bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From the editors
Authors: Value Language 
Published: January 2017

From the Editors
TEACHING AND ASSESSING LISTENING SKILLS EFFECTIVELY IN THE LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: RESEARCH-BASED APPROACHERS
As stated in the last volume of the International Journal of Listening, “Compared with the other L2 skills of reading, writing and speaking, the field of listening is the youngest in terms of research” (Goh and Aryadoust, 2016: 6). This youth of listening skills development in the field of language teaching is partly due to availability of technological advances (audio recordings and videos) and (computer-based) teaching materials which were introduced at a later date in the classroom than paper-based materials. But a slower development of listening skills research is also determined by the fact that listening is a complex skill: it requires attention and concentration, it demands an instant recognition of an event and its related keywords, since vocabulary control and schemata knowledge (situation, topic knowledge and background knowledge) under which the listening input takes place are key factors in determining effective listening. Not only that, speaker factors (accent, intonation) and individual listener factors such as the listening strategies employed by an individual, gender or anxiety levels, are part of the listening skills construct. When we talk about assessing listening skills, together with these issues there is the question of task format in relation to both input and output requirements, the types of questions used in assessing listening skills or the number of times students are allowed to listen to a (video/audio) recording. All these aspects of listening make research in listening an intellectually and academically challenging work.
Genetic and morphological analyses indicate that the Australian endemic scorpionUrodacus yaschenkoi(Scorpiones: Urodacidae) is a species complex
Authors: Luna-Ramirez Karen , Miller Adam D. , Rašić Gordana 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundAustralian scorpions have received far less attention from researchers than their overseas counterparts. Here we provide the first insight into the molecular variation and evolutionary history of the endemic Australian scorpionUrodacus yaschenkoi. Also known as the inland robust scorpion, it is widely distributed throughout arid zones of the continent and is emerging as a model organism in biomedical research due to the chemical nature of its venom.MethodsWe employed Bayesian Inference (BI) methods for the phylogenetic reconstructions and divergence dating among lineages, using unique haplotype sequences from two mitochondrial loci (COXI, 16S) and one nuclear locus (28S). We also implemented two DNA taxonomy approaches (GMYC and PTP/dPTP) to evaluate the presence of cryptic species. Linear Discriminant Analysis was used to test whether the linear combination of 21 variables (ratios of morphological measurements) can predict individual’s membership to a putative species.ResultsGenetic and morphological data suggest thatU. yaschenkoiis a species complex. High statistical support for the monophyly of several divergent lineages was found both at the mitochondrial loci and at a nuclear locus. The extent of mitochondrial divergence between these lineages exceeds estimates of interspecific divergence reported for other scorpion groups. The GMYC model and the PTP/bPTP approach identified major lineages and several sub-lineages as putative species. Ratios of several traits that approximate body shape had a strong predictive power (83–100%) in discriminating two major molecular lineages. A time-calibrated phylogeny dates the early divergence at the onset of continental-wide aridification in late Miocene and Pliocene, with finer-scale phylogeographic patterns emerging during the Pleistocene. This structuring dynamics is congruent with the diversification history of other fauna of the Australian arid zones.DiscussionOur results indicate that the taxonomic status ofU. yaschenkoirequires revision, and we provide recommendations for such future efforts. A complex evolutionary history and extensive diversity highlights the importance of conservingU. yaschenkoipopulations from different Australian arid zones in order to preserve patterns of endemism and evolutionary potential.
Cry1Ac and Vip3Aa proteins fromBacillus thuringiensistargeting Cry toxin resistance inDiatraea flavipennellaandElasmopalpus lignosellusfrom sugarcane
Authors: Lemes Ana Rita Nunes , Figueiredo Camila Soares , Sebastião Isis , Marques da Silva Liliane , da Costa Alves Rebeka , de Siqueira Herbert Álvaro Abreu , Lemos Manoel Victor Franco , Fernandes Odair Aparecido , Desidério Janete Apparecida 
Published: January 2017

