bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tyrosine substitution of a conserved active‐site histidine residue activates Plasmodium falciparum peroxiredoxin 6
Authors: Feld Kristina , Geissel Fabian , Liedgens Linda , Schumann Robin , Specht Sandra , Deponte Marcel 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPeroxiredoxins efficiently remove hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite in pro‐ and eukaryotes. However, isoforms of one subfamily of peroxiredoxins, the so‐called Prx6‐type enzymes, usually have very low activities in standard peroxidase assays in vitro. In contrast to other peroxiredoxins, Prx6 homologues share a conserved histidyl residue at the bottom of the active site. Here we addressed the role of this histidyl residue for redox catalysis using the Plasmodium falciparum homologue PfPrx6 as a model enzyme. Steady‐state kinetics with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) revealed that the histidyl residue is nonessential for Prx6 catalysis and that a replacement with tyrosine can even increase the enzyme activity four‐ to six‐fold in vitro. Stopped‐flow kinetics with reduced PfPrx6WT, PfPrx6C128A, and PfPrx6H39Y revealed a preference for H2O2 as an oxidant with second order rate constants for H2O2 and tBuOOH around 2.5 × 107 M−1 s−1 and 3 × 106 M−1 s−1, respectively. Differences between the oxidation kinetics of PfPrx6WT, PfPrx6C128A, and PfPrx6H39Y were observed during a slower second‐reaction phase. Our kinetic data support the interpretation that the reductive half‐reaction is the rate‐limiting step for PfPrx6 catalysis in steady‐state measurements. Whether the increased activity of PfPrx6H39Y is caused by a facilitated enzyme reduction because of a destabilization of the fully folded enzyme conformation remains to be analyzed. In summary, the conserved histidyl residue of Prx6‐type enzymes is non‐essential for catalysis, PfPrx6 is rapidly oxidized by hydroperoxides, and the gain‐of‐function mutant PfPrx6H39Y might provide a valuable tool to address the influence of conformational changes on the reactivity of Prx6 homologues.
The “speed limit” for macromolecular crystal growth
Authors: Arias Renee J. , Kaiser Jens T. , Rees Douglas C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA simple “diffusion‐to‐capture” model is used to estimate the upper limit to the growth rate of macromolecular crystals under conditions when the rate limiting process is the mass transfer of sample from solution to the crystal. Under diffusion‐limited crystal growth conditions, this model predicts that the cross‐sectional area of a crystal will increase linearly with time; this prediction is validated by monitoring the growth rate of lysozyme crystals. A consequence of this analysis is that when crystal growth is diffusion‐limited, micron‐sized crystals can be produced in ~1 s, which would be compatible with the turnover time of many enzymes. Consequently, the ability to record diffraction patterns from sub‐micron sized crystals by X‐ray Free Electron Lasers and micro‐electron diffraction technologies opens the possibility of trapping intermediate enzyme states by crystallization.
Computational study on the interaction of nucleobases with boron‐rich boron nitride nanotubes
Authors: Wang Chong , Guo Chen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this work, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have systematically explored the NBs (NBs = A, T, C, G, and U) adsorption on boron‐rich BNNTs with antisite boron atom compared with pristine BNNTs. It is found that the excess boron atom of boron‐rich BNNTs greatly enhances the strength of BN system to adsorb NBs, and the NBs are favor to covalently bond to boron atom of BN system. Especially, the interaction between BN system and NBs is not only derived from the covalent BN or BO bond, but also partly due to the generated NH···N hydrogen bond. The charge transfer from NBs to BN system and the changes of energy gap demonstrate that the electronic structure of BN system is altered by NBs adsorption. The results indicate that the boron‐rich BNNTs are a superior candidate compared to the pristine BNNTs to adsorb NBs. It is expected that this results will provide a useful guide to develop novel boron nitride nanomaterials for adsorption and application of NBs.
Reporting in Experimental Philosophy: Current Standards and Recommendations for Future Practice
Authors: Polonioli Andrea , Vega-Mendoza Mariana , Blankinship Brittany , Carmel David 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecent replication crises in psychology and other fields have led to intense reflection about the validity of common research practices. Much of this reflection has focussed on reporting standards, and how they may be related to the questionable research practices that could underlie a high proportion of irreproducible findings in the published record. As a developing field, it is particularly important for Experimental Philosophy to avoid some of the pitfalls that have beset other disciplines. To this end, here we provide a detailed, comprehensive assessment of current reporting practices in Experimental Philosophy. We focus on the quality of statistical reporting and the disclosure of information about study methodology. We assess all the articles using quantitative methods (n = 134) that were published over the years 2013–2016 in 29 leading philosophy journals. We find that null hypothesis significance testing is the prevalent statistical practice in Experimental Philosophy, although relying solely on this approach has been criticised in the psychological literature. To augment this approach, various additional measures have become commonplace in other fields, but we find that Experimental Philosophy has adopted these only partially: 53% of the papers report an effect size, 28% confidence intervals, 1% examined prospective statistical power and 5% report observed statistical power. Importantly, we find no direct relation between an article’s reporting quality and its impact (numbers of citations). We conclude with recommendations for authors, reviewers and editors in Experimental Philosophy, to facilitate making research statistically-transparent and reproducible.
