryphal) can be used to analyse the Christian heretical sects connected to an enkratite movement (Enkratites, Apotactites, Sakkophoroi, Hydroparastatai, Aerians), which was characterised by radical forms of self-restraint (

). Epigraphical documents are helpful in setting these communities in the rural background of late antique Anatolia (4th-5th cent. AD). On the other side the apocryphal acts of the apostles – specially the so called

from the

and the

– offer important hints on social and economic ideas developed by Enkratites, in particular concerning the most debated issues of evangelic poverty, emancipation of slaves and social assistance to poor and sick, with the foundation of hospices (

).
Vision Stations: Addressing Corrective Vision Needs with Low-cost Technologies
Authors: Martin Stephen A. , Frutiger Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2015

Eyeglasses, required for functional vision by nearly half the world's population, are still needed by more than a billion people. There are a number of constraints on the provision of eyeglasses: product cost, durability, and appearance; traditional approaches to evaluating refraction; and sustainably scaling potential distribution methods. We offer our experience with an immigrant population in a US urban setting using a “Vision Station.” The station allowed for immediate provision of adjustable glasses using self-refraction, ordering of custom lenses from a low-cost website, and referral to primary and eye care physicians for those with medical eye concerns. As with models in development by other groups, Vision Stations connect people with the life-changing provision of functional vision.
Registered report: Intestinal inflammation targets cancer-inducing activity of the microbiota
Authors: Eaton Kate , Yang Wanwan ,   Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology
Published: March 2015

The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology seeks to address growing concerns about reproducibility in scientific research by conducting replications of 50 papers in the field of cancer biology published between 2010 and 2012. This Registered report describes the proposed replication plan of key experiments from ‘Intestinal Inflammation Targets Cancer-Inducing Activity of the Microbiota’ by Arthur et al. (2012), published in Science in 2012. Arthur and colleagues identified a genotoxic island in Escherichia coli NC101 that appeared to be responsible for causing neoplastic lesions in inflammation-induced IL10−/− mice treated with azoxymethane. The experiments that will be replicated are those reported in Figure 4 (Arthur et al., 2012). Arthur and colleagues inoculated IL10−/− mice with a mutated strain of E. coli NC101 lacking the genotoxic island, and showed that those mice suffered from fewer neoplastic lesions than mice inoculated with the wild type form of E. coli NC101 (Figure 4). The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology is a collaboration between the Center for Open Science and Science Exchange, and the results of the replications will be published by eLife.
Estimation of soil salinity in a drip irrigation system by using joint inversion of multicoil electromagnetic induction measurements
Authors: Jadoon Khan Zaib , Moghadas Davood , Jadoon Aurangzeb , Missimer Thomas M. , Al‐Mashharawi Samir K. , McCabe Matthew F.
Published: March 2015

Low frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI) is becoming a useful tool for soil characterization due to its fast measurement capability and sensitivity to soil moisture and salinity. In this research, a new EMI system (the CMD mini‐Explorer) is used for subsurface characterization of soil salinity in a drip irrigation system via a joint inversion approach of multiconfiguration EMI measurements. EMI measurements were conducted across a farm where Acacia trees are irrigated with brackish water. In situ measurements of vertical bulk electrical conductivity (σb) were recorded in different pits along one of the transects to calibrate the EMI measurements and to compare with the modeled electrical conductivity (σ) obtained by the joint inversion of multiconfiguration EMI measurements. Estimates of σ were then converted into the universal standard of soil salinity measurement (i.e., electrical conductivity of a saturated soil paste extract – ECe). Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was repeatedly measured with the CMD mini‐Explorer to investigate the temperature stability of the new system at a fixed location, where the ambient air temperature increased from 26°C to 46°C. Results indicate that the new EMI system is very stable in high temperature environments, especially above 40°C, where most other approaches give unstable measurements. In addition, the distribution pattern of soil salinity is well estimated quantitatively by the joint inversion of multicomponent EMI measurements. The approach of joint inversion of EMI measurements allows for the quantitative mapping of the soil salinity distribution pattern and can be utilized for the management of soil salinity.
Techniques to determine the quiet day curve for a long period of subionospheric VLF observations
Authors: Cresswell‐Moorcock Kathy , Rodger Craig J. , Clilverd Mark A. , Milling David K.
Published: March 2015

