bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering an ATP-dependent d-Ala:d-Ala ligase for synthesizing amino acid amides from amino acids
Authors: Miki Yuta , Okazaki Seiji , Asano Yasuhisa 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
We successfully engineered a new enzyme that catalyzes the formation of d-Ala amide (d-AlaNH2) from d-Ala by modifying ATP-dependent d-Ala:d-Ala ligase (EC 6.3.2.4) from Thermus thermophilus, which catalyzes the formation of d-Ala-d-Ala from two molecules of d-Ala. The new enzyme was created by the replacement of the Ser293 residue with acidic amino acids, as it was speculated to bind to the second d-Ala of d-Ala-d-Ala. In addition, a replacement of the position with Glu performed better than that with Asp with regards to specificity for d-AlaNH2 production. The S293E variant, which was selected as the best enzyme for d-AlaNH2 production, exhibited an optimal activity at pH 9.0 and 40 °C for d-AlaNH2 production. The apparent K m values of this variant for d-Ala and NH3 were 7.35 mM and 1.58 M, respectively. The S293E variant could catalyze the synthesis of 9.3 and 35.7 mM of d-AlaNH2 from 10 and 50 mM d-Ala and 3 M NH4Cl with conversion yields of 93 and 71.4 %, respectively. This is the first report showing the enzymatic formation of amino acid amides from amino acids.
Aspergillus oryzae Lipase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Dioleoyl; Palmitoyl‐Rich Triacylglycerols in Two Reactors
Authors: Gu Siyun , Feng Fengqin , Li Yang , Wei Wei , Lu Rongrong 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDioleoyl; palmitoyl‐rich triacylglycerols (OPO‐rich TAG) were synthesized through Aspergillus oryzae lipase (AOL)‐catalyzed acidolysis of palm stearin with commercial oleic acid by a one‐step process in a stirred tank reactor and continuous packed bed reactor to evaluate the feasibility of using immobilized AOL. AOL was found to be valuable for the synthesis of OPO‐rich TAG when compared with commercial lipase from Thermomyces lanuginose (Lipozyme® TL IM; Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The C52 (triglycerides with a carbon number of 52, stands for OPO, OPL, LPL and their isomers) content of AOL was higher (45.65 %), and the intensity of treatment (IOT: lipase amount × reaction time/TAG amount) of AOL was just 6.25 % of that of Lipozyme® TL IM under similar reaction conditions in the stirred tank reactor. Response surface methodology were used to optimize the reaction conditions of the AOL‐catalyzed acidolysis is reaction in the packed bed reactor. The optimal point for the set of experimental conditions generated were as follows: residence time 3.0 h; temperature 62.09 °C; substrate molar ratio 7.13 mol/mol. The highest C52 content obtained was 48.60 ± 2.36 %, with 57.46 ± 1.72 % total palmitic acid at the sn‐2 position and 74.21 ± 2.45 % oleic acid at the sn‐1,3 positions. The half‐life of AOL was 24 h in the stirred tank reactor and 140 h in the packed bed reactor. The immobilized AOL achieved similar conversion and selectivity to commercial lipases for the catalyzed synthesis of OPO‐rich TAG and may offer a cheaper alternative.
The validity of the Reynolds equation in spool valve analysis considering cavitation
Authors: Hong Sung-Ho , Kim Kyung-Woong 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the validity of the Reynolds equation in spool valve analysis under cavitation. This study is carried out for a laminar and isothermal flow between a sleeve and spool with grooves. The pressure and lateral force obtained from the Reynolds equation and the Navier-Stokes equation are compared with variations of aspect ratio, cross sectional area, and number of grooves. The cavitation phenomenon is considered by using a cavitation model in the Navier-Stokes equation and the Reynolds cavitation boundary condition in the Reynolds equation. A large difference of more than 20% is found between the equations for a lateral force of spool valve with many grooves. It was found that the Reynolds equation is not suitable for calculation of a lateral force of the spool valve with multiple-grooves of which the width and depth are even larger than the clearance under cavitation.