A Case of Coumarin Embryopathy After in Utero Exposure to Acenocoumarol
Authors: Singh Ankur , Panghal Astha , Prasad Rajniti , Mishra Om Prakash 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCoumarins (warfarin, acenocoumarol, phenprocuomon) are well known agents that are prescribed for prevention of thromboembolic episodes in pregnant women who are on mechanical heart valves prosthesis. It acts as double edge sword as fetus is unnecessarily exposed to teratogenic effect of drug. Warfarin is well studied drug in terms of its tetratogenic dose, period of exposure, fetopathic effects. Acenocoumarol is well known teratogen but its effect and lethal dose on fetus is less reported. We report a neonate who was exposed to acenocoumarol throughout intra uterine life. Neonate showed all features of coumarin embryopathy (flat facial profile, depressed nasal bridge, short columella, skeletal stippling, short distal phalanges in hand) and cephalhaematoma in addition. We also summarised the clinical findings of all the cases reported so far of acenocoumarol embryopathy. Acenocoumarol has same teratogenic potential as of warfarin. Doses causing embryopathy remained unexplored field. Clinicians need to document properly so that scientific data can be generated as ethical issues arises in head to head trial of these drugs.
Sleep it off: Bullying and sleep disturbances in adolescents
Authors: Donoghue Christopher , Meltzer Lisa J. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionInvolvement in bullying is associated with negative health outcomes for adolescents. Recent studies suggest that bullying is related to sleep disturbances. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in sleep disturbances (bedtime fears, insomnia, parasomnias) between victims, bullies, and youth not involved in bullying, as well as to explore differences across various types of bullying behavior (verbal, physical, social, cyber).MethodsHigh school students ages 14–17 years (mean = 16.0) in the United States (n = 885; 57.3% female; 87.5% White) completed The Children's Report of Sleep Patterns and questions about involvement in verbal, physical, social and cyberbullying.ResultsDifferences in all three sleep disturbances were found across groups, with victims and bully‐victims reporting more sleep disturbances than bullies and youth not involved. A similar pattern was found across all bullying types, with more sleep disturbances for victims and bullyvictims.ConclusionsThe results of this cross‐sectional study highlight the importance of screening youth for sleep disturbances that may indicate daytime issues with bullying or victimization, as well as the need for longitudinal studies to elucidate potential pathways between sleep and bullying/victimization.
Sex‐specific effects of CB1 receptor antagonism and stress in adolescence on anxiety, corticosterone concentrations, and contextual fear in adulthood in rats
Authors: Simone Jonathan J. , Baumbach Jennet L. , McCormick Cheryl M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThere is a paucity of research regarding the role of endogenous cannabinoid signalling in adolescence on brain and behaviour development. We previously demonstrated effects of repeated CB1 receptor antagonism in adolescence on socioemotional behaviours and neural protein expression 24–48 h after the last drug administration in female rats, with no effect in males. Here we investigate whether greater effects would be manifested after a lengthier delay. In Experiment 1, male and female rats were administered either 1 mg / kg of the CB1 receptor‐selective antagonist AM251, vehicle (VEH), or did not receive injections (NoINJ) daily on postnatal days (PND) 30–44 either alone (no adolescent confinement stress; noACS), or in tandem with 1 h ACS. On PND 70, adolescent AM251 exposure reduced anxiety in an elevated plus maze in males, irrespective of ACS, with no effects in females. On PND 73, there were no group differences in either sex in plasma corticosterone concentrations before or after 30 min of restraint stress, although injection stress resulted in higher baseline concentrations in males. Brains were collected on PND 74, with negligible effects of either AM251 or ACS on protein markers of synaptic plasticity and of the endocannabinoid system in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. In Experiment 2, rats from both sexes were treated with vehicle or AM251 on PND 30–44 and were tested for contextual fear conditioning and extinction in adulthood. AM251 females had greater fear recall than VEH females 24 h after conditioning, with no group differences in within‐ or between‐session fear extinction. There were no group differences in long‐term extinction memory, although AM251 females froze more during a reconditioning trial compared with VEH females. There were no group differences on any of the fear conditioning measures in males. Together, these findings indicate a modest, sex‐specific role of CB1 receptor signalling in adolescence on anxiety‐like behaviour in males and conditioned fear behaviour in females.