Very low frequency (VLF) transmissions propagating between the conducting Earth's surface and lower edge of the ionosphere have been used for decades to study the effect of space weather events on the upper atmosphere. The VLF response to these events can only be quantified by comparison of the observed signal to the estimated quiet time or undisturbed signal levels, known as the quiet day curve (QDC). A common QDC calculation approach for periods of investigation of up to several weeks is to use observations made on quiet days close to the days of interest. This approach is invalid when conditions are not quiet around the days of interest. Longer‐term QDCs have also been created from specifically identified quiet days within the period and knowledge of propagation characteristics. This approach is time consuming and can be subjective. We present three algorithmic techniques, which are based on either (1) a mean of previous days' observations, (2) principal component analysis, or (3) the fast Fourier transform (FFT), to calculate the QDC for a long‐period VLF data set without identification of specific quiet days as a basis. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the techniques at identifying the true QDCs of synthetic data sets created to mimic patterns seen in actual VLF data including responses to space weather events. We find that the most successful technique is to use a smoothing method, developed within the study, on the data set and then use the developed FFT algorithm. This technique is then applied to multiyear data sets of actual VLF observations.
Treatment Algorithms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Muangchan Chayawee , van Vollenhoven Ronald F. , Bernatsky Sasha R. , Smith C. Douglas , Hudson Marie , Inanç Murat , Rothfield Naomi F. , Nash Peter T. , Furie Richard A. , Senécal Jean‐Luc , Chandran Vinod , Burgos‐Vargas Ruben , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind , Pope Janet E.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To establish agreement on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatment.

Methods

SLE experts (n = 69) were e‐mailed scenarios and indicated preferred treatments. Algorithms were constructed and agreement determined (≥50% respondents indicating ≥70% agreement).

Results

Initially, 54% (n = 37) responded suggesting treatment for scenarios; 13 experts rated agreement with scenarios. Fourteen of 16 scenarios had agreement as follows: discoid lupus: first‐line therapy was topical agents and hydroxychloroquine and/or glucocorticoids then azathioprine and subsequently mycophenolate (mofetil); uncomplicated cutaneous vasculitis: initial treatment was glucocorticoids ± hydroxychloroquine ± methotrexate, followed by azathioprine or mycophenolate and then cyclophosphamide; arthritis: initial therapy was hydroxychloroquine and/or glucocorticoids, then methotrexate and subsequently rituximab; pericarditis: first‐line therapy was nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, then glucocorticoids with/without hydroxychloroquine, then azathioprine, mycophenolate, or methotrexate and finally belimumab or rituximab, and/or a pericardial window; interstitial lung disease/alveolitis: induction was glucocorticoids and mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide, then rituximab or intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), and maintenance followed with azathioprine or mycophenolate; pulmonary hypertension: glucocorticoids and mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide and an endothelin receptor antagonist were initial therapies, subsequent treatments were phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors and then prostanoids and rituximab; antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: standard anticoagulation with/without hydroxychloroquine, then a thrombin inhibitor for venous thrombosis, versus adding aspirin or platelet inhibition drugs for arterial events; mononeuritis multiplex and central nervous system vasculitis: first‐line therapy was glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide followed by maintenance with azathioprine or mycophenolate, and then rituximab, IVIG, or plasmapheresis; and serious lupus nephritis: first‐line therapy was glucocorticoids and mycophenolate, then cyclophosphamide then rituximab.

Conclusion

We established variable agreement on treatment approaches. For some treatment decisions there was good agreement between experts even if no randomized controlled trial data were available.
Iron‐Catalyzed Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC) of Indoles and Benzylic CH Bonds
Authors: Guo Shuaibo , Li Yaxuan , Wang Yu , Guo Xin , Meng Xu , Chen Baohua
Published: March 2015

An efficient method for the synthesis of 3‐alkylated indoles is described. The oxidative cross‐coupling reaction of diphenylmethane derivatives with indoles at the C‐3 position was achieved employing the N,N‐dimethylcarbamoyl moiety as an auxiliary group in the presence of iron(II) chloride (FeCl2) and 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyanoquinone (DDQ).

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Intermolecular Dearomatization Reaction of Pyrroles Promoted by Silica Gel
Authors: Zhou Yong , Zhuo Chun‐Xiang , Gu Qing , You Shu‐Li
Published: March 2015

An efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 2H‐pyrrole derivatives via a silica gel‐promoted intermolecular dearomative Michael addition of pyrroles with α,β‐unsaturated ketones has been developed. This transformation features environmentally benign promoter, high efficiency, wide substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.

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Identifizierung von niedermolekularen kovalenten Bromodomäne‐Bindern aus einer DNA‐kodierten Bibliothek
Authors: Daguer Jean‐Pierre , Zambaldo Claudio , Abegg Daniel , Barluenga Sofia , Tallant Cynthia , Müller Susanne , Adibekian Alexander , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: March 2015

Die Regulierung von transkriptionellen Programmen durch epigenetische Leser (Bromodomänen) wurde mit der Entwicklung von mehreren Krankheiten in Zusammenhang gebracht. Sie ist vor allem bei der Regulierung des Zellwachstums, Umgehung der Apoptose, bei Krebs sowie bei Entzündungskrankheiten beteiligt. Die Entdeckung niedermolekularer Sonden, um die Rolle der Bromodomänen zu studieren, hat daher eine große Bedeutung. Wir zeigen, dass spezifische konservierte Cysteine in den Bromodomänen kovalent abgefangen werden können. Wir berichten über die Entdeckung von zwei niedermolekularen Substanzen, die eine kovalente Bindung mit konservierten Cysteinen in der Familie von Bromodomänen eingehen, analysieren die Teilmenge an Bromodomänen die durch die kovalente Bindung angesprochen werden kann und demonstrieren Proteomanalysen durch Anreicherung von Bromodomänen aus nativen Zell‐Lysaten.
An Efficient One‐Pot Four‐Segment Condensation Method for Protein Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Tang Shan , Si Yan‐Yan , Wang Zhi‐Peng , Mei Kun‐Rong , Chen Xin , Cheng Jing‐Yuan , Zheng Ji‐Shen , Liu Lei
Published: March 2015