Evaluation of a simulation‐based curriculum for implementing a new clinical protocol
Authors: Marzano David , Smith Roger , Mhyre Jill M. , Seagull F. Jacob , Curran Diana , Behrmann Sydney , Priessnitz Kristina , Hammoud Maya 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the implementation of a new clinical protocol utilizing on‐unit simulation for team training.MethodsA prospective observational study was performed at the obstetrics unit of Von Voightlander Women's Hospital, Michigan, USA, between October 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. All members of the labor and delivery team were eligible for participation. Traditional education methods and in‐situ multi‐disciplinary simulations were used to educate labor and delivery staff. Following each simulation, participants responded to a survey regarding their experience. To evaluate the effect of the interventions, paging content was analyzed for mandated elements and adherence to operating room entry‐time tracking was examined.ResultsIn total, 51 unique individuals participated in 12 simulations during a 6‐month period. Simulation was perceived as a valuable activity and paging content improved. Following the intervention, the inclusion of a goal time for reaching the operation room increased from 7% to 61% of pages and the proportion of patients entering to operating room within 10 minutes of the stated goal increased from 67% to 85%.ConclusionThe training program was well received, and the accuracy of the communication and the goal set for reaching the operating room improved.
Effect of high‐fidelity shoulder dystocia simulation on emergency obstetric skills and crew resource management skills among residents
Authors: Mannella Paolo , Palla Giulia , Cuttano Armando , Boldrini Antonio , Simoncini Tommaso 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of a simulation training program for residents in obstetrics and gynecology in terms of technical and nontechnical skills for the management of shoulder dystocia.MethodsA prospective study was performed at a center in Italy in April–May 2015. Thirty‐two obstetrics and gynecology residents were divided into two groups. Residents in the control group were immediately exposed to an emergency shoulder dystocia scenario, whereas those in the simulation group completed a 2‐hour training session with the simulator before being exposed to the scenario. After 8 weeks, the residents were again exposed to the shoulder dystocia scenario and reassessed. Participants were scored on their demonstration of technical and nontechnical skills.ResultsIn the first set of scenarios, the mean score was higher in the simulation group than the control group in terms of both technical skills (P = 0.008) and nontechnical skills (P < 0.001). This difference was retained after 8 weeks.ConclusionHigh‐fidelity simulation programs could be used for the training of residents in obstetrics and gynecology to diagnose and manage obstetric emergencies such as shoulder dystocia.
Blending design of composite panels with lamination parameters
Authors: Jin P. , Zhong X. , Yang J. , Sun Z. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a new optimisation method incorporating lamination parameters and a guide-based blending model is proposed. Lamination parameters for a guide laminate and ply number of each panel are employed as design variables for optimisation with a parallel real-coded genetic algorithm incorporating structure behaviour and manufacturing constraints. During the optimisation process, with a form of least squares fitting adopted, another genetic algorithm is used to obtain the guide stacking sequence of the guide laminate from the guide lamination parameters, and then the laminate configurations of each panel are obtained from the guide stacking sequence and number of plies for each panel. The proposed framework is demonstrated via design of an 18-panel horseshoe configuration, where each panel is optimised individually with a buckling constraint. Numerical results indicate that the present algorithm is capable of obtaining fully blended designs.
Insulin-like peptides regulate vitellogenesis and oviposition in the green lacewing,Chrysopa septempunctata
Authors: Zhang T.T. , Zhang G.C. , Zeng F.F. , Liu C.Y. , Mao J.J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractInsulin-like peptides (ILPs) act through a conserved insulin signaling pathway and play crucial roles in insect metabolism, growth, reproduction, and aging. Application of bovine insulin is able to increase vitellogenin (Vg) mRNA and protein levels in female insects. Here, we first show that injection of bovine insulin into previtellogenicChrysopa septempunctatafemale adults promoted ovarian growth, increased Vg protein abundance, elevated reproductive performance, and enhanced protease activity. These data suggested that ILPs play crucial roles in reproductive regulation of the green lacewing,C. septempunctata.
