bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural resource endowment and firm performance: The moderating role of institutional endowment
Authors: Zoogah David B. 
Published: July 2017

Research SummaryDoes institutional endowment moderate the relationship between natural resource abundance and firm performance? Drawing from institution‐based theories (IBT), we examine the interactive effects of institutional endowment (as indicated by natural resource governance) on firm performance. We use 2013 data of 492 firms from 27 African countries and multilevel techniques to find significant interactions of institutional endowment. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for management and organization scholarship.Managerial SummaryThe purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which firm performance differs across countries in Africa as a function of institutional factors given natural resource abundance. We find that firm sales are higher in countries with strong institutions, strong enabling environments, and strong safeguards and quality controls when natural resource abundance is high. When natural resource abundance is low, firm sales and net profits are higher in countries with strong reporting practices, and profit margins are higher in countries with strong safeguards and quality controls.
Middle‐Grades Students' Understandings of What It Means to Read in a High‐Stakes Environment
Authors: Schaefer Mary Beth 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this practitioner inquiry, the teacher researcher found that a culture of high‐stakes testing had pervaded her diverse, urban seventh‐grade students' conceptions of reading; students associated reading with tests and skills‐based worksheets rather than pleasure. Using students' voices, passions, and interests, the teacher researcher broadened students' reading conceptions and abilities by introducing them to Langer's reading theory. Students used the theory to develop deep understandings of their own and others' reading needs, skills, and desires. Students constructed understandings of self as reader, found pleasure in constructing personalized reading skills and strategies, and reconstructed notions of reading to assert authority and power. Students also helped one another (re)discover pleasure in reading.
Denitrification of metallurgic wastewater: mechanisms of inhibition by Fe, Cr and Ni
Authors: Ramírez J Ernesto , Rangel‐Mendez J Rene , Limberger Lopes Carla , Gomes Simone Damasceno , Buitrón Germán , Cervantes Francisco J 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDMetallurgic wastewaters are acidic effluents containing large amounts of nitrate and heavy metals. Citric acid is one of the acids used by this industry and forms stable complexes with metal ions. The aim of this study was to elucidate the chemical aspects driving inhibitory or stimulatory effects of heavy metals on denitrifying processes, based on speciation analysis and monitoring key denitrification intermediates (nitrite and N2O).RESULTSDenitrifying sludge incubations were conducted with iron, chromium and nickel, in single and multi‐metal assays, using citrate and ethanol as electron donors. Ferric‐citrate complex, [Fe‐cit](aq), was readily consumed, while complexes of divalent metals, [Fe‐cit]‐ and [Ni‐cit2]4‐, remained very stable affecting denitrification. Nitrate reduction was affected by Ni2+, while nitrite and N2O accumulation was observed with NiCO3 and Ni(OH)2 oversaturation. [Cr‐cit2]4‐ resulted in overall denitrification inhibition, while species of [Cr‐cit]2‐ caused denitrification stimulation.CONCLUSIONFe and Cr inhibited the overall denitrification process, while Ni caused accumulation of intermediates. Synergistic inhibition imposed by multi‐metal systems revealed lower inhibitory effects compared with those observed by the sum of individual effects of metals. This study elucidates chemical aspects determining the effects of heavy metals on denitrification, which is relevant to develop efficient biological processes for metallurgic effluents. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Nutritional support of inland aquatic food webs by aged carbon and organic matter
Authors: Bellamy Amber R. , Bauer James E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAged (typically tens to thousands of years old) forms of non‐living carbon (C) and organic matter (OM) predominate in many inland water ecosystems. Advances in the methodologies used to measure natural abundance radiocarbon (14C) have led to increased use of natural 14C as both a source and age tracer in aquatic ecosystem and food web studies. Here, we review (1) Δ14C values and ages of C and OM typically found in different inland water systems, (2) the mechanisms through which these materials enter inland water ecosystems, and (3) all available 14C data on aquatic consumers across a range of inland water ecosystem types. Using Δ14C values of aquatic consumers and their potential nutritional resources, we estimate contributions of aged C and OM to aquatic consumer biomass. We conclude that in nearly every case, one or more forms of aged C and/or OM contribute to aquatic consumer nutrition in inland water ecosystems.