Successive peptide ligation using a one‐pot method can improve the efficiency of protein chemical synthesis. Although one‐pot three‐segment ligation has enjoyed widespread application, a robust method for one‐pot four‐segment ligation had to date remained undeveloped. Herein we report a new one‐pot multisegment peptide ligation method that can be used to condense up to four segments with operational simplicity and high efficiency. Its practicality is demonstrated by the one‐pot four‐segment synthesis of a plant protein, crambin, and a human chemokine, hCCL21.
Total Synthesis of Schilancitrilactones B and C
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Hengtao , Li Yihang , Tang Pingping
Published: March 2015

The first total syntheses of schilancitrilactones B and C have been accomplished in 17 steps (longest linear sequence) from commercially available materials. Key steps include an intramolecular radical cyclization to provide the seven‐membered ring, late‐stage iodination, and an intermolecular radical addition reaction to complete the total synthesis.
Laboratory scale study on rheological behavior, morphological and structural properties of crosslinked polyacrylamide composite hydrogels embedded with date seed powder
Authors: Adewunmi Ahmad. A. , Ismail Suzylawati , Sultan Abdullah. S.
Published: March 2015

Incorporation of biofillers in polymeric hydrogels has continued to receive great attention in recent times because of their excellent properties. In this study, polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were used to develop novel composite hydrogels filled with date seed powder (DSP) via chemical crosslinking technique. Pristine PAM/PEI hydrogel and PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels at various DSP loadings were fabricated and subjected to gelation at 40°C for 24 h. The impact of various DSP loadings on the hydrogel samples developed was investigated using hybrid rheometer, SEM, XRD, and FTIR instruments, respectively. Rheological measurements confirmed the viscoelastic responses of the neat PAM/PEI hydrogel and the PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels reinforced with various DSP contents (0.8, 2.4, and 4 wt %). The dynamic strain, dynamic frequency and time sweep tests demonstrated that PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels were slightly more elastic than the virgin PAM/PEI hydrogel. The SEM characterization revealed the surface micrographs of the neat PAM/PEI hydrogel and the PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels at different DSP loadings to be smooth, homogeneous, and dense. Besides, the SEM micrographs supported the incorporation of DSP in the PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogel samples. XRD analysis showed that the structures of neat PAM/PEI hydrogel and PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels filled with various DSP contents were predominantly amorphous while FTIR results confirmed the functional groups and evidence of crosslinking in the neat PAM/PEI hydrogel and the PAM/PEI‐DSP hydrogels embedded with different DSP contents. It is believed that these new hydrogels have huge development potentials and promising future in wastewater treatment and removal of heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42110.
Influence of complexing treatment and epoxy resin coating on the properties of aramid fiber reinforced natural rubber
Authors: Jin Zhong , Luo Zhu , Yang Shirun , Lu Shengjun
Published: March 2015

In this work, natural rubber/aramid fiber (NR/AF) composites were prepared with master batch method. AF was modified by using epoxy resin (EP) and accelerator 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (2E4MZ) through surface coating on the basis of the complexing treatment with CaCl2 solution. Hydroxyl‐terminated liquid isoprene rubber (LIR) was regarded as a compatibilizer between EP and NR. It is found that the crystallinity on AF surface is decreased by complexing reaction with CaCl2 solution. Swelling and mechanical properties of the vulcanized composites, such as swelling degree, tensile and tear strength, tensile modulus at 300% elongation, are measured, and the tensile fracture morphology and dynamic mechanical analysis of the composites are investigated. The results show that the mechanical properties of composites with modified fibers are improved obviously and interfacial adhesion between matrix and the fiber is enhanced, especially for the AF coated with EP and imidazole. The best comprehensive mechanical properties of the composites are obtained with using CaCl2‐EP/2E4MZ system when the ratio of m(EP)/m(AF) is 3%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42122.
Synthesis, characterization, thermal stability, and compatibility properties of poly(vinylp‐nitrobenzal acetal)‐g‐polyglycidylazides
Authors: Chen Congdi , Jin Bo , Peng Rufang , Huang Hengjian , Chu Shijin , Dong Haishan
Published: March 2015

