bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive NKG2C+ NK Cell Response and the Risk of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Redondo-Pachón Dolores , Crespo Marta , Yélamos Jose , Muntasell Aura , Pérez-Sáez María José , Pérez-Fernández Silvia , Vila Joan , Vilches Carlos , Pascual Julio , López-Botet Miguel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractCMV infection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) has been associated with an increased risk for graft loss and reduced host survival. CMV promotes persistent expansions of NK cells expressing the CD94/NKG2C receptor. The NKG2C (KLRC2) gene is frequently deleted, and copy number influences the adaptive response of NKG2C+ NK cells. The distribution of NKG2C+ NK cells and NKG2C genotypes (NKG2C+/+, NKG2C+/del, NKG2Cdel/del) were studied in cross-sectional (n = 253) and prospective (n = 122) KTR cohorts. Assessment of CMV viremia was restricted to symptomatic cases in the retrospective study, but was regularly monitored in the prospective cohort. Overall, the proportions of NKG2C+ NK cells were significantly higher in KTRs who had suffered posttransplant symptomatic CMV infection in the cross-sectional study. Yet, along the prospective follow-up (3, 6, 12, and 24 mo), posttransplant NKG2C+ NK cell expansions were not observed in every patient with detectable viremia who received preemptive antiviral therapy, suggesting that the adaptive NK cell response may be inversely related with the degree of CMV control. Remarkably, the incidence of posttransplant viremia was reduced among cases with high pretransplant levels of NKG2C+ NK cells. The NKG2C genotype distribution was comparable in KTR and healthy controls, and greater proportions of NKG2C+ cells were detected in NKG2C+/+ than in NKG2C+/del patients. Yet, a trend toward increased NKG2C+/del and reduced NKG2C+/+ frequencies associated with symptomatic infection was appreciated in both cohorts. Altogether, our results indirectly support that adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells are involved in the control of CMV in KTRs.
Making the case for biodiversity in South Africa: Re-framing biodiversity communications
Authors: Maze Kristal , Barnett Mandy , Botts Emily A. , Stephens Anthea , Freedman Mike , Guenther Lars 
Published: December 2016

Background: Biodiversity education and public awareness do not always contain the motivational messages that inspire action amongst decision-makers. Traditional messages from the biodiversity sector are often framed around threat, with a generally pessimistic tone. Aspects of social marketing can be used to support positive messaging that is more likely to inspire action amongst the target audience.Objectives: The South African biodiversity sector embarked on a market research process to better understand the target audiences for its messages and develop a communications strategy that would reposition biodiversity as integral to the development trajectory of South Africa.Method: The market research process combined stakeholder analysis, market research, engagement and facilitated dialogue. Eight concept messages were developed that framed biodiversity communications in different ways. These messages were tested with the target audience to assess which were most relevant in a developing-world context.Results: The communications message that received the highest ranking in the market research process was the concept of biodiversity as a ‘national asset’. This frame places biodiversity as an equivalent national priority to other economic and social imperatives. Other messages that ranked highly were the emotional message of biodiversity as ‘our children’s legacy’ and the action-based ‘practical solutions’.Conclusion: Based on the findings, a communications strategy known as ‘Making the case for biodiversity’ was developed that re-framed the economic, emotional and practical value propositions for biodiversity. The communications strategy has already resulted in greater political and economic attention towards biodiversity in South Africa.
Notes on a remotely operated vehicle survey to describe reef ichthyofauna and habitats – Agulhas Bank, South Africa
Authors: Makwela Mapula S. , Kerwath Sven E. , Götz Albrecht , Sink Kerry , Samaai Toufiek , Wilke Christopher G 
Published: December 2016