Delivering the Vote: The Political Effect of Free Mail Delivery in Early Twentieth Century America
Authors: Perlman Elisabeth Ruth , Sprick Schuster Steven 
Published: August 2016

The rollout of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in the early twentieth century dramatically increased the frequency with which rural voters received information. This article examines the effect of RFD on voters' and Representatives' behavior using a panel dataset and instrumental variables. Communities receiving more routes spread their votes to more parties; there is no evidence it changed turnout. RFD shifted positions taken by Representatives in line with rural constituents, including increased support for pro-temperance and anti-immigration policies. These results appear only in counties with newspapers, supporting the hypothesis that information flows play a crucial role in the political process.“As the whole world has been drawn closer together by the inventions and uses of steam and electricity, so farmers may be drawn closer together by the universal practice of free delivery.”—Matthew Williams of Verndale, Minnesota as quoted in the 1900 Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture
How Classical Music is Better than Popular Music
Authors: Young James O. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn at least one respect, classical music is superior to popular music. Classical music (understood as common practice composition) has greater potential for expressiveness and, consequently, has more potential for psychological insight and profundity. The greater potential for expressiveness in classical music is due, in large part, to it greater harmonic resources. The harmonies in classical music are more likely to be functional, more contrary motion is employed, and modulation is more common. Although popular music employs rhythms not found in classical music, on the whole there is less rhythmic variety in popular music than there is in classical.
Active and non-active agents: residents’ agency in assisted living
Authors: PIRHONEN JARI , PIETILÄ ILKKA 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTCulturally, institutional care has been seen to strip older people of their status as full adult members of society and turn them into ‘have-nots’ in terms of agency. The substantial emphasis in gerontology of measuring the activity and functional ability of the elderly has unintentionally fostered these stereotypes, as have traditional definitions of agency that emphasise individuals’ choices and capacities. The aim of this paper is to discover what kind of opportunities to feel agentic exist for people who have reduced functional abilities and therefore reside in assisted living. In this paper, agency is approached empirically from the viewpoint of Finnish sheltered housing residents. The data were gathered using participant observation and thematic interviews. This study suggests that even people with substantial declines in their functional abilities may feel more or less agentic depending on their functional and material surroundings and the support they receive from the staff, relatives and other residents. The perception that residents’ agency in assisted living cannot be reduced to measurable activity has methodological implications for gerontological research on agency. Care providers can utilise our findings in reasserting their residents’ quality of life.
Reflections on the Notion of Culture in the History of Mathematics: The Example of “Geometrical Equations”
Authors: Lê François 
Published: August 2016

ArgumentThis paper challenges the use of the notion of “culture” to describe a particular organization of mathematical knowledge, shared by a few mathematicians over a short period of time in the second half of the nineteenth century. This knowledge relates to “geometrical equations,” objects that proved crucial for the mechanisms of encounters between equation theory, substitution theory, and geometry at that time, although they were not well-defined mathematical objects. The description of the mathematical collective activities linked to “geometrical equations,” and especially the technical aspects of these activities, is made on the basis of a sociological definition of “culture.” More precisely, after an examination of the social organization of the group of mathematicians, I argue that these activities form an intricate system of patterns, symbols, and values, for which I suggest a characterization as a “cultural system.”
Multimodal infant-directed communication: how caregivers combine tactile and linguistic cues
Authors: ABU-ZHAYA RANA , SEIDL AMANDA , CRISTIA ALEJANDRINA 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBoth touch and speech independently have been shown to play an important role in infant development. However, little is known about how they may be combined in the input to the child. We examined the use of touch and speech together by having mothers read their 5-month-olds books about body parts and animals. Results suggest that speech+touch multimodal events are characterized by more exaggerated touch and speech cues. Further, our results suggest that maternal touches are aligned with speech and that mothers tend to touch their infants in locations that are congruent with names of body parts. Thus, our results suggest that tactile cues could potentially aid both infant word segmentation and word learning.