A series of energetic polymers, poly(vinylp‐nitrobenzal acetal)‐g‐polyglycidylazides (PVPNB‐g‐GAPs), are obtained via cross‐linking reactions of poly(vinylp‐nitrobenzal acetal) (PVPNB) with four different molecular weights polyglycidylazides (GAPs) using toluene diisocyanate as cross‐linking agent. The structures of the energetic polymers are characterized by ultraviolet visible spectra (UV‐Vis), attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FT‐IR),1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (1H NMR), and13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (13C NMR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is applied to evaluate the glass‐transition temperature of the polymers. DSC traces illustrate that PVPNB‐g−2#GAP, PVPNB‐g−3#GAP, and PVPNB‐g−4#GAP have two distinct glass‐transition temperatures, whereas PVPNB‐g−1#GAP has one. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) are used to evaluate the thermal decomposition behavior of the four polymers and their compatibility with the main energetic components of TNT‐based melt‐cast explosives, such as cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylene‐trinitramine (RDX), triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB), and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT). The DTA and TGA curves obtained indicate that the polymers have excellent resistance to thermal decomposition up to 200°C. PVPNB‐g−4#GAP also exhibits good compatibility and could be safely used with TNT, HMX, and TATB but not with RDX. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 42126.
Kinetic and thermodynamic control in conductive PP/PMMA/EAA carbon black composites
Authors: Brigandi Paul J. , Cogen Jeffrey M. , Wolf Casey A. , Reffner John R. , Pearson Raymond A.
Published: March 2015

Multiphase polymer blends provide unique morphologies to reduce the percolation concentration and increase conductivity of carbon‐based polymer composites via selective distribution of the conductive filler. In this work, the kinetic and thermodynamic effects on a series of multiphase conductive polymer composites were investigated. The electrical conductivity of carbon black (CB)‐filled conductive polymer blend composites comprising polypropylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and ethylene–acrylic acid were determined as a function of compounding sequence and annealing time. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were found to influence the conductivity. Phase morphology and conductivity at short annealing times were influenced by the compounding sequence where the CB was added after being premixed with one of the polymer components or directly added to the three‐component polymer melt. However, they were thermodynamically driven at longer annealing times; the resistivity was found to decrease by a statistically significant amount to similar levels for all the composite systems with increasing annealing time. The increase in conductivity at longer annealing times was determined to be the result of changes in the phase morphology from sea‐island, dispersed microstructure to a tri‐continuous morphology rather than change in localization of CB, given that the CB was found to be entirely located in the EAA phase even at short annealing times (and independent of compounding sequence), where the conductivity was not measurable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42134.
Crystallization and mechanical behavior of covalent functionalized carbon nanotube/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) nanocomposites
Authors: Jiang Ni , Abe Hideki
Published: March 2015

To improve the dispersity of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co−3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) matrix, MWCNTs functionalized with carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, and atactic poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate) (ataPHB) through acid oxidation, esterification reaction, and “grafting from” method, respectively, were used to fabricate nanofiller/PHBV nanocomposites. The crystallization behavior, dispersion of MWCNTs before and after functionalization in PHBV matrices, and mechanical properties of a series of nanocomposites were investigated. The differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscope results suggested that the four types of MWCNTs acted as effective heterogeneous nucleation agents, inducing an increase in the crystallization rate, crystallinity, and crystallite size. Scanning electron microscope observations demonstrated that functionalized MWCNTs showed improved dispersion comparing with MWCNTs, suggesting an enhanced interfacial interaction between PHBV and functionalized MWCNTs. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the functionalized MWCNTs/PHBV nanocomposites have been improved as evident from dynamic mechanical and static tensile tests. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42136.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Novel 4‐Bromo‐1H‐Indazole Derivatives as FtsZ Inhibitors
Authors: Wang Yi , Yan Mi , Ma Ruixin , Ma Shutao
Published: March 2015

A series of novel 4‐bromo‐1H‐indazole derivatives as filamentous temperature‐sensitive protein Z (FtsZ) inhibitors were designed, synthesized, and assayed for their in vitro antibacterial activity against various phenotypes of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and their cell division inhibitory activity. The results indicated that this series showed better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and penicillin‐susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes than the other tested strains. Among them, compounds 12 and 18 exhibited 256‐fold and 256‐fold more potent activity than 3‐methoxybenzamide (3‐MBA) against penicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and compound 18 showed 64‐fold better activity than 3‐MBA but 4‐fold weaker activity than ciprofloxacin in the inhibition of S. aureus ATCC29213. Particularly, compound 9 presented the best activity (4 µg/mL) against S. pyogenes PS, being 32‐fold, 32‐fold, and 2‐fold more active than 3‐MBA, curcumin, and ciprofloxacin, respectively, but it was four times less active than oxacillin sodium. In addition, some synthesized compounds displayed moderate inhibition of cell division against S. aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, sharing a minimum cell division concentration of 128 µg/mL.
Topiramate use during pregnancy and major congenital malformations in multiple populations
Authors: Tennis Patricia , Chan K. Arnold , Curkendall Suellen M. , Li De‐Kun , Mines Daniel , Peterson Craig , Andrews Elizabeth B. , Calingaert Brian , Chen Hong Y. , Deshpande Gaurav , Everage Nicholas , Holick Crystal N. , Meyer Nicole M. , Nkhoma Ella T. , Quinn Sherry , Rothman Kenneth J. , Esposito Daina B.
Published: March 2015

Background

We measured birth prevalence of major congenital malformations (MCMs) after topiramate use during pregnancy to screen for a possible signal of increased risk.