Using homology modeling to interrogate binding affinity in neutralization of ricin toxin by a family of single domain antibodies
Authors: Bazzoli Andrea , Vance David J. , Rudolph Michael J. , Rong Yinghui , Angalakurthi Siva Krishna , Toth Ronald T. , Middaugh C. Russell , Volkin David B. , Weis David D. , Karanicolas John , Mantis Nicholas J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this report we investigated, within a group of closely related single domain camelid antibodies (VHHs), the relationship between binding affinity and neutralizing activity as it pertains to ricin, a fast‐acting toxin and biothreat agent. The V1C7‐like VHHs (V1C7, V2B9, V2E8, and V5C1) are similar in amino acid sequence, but differ in their binding affinities and toxin‐neutralizing activities. Using the X‐ray crystal structure of V1C7 in complex with ricin's enzymatic subunit (RTA) as a template, Rosetta‐based homology modeling coupled with energetic decomposition led us to predict that a single pairwise interaction between Arg29 on V5C1 and Glu67 on RTA was responsible for the difference in ricin toxin binding affinity between V1C7, a weak neutralizer, and V5C1, a moderate neutralizer. This prediction was borne out experimentally: substitution of Arg for Gly at position 29 enhanced V1C7's binding affinity for ricin, whereas the reverse (ie, Gly for Arg at position 29) diminished V5C1's binding affinity by >10 fold. As expected, the V5C1R29G mutant was largely devoid of toxin‐neutralizing activity (TNA). However, the TNA of the V1C7G29R mutant was not correspondingly improved, indicating that in the V1C7 family binding affinity alone does not account for differences in antibody function. V1C7 and V5C1, as well as their respective point mutants, recognized indistinguishable epitopes on RTA, at least at the level of sensitivity afforded by hydrogen‐deuterium mass spectrometry. The results of this study have implications for engineering therapeutic antibodies because they demonstrate that even subtle differences in epitope specificity can account for important differences in antibody function.
Synthesis of Alkynylated Dihydrofuran‐2(3H)‐ones as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Tissue Non‐Specific Alkaline Phosphatase
Authors: Petrosyan Andranik , Ghochikyan Tariel V. , Ejaz Syeda Abida , Mardiyan Zorayr Z. , Khan Shafi Ullah , Grigoryan Tatevik , Gevorgyan Ashot , Samvelyan Melanya A. , Galstyan Armen S. , Parpart Silvio , Rahman Qamar , Iqbal Jamshed , Langer Peter 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe synthesis of new derivatives of 3‐(3‐arylprop‐2‐ynyl)dihydrofuran‐2(3H)‐ones by Sonogashira reactions and their screening as potent and selective inhibitors of b‐TNAP is reported. Although a few derivatives exhibited non‐selective inhibition of c‐IAP, most of the derivatives were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of b‐TNAP. The selective and potent inhibitors of b‐TNAP might be useful for the treatment of vascular calcification. Among the derivatives studied, one compound was identified as the most potent inhibitor of b‐TNAP with a high inhibitory value, exhibiting a 6 fold more selective activity towards b‐TNAP as compared to c‐IAP. The higher inhibitory activity of this compound towards b‐TNAP is caused by the presence of two furan rings. Similarly, another derivative, having a furan ring, exhibited a lower inhibitory potential towards b‐TNAP, but this compound was found to be the most potent inhibitor of c‐IAP. Furthermore, molecular docking studies of these potent compounds were carried out to see the possible binding modes of potent inhibitors inside the active pocket of respective enzyme.
Novel 5‐Nitroimidazole and 5‐Nitrothiazole Piperazine Derivatives and Their Antiparasitic Activity
Authors: Saadeh Haythem A. , Khasawneh Mohammad A. , Abu‐Zeid Youssif A. , El‐Haty Ismail A. , Mubarak Mohammad S. , Nsangou Sylvain Pechangou , Goyal Kapil , Sehgal Rakesh , Marco‐Contelles José , Samadi Abdelouahid 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA novel series of 5‐nitroimidazole‐piperazines (4a–j) and 5‐nitrothiazole‐piperazine (7a–j) have been prepared in good yields. The antigiardial and antitrichomonal activities of these new compounds were evaluated. Majority of the compounds was found to be more active against Giardia lamblia as compared to metronidazole at 24 hours of incubation. After 48 hours of incubation, compounds 4b, 4f, 7c and 7j showed better activity against G. lamblia with IC50 of 15.3, 11.4, 5.9, 13.5 μM respectively compared to metronidazole (17.4 μM). Compounds 4a–j and 7a–j exhibited anti‐parasitic activity against T. vaginalis with IC50 ranging from 16.4–88.7 μM and 1.2–86.7 μM at 24 hours and 48 hours of incubation respectively. Compounds 4c and 7e were 15 times more potent than the standard drug, metronidazole.