Background: Despite their ecological and economic importance, reef habitats on the central Agulhas Bank, off the southern tip of Africa, remain poorly studied. The ichthyofauna of these habitats cannot be surveyed using trawl gear.Objective: Preliminary assessment of the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate the ichthyofauna associated with deep reef habitats on the central Agulhas Bank.Method: Underwater visual surveys were carried out during ROV dives (maximum duration 60 minutes; area covered approximately 800 m2; maximum dive depth 100 m).Results discussion: The number of detected fish species (36) compares well with that reported from fishing surveys and commercial fisher data. Most (68%) fishes appeared to be undisturbed by the ROV. Species saturation was reached after a maximum of 135 minutes survey time, but species numbers increased and saturation times shortened (34 minutes minimum) with the introduction of bait.Conclusion: ROV surveys may represent a non-extractive alternative to assess demersal ichthyofaunal diversity in relation to habitat structure and benthic cover on temperate reefs around South Africa.
Grasslands feeling the heat: The effects of elevated temperatures on a subtropical grassland
Authors: Buhrmann Rowan D. , Ramdhani Syd , Pammenter Norman W. , Naidoo Sershen 
Published: December 2016

Background: Tropical and subtropical Africa is predicted to experience a rise in temperature. The effects of rising temperatures on temperate grasslands have been studied using open-top chambers (OTCs) but reports for tropical/subtropical grasslands are scarce. This study used OTCs to investigate the effects of elevated temperatures on a threatened subtropical grassland type, namely KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS).Objectives: To assess the effects of OTCs on selected abiotic parameters and plant productivity within KZNSS.Methods: Five OTC and control plots were randomly distributed at the same altitude within a patch of KZNSS. Air and soil temperature, relative humidity (RH), soil moisture content and light intensity were monitored in all plots in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Biomass production and plant density were measured in each season, for each life form (graminoid, forb and shrub), separately and combined.Results: The OTCs resulted in a rise in average, maximum and minimum day and night, air and soil temperatures. This increase, the degree of which differed across seasons, was accompanied by a decline in RH and soil moisture content. Elevated temperatures led to a significant increase in combined, graminoid and shrub above-ground productivity (AGP) and a decrease in forb density, but in certain seasons only. Below-ground biomass production was unaffected by elevated temperatures.Conclusions: OTCs can simulate realistic increases of air temperature in subtropical grasslands. Graminoids and shrubs appear to benefit from elevated temperatures whilst forbs decrease in abundance, possibly through competition and/or direct physiological effects.
Evaluating the outcomes and processes of a research-action partnership: The need for continuous reflective evaluation
Authors: Taylor Chantal , Cockburn Jessica , Rouget Mathieu , Ray-Mukherjee Jayanti , Mukherjee Shomen , Slotow Rob , Roberts Debra , Boon Richard , O’Donoghue Sean , Douwes Errol 
Published: December 2016

Background: The KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) Research Programme is part of a collaborative, transdisciplinary research partnership between the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the eThekwini Municipality (EM), aimed at bridging the science-policy-practice gap. The research programme focuses on generating knowledge and capacity to support local land-use planning, management and policy development related to biodiversity and climate change issues. Objectives: The objectives were (1) to describe how a continuous reflective evaluation approach helped to better understand the research programme and its outcomes; and (2) to assess research outputs and outcomes, relevance of outcomes to the requirements of EM, and participants’ perceptions of the programme (both the outcomes and the process). Methods: The evaluation took a mixed methods approach, combining various quantitative and qualitative methods such as anonymous individual questionnaires, reflective exercises and group reflections. Results: The KZNSS programme was successful in capacity building and establishing a long-term partnership, but had lower scientific publication output and practice uptake than expected. Participants’ perceptions changed over time, with a decrease in the perceived success of addressing tangible research outcomes, and an increase in the perceived success of collaborative relationships in the partnership. Conclusion: Transdisciplinary partnerships can be a means of integrating research into policy and practice through knowledge exchange. An important lesson in the early stages of this partnership was to pay attention to the process and not only the outputs. The study highlights the importance of continuous participatory reflection and evaluation in such partnerships.
The pre-history of the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the Christology of T.F. Torrance
Authors: Davis Martin M. 
Published: December 2016

