bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Senegal
Authors: Villalón Leonardo A. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract:Within Muslim Africa, Senegal has long been characterized by the striking dominance of Sufi forms of Islamic practice and social organization, with important consequences for Senegalese politics and society. While the Sufi model remains centrally important, it has been increasingly rivaled since the 1980s by reformist, or “Islamist,” groups and ideologies. In the wake of the historic Senegalese democratic alternation in power in 2000, and in an international context of apparent conflict between the West and the Muslim world, the growing public discourse about religion in Senegal is resulting in reinterpretations and dynamic transformations that have further blurred the boundaries between Sufism and Islamism.
The presence of biofilm-producing bacteria on tonsils is associated with increased exhaled nitric oxide levels: preliminary data in children who experience recurrent exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis
Authors: Torretta S , Marchisio P , Drago L , Capaccio P , Baggi E , Pignataro L 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground:It has been suggested that bacterial biofilms may be a causative factor in the aetiopathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis. Involvement of exhaled nitric oxide has been previously considered, with conflicting findings.Objective:A pilot study was performed to investigate the relationship between exhaled nitric oxide levels and the presence of tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria in children with chronic tonsillitis.Method:Tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria on bioptic specimens taken during tonsillectomy were assessed by means of spectrophotometry.Results:Analysis was based on 24 children aged 5–10 years (median, 7.5 years). Biofilm-producing bacteria were found in 40.9 per cent of specimens. The median exhaled nitric oxide level was 11.6 ppb (range, 3.2–22.3 ppb). There was a significant relationship between the presence of biofilm-producing bacteria and increased exhaled nitric oxide levels (p = 0.03). Children with exhaled nitric oxide levels of more than 8 ppb were at three times greater risk of developing tonsillar biofilm-producing bacteria than those with lower levels.Conclusion:Our findings suggest the possibility of discriminating children with chronic biofilm-sustained tonsillar infections on the basis of exhaled nitric oxide levels.
Transnational Dynamics of Contention in Contemporary Cuba
Authors: GEOFFRAY MARIE LAURE 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article explores the example of Cuba in order to understand how a contentious politics has evolved since the 2000s and especially after the semi-liberalisation of internet access in 2008. My aim is to analyse how use of new technologies impact the fragmented arenas of contention that already existed in Cuba. My argument is that they have reinforced existing dynamics, while creating new channels of expression and linkage, between contentious spaces within Cuba and with specific segments of the Cuban diaspora. Those dynamics have in turn allowed for the emergence of a transnational Cuban public arena and a more intricate contentious space in Cuba itself.
From Sepoy to Film Star: Indian interpreters of an Afghan mythic space
Authors: HAKALA WALTER N. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe paucity of sources documenting the role of Indians in the nineteenth-century British imperial engagement with Afghanistan has resulted in significant lacunae within later cultural artefacts documenting the period. The South Asians who formed the bulk of British expeditionary forces in the first Anglo-Afghan war (1837–1842) were, however, indispensable as cultural intermediaries, translating little-studied Afghan languages into patterns of South Asian speech that had become familiar to colonial officials through a gradual and ongoing process of exposure in India proper and, in the presence of comprador agents, beyond. For English-language authors writing in the aftermath of the traumatic retreat of the British army from Afghanistan in 1842, British India and its subject populations provided a convenient and long-established set of topoi through which to produce convincingly authentic representations of Afghanistan as an exotic and alien ‘mythic space’. Following George Steiner and Richard Slotkin, this article argues that the narrative memorials to the first Anglo-Afghan War become possible only through the activation of a particular set of stable, yet portable, South Asian literary figures which stand in for Afghanistan itself.
Ten-year all-cause mortality in hospitalized non-surgical patients based on nutritional status screening