Benzothiazole‐Based Sensors for Protons and Chromium(III) ions
Authors: Sravani Chinduluri , Sivaramakrishna Akella 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTwo benzothiazole based Schiff bases 5‐(diethylamino)‐2‐(((6‐methoxybenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)imino)methyl)phenol (probe 1) and N‐(4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene)‐6‐methoxybenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐amine (probe 2) were efficiently synthesized and structurally characterized. Molecular structure of probe 1 is obtained by single crystal X‐ray analysis. The presence of hydroxyl substituent on phenyl moiety makes probe 1 as ESIPT (Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer) probe and the absence of hydroxyl on phenyl moiety differs probe 2 as PET (Photo Induced Electron Transfer) probe towards sensing of H+ ions. Probe 1 selectively detects H+ ions colorimetrically with reversible changes on adding a base like TEA. Besides H+ ions, probe 2 detects Cr(III) ions with a colorimetric response. The addition of TEA leads to reversible changes with primary protonation and these changes were irreversible with second protonation.
Carbon Coating on SiO2 in Co/C‐SiO2 Catalysts for High and Stable Activity in Nitrobenzene Hydrogenation
Authors: Kondeboina Murali , Enumula Siva Sankar , Muppala Ashok Raju , Madduluri Venkata Rao , Burri David Raju , Kamaraju Seetha Rama Rao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSince 5 % Co/SiO2 catalysts exhibited good activity in nitrobenzene hydrogenation when compared other supported (Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2) catalysts(SI), effect of Co loading on SiO2 support against aniline synthesis was studied in vapour phase conditions. Variation of Co loading revealed that 5 % Co/SiO2 is a better catalyst in terms of nitrobenzene hydrogenation activity. Smaller Co particle size with good number of active sites are helpful in exhibiting good activity by this catalyst .However this catalyst suffers activity loss after 7th hour due to coking. In order to sustain the activity for longer duration SiO2 surface was coated with carbon prior to deposition of Co and found that this Co/C‐SiO2 catalyst exhibited high and steady activity during the time on steam study.
Molecular electrostatic potentials and noncovalent interactions
Authors: Murray Jane S. , Politzer Peter 
Published: July 2017

σ‐Holes and π‐holes are two types of regions of lower electronic density that are frequently found in molecules. There are often positive electrostatic potentials associated with them, through which the molecule can interact attractively with negative sites to form noncovalent bonds. The Hellmann–Feynman theorem shows that these interactions are Coulombic, where this must be understood to include polarization as well as electrostatics. Computed molecular electrostatic potentials have played major roles in elucidating the natures of σ‐hole and π‐hole bonding, but two key issues must be kept in mind: (1) the electrostatic potential at any point r reflects not only the electronic density at r but also contributions from all of the nuclei and electrons in the molecule; thus, the potential in a region does not necessarily correlate with the electronic density in that region. (2) When a molecule begins to interact with another molecule, ion, and so on, its electronic density and hence its electrostatic potential are immediately influenced to some extent by the electric field of the other entity. This induced polarization may significantly affect the molecule's interactive behavior. Both of these issues are discussed. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2017, 7:e1326. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1326This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics
Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
I‐FABP is a Novel Marker for the Detection of Intestinal Injury in Severely Injured Trauma Patients