T.F. Torrance is widely known for his dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. His Christology, however, merits greater attention in the academic literature, particularly in regard to his important discussion of the prehistory of Jesus Christ’s incarnation in the nation of Israel. The purpose of this article is to address this inadequacy. The present article provides an overview of Torrance’s discussion of the mediation of revelation and reconciliation in Israel and relates it to Jesus Christ’s incarnation. Content is based on a review of the primary literature published over a span of more than 40 years, as well as a review of the relatively few secondary resources that include an extensive discussion of this subject matter. Torrance’s discussion of the prehistory of the incarnation in Israel provides the biblical-historical background for his Christology. For Torrance, divine self-disclosure and human response in the context of God’s covenant interaction with Israel constitute a two-fold but unitary movement of mediation in Israel that is ultimately embodied and enacted in the person and life of Jesus Christ. As Torrance argues, Jesus Christ incorporates in his incarnate person, life, death and resurrection the prehistory of the mediation of revelation and reconciliation in Israel. Torrance’s discussion of the prehistory of the incarnation in Israel provides a helpful hermeneutical framework for understanding the purpose, meaning and goal of God’s covenant interaction with Old Testament Israel as a preparation for the advent of Jesus Christ.
On the Roughness of Quasinilpotency Property of One-parameter Semigroups
Authors: Preda Ciprian 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLet S := {S(t)}t≥0 be a C0-semigroup of quasinilpotent operators (i.e., σ(S(t)) = {0} for eacht> 0). In dynamical systems theory the above quasinilpotency property is equivalent to a very strong concept of stability for the solutions of autonomous systems. This concept is frequently called superstability and weakens the classical ûnite time extinction property (roughly speaking, disappearing solutions). We show that under some assumptions, the quasinilpotency, or equivalently, the superstability property of a C0-semigroup is preserved under the perturbations of its infinitesimal generator.
Use of Educational Animation and Academic Performance of Business Studies Students in Akwa Ibom State
Authors: Etim Paulinus J. , Itighise Atim Edet , Ema Iniobong Bassey 
Published: December 2016

<p>The Study examines the use of slow-motion educational animation and academic performance of Business studies students in Akwa Ibom State. Quasi experimental non-randomized pre-test post-test design was adopted for the study. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. 88 Business education students from two schools were purposively sampled from 5146 in 13 public secondary schools in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State-Nigeria. The subject were divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental group were treated with slow-motion educational animation while control group were taught using expository teaching method. Data were collected using Business Studies performance test (BSPT). The instrument was face and content validated by two experts, one in educational Technology and another in Measurement and Evaluation all from Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo. The instrument had reliability co-efficient of .81. The treatment was done within four weeks. The result revealed that the use of slow-motion educational animation enhance academic performance of JS 3 Business Studies students when compared to expository teaching method. It was recommended among others that teachers should use slow-motion educational animation in presentation of their lesson content for students’ high academic performance and teaching effectiveness.</p>
Enlargement of Meckel's cave in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Authors: Aaron Geoffrey P. , Illing Elisa , Lambertsen Zachary , Ritter Miles , Middlebrooks Erik H. , Cure Joel , Cho Do‐Yeon , Riley Kristen O. , Woodworth Bradford A. 
Published: December 2016

BackgroundSpontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks have imaging findings consistent with chronically elevated intracranial pressure, such as empty sella. Meckel's cave is a CSF‐filled space that houses the trigeminal ganglion at the cranial base. Our objective in this study was to evaluate “dilated” Meckel's cave as a radiologic sign in patients with elevated intracranial pressure spontaneous CSF leaks and compare the dimensions with those from a control cohort.MethodsMeckel's cave dimensions were measured in patients with spontaneous CSF leaks and documented elevated intracranial pressure. A control group of subjects who underwent magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) scans for unrelated diagnoses were also evaluated. Subjects were included only if suitable MRIs with T2‐weighted sequences in the axial plane were available.ResultsSixty‐three patients with spontaneous CSF leaks and 91 normal control patients were included in the study. There was significant (p < 0.05) enlargement in all measured dimensions (length and width) for the spontaneous CSF leak group. When evaluating area, spontaneous CSF leak subjects again showed significant enlargement compared with controls (0.81 ± 0.35 cm2 vs 0.52 ± 0.15 cm2; p < 0.0001). Average intracranial pressure measurements were 25.9 ± 9.0 cmH2O.ConclusionPatients with spontaneous CSF leaks have evidence of enlarged Meckel's caves. Evaluation of Meckel's cave dimensions should be included in preoperative imaging assessment as an additional indicator of chronically elevated intracranial pressure.
Luminescent Tungsten(VI) Complexes: Photophysics and Applicability to Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes and Photocatalysis
Authors: Yeung Kwan‐Ting , To Wai‐Pong , Sun Chenyue , Cheng Gang , Ma Chensheng , Tong Glenna So Ming , Yang Chen , Che Chi‐Ming 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe synthesis, excited‐state dynamics, and applications of two series of air‐stable luminescent tungsten(VI) complexes are described. These tungsten(VI) complexes show phosphorescence in the solid state and in solutions with emission quantum yields up to 22 % in thin film (5 % in mCP) at room temperature. Complex 2 c, containing a 5,7‐diphenyl‐8‐hydroxyquinolinate ligand, displays prompt fluorescence (blue–green) and phosphorescence (red) of comparable intensity, which could be used for ratiometric luminescent sensing. Solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on 1 d showed a stable yellow emission with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) and luminance up to 4.79 % and 1400 cd m−2 respectively. These tungsten(VI) complexes were also applied in light‐induced aerobic oxidation reactions.
Star PolyMOCs with Diverse Structures, Dynamics, and Functions by Three‐Component Assembly
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Gu Yuwei , Keeler Eric G. , Park Jiwon V. , Griffin Robert G. , Johnson Jeremiah A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe report star polymer metal–organic cage (polyMOC) materials whose structures, mechanical properties, functionalities, and dynamics can all be precisely tailored through a simple three‐component assembly strategy. The star polyMOC network is composed of tetra‐arm star polymers functionalized with ligands on the chain ends, small molecule ligands, and palladium ions; polyMOCs are formed via metal–ligand coordination and thermal annealing. The ratio of small molecule ligands to polymer‐bound ligands determines the connectivity of the MOC junctions and the network structure. The use of large M12L24MOCs enables great flexibility in tuning this ratio, which provides access to a rich spectrum of material properties including tunable moduli and relaxation dynamics.
Iron‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−C and N−N Coupling of Diarylamines and Synthesis of Spiroacridines
Authors: Fritsche Raphael F. , Theumer Gabriele , Kataeva Olga , Knölker Hans‐Joachim 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe describe iron‐catalyzed intermolecular oxidative coupling reactions of diarylamines to form substituted 2,2′‐bis(arylamino)biaryl compounds, tetraarylhydrazines, and 5,6‐dihydrobenzo[c]cinnolines with the same hexadecafluorinated iron–phthalocyanine catalyst. The mild formation of C−C or N−N bonds was controlled by the use of acidic or basic additives. In contrast to most iron‐catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling reactions, ambient air could be used as the sole oxidant. Moreover, iron(III) chloride hexahydrate promoted a one‐pot coupling and subsequent intramolecular dearomative coupling to give 10H‐spiro[acridine‐9,1′‐cyclohexa‐2′,5′‐dien‐4′‐ones].
Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templated Synthesis of Metal–Organic Frameworks Used as Membrane Reactors
Authors: Yu Yifu , Wu Xue‐Jun , Zhao Meiting , Ma Qinglang , Chen Junze , Chen Bo , Sindoro Melinda , Yang Jian , Han Shikui , Lu Qipeng , Zhang Hua 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe incorporation of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into membrane‐shaped architectures is of great importance for practical applications. The currently synthesized MOF‐based membranes show many disadvantages, such as poor compatibility, low dispersity, and instability, which severely limit their utility. Herein, we present a general, facile, and robust approach for the synthesis of MOF‐based composite membranes through the in situ growth of MOF plates in the channels of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. After being used as catalysis reactors, they exhibit high catalytic performance and stability in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The high catalytic performance might be attributed to the intrinsic structure of MOF‐based composite membranes, which can remove the products from the reaction zone quickly, and prevent the aggregation and loss of catalysts during reaction and recycling process.
Photo‐Modulated Therapeutic Protein Release from a Hydrogel Depot Using Visible Light
Authors: Basuki Johan S. , Qie Fengxiang , Mulet Xavier , Suryadinata Randy , Vashi Aditya V. , Peng Yong Y. , Li Lingli , Hao Xiaojuan , Tan Tianwei , Hughes Timothy C. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe use of biomacromolecular therapeutics has revolutionized disease treatment, but frequent injections are required owing to their short half‐life in vivo. Thus there is a need for a drug delivery system that acts as a reservoir and releases the drug remotely “on demand”. Here we demonstrate a simple light‐triggered local drug delivery system through photo‐thermal interactions of polymer‐coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) inside an agarose hydrogel as therapeutic depot. Localized temperature increase induced by the visible light exposure caused reversible softening of the hydrogel matrix to release the pre‐loaded therapeutics. The release profile can be adjusted by AuNPs and agarose concentrations, light intensity and exposure time. Importantly, the biological activity of the released bevacizumab was highly retained. In this study we demonstrate the potential application of this facile AuNPs/hydrogel system for ocular therapeutics delivery through its versatility to release multiple biologics, compatibility to ocular cells and spatiotemporal control using visible light.
Synthesis of Chiral Vicinal Diamines by Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Aminolysis of N‐Tosylaziridines
Authors: Chai Zhuo , Yang Pei‐Jun , Zhang Hu , Wang Shaowu , Yang Gaosheng 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe kinetic resolution of 2‐aryl‐N‐tosylaziridines and the asymmetric desymmetrization of meso‐N‐tosylaziridines by ring openings with various primary and secondary anilines, and aliphatic amines as nucleophile have been realized by using a single silver(I)/chiral diphosphine complex as catalyst for the first time. The simple starting materials, broad scope, and easy scalability render this protocol a practical way to chiral vicinal diamine derivatives.
Investigation of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins through Exchange with Hyperpolarized Water
Authors: Kurzbach Dennis , Canet Estel , Flamm Andrea G. , Jhajharia Aditya , Weber Emmanuelle M. M. , Konrat Robert , Bodenhausen Geoffrey 
Published: December 2016