A case report of minimal access approach to a giant parapharyngeal space tumor
Authors: Le Quang V. , Ngo Duy Q. , Ngo Quy X. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT

Tumors of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all head and neck neoplasms, of which 70–80% are benign and 20–30% are malignant. The main treatment for this condition is surgical excision of the mass via a transcervical or transparotid-transcervical approach, or via a mandibilotomy in the case of large extensive tumors.
We report the case of a 57-year-old male with a very large PPS tumor, 102 × 85 × 80 mm in size, and with a 14-month history of breathing difficulty and dysphagia. The clinical manifestations included a mass in the oropharynx, a neck mass and Eustachian tube obstruction. Endoscopy showed a bulging, in the left parapharyngeal space, extending into the oropharynx, and causing a noticeable obstruction of the respiratory tract. The patient was operated on with a minimal invasive transcervical approach, and not via mandibulotomy, which was a challenging technique. This approach allowed us to avoid the complications and significant side effects such as infection, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, non-union of tissues, plate extrusion, and tooth loss that is often associated to mandibulotomy. Histological examination revealed a pleomorphic adenoma from a deep lobe of the parotid.
In conclusion, surgery is the mainstay of treatment for tumors of the parapharyngeal space. Here, we describe the removal of a large parapharyngeal pleomorphic adenoma transcervically with a minimally invasive approach without mandibulotomy.

Highlights:
Activation energy and binary chemical reaction effects in mixed convective nanofluid flow with convective boundary conditions
Authors: Dhlamini Mlamuli , Kameswaran Peri K. , Sibanda Precious , Motsa Sandile , Mondal Hiranmoy 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
In this paper, we present a theoretical study of the combined effects of activation energy and binary chemical reaction in an unsteady mixed convective flow over a boundary of infinite length. The current study incorporates the influence of the Brownian motion, thermophoresis and viscous dissipation on the velocity of the fluid, temperature of the fluid and concentration of chemical species. The equations are solved numerically to a high degree of accuracy using the spectral quasilinearization method. Brownian motion was noted as the main process by which the mass is transported out of the boundary layer. The effect of thermophoretic parameter seems to be contrary to the expected norm. We expect the thermophoretic force to ‘push’ the mass away from the surface thereby reducing the concentration in the boundary layer, however, concentration of chemical species is seen to increase in the boundary layer with an increase in the thermophoretic parameter. The use of a heated plate of infinite length increased the concentration of chemical species in the boundary layer. The Biot number which increases and exceeds a value of one for large heated solids immersed in fluids increases the concentration of chemical species for its increasing values.
Highlights Combined effects of activation energy and binary chemical reaction are proposed. Spectral quasi-linearization method (SQLM) is used for computer simulations. Use Arrhenius activation energy in the chemical species concentration. Validate the accuracy and convergence using residual error analysis.
Frequency and Characteristics of Recommendations from Interdisciplinary Outpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Monthly Team Meetings
Authors: Tennison Jegy M. , Ngo‐Huang An , Fu Jack B. , Hill Anissa E. , Dibaj Seyedeh S. , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundAmbulatory cancer rehabilitation programs vary widely in the types of services offered, and there is a lack of consistency with respect to the coordination of rehabilitation with oncologic treatment plans. There are no guidelines for outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation team meetings, and the types and characteristics of recommendations that a physiatrist can provide during these meetings have not been reported.ObjectiveTo identify the frequency and characteristics of different types of recommendations that were derived through monthly interdisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation team meetings involving physiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.DesignCase series—descriptive study.SettingQuaternary cancer center.ParticipantsOutpatient rehabilitation cancer patients discussed during consecutive monthly team meetings.Main Outcome Measure(s)Frequency and characteristics of recommendations.ResultsOver a 7‐month period, there were 57 potential patients to be discussed, and 42 patients were discussed. Among the 42 patients, 30 received recommendations, which yields 71% of patients receiving at least 1 recommendation. Some patients required repeated discussions in different months; thus, a total of 71 discussions occurred and resulted in 51 recommendations. Out of the 71 discussions, 41 (58%) discussions resulted in recommendations such as coordination of care in 19 (37%) cases, physiatry clinic follow‐up in 9 cases (18%), oncology clinic follow‐up in 7 cases (14%), and orders for referrals to other health professionals were placed in 5 cases (10%). Thirty discussions (42%) did not result in any recommendations, with the most common reason being stable or having improved functional status.ConclusionsIn contrast to acute inpatient rehabilitation interdisciplinary weekly team meetings required by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there are no guidelines for outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation team meetings. Thus, the types and characteristics of recommendations that a physiatrist can provide during these meetings have not been previously reported. Regularly scheduled outpatient interdisciplinary cancer rehabilitation team meetings increase communication among rehabilitation specialists to identify outpatients experiencing barriers to therapy progress, provide recommendations to address those barriers, and reassess rehabilitation goals previously established.Level of EvidenceIV
China's Involvement in Africa's Security: The Case of China's Participation in the UN Mission to Stabilize Mali
Authors: Cabestan Jean-Pierre 
Published: July 2018

AbstractChina has been much more involved in Africa's economy and trade than in its security. However, over the past decade or so, China has increased its participation in the United Nation's Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKOs), particularly in Africa. It has also taken steps to better protect its overseas nationals and, in 2017, established a naval base in Djibouti. This article focuses on the participation of China's People's Liberation Army in the United Nation's Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) since 2013. It aims to unpack the diplomatic process that led China to take part in this mission and to analyse the form of this participation. Mali was the second time (the first being in South Sudan in 2012) that China opted to deploy combat troops under the UN banner, underscoring a deepening involvement in PKOs and an increasing readiness to face risks. Finally, this article explores the implications of China's participation in the MINUSMA for its foreign and security posture as a whole. Often perceived as a realist rising power, by more actively participating in UN PKOs China is trying to demonstrate that it is a responsible and “integrationist” great power, ready to play the game according to the commonly approved international norms. Is this really the case?