The biological potential of Vip and Cry proteins fromBacillusis well known and widely established. Thus, it is important to look for new genes showing different modes of action, selecting those with differentiated entomotoxic activity againstDiatraea flavipennellaandElasmopalpus lignosellus, which are secondary pests of sugarcane. Therefore, Cry1 and Vip3 proteins were expressed inEscherichia coli, and their toxicities were evaluated based on bioassays using neonate larvae. Of those, the most toxic were Cry1Ac and Vip3Aa considering the LC50values. Toxins fromE. coliwere purified, solubilized, trypsinized, and biotinylated. Brush Border Membrane Vesicles (BBMVs) were prepared from intestines of the two species to perform homologous and heterologous competition assays. The binding assays demonstrated interactions between Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Vip3Aa toxins and proteins from the BBMV ofD. flavipennellaandE. lignosellus. Homologous competition assays demonstrated that binding to one of the BBMV proteins was specific for each toxin. Heterologous competition assays indicated that Vip3Aa was unable to compete for Cry1Ac toxin binding. Our results suggest that Cry1Ac and Vip3Aa may have potential in future production of transgenic sugarcane for control ofD. flavipennellaandE. lignosellus, but more research is needed on the potential antagonism or synergism of the toxins in these pests.
Effects of adults aging on word encoding in reading Chinese: evidence from disappearing text
Authors: Liu Zhifang , Pan Yun , Tong Wen , Liu Nina 
Published: January 2017

The effect of aging on the process of word encoding for fixated words and words presented to the right of the fixation point during the reading of sentences in Chinese was investigated with two disappearing text experiments. The results of Experiment 1 showed that only the 40-ms onset disappearance of wordndisrupted young adults’ reading performance. However, for old readers, the disappearance of wordncaused disruptions until the onset time was 120 ms. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the disappearance of wordn + 1 did not cause disruptions to young adults, but these conditions made old readers spend more time reading a sentence compared to the normal display condition. These results indicated a reliable aging effect on the process of word encoding when reading Chinese, and that the encoding process in the preview frame was more susceptible to normal aging compared to that in the fixation frame. We propose that sensory, cognitive, and specific factors related to the Chinese language are important contributors to these age-related differences.
Detecting communicative intent in a computerised test of joint attention
Authors: Caruana Nathan , McArthur Genevieve , Woolgar Alexandra , Brock Jon 
Published: January 2017