The changing epidemiology of Ebstein’s anomaly and its relationship with maternal mental health conditions: a European registry-based study
Authors: Boyle Breidge , Garne Ester , Loane Maria , Addor Marie-Claude , Arriola Larraitz , Cavero-Carbonell Clara , Gatt Miriam , Lelong Nathalie , Lynch Catherine , Nelen Vera , Neville Amanda J. , O’Mahony Mary , Pierini Anna , Rissmann Anke , Tucker David , Zymak-Zakutnia Natalia , Dolk Helen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Ebstein’s anomaly in Europe and its association with maternal health and medication exposure during pregnancy.DesignWe carried out a descriptive epidemiological analysis of population-based data.SettingWe included data from 15 European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies Congenital Anomaly Registries in 12 European countries, with a population of 5.6 million births during 1982–2011.ParticipantsCases included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation, and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly.Main outcome measuresWe estimated total prevalence per 10,000 births. Odds ratios for exposure to maternal illnesses/medications in the first trimester of pregnancy were calculated by comparing Ebstein’s anomaly cases with cardiac and non-cardiac malformed controls, excluding cases with genetic syndromes and adjusting for time period and country.ResultsIn total, 264 Ebstein’s anomaly cases were recorded; 81% were live births, 2% of which were diagnosed after the 1st year of life; 54% of cases with Ebstein’s anomaly or a co-existing congenital anomaly were prenatally diagnosed. Total prevalence rose over time from 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.41) to 0.48 (95% CI 0.40–0.57) (p<0.01). In all, nine cases were exposed to maternal mental health conditions/medications (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 2.64, 95% CI 1.33–5.21) compared with cardiac controls. Cases were more likely to be exposed to maternal β-thalassemia (adjOR 10.5, 95% CI 3.13–35.3, n=3) and haemorrhage in early pregnancy (adjOR 1.77, 95% CI 0.93–3.38, n=11) compared with cardiac controls.ConclusionsThe increasing prevalence of Ebstein’s anomaly may be related to better and earlier diagnosis. Our data suggest that Ebstein’s anomaly is associated with maternal mental health problems generally rather than lithium or benzodiazepines specifically; therefore, changing or stopping medications may not be preventative. We found new associations requiring confirmation.
THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER RE(AD)DRESSED: JENNY WREN'S CRITIQUE OF CHILDHOOD, FEMININITY, AND APPEARANCE
Authors: Moore Ben 
Published: August 2016

Of all Dickens's eccentric children– whose numbers include the Artful Dodger, Paul Dombey, Little Nell, and Smike – none, perhaps, is more peculiarly “old-fashioned” than Jenny Wren inOur Mutual Friend(1864-65). From her first appearance, Jenny exhibits a strange indeterminacy:A parlour door within a small entry stood open, and disclosed a child – a dwarf – a girl – a something – sitting on a little low old-fashioned arm-chair, which had a kind of little working bench before it.“I can't get up,” said the child, “because my back's bad, and my legs are queer. But I'm the person of the house.” (222; bk. 2, ch.1)This description of Jenny cannot settle. The initial assumption that she is a child is placed in doubt as she becomes, in quick succession, a “dwarf,” a “girl,” a “something.” It is left to her to define how she should be perceived, but the phrase she chooses – “the person of the house” – only compounds the confusion. Throughout this article I follow the spirit of this passage. Rather than pursuing a “true” description of Jenny Wren, I offer a reading that puts her indeterminacy centre-stage, along with her job as a “dolls’ dressmaker” for wealthy women. In her appearance, her work, and her language, I argue, Jenny calls into question how gender and child/adult identities are constructed in nineteenth-century society, both in her own working-class milieu, where she is taunted by local children (224; bk. 2, ch. 1), and in the fashionable upper- and middle-class world to whose whims she caters. In addition, I draw upon Thomas Carlyle's novelSartor Resartus(1833-34) and the work of Walter Benjamin to suggest that Jenny's satirical and playful use of words constitutes a philosophical critique of the mutability of appearance in mid-nineteenth-century modernity.