Authors: Kissova Viera , Rosenberger Jaroslav , Goboova Maria , Kiss Adrian 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveMalnutrition is common in patients admitted to hospital due to acute illness and contributes to negative patient outcomes. In Slovakia there is a lack of relevant data on malnutrition in hospitalized patients, particularly based on chronic co-morbidity and survival. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized chronic patients, its relationship to co-morbidity and its impact on 10-year survival.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingNutritional status was estimated by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), BMI and serum albumin level. Survival was assessed from the National Insurance Registry over a 10-year period. The association between nutritional status measured by SGA and 10-year survival controlling for age, gender, BMI and serum albumin was analysed using Cox regression.SubjectsData were taken from the medical records of 202 consecutively admitted chronic patients.ResultsMedian age was 63·5 years; 55·4 % were males; median BMI was 25·9 kg/m2; median serum albumin level was 39·0 g/l. Based on SGA evaluation, 38·1 % did not have sufficient nutritional status (SGA classification B and C). Malnutrition was more common in patients who were older (P=0·023), with lower BMI (P<0·001), who had gastrointestinal (P=0·049) and oncologic co-morbidity (P=0·021) and lower albumin level (P=0·049). In-hospital mortality was 3 %, but during the following 10 years 52 % died. Cox regression analysis controlling for age, gender, BMI and serum albumin showed that SGA was an independent predictor of death (hazard ratio=1·55; 95 % CI 1·04, 2·32; P=0·031).ConclusionsSGA is a simple screening tool that can be routinely used in hospitalized Slovak medical patients to predict the risk of death. Improving patient nutrition could thus reduce mortality.
F-box protein Fbxl18 mediates polyubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of the pro-apoptotic SCF subunit Fbxl7
Authors: Liu Y , Lear T , Zhao Y , Zhao J , Zou C , Chen B B , Mallampalli R K 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFbxl7, a subunit of the SCF (Skp-Cul1-F-box protein) complex induces mitotic arrest in cells; however, molecular factors that control its cellular abundance remain largely unknown. Here, we identified that an orphan F-box protein, Fbxl18, targets Fbxl7 for its polyubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. Lys 109 within Fbxl7 is an essential acceptor site for ubiquitin conjugation by Fbxl18. An FQ motif within Fbxl7 serves as a molecular recognition site for Fbxl18 interaction. Ectopically expressed Fbxl7 induces apoptosis in Hela cells, an effect profoundly accentuated after cellular depletion of Fbxl18 protein or expression of Fbxl7 plasmids encoding mutations at either Lys 109 or within the FQ motif. Ectopic expression of Fbxl18 plasmid-limited apoptosis caused by overexpressed Fbxl7 plasmid. Thus, Fbxl18 regulates apoptosis by mediating ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein Fbxl7 that may impact cellular processes involved in cell cycle progression.
Carbon–carbon bond activation of cyclobutenones enabled by the addition of chiral organocatalyst to ketone
Authors: Li Bao-Sheng , Wang Yuhuang , Jin Zhichao , Zheng Pengcheng , Ganguly Rakesh , Chi Yonggui Robin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe activation of carbon–carbon (C–C) bonds is an effective strategy in building functional molecules. The C–C bond activation is typically accomplished via metal catalysis, with which high levels of enantioselectivity are difficult to achieve due to high reactivity of metal catalysts and the metal-bound intermediates. It remains largely unexplored to use organocatalysis for C–C bond activation. Here we describe an organocatalytic activation of C–C bonds through the addition of an NHC to a ketone moiety that initiates a C–C single bond cleavage as a key step to generate an NHC-bound intermediate for chemo- and stereo-selective reactions. This reaction constitutes an asymmetric functionalization of cyclobutenones using organocatalysts via a C–C bond activation process. Structurally diverse and multicyclic compounds could be obtained with high optical purities via an atom and redox economic process.
Associations of PI3KR1 and mTOR Polymorphisms with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk and Gene-Environment Interactions in Eastern Chinese Populations
Authors: Zhu Jinhong , Wang Mengyun , Zhu Meiling , He Jin , Wang Jiu-Cun , Jin Li , Wang Xiao-Feng , Xiang Jia-Qing , Wei Qingyi 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PI3K/PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may contribute to carcinogenesis. We genotyped five potentially functional PIK3R1 and mTOR SNPs in 1116 esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients and 1117 cancer-free controls to assess their associations with ESCC risk. We observed no association with ESCC risk for any of the selected SNPs. However, the combined analysis of these SNPs revealed that subjects with one-to-three risk genotypes had an increased ESCC risk. Stratified analysis by body mass index (BMI) found that ESCC risk was significantly associated with each of three mTOR SNPs among subjects with BMI < 25.0. Specifically, we found that subjects carrying ≥ 1 risk genotypes had significantly increased ESCC risk, particularly for males, ever-smokers, ever-drinkers and those with age > 60, or BMI < 25.0. Moreover, three mTOR haplotypes were associated with an increase in ESCC risk. Our meta-analysis of mTOR rs2295080 and cancer risk provided further evidence that mTOR SNPs might modulate cancer susceptibility. In this population, such risk effects might be modified by other risk factors, highlighting the importance of gene-environment interaction in esophageal carcinogenesis. Additional, larger studies are warranted to validate our findings.
Ionic Polymer-Coated Laccase with High Activity and Enhanced Stability: Application in the Decolourisation of Water Containing AO7
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin , Hua Ming , Lv Lu , Pan Bingcai 
Published: February 2015