Methods

Using four healthcare databases, we identified three cohorts of pregnant women: cohort 1, used topiramate during the first trimester; cohort 2, used topiramate or another antiepileptic drug previously but not during pregnancy; and cohort 3, were pregnant and did not use topiramate but had indications for use individually matched to those of users. Cohort 1 was compared with cohorts 2 and 3. MCMs were a code for any major congenital malformation dated within 30 days of the delivery date on the mother's claims or within 365 days after infant birth date, excluding a genetic or syndromic basis, and with procedure or healthcare usage consistent with the MCM diagnosis code in the 365 days after infant birth.

Results

Of the 10 specific common MCMs evaluated, 1 (conotruncal heart defects) had a prevalence ratio greater than 1.5 for both primary comparisons, and 4 (ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, hypospadias, coarctation of the aorta) had a prevalence ratio greater than 1.5 for one of the two comparisons. Following screening of organ systems with elevated MCMs, the prevalence ratio was greater than 1.5 for patent ductus arteriosus in both comparisons and for obstructive genitourinary defects in one comparison.

Conclusion

To evaluate a large number of MCMs across many pregnancies, we used crude methods for detecting potential signals. Therefore, these results should be seen as potential signals, not causal. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:269–275, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A genome‐wide study of inherited deletions identified two regions associated with nonsyndromic isolated oral clefts
Authors: Younkin Samuel G. , Scharpf Robert B. , Schwender Holger , Parker Margaret M. , Scott Alan F. , Marazita Mary L. , Beaty Terri H. , Ruczinski Ingo
Published: March 2015

Background

DNA copy number variants play an important part in the development of common birth defects such as oral clefts. Individual patients with multiple birth defects (including oral clefts) have been shown to carry small and large chromosomal deletions.

Methods

We investigated the role of polymorphic copy number deletions by comparing transmission rates of deletions from parents to offspring in case‐parent trios of European ancestry ascertained through a cleft proband with trios ascertained through a normal offspring. DNA copy numbers in trios were called using the joint hidden Markov model in the freely available PennCNV software. All statistical analyses were performed using Bioconductor tools in the open source environment R.

Results

We identified a 67 kb region in the gene MGAM on chromosome 7q34, and a 206 kb region overlapping genes ADAM3A and ADAM5 on chromosome 8p11, where deletions are more frequently transmitted to cleft offspring than control offspring.

Conclusions

These genes or nearby regulatory elements may be involved in the etiology of oral clefts. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:276–283, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multiscale view of therapeutic protein aggregation: A colloid science perspective
Authors: Nicoud Lucrèce , Owczarz Marta , Arosio Paolo , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: March 2015

The formation of aggregates in protein‐based pharmaceuticals is a major issue that can compromise drug safety and drug efficacy. With a view to improving protein stability, considerable effort is put forth to unravel the fundamental mechanisms underlying the aggregation process. However, therapeutic protein aggregation is a complex multistep phenomenon that involves time and length scales spanning several orders of magnitude, and strategies addressing protein aggregation inhibition are currently still largely empirical in practice. Here, we review how key concepts developed in the frame of colloid science can be applied to gain knowledge on the kinetics and thermodynamics of therapeutic protein aggregation across different length scales. In particular, we discuss the use of coarse‐grained molecular interaction potentials to quantify protein colloidal stability. We then show how population balance equations simulations can provide insights into the mechanisms of aggregate formation at the mesoscale, and we highlight the strength of the concept of fractal scaling to quantify irregular aggregate morphologies. Finally, we correlate the macroscopic rheological properties of protein solutions with the occupied volume fraction and the aggregate structure. Overall, this work illustrates the power and limitations of colloidal approaches in the multiscale description of the aggregation of therapeutic proteins.
Covalent coupling of gum arabic onto superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI cell labeling: physicochemical and in vitro characterization
Authors: Palma Susana I. C. J. , Carvalho Alexandra , Silva Joana , Martins Pedro , Marciello Marzia , Fernandes Alexandra R. , del Puerto Morales Maria , Roque Ana C. A.
Published: March 2015