Corruption, environmental regulation and market entry
Authors: Biswas Amit K. , Thum Marcel 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe authors develop a simple analytical framework to study the welfare-maximizing environmental standards when market entry is endogenous and firms can circumvent regulation by bribing corrupt officials. Corruption changes the tradeoff in environmental policy. Corruption leads more polluting firms to enter into the market, which requires tighter environmental regulation. However, corruption also makes trading in some environmental protection for a marginally higher market entry optimal for the government.
The right to be free: is media freedom good news for women's rights?
Authors: COORAY ARUSHA , DUTTA NABAMITA , MALLICK SUSHANTA 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUsing an extensive dataset covering 187 countries during 1993–2011, this paper explores the impact of media freedom from government control on women's rights. To measure women's rights, we consider economic, political and social rights that capture the extent of government's respect for these rights at country level over time. A free press improves government's accountability to the society and leads to better governance. In the context of women's rights, a free press can enhance positive rights by helping women raise voices and gain recognition, and thereby making the government create a more conducive environment for women's empowerment. Further, higher press freedom can reduce the infringement of negative rights by calling for greater public accountability. Yet, a free media, while necessary, may not be sufficient in enhancing such rights, and other institutional factors related to a country's development might be essential to reap the benefit of a free media. Our estimated marginal impacts show that greater access of media (in the form of internet and mobile users) and countries with greater democratic capital enhance the impact of media freedom on women's economic and social rights, with little effect on political rights.
The fate of electron–hole pairs in polymer:fullerene blends for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Causa' Martina , De Jonghe-Risse Jelissa , Scarongella Mariateresa , Brauer Jan C. , Buchaca-Domingo Ester , Moser Jacques-E. , Stingelin Natalie , Banerji Natalie 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThere has been long-standing debate on how free charges are generated in donor:acceptor blends that are used in organic solar cells, and which are generally comprised of a complex phase morphology, where intermixed and neat phases of the donor and acceptor material co-exist. Here we resolve this question, basing our conclusions on Stark effect spectroscopy data obtained in the absence and presence of externally applied electric fields. Reconciling opposing views found in literature, we unambiguously demonstrate that the fate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs—whether they will dissociate to free charges or geminately recombine—is determined at ultrafast times, despite the fact that their actual spatial separation can be much slower. Our insights are important to further develop rational approaches towards material design and processing of organic solar cells, assisting to realize their purported promise as lead-free, third-generation energy technology that can reach efficiencies over 10%.
A substrate-driven allosteric switch that enhances PDI catalytic activity
Authors: Bekendam Roelof H. , Bendapudi Pavan K. , Lin Lin , Nag Partha P. , Pu Jun , Kennedy Daniel R. , Feldenzer Alexandra , Chiu Joyce , Cook Kristina M. , Furie Bruce , Huang Mingdong , Hogg Philip J. , Flaumenhaft Robert 
Published: August 2016

AbstractProtein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an oxidoreductase essential for folding proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. The domain structure of PDI is a–b–b′–x–a′, wherein the thioredoxin-like a and a′ domains mediate disulfide bond shuffling and b and b′ domains are substrate binding. The b′ and a′ domains are connected via the x-linker, a 19-amino-acid flexible peptide. Here we identify a class of compounds, termed bepristats, that target the substrate-binding pocket of b′. Bepristats reversibly block substrate binding and inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in vivo. Ligation of the substrate-binding pocket by bepristats paradoxically enhances catalytic activity of a and a′ by displacing the x-linker, which acts as an allosteric switch to augment reductase activity in the catalytic domains. This substrate-driven allosteric switch is also activated by peptides and proteins and is present in other thiol isomerases. Our results demonstrate a mechanism whereby binding of a substrate to thiol isomerases enhances catalytic activity of remote domains.