AbstractEliminating dyes in environmental water purification remains a formidable challenge. Laccase is a unique, environmentally friendly and efficient biocatalyst that can degrade pollutants. However, the use of laccase for the degradation of pollutants is considerably limited by its susceptibility to environmental changes and its poor reusability. We fabricated a novel biocatalyst (LacPG) by coating polyethylenimine onto the native laccase (Lac) followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The stability of the resulting LacPG was highly enhanced against pH variations, thermal treatments and provided better long-term storage with a negligible loss in enzymatic activity. Compared to Lac, LacPG exhibited significantly higher decolourisation efficiency in the degradation of a representative azo dye, acid orange 7 (AO7), which resulted from the electrostatic attraction between the coating and AO7. LacPG was separated from the AO7 solution using an ultrafiltration unit. The increased size and modified surface chemistry of LacPG facilitated ultrafiltration and reduced membrane fouling. LacPG exhibited enhanced stability, high catalytic activity and favourable properties for membrane separation; therefore, LacPG could be continuously reused in an enzymatic membrane reactor with a high efficiency for decolourising water containing AO7. The developed strategy appears to be promising for enhancing the applicability of laccase in practical water treatment.
Real-space Wigner-Seitz Cells Imaging of Potassium on Graphite via Elastic Atomic Manipulation
Authors: Yin Feng , Koskinen Pekka , Kulju Sampo , Akola Jaakko , Palmer Richard E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAtomic manipulation in the scanning tunnelling microscopy, conventionally a tool to build nanostructures one atom at a time, is here employed to enable the atomic-scale imaging of a model low-dimensional system. Specifically, we use low-temperature STM to investigate an ultra thin film (4 atomic layers) of potassium created by epitaxial growth on a graphite substrate. The STM images display an unexpected honeycomb feature, which corresponds to a real-space visualization of the Wigner-Seitz cells of the close-packed surface K atoms. Density functional simulations indicate that this behaviour arises from the elastic, tip-induced vertical manipulation of potassium atoms during imaging, i.e. elastic atomic manipulation and reflects the ultrasoft properties of the surface under strain. The method may be generally applicable to other soft e.g. molecular or biomolecular systems.
Coherent phonon optics in a chip with an electrically controlled active device
Authors: Poyser Caroline L. , Akimov Andrey V. , Campion Richard P. , Kent Anthony J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPhonon optics concerns operations with high-frequency acoustic waves in solid media in a similar way to how traditional optics operates with the light beams (i.e. photons). Phonon optics experiments with coherent terahertz and sub-terahertz phonons promise a revolution in various technical applications related to high-frequency acoustics, imaging and heat transport. Previously, phonon optics used passive methods for manipulations with propagating phonon beams that did not enable their external control. Here we fabricate a phononic chip, which includes a generator of coherent monochromatic phonons with frequency 378 GHz, a sensitive coherent phonon detector and an active layer: a doped semiconductor superlattice, with electrical contacts, inserted into the phonon propagation path. In the experiments, we demonstrate the modulation of the coherent phonon flux by an external electrical bias applied to the active layer. Phonon optics using external control broadens the spectrum of prospective applications of phononics on the nanometer scale.
A Speech Perception Test in Simulated Reverberation Conditions
Authors: Spitzer Jaclyn B. , Sandridge Sharon A. , Newman Craig W. , Sydlowski Sarah , Ghent Robert M. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
This study developed new test materials by applying various reverberation treatments to sentences having high and low contextual redundancy.