Gum arabic (GA) is a hydrophilic composite polysaccharide derived from exudates of Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees. It is biocompatible, possesses emulsifying and stabilizing properties and has been explored as coating agent of nanomaterials for biomedical applications, namely magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Previous studies focused on the adsorption of GA onto MNPs produced by co‐precipitation methods. In this work, MNPs produced by a thermal decomposition method, known to produce uniform particles with better crystalline properties, were used for the covalent coupling of GA through its free amine groups, which increases the stability of the coating layer. The MNPs were produced by thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3 in organic solvent and, after ligand‐exchange with meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), GA coating was achieved by the establishment of a covalent bond between DMSA and GA moieties. Clusters of several magnetic cores entrapped in a shell of GA were obtained, with good colloidal stability and promising magnetic relaxation properties (r2/r1 ratio of 350). HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cell line was used for in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation and cell‐labeling efficiency studies. We show that, upon administration at the respective IC50, GA coating enhances MNP cellular uptake by 19 times compared to particles bearing only DMSA moieties. Accordingly, in vitro MR images of cells incubated with increasing concentrations of GA‐coated MNP present dose‐dependent contrast enhancement. The obtained results suggest that the GA magnetic nanosystem could be used as a MRI contrast agent for cell‐labeling applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postsynaptic gephyrin clustering controls the development of adult‐born granule cells in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Deprez Francine , Pallotto Marta , Vogt Fabia , Grabiec Marta , Virtanen Mari A. , Tyagarajan Shiva K. , Panzanelli Patrizia , Fritschy Jean‐Marc
Published: March 2015

In adult rodent olfactory bulb, GABAergic signaling regulates migration, differentiation, and synaptic integration of newborn granule cells (GCs), migrating from the subventricular zone. Here we show that these effects depend on the formation of a postsynaptic scaffold organized by gephyrin—the main scaffolding protein of GABAergic synapses, which anchors receptors and signaling molecules to the postsynaptic density—and are regulated by the phosphorylation status of gephyrin. Using lentiviral vectors to selectively transfect adult‐born GCs, we observed that overexpression of the phospho‐deficient gephyrin mutant eGFP‐gephyrin(S270A), which facilitates the formation of supernumerary GABAergic synapses in vitro, favors dendritic branching and the formation of transient GABAergic synapses on spines, identified by the presence of α2‐GABAARs. In contrast, overexpression of the dominant‐negative eGFP‐gephyrin(L2B) (a chimera that is enzymatically active but clustering defective), curtailed dendritic growth, spine formation, and long‐term survival of GCs, pointing to the essential role of gephyrin cluster formation for its function. We could exclude any gephyrin overexpression artifacts, as GCs infected with eGFP‐gephyrin were comparable to those infected with eGFP alone. The opposite effects induced by the two gephyrin mutant constructs indicate that the gephyrin scaffold at GABAergic synapses orchestrates signaling cascades acting on the cytoskeleton to regulate neuronal growth and synapse formation. Specifically, gephyrin phosphorylation emerges as a novel mechanism regulating morphological differentiation and long‐term survival of adult‐born olfactory bulb neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1998–2016, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An artificial DNA for self‐descripting and self‐building embedded real‐time systems
Authors: Brinkschulte Uwe
Published: March 2015

Embedded systems are growing more and more complex because of the increasing chip integration density, larger number of chips in distributed applications, and demanding application fields (e.g., in cars and in households). Bio‐inspired techniques like self‐organization are a key feature to handle this complexity. However, self‐organization needs a guideline for setting up and managing the system. In biology, the structure and organization of a system are coded in its DNA. In this paper, we present an approach to use an artificial DNA for that purpose. Because many embedded systems can be composed from a limited number of basic elements, the structure and parameters of such systems can be stored in a compact way, representing an artificial DNA deposited in each computation node. This leads to a self‐describing system. Based on the DNA, the self‐organization mechanisms can build the system autonomously, providing a self‐building system. System repair and optimization at runtime are also possible, leading to higher robustness, dependability, and flexibility. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factor‐Optical‐Factor Exchanges Method: a new load balancing method for Extended Optical Transpose Interconnection System‐n‐Cube networks
Authors: Al‐Sadi Jehad A.
Published: March 2015

The Optical Transpose Interconnection System (OTIS) optoelectronic interconnection network architecture is a promising attraction in the new era of parallel computing topologies because of its attractive topological properties. Recently, many enhancements were presented on OTIS topologies including the Extended OTIS‐n‐Cube interconnection networks. Therefore, all performance improvement characteristics of such a promising architecture need to be investigated; one of which is load balancing technique. This paper focuses on developing an efficient algorithm for load balancing on the promising Extended OTIS‐n‐Cube interconnection networks. The proposed algorithm is called Factor‐Optical‐Factor Exchange Model. Furthermore, this paper presents theoretical and experimental study on the proposed algorithm in terms of various parameters including execution time, load balancing accuracy, number of communication steps, and speed. Results show superiority of the proposed algorithm over the well‐known Clustered Dimension Exchange Method (CDEM) algorithm in terms of execution time, number of communication steps, and speed, while maintaining the same level of accuracy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted delivery of protein and gene medicines through the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Pardridge WM
Published: March 2015