AbstractHyperpolarized water can selectively enhance NMR signals of rapidly exchanging protons in osteopontin (OPN), a metastasis‐associated intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), at near‐physiological pH and temperature. The transfer of magnetization from hyperpolarized water is limited to solvent‐exposed residues and therefore selectively enhances signals in 1H‐15N correlation spectra. Binding to the polysaccharide heparin was found to induce the unfolding of preformed structural elements in OPN.
Azidoperfluoroalkanes: Synthesis and Application in Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition
Authors: Blastik Zsófia E. , Voltrová Svatava , Matoušek Václav , Jurásek Bronislav , Manley David W. , Klepetářová Blanka , Beier Petr 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe report an efficient and scalable synthesis of azidotrifluoromethane (CF3N3) and longer perfluorocarbon‐chain analogues (RFN3; RF=C2F5, nC3F7, nC8F17), which enables the direct insertion of CF3 and perfluoroalkyl groups into triazole ring systems. The azidoperfluoroalkanes show good reactivity with terminal alkynes in copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), giving access to rare and stable N‐perfluoroalkyl triazoles. Azidoperfluoroalkanes are thermally stable and the efficiency of their preparation should be attractive for discovery programs.
Conductance Switch of a Bromoplumbate Bistable Semiconductor by Electron‐Transfer Thermochromism
Authors: Sun Cai , Wang Ming‐Sheng , Li Pei‐Xin , Guo Guo‐Cong 
Published: December 2016

AbstractElectron‐transfer (redox) thermochromism was successfully used for switching the conductance of semiconductors, by introducing a thermally active organic component into an inorganic semiconducting framework. A moisture‐resistant semiconductor {(MV)2[Pb7Br18]}n (MV2+=methyl viologen cation) has been prepared through an in situ synthetic method for MV2+. It features a rare 3D haloplumbate open framework and unprecedented electron‐transfer thermochromic behavior in haloplumbates. The electrical conductivity of this compound dropped significantly after coloration and restored after decoloration, which was satisfactorily explained by valence band XPS and theoretical data. This work not only offers a new approach to modify electrical properties of semiconductors without altering components or structures, but may lead to the development of over‐temperature color indicators, circuit overload protectors or photovoltaic materials.