The successful navigation of social interactions depends on a range of cognitive faculties—including the ability to achieve joint attention with others to share information and experiences. We investigated the influence that intention monitoring processes have on gaze-following response times during joint attention. We employed a virtual reality task in which 16 healthy adults engaged in a collaborative game with a virtual partner to locate a target in a visual array. In theSearchtask, the virtual partner was programmed to engage in non-communicative gaze shifts in search of the target, establish eye contact, and then display a communicative gaze shift to guide the participant to the target. In theNoSearchtask, the virtual partner simply established eye contact and then made a single communicative gaze shift towards the target (i.e., there were no non-communicative gaze shifts in search of the target). Thus, only the Search task required participants to monitor their partner’s communicative intent before responding to joint attention bids. We found that gaze following was significantly slower in the Search task than the NoSearch task. However, the same effect on response times was not observed when participants completed non-social control versions of the Search and NoSearch tasks, in which the avatar’s gaze was replaced by arrow cues. These data demonstrate that the intention monitoring processes involved in differentiating communicative and non-communicative gaze shifts during the Search task had a measurable influence on subsequent joint attention behaviour. The empirical and methodological implications of these findings for the fields of autism and social neuroscience will be discussed.
A systematic review of animal predation creating pierced shells: implications for the archaeological record of the Old World
Authors: Kubicka Anna Maria , Rosin Zuzanna M. , Tryjanowski Piotr , Nelson Emma 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundThe shells of molluscs survive well in many sedimentary contexts and yield information about the diet of prehistoric humans. They also yield evidence of symbolic behaviours through their use as beads for body adornments. Researchers often analyse the location of perforations in shells to make judgements about their use as symbolic objects (e.g., beads), the assumption being that holes attributable to deliberate human behaviour are more likely to exhibit low variability in their anatomical locations, while holes attributable to natural processes yield more random perforations. However, there are non-anthropogenic factors that can cause perforations in shells and these may not be random. The aim of the study is compare the variation in holes in shells from archaeological sites from the Old World with the variation of holes in shells pierced by mollusc predators.MethodsThree hundred and sixteen scientific papers were retrieved from online databases by using keywords, (e.g., ‘shell beads’; ‘pierced shells’; ‘drilling predators’); 79 of these publications enabled us to conduct a systematic review to qualitatively assess the location of the holes in the shells described in the published articles. In turn, 54 publications were used to assess the location of the holes in the shells made by non-human predators.ResultsAlmost all archaeological sites described shells with holes in a variety of anatomical locations. High variation of hole-placement was found within the same species from the same site, as well as among sites. These results contrast with research on predatory molluscs, which tend to be more specific in where they attacked their prey. Gastropod and bivalve predators choose similar hole locations to humans.DiscussionBased on figures in the analysed articles, variation in hole-location on pierced shells from archaeological sites was similar to variation in the placement of holes created by non-human animals. Importantly, we found that some predators choose similar hole locations to humans. We discuss these findings and identify factors researchers might want to consider when interpreting shells recovered from archaeological contexts.
Novel synaptobrevin‐1 mutation causes fatal congenital myasthenic syndrome
Authors: Shen Xin‐Ming , Scola Rosana H. , Lorenzoni Paulo J. , Kay Cláudia S. K. , Werneck Lineu C. , Brengman Joan , Selcen Duygu , Engel Andrew G. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the molecular basis and elucidate the pathogenesis of a fatal congenital myasthenic syndrome.MethodsWe performed clinical electrophysiology studies, exome and Sanger sequencing, and analyzed functional consequences of the identified mutation.ResultsClinical electrophysiology studies of the patient revealed several‐fold potentiation of the evoked muscle action potential by high frequency nerve stimulation pointing to a presynaptic defect. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous c.340delA frameshift mutation in synaptobrevin 1 (SYB1), one of the three SNARE proteins essential for synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Analysis of both human spinal cord gray matter and normal human muscle revealed expression of the SYB1A and SYB1D isoforms, predicting expression of one or both isoforms in the motor nerve terminal. The identified mutation elongates the intravesicular C‐terminus of the A isoform from 5 to 71, and of the D isoform from 4 to 31 residues. Transfection of either mutant isoform into bovine chromaffin cells markedly reduces depolarization‐evoked exocytosis, and transfection of either mutant isoform into HEK cells significantly decreases expression of either mutant compared to wild type.InterpretationThe mutation is pathogenic because elongation of the intravesicular C‐terminus of the A and D isoforms increases the energy required to move their C‐terminus into the synaptic vesicle membrane, a key step for fusion of the synaptic vesicle with the presynaptic membrane, and because it is predicted to reduce expression of either isoform in the nerve terminal.
Metabolic nodal response as a prognostic marker after neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal cancer
Authors: Findlay J M , Bradley K M , Wang L M , Franklin J M , Teoh E J , Gleeson F V , Maynard N D , Gillies R S , Middleton M R 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background
The ability to predict recurrence and survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and surgery for oesophageal cancer remains elusive. This study evaluated the role of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET–CT in assessing tumour and nodal response as a prognostic marker.

Methods
This was a single-centre UK cohort study. From 2006 to 2014, patients with oesophageal cancer staged with PET–CT before NAC, and restaged by CT or PET–CT before resection, were included. Pathological tumour response was evaluated using Mandard regression grades. Metabolic tumour and nodal responses (mTR and mNR respectively) were quantified using absolute and threshold reductions.

Results
Among 294 included patients, mTR and mNR independently predicted prognosis before surgery. After surgery, mNR (but not mTR), pathological tumour response, resection margin status and pathological node category predicted prognosis. Patients with FDG-avid nodal disease after NAC were at high risk of recurrence/death at 1 and 2 years (43 and 71 per cent respectively; P = 0·030 and P = 0·025 versus patients without avid nodes), and had a worse prognosis than patients with non-avid nodal metastases: hazard ratio 4·19 (95 per cent c.i. 1·87 to 9·40) and 2·11 (1·12 to 3·97) respectively versus patients without nodal metastases. Considering mTR and mNR response separately improved prognostication.