The development of biologic drugs (recombinant proteins, therapeutic antibodies, peptides, nucleic acid therapeutics) as new treatments of brain disorders has been difficult, and a major reason is the lack of transport through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) of these large molecule pharmaceuticals. Biologic drugs can be re‐engineered as brain‐penetrating neuropharmaceuticals using BBB molecular Trojan horse technology. Certain peptidomimetic monoclonal antibodies that target endogenous receptors on the BBB, such as the insulin or transferrin receptor, enable the re‐engineering of biologic drugs that cross the BBB.
Mechanochemical Ritter Reaction: A Rapid Approach to Functionalized Amides at Room Temperature
Authors: Dokli Irena , Gredičak Matija
Published: March 2015

A fast and efficient mechanochemical Ritter reaction between alcohols and nitriles under mild conditions is demonstrated. The reaction proceeds rapidly at room temperature in a solvent‐free or low‐solvent environment by using a Brønsted acid catalyst. Its general application has been verified through a substrate screening comprising a wide range of functionalized nitriles as well as secondary and tertiary alcohols.
Uptake of perfluoroalkyl acids in the leaves of coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved trees
Authors: Zhang Huanhuan , Liu Wei , He Xin , Wang Yu , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2015

Analytical methods for determining perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in leaves were developed to quantify a suite of analytes in both coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved trees. Sodium hydroxide-methanol and solid-phase extraction was selected as the extracting and cleanup strategy for PFAA analysis. Ten perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 4 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) were monitored in 7 kinds of leaves grown in the urban areas of Dalian, China. The results show that coniferous tree leaves take up more PFAAs than broad-leaved tree leaves, with the highest amount of 150 ng/g in pine needles. Leaf PFCA levels were much higher than PFSAs level. Short carbon–chain PFCAs with 3 to 6 perfluorinated carbons account for approximately 40% to 80% of the total leaf PFAAs, where uptake decreased with increasing carbon chain length. Temporal observation of leaf PFAAs revealed no significant variation of concentrations in the leaves over a weekly interval and the absence of significant seasonal change in pine needles and sophora. The present study provides some evidence for the accumulation of PFAAs in leaves, which is valuable for understanding their environmental behavior and the development of alternative bioindicator. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1499–1504. © 2015 SETAC
A massive MIMO terminal concept based on small‐size multi‐mode antennas
Authors: Hoeher P. A. , Doose N.
Published: March 2015

In this tutorial, a novel variation of massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) is proposed, dubbed multi‐mode massive MIMO. A key feature is an advanced antenna design suitable for small‐scale user terminals like smartphones. Unlike traditional antenna layouts employing a single‐antenna port per antenna element, multiple orthogonal modes shall be excited on a conductive body, like the printed circuit board. This antenna conception is motivated by the theory of characteristic modes for conductive bodies. Each mode can be assigned with an individual antenna port, and all antenna ports can be fed independently. In conjunction with suitable baseband processing, unique features, such as single‐mode beamforming, can be exploited. Most importantly, some bottlenecks of conventional massive MIMO in conjunction with single‐antenna terminals like single‐stream processing on the uplink and pilot contamination on the downlink can be improved. Performance results for a three‐port prototype multi‐mode antenna support the feasibility of the proposed concept. The terminal concept is suitable in context of the upcoming fifth mobile radio generation (5G) and for ultra‐fast (100 Gbps) wireless internet access among other applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and Absolute Configuration of Aspergilumamide A, a Novel Lumazine Peptide from the Mangrove‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Authors: Zheng Cai‐Juan , Wu Lu‐Yong , Li Xiao‐Bao , Song Xin‐Ming , Niu Zhi‐Gang , Song Xiao‐Ping , Chen Guang‐Ying , Wang Chang‐Yun
Published: March 2015

A novel lumazine peptide, aspergilumamide A (1), as well as a known analog penilumamide (2), were isolated from the mycelia of a marine‐derived fungus Aspergillus sp. (33241), obtained from the mangrove Bruguiera sexangula var. rhynchopetala collected from the South China Sea. The structure of 1 was identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ESI‐MS, and MS/MS experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by Marfey's method.
Formation of Dialkyl 2‐[3‐Alkoxy‐1‐(alkylimino)‐1‐chloro‐3‐oxopropan‐2‐ylidene]hydrazine‐1,1‐dicarboxylates of α‐(Alkoxycarbonyl)imidoyl Chlorides from PhosphineDiazo Ester Zwitterions and Nef‐Isocyanide Adducts
Authors: Yavari Issa , Hosseinpour Reza , Pashazadeh Ramin
Published: March 2015

A novel transformation involving phosphinediazo ester zwitterions (generated from dialkyl azodicarboxylates with Ph3P) and α‐(alkoxycarbonyl)imidoyl chlorides (prepared from α‐addition of acyl chlorides to alkyl isocyanides) to afford dialkyl 2‐[3‐alkoxy‐1‐(alkylimino)‐1‐chloro‐3‐oxopropan‐2‐ylidene]hydrazine‐1,1‐dicarboxylates in moderate yields, is described.
Towards Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) Fragments of Phorboxazole A
Authors: Raju Kammari Bal , Kumar Bejjanki Naveen , Kumar Bandari Sampath , Nagaiah Kommu
Published: March 2015