Authors: Voth M. , Duchene M. , Auner B. , Lustenberger T. , Relja B. , Marzi I. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal injury is a rare injury in multiply traumatized patients, and its diagnosis remains difficult. Delayed diagnosis of an intestinal injury increases the risk of sepsis, multiple organ failure and mortality. The intestinal fatty acid‐binding protein (I‐FABP) is solely expressed in the intestine and is released extracellulary after tissue damage. This study evaluates the validity of I‐FABP as an early biomarker to detect an abdominal injury and particularly an injury to the intestine.Patients and MethodsPatients with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score for abdominal body region (AIS abdomen) ≥3 were included in this study from 07/2006 to 12/2014. Of those, ten patients retrospectively had an intestinal injury (int. injury). According to the Injury Severity Score and the AIS abdomen, corresponding patients with an abdominal injury but without an intestinal injury (no int. injury) were included for matched‐pair analysis. Twenty healthy volunteers served as controls. Plasma I‐FABP levels were measured at admission to the emergency room and up to 10 days daily (d1–d10).ResultsMedian I‐FABP levels were significantly higher in the “int. injury” group compared to the “no int. injury” group [2101.0 pg/ml (IQR = 1248.1–4117.8) vs. 351.4 pg/ml (IQR = 287.6–963.3), p < 0.05]. Furthermore, I‐FABP levels of both groups were significantly higher compared to the control group [Ctrl: 127.2 pg/ml (IQR = 57.4–310.6), p < 0.05]. The time course of I‐FABP levels showed a peak on the day of admission and a decline to the control levels in the further post‐traumatic course. The development of complications such as single‐ or multi‐organ failure, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia and mortality was higher in the “int. injury” group; however, this difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionThis study confirmed our previous observation that I‐FABP might be used as a suitable early biomarker for the detection of abdominal injuries in general. In addition and more specific, I‐FABP may be a useful and promising parameter in the diagnosis of intestinal injuries.
Molecular characterization, modeling, in silico analysis of equine pituitary gonadotropin alpha subunit and docking interaction studies with ganirelix
Authors: Bhardwaj Anuradha , Nayan Varij , Sharma Parvati , Kumar Sanjay , Pal Yash , Singh Jitender 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEquine pituitary gonadotropins (eLH, eFSH, eCG) are heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones with alpha (α) and beta (β) subunits. It is responsible for maintenance of pregnancy in mares during early gestation and fairly valuable for inducing superovulation in animals other than equines. The alpha subunit is common, while beta subunit is species-specific in all glycoprotein hormones. In the present investigation, molecular cloning and in silico characterization including homology modeling and molecular docking analysis of the equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) alpha subunit was carried out for gaining structural and functional insights into the eCG alpha subunit and its possible interaction with ganirelix, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. The equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) alpha subunit expressed in pituitary gland was selected, amplified from total RNA, cloned and sequenced. The in silico analyses were made for homology modelling, structural details, epitope identification and chromosomal localization. Molecular docking studies of eCG alpha were undertaken with a drug ganirelix which is used to control ovulation and has antagonistic activity against GnRH. The protein sequence corresponding to selected open reading frame (ORF) was 99–100% similar with domesticated horse, Przewalski’s horse, and 92–93% with Burchell’s zebra and donkey. Molecular docking studies revealed the possible interaction of eCG alpha with ganirelix. The possible drug-macromolecule interactions were visualized between eCG alpha and ganirelix. The study will provide structural insight into unique sites and an alternate route of gonadotropin suppression applicable to assisted reproductive technologies.
Bilateral Wilms tumour: a review of clinical and molecular features
Authors: Charlton Jocelyn , Irtan Sabine , Bergeron Christophe , Pritchard-Jones Kathy 
Published: July 2017

Wilms tumour (WT) is the most common paediatric kidney cancer and affects approximately one in 10 000 children. The tumour is associated with undifferentiated embryonic lesions called nephrogenic rests (NRs) or, when diffuse, nephroblastomatosis. WT or NRs can occur in both kidneys, termed bilateral disease, found in only 5–8% of cases. Management of bilateral WT presents a major clinical challenge in terms of maximising survival, preserving renal function and understanding underlying genetic risk. In this review, we compile clinical data from 545 published cases of bilateral WT and discuss recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of bilateral WT and its associated precursor NRs in the context of the latest radiological, surgical and epidemiological features.