Conclusion
mNR is a novel prognostic factor, independent of conventional N status. Primary and nodal tumours may respond discordantly and patients with FDG-avid nodes after NAC have a poor prognosis.
Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Titanium(IV) Amido Pyridylene Phenylene and Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Titanacyclopropane Amido Complexes and their Behavior in the Polymerization of Ethylene and Cyclic Olefins
Authors: van der Ende Melita , Wang Dongren , Frey Wolfgang , Buchmeiser Michael R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe reaction of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride (Cp*TiCl3) with lithium N,N‐bis{6‐[2‐(diethylboryl)phenyl]pyridyl‐2‐yl}amide resulted in the formation of chlorido[η3‐N‐{6‐[2‐(diethylboryl)phenyl]pyridyl‐2‐yl}‐N‐(6‐C6H4)pyrid‐2‐yl)amido]pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium (Ti‐1). The structure of Ti‐1 was elucidated by using single‐crystal XRD. The same compound is formed upon the reaction of Cp*TiCl3 with lithium N‐{6‐[2‐(diethylboryl)phenyl]pyridyl‐2‐yl}‐N’‐[6‐(2‐bromophenyl)pyridyl‐2‐yl]amide. The reaction of N,N‐bis[6‐(2‐bromophen‐1‐yl)pyrid‐2‐yl]amine (4) with lithium hexamethyldisilazide followed by the addition of Cp*TiCl3 leads to the formation of [N,N‐bis{6‐(2‐bromophen‐1‐yl)pyrid‐2‐yl}amide]dichloridopentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium (Ti‐2). The reaction of Ti‐1 with benzylmagnesium chloride yields the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl titanium vinyl complex pentamethylcyclopentadienyl{N‐(6‐phenylpyridyl‐2‐yl)‐N‐[6‐(2‐ethyl‐η2‐vinylboryl‐C6H4)pyrid‐2‐yl]amido}titanium (Ti‐3) by C−H activation; Ti‐3 is best described as a monosubstituted titanacyclopropane. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), Ti‐1 produces linear, high‐density polyethylene with molecular weights >6×106 g mol−1, whereas Ti‐2 yielded ethyl‐branched polyethylene. Both Ti‐1 and Ti‐2 are able to copolymerize ethylene (E) with norborn‐2‐ene (NBE) and E with cyclopentene (CPE) and to terpolymerize E with NBE and CPE. Ti‐1 activated by MAO is also active in the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of NBE to produce up to 97 % cis‐syndiotactic poly(NBE). The polymer structure of all resulting homo‐ and copolymers was elucidated by using 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Synthesis of [Bis(hexamethylene)cyclopentadienone]iron Tricarbonyl and its Application to the Catalytic Reduction of C=O Bonds
Authors: Vailati Facchini Sofia , Neudörfl Jörg‐Martin , Pignataro Luca , Cettolin Mattia , Gennari Cesare , Berkessel Albrecht , Piarulli Umberto 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHerein, we report the synthesis of [bis(hexamethylene)cyclopentadienone]iron tricarbonyl (1 b) by the reaction of cyclooctyne with Fe(CO)5 and the investigation of its catalytic properties in C=O bond reduction. As a result of the peculiar reactivity of cyclooctyne, 1 b was formed in good yield (56 %) by intermolecular cyclative carbonylation/complexation with Fe(CO)5. Compound 1 b was characterized fully and its crystal structure was determined by using XRD. Catalytic tests revealed that, upon in situ activation with Me3NO, 1 b promotes the hydrogenation of ketones, aldehydes, and activated esters as well as the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and shows a higher activity than the classical “Knölker complex” (1 a). Studies on the hydrogenation kinetics in the presence of 1 a and 1 b (respectively) suggest that this difference in activity is probably caused by the better stability of the 1 b‐derived complex than that of the in situ generated Knölker–Casey catalyst.
Unexpected Electrochemical Transformation of Aminobenzene Sulfonic Acid Isomers to Respective Surface‐Confined‐Redox Active Quinones Bypassing Polyaniline on a MWCNT Surface
Authors: Mayuri Pinapeddavari , Kumar Annamalai Senthil 
Published: January 2017