From Hull-House to Herland: Engaged and Extended Care in Jane Addams and Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Authors: McCrary Lorraine Krall 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEngaged care in the family and small organizations can and should be leveraged in order to develop extended care, which is a crucial element of social and political life. However, care in politics can also be dangerous in its partiality and its propensity to control. A critical engagement with the writings and activism of Jane Addams and Charlotte Perkins Gilman, contemporaries negotiating the relationship between women's familial roles and their social and political citizenship, reveals the ways in which care can be deployed to strengthen democratic commitments as well as the drawbacks of care in politics.
Ranking CMIP5 GCMs for Model Ensemble Selection on Regional Scale: Case Study of the Indochina Region
Authors: Chhin Rattana , Yoden Shigeo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe propose a framework that enables the evaluation of a large number of climate models by numerous performance metrics, which can be customized toward a specific impact assessment perspective under climate change (e.g., agriculture, flood control, or else). The customization is performed by weighting the performance metrics. Three criteria are applied to combine a set of diagnostics for creating a single performance index, namely, summation of rank (SR), Euclidean distance of the cluster analysis (CA), and that of Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis (EOF). These indices are then used to objectively select optimal ensemble subsets by applying a culling method. The model evaluation and multimodel ensemble selection in the Indochina Region as a study area are performed on precipitation for two cases: a nonweighted case applying equal weights for all 36 metrics, and a weighted case focusing on the evaluation for agricultural drought monitoring, as an example, with and without model independence and skill weights. We demonstrate that the optimal ensemble subsets of this framework improve significantly the distribution of monthly precipitation data compared to those of the best single model or the full model ensemble during the historical period. The optimal ensemble subsets of CA and EOF criteria are improved more than those of the SR criterion. The performance of the optimal ensemble subsets is also confirmed in the future projection for the RCP8.5 scenario by implementing model‐as‐truth experiments. A simple and user‐friendly decision graph of all model members for the ensemble selection is developed, and its usefulness is demonstrated.
Reproducibility of Thermal History Reconstruction From Apatite Fission‐Track and (U‐Th)/He Data
Authors: Ketcham Richard A. , van der Beek Peter , Barbarand Jocelyn , Bernet Matthias , Gautheron Cécile 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe report a new interlaboratory exercise to evaluate the reproducibility of apatite fission‐track (AFT) and (U‐Th)/He (AHe) data and thermal history analysis. Twelve laboratory groups participated, analyzing apatite separates from two previously studied localities. Ten groups returned AFT data from 13 analysts, five groups returned AHe data, one contributed apatite U/Pb data, and nine contributed thermal history models. Submitted AFT age data were generally consistent with the original studies and each other to within uncertainties, although there were departures, particularly among results obtained using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for uranium determination. AFT‐confined track‐length data showed more variation, which correlated between samples, suggesting that they may reflect analyst‐specific factors. Accounting for anisotropy using c axis projection reduced the variation and correlation. AHe ages showed more dispersion than observed in the previous studies, with one sample showing many ages consistent with prior work but also many significantly older ages, and the other roughly matching prior work but showing symmetrical scatter suggesting a 1SE uncertainty of 17–21%. Thermal history models generally agreed in their major features but showed considerable variation in detail, due to differences in data and data entry, model setup, and modeling software approach. Addressing pitfalls in data entry and model setup improved congruence, as would greater emphasis on AFT length and etch figure calibration. Because of scatter, AHe data had to be entered selectively into the models to achieve reasonable results. Although cautionary in several respects, study results point to promising avenues for improving the reproducibility of thermal history modeling.