The stereoselective synthesis of the C(31)–C(39) and C(20)–C(27) fragments of phorboxazole A (1) was achieved from commercially available and inexpensive D‐mannitol. Crimmins aldol reaction and a decarboxylative Claisen‐type reaction are the key steps for the C(31)–C(39) fragment, and L‐proline‐catalyzed aldol reaction, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and epoxide ring opening reaction with Gilman's reagent are the key steps for the C(20)–C(27) fragment of phorboxazole.
Oncogenic and Therapeutic Targeting of PTEN Loss in Bone Malignancies
Authors: Xi Yongming , Chen Yan
Published: March 2015

Being a tumor suppressor, PTEN functions as a dual‐specificity protein and phospholipid phosphatase and regulates a variety of cellular processes and signal transduction pathways. Loss of PTEN function has been detected frequently in different forms of cancers, such as breast, prostate and lung cancer, gastric and colon cancer, skin cancer, as well as endometrial carcinoma. In this review, we provide a summary of PTEN and its role in bone malignancies including bone metastases, multiple myeloma, and osteosarcoma, etc. We highlight the importance of PTEN loss leading to activation of the oncogenic PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in tumorigenesis and progression, which can be attributed to both genetic and non‐genetic alterations involving gene mutation, loss of heterozygosity, promoter hypermethylation, and microRNA mediated negative regulation. We also discuss the emerging therapeutic applications targeting PTEN loss for the treatment of these bone malignant diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1837–1847, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Turning Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) on and off in Mesenchymal Cells
Authors: Rogers Melissa B. , Shah Tapan A. , Shaikh Nadia N.
Published: March 2015

The concentration, location, and timing of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2, HGNC:1069, GeneID: 650) gene expression must be precisely regulated. Abnormal BMP2 levels cause congenital anomalies and diseases involving the mesenchymal cells that differentiate into muscle, fat, cartilage, and bone. The molecules and conditions that influence BMP2 synthesis are diverse. Understandably, complex mechanisms control Bmp2 gene expression. This review includes a compilation of agents and conditions that can induce Bmp2. The currently known trans‐regulatory factors and cis‐regulatory elements that modulate Bmp2 expression are summarized and discussed. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2, HGNC:1069, GeneID: 650) is a classical morphogen; a molecule that acts at a distance and whose concentration influences cell behavior. In mesenchymal cells, the concentration of BMP2 influences myogenesis, adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, and osteogenesis. Because the amount, timing, and location of BMP2 synthesis influence the allocation of cells to muscle, fat, cartilage, and bone, the mechanisms that regulate the Bmp2 gene are crucial. Key early mesodermal events that require precise Bmp2 regulation include heart specification and morphogenesis. Originally named for its osteoinductive properties, healing fractures requires BMP2. The human Bmp2 gene also has been linked to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. In addition, all forms of pathological calcification in the vasculature and in cardiac valves involve the pro‐osteogenic BMP2. The diverse tissues, mechanisms, and diseases influenced by BMP2 are too numerous to list here (see OMIM: 112261). However, in all BMP2‐influenced pathologies, changes in the behavior and differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells are a recurring theme. Consequently, much effort has been devoted to identifying the molecules and conditions that influence BMP2 synthesis and the complex mechanisms that control Bmp2 gene expression. This review begins with an overview of the Bmp2 gene's chromosomal neighborhood and then summarizes and evaluates known regulatory mechanisms and inducers. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2127–2138, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dividing a complex reaction involving a hypervalent iodine reagent into three limiting mechanisms by ab initio molecular dynamics
Authors: Sala Oliver , Lüthi Hans Peter , Togni Antonio , Iannuzzi Marcella , Hutter Jürg
Published: March 2015

The electrophilic N‐trifluoromethylation of MeCN with a hypervalent iodine reagent to form a nitrilium ion, that is rapidly trapped by an azole nucleophile, is thought to occur via reductive elimination (RE). A recent study showed that, depending on the solvent representation, the SN2 is favoured to a different extent over the RE. However, there is a discriminative solvent effect present, which calls for a statistical mechanics approach to fully account for the entropic contributions. In this study, we perform metadynamic simulations for two trifluoromethylation reactions (with N‐ and S‐nucleophiles), showing that the RE mechanism is always favoured in MeCN solution. These computations also indicate that a radical mechanism (single electron transfer) may play an important role. The computational protocol based on accelerated molecular dynamics for the exploration of the free energy surface is transferable and will be applied to similar reactions to investigate other electrophiles on the reagent. Based on the activation parameters determined, this approach also gives insight into the mechanistic details of the trifluoromethylation and shows that these commonly known mechanisms mark the limits within which the reaction proceeds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.