The impact of switching to clozapine on psychiatric hospital admissions: a mirror-image study
Authors: Kirwan P. , O’Connor L. , Sharma K. , McDonald C. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundClozapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent used primarily in the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Previous studies have demonstrated clozapine’s superior efficacy over other antipsychotic medications in treating this population of patients. The aim of this study was to assess if the number of hospital admissions and days spent in hospital reduced with the initiation of clozapine, compared with when the same sample of patients were prescribed other antipsychotics prior to clozapine initiation.MethodA mirror-image study design was adopted. In this case the intervention under study was the initiation of clozapine. Information was collected retrospectively from the charts of patients attending the University Hospital Galway clozapine clinic. The number of admissions and number of hospital days were collected for each patient over the 3 years before and after clozapine initiation. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was used to test for statistical significance.ResultsThe total sample size comprised of 62 patients, of which the majority were male (74.2%) and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia (82.3%). The mean dose of clozapine was 417 mg, and mean age of the sample was 38 years. Mean number of hospital admissions reduced from 2.8 to 0.8 (p<0.0001) following initiation of clozapine. Mean number of days spent in hospital reduced from 116.4 to 17.1 (p<0.0001).ConclusionAfter initiation of clozapine treatment, patients experience a substantial reduction in number of hospital admissions and number of days spent in hospital when compared with a similar period prior to clozapine initiation.
ON VANISHING THEOREMS FOR LOCAL SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED TO LAURENT POLYNOMIALS
Authors: ESTEROV ALEXANDER , TAKEUCHI KIYOSHI 
Published: July 2017

We prove some vanishing theorems for the cohomology groups of local systems associated to Laurent polynomials. In particular, we extend one of the results of Gelfand et al.[Generalized Euler integrals and$A$-hypergeometric functions, Adv. Math.84(1990), 255–271] to various directions. In the course of the proof, some properties of vanishing cycles of perverse sheaves and twisted Morse theory are used.
Responsibility for “Covering-up” an offence
Authors: Feller S. Z. 
Published: July 2017

The following are some reflections on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Abu Khadrah v. Attorney-General. The facts of the case, albeit very simple, enable a number of primary legal problems regarding the offence of “covering-up” a criminal act to be considered.a. The facts. The appellant was aware from what someone had told him that his informant along with the appellant's brother and other persons had sailed in his brother's boat to Gaza—obviously before the Six Day War—had there met Egyptian intelligence personnel, had handed over a sack and received from them a not inconsiderable sum of Israel money. The appellant was charged under sec. 5 of the Penal Law Revision (State Security—Foreign Relations and Official Secrets) Law, 1957 (hereinafter called the State Security Law) with “covering-up” of an offence committed by his brother and the others contrary to sec. 22 (b) of that Law.
Efficacy of single-dose 500 mg mebendazole in soil-transmitted helminth infections: a review
Authors: Mrus J. , Baeten B. , Engelen M. , Silber S.A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSoil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus (hookworms). Mebendazole is one of the recommended preventive chemotherapy agents for STH. This review summarizes the efficacy data from 29 studies with single-dose 500 mg mebendazole in STH treatment and compares the results with those of a recently conducted phase 3 study of a 500 mg mebendazole chewable tablet against A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections. Studies that reported efficacy results against at least one STH infection were selected from the literature and efficacy data by each STH type were abstracted and pooled. Single-dose 500 mg mebendazole treatment resulted in a cure rate of 92.6% (range: 72.5–100%) for A. lumbricoides, 27.6% (range: 8.4–100%) for T. trichiura and 25.5% (range: 2.9–91.1%) for hookworms. Egg reduction rate for A. lumbricoides was 97.9% (range: 89.8–100%), for T. trichiura it was 72.9% (range: 31.6–93.0%) and for hookworms it was 72.0% (range: −6.5% (denoting an increase in egg count) to 98.3%). Similar results were observed in the studies that were placebo-controlled. In the phase 3 study, the cure rate and egg reduction rate reported was 83.7% and 97.9%, respectively, for A. lumbricoides and 33.9% and 59.7%, respectively, for T. trichiura. In conclusion, single-dose 500 mg mebendazole showed a high cure rate against A. lumbricoides and a substantial reduction in faecal egg count for all STH types. These results are consistent with the recently conducted phase 3 study of a new 500 mg chewable mebendazole tablet.