Method

The Speech Perception in Noise–Revised (SPIN-R; Bilger, Nuetzel, Rabinowitz, & Rzeczkowski, 1984; Kalikow, Stevens, & Elliott, 1977) sentences were modified (SPIN-Reverb) with reverberation times (RT
60
) from simulated environments: unprocessed, RevCond 1 (RT
60
= 600 ms), RevCond 2 (RT
60
= 1200 ms), and RevCond 3 (RT
60
= 3600 ms). Phase 1 investigated list equivalency among 75 listeners with normal hearing; Phase 2 examined the utility of SPIN-Reverb for 15 cochlear implant (CI) recipients.

Results

Equivalent lists within each reverberation condition (unprocessed, RevCond 1, 2, and 3) were identified using nonparametric bootstrapping. Analysis of variance (Phase 1) demonstrated significant differences across conditions for high predictability and total scores. Listening performance decreased for both high and low predictability as RT
60
increased for listeners with normal hearing and CI recipients. Unprocessed, RevCond 1, RevCond 2, and RevCond 3 conditions were significantly different from each other. Within RevCond conditions, high- and low-predictability sentences were significantly different from each other.

Conclusions
RevCond 1 and RevCond 2 may be useful supplements to the current CI battery. The SPIN-Reverb has potential as a set of clinically feasible materials that are graded in difficulty and representative of real-life acoustic challenges for the evaluation of sensory devices.
Neuromorphic VLSI second‐order synapse
Authors: Aggarwal A. , Horiuchi T.K. 
Published: February 2015

The synapse circuit presented here is constructed from a second‐order lowpass filter using log‐domain techniques. This synapse presents an advantage over those currently available as its output current is proportional to the number of spiking inputs and it can delay the peak current from 0.5–50 ms. Thus, this can be used for temporal coding and to substitute several parallel synapses with one. Measurement results from its implementation in a 0.5 µm ON semiconductor technology are presented.
Common cathode VCSEL driver in 90 nm CMOS enabling 25 Gbit/s optical connection using 14 Gbit/s 850 nm VCSEL
Authors: Belfiore G. , Szilagyi L. , Henker R. , Ellinger F. 
Published: February 2015

The design and electro‐optical measurements of a 25 Gbit/s common cathode vertical cavity surface‐emitting laser (VCSEL) driver in 90 nm bulk CMOS technology is presented. The driver is bonded to a 14 Gbit/s commercial VCSEL providing both DC and modulation current to the laser. The power consumption including the VCSEL is 60 mW. Since the DC bias of the VCSEL exceeds the breakdown voltage of thin oxide transistors, a novel output stage configuration using isolated wells is proposed. The active area is only 127 × 50 μm.
Area and energy efficient 802.11ad LDPC decoding processor
Authors: Li Meng , Lee Youngjoo , Huang Yanxiang , Van der Perre Liesbet 
Published: February 2015

The design of multi‐Gbit/s low‐density parity‐check code (LDPC) decoders has become a hot topic in recent years to meet the growing demand of the transformation towards 4G. An area and energy efficient multi‐Gbit/s LDPC decoder engine with a fully paralleled layered architecture based on an application‐specific instruction set processor (ASIP) using Synopsys IP designer is presented. When the ASIP core is instantiated for 802.11ad, it achieved a throughput of up to 7 Gbit/s at three iterations with a latency of 95 ns, a record energy efficiency of 2.5 pJ/bit/iteration and an area efficiency of 54.5 Gbit/s/sq‐m in CMOS 28 nm technology for the 1/2 rate, showing it to be competitive against published ASIC solutions.
Effective method for high‐throughput manufacturing of ultrafine fibres via needleless centrifugal spinning
Authors: Chen Huanhuan , Xu Huaizhong , Sun Jiaqi , Liu Chen , Yang Bin 
Published: February 2015