AbstractElectrochemical oxidation of aniline and its derivatives, such as aminobenzene sulfonic acid (SA), on solid electrodes [Pt, glassy carbon (GCE), indium tin oxide (ITO), and Au] leads to the formation of conducting polyaniline (PANI) and its derivatives as the only products in aqueous solution. We report here, for the first time, the unique and unexpected electrochemical transformation of ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐SA into highly redox‐active, adsorption‐controlled quinone isomers [catechol (CA), resorcinol (Re), hydroquinone (HQ)], without any PANI‐like product formation on a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐modified GCE (GCE/MWCNT@Q, where Q=quinone) within a restricted potential cycling window (−0.4 to 0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl) in a neutral pH solution. It is proposed that upon the potential cycling of a 2.1 wt% iron‐impurity‐containing MWCNT‐modified GCE with a millimolar concentration of SA isomers, benzene (after deamination and desulfonation of SA) and hydrogen peroxide (from the oxygen reduction reaction at −0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl) are formed as intermediate species, which are then converted to quinones and quinone‐like products through the electro‐Fenton reaction (utilizing the iron impurity and H2O2). One of the reaction intermediates, benzene, was identified (Mw=77.8±0.5 g mol−1) by using an in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance coupled cyclic voltammetric technique. By using GCE/MWCNT@HQ as a model system, efficient electrocatalytic oxidation and sensing of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was successfully demonstrated.
Experimental study of simultaneous removal of CO2 and SO2 in a spouted bed reactor
Authors: Fakhari Mohamad Ali , Rahimi Amir , Hatamipour Mohammad Sadegh , Fozooni Ali 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study experimentally investigated simultaneous absorption of CO2 and SO2 by NaOH solution in a powder particle spouted bed (PPSB) reactor. The Taguchi method was used for design of the experiments on the effect of the operating parameters of molar ratio of sorbent to CO2, inlet gas temperature and flow rate, and CO2 and SO2 concentrations in the gas stream on removal of CO2. In a PPSB reactor, when there is no SO2 to compete for absorption, the maximum removal efficiency of CO2 by NaOH solution was 56 %; in the presence of SO2, the average removal efficiency was less than 37 %. Although the CO2 and SO2 concentrations and inlet gas flow had significant effects on CO2 removal, inlet gas temperature and the molar ratio of sorbent to CO2 had little effect on removal efficiency.
Hypomethylating agents in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors in higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes: Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Authors: Stahl Maximilian , Zeidan Amer M. 
Published: January 2017

The combination of hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors demonstrates promising results in phase 1 trials but unfortunately disappointing results in all phase 2 trials to date.See also pages 994‐1002.
Phase 2, randomized, double‐blind study of pracinostat in combination with azacitidine in patients with untreated, higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Montalban‐Bravo Guillermo , Berdeja Jesus G. , Abaza Yasmin , Jabbour Elias , Essell James , Lyons Roger M. , Ravandi Farhad , Maris Michael , Heller Brian , DeZern Amy E. , Babu Sunil , Wright David , Anz Bertrand , Boccia Ralph , Komrokji Rami S. , Kuriakose Philip , Reeves James , Sekeres Mikkael A. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Ghalie Richard , Roboz Gail J. 
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUNDThe prognosis of patients with higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains poor despite available therapies. Histone deacetylase inhibitors have demonstrated activity in patients with MDS and in vitro synergy with azacitidine.METHODSA phase 2 randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of azacitidine and pracinostat was conducted in patients who had International Prognostic Scoring System intermediate‐2–risk or high‐risk MDS. The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) rate by cycle 6 of therapy.RESULTSOf 102 randomized patients, there were 51 in the pracinostat group and 51 in the placebo group. The median age was 69 years. The CR rate by cycle 6 of therapy was 18% and 33% (P = .07) in the pracinostat and placebo groups, respectively. No significant differences in overall survival (median, 16 vs 19 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.66‐2.23) or progression‐free survival (11 vs 9 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.546‐1.46) were observed between groups. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred more frequently in the pracinostat group (98% vs 74%), leading to more treatment discontinuations (20% vs 10%).CONCLUSIONSThe combination of azacitidine with pracinostat did not improve outcomes in patients with higher‐risk MDS. Higher rates of treatment discontinuation may partially explain these results, suggesting alternative dosing and schedules to improve tolerability may be required to determine the potential of the combination. Cancer 2017;123:994–1002. © 2016 American Cancer Society.