A nozzle‐free spinneret with a flow controller was applied to produce nanoscale fibres of both polymeric solutions and melts by centrifugal field. This centrifugal processing strategy can be used to fabricate non‐woven webs composed of fibre diameters ranging from several microns down to 400 nm or less. The fibre morphology and diameter in melt needleless centrifugal spinning (NCS) can be controlled by varying the rotation speed, temperature, liquid properties and collector system. Solution NCS adds the operating parameters of the solution concentration and the solvent. The field emission scanning electron microscope images show that the average diameter of the fibres is approximately 2 ± 0.8 µm and 400 ± 100 nm for polyethylene terephthalate fibres (2400 rpm, 245°C) and polyvinylpyrrolidone fibres (20 wt%, 4000 rpm), respectively.
Two-photon brightness of azobenzene photoswitches designed for glutamate receptor optogenetics
Authors: Carroll Elizabeth C. , Berlin Shai , Levitz Joshua , Kienzler Michael A. , Yuan Zhe , Madsen Dorte , Larsen Delmar S. , Isacoff Ehud Y. 
Published: February 2015

Significance
MAGs (maleimide-azobenzene-glutamate) are photoswitches that covalently bind to genetically engineered glutamate receptors (GluRs) and, under the control of light, mimic or block the action of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. However the blue and near-UV light that optimally photoswitch MAGs do not penetrate well into the brain. In this paper, we show how MAGs can instead be photoswitched by two-photon (2P) absorption of near-infrared light, which penetrates deeper into tissue. We demonstrate 2P control of MAG-dependent ionic currents in neurons, and synthesize a new MAG photoswitch to enable 2P activation of a G protein coupled receptor signaling cascade through a metabotropic GluR. These optogenetic tools bring exceptional spatiotemporal resolution and pharmacological specificity to the study of synaptic transmission and plasticity in intact neural circuits.
Characterizing upper-ocean mixing and its effect on the spring phytoplankton bloom with in situ data
Authors: Brody Sarah R. , Lozier M. Susan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSince publication, the Sverdrup hypothesis, that phytoplankton are uniformly distributed within the ocean mixed layer and bloom once the ocean warms and stratifies in spring, has been the conventional explanation of subpolar phytoplankton spring bloom initiation. Recent studies have sought to differentiate between the actively mixing section of the upper ocean and the uniform-density mixed layer, arguing, as Sverdrup implied, that decreases in active mixing drive the spring bloom. In this study, we use in situ data to investigate the characteristics and depth of active mixing in both buoyancy- and wind-driven regimes and explore the idea that the shift from buoyancy-driven to wind-driven mixing in the late winter or early spring creates the conditions necessary for blooms to begin. We identify the bloom initiation based on net rates of biomass accumulation and relate changes in the depth of active mixing to changes in biomass depth profiles. These analyses support the idea that decreases in the depth of active mixing, a result of the transition from buoyancy-driven to wind-driven mixing, control the timing of the spring bloom.
SMT19969 for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI): in vivo efficacy compared with fidaxomicin and vancomycin in the hamster model of CDI
Authors: Sattar Abdul , Thommes Pia , Payne Lloyd , Warn Peter , Vickers Richard J. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Objectives
SMT19969 is a novel narrow-spectrum antimicrobial under development for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The objectives were to assess the relative efficacies of SMT19969, vancomycin and fidaxomicin in the hamster model of CDI.

Methods
Hamsters were infected with either C. difficile BI1 (ribotype 027) or C. difficile 630 (ribotype 012) prior to treatment with vehicle, SMT19969, fidaxomicin or vancomycin for 5 days. Animals were further monitored through to day 28 and survival recorded. Plasma and gastrointestinal concentrations of SMT19969 following single and repeat administration in infected hamsters were determined.

Results
Following infection with C. difficile BI1, treatment with SMT19969, vancomycin and fidaxomicin resulted in 100% survival during the 5 day dosing period, with 90%–100% of animals receiving SMT19969 and fidaxomicin surviving during the post-dosing follow-up period. Whilst protective during treatment, onset of mortality was observed on day 11 in animals treated with vancomycin, with a 10% survival recorded by day 28. Similar results were observed for SMT19969 and vancomycin following infection with C. difficile 630, with day 28 survival rates of 80%–100% and 0%, respectively. Fidaxomicin protected animals infected with C. difficile 630 from mortality during dosing, although day 28 survival rates varied from 0% to 40% depending on dose. Plasma levels of SMT19969 were typically below the limit of quantification, but levels in the gastrointestinal tract remained far in excess of the MIC.

Conclusions
These data show that SMT19969 is highly effective at treating both acute infection and preventing recurrent disease and support continued investigation of SMT19969 as a potential therapy for CDI.