bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Zn(II) and Ni(II) Binary from Wastewater Using Integrated Biosorption and Electrodeposition
Authors: Booran Shahrad Khodaei , Doan Huu D. , Lohi Ali
Published: March 2014

The present study aimed to obtain best operational conditions for biosorption of Zn(II) and Ni(II) binary metal solution in a fixed bed packed with wheat straw as biosorbent. The effects of bed depths, liquid flow rates and mixture metal concentrations on biosorption service time were investigated. The results showed that breakthrough service time of the biosorption columns (Cb = 2 mg/L Zn and Ni) increased with increasing bed depth, while decreased with increasing influent concentrations and flow rates, as expected. This paper further extended the study to investigate the competition of Zn(II) and Ni(II) binary in solution by performing biosorption tests at varied ratio of the metal concentrations. For biomass regeneration, the effect of desorbing agents (hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulphuric acid), their concentrations (0.1–0.5 mol/L) and flow rates (0.05–0.1 L/min) on recovery of Zn(II) and Ni(II) binary mixture was investigated. The best performance in desorption of Zn(II) and Ni(II) binary solutions were 0.1 mol/L H2SO4 and a 0.05 L/min inlet flow rate. Moreover, after five sorption/desorption cycles, the biosorbent still maintained its high adsorption capability. Electrodeposition was also used to recover metal ions from concentrated Zn(II) and Ni(II) binary solutions (about 340 mg/L) from the desorption step. It was found that the electrodeposition could reduce the metal concentrations down to wastewater discharge limit of 2 mg/L Zn and Ni ions.
Perspectives on barriers and facilitators to minority recruitment for clinical trials among cancer center leaders, investigators, research staff, and referring clinicians: Enhancing minority participation in clinical trials (EMPaCT)
Authors: Durant Raegan W. , Wenzel Jennifer A. , Scarinci Isabel C. , Paterniti Debora A. , Fouad Mona N. , Hurd Thelma C. , Martin Michelle Y.
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

The study of disparities in minority recruitment to cancer clinical trials has focused primarily on inquiries among minority populations. Yet very little is known about the perceptions of individuals actively involved in minority recruitment to clinical trials within cancer centers. Therefore, the authors assessed the perspectives of cancer center clinical and research personnel on barriers and facilitators to minority recruitment.

METHODS

In total, 91 qualitative interviews were conducted at 5 US cancer centers among 4 stakeholder groups: cancer center leaders, principal investigators, research staff, and referring clinicians. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative analyses of response data was focused on identifying prominent themes related to barriers and facilitators to minority recruitment.

RESULTS

The perspectives of the 4 stakeholder groups were largely overlapping with some variations based on their unique roles in minority recruitment. Four prominent themes were identified: 1) racial and ethnic minorities are influenced by varying degrees of skepticism related to trial participation, 2) potential minority participants often face multilevel barriers that preclude them from being offered an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial, 3) facilitators at both the institutional and participant level potentially encourage minority recruitment, and 4) variation between internal and external trial referral procedures may limit clinical trial opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities.

CONCLUSIONS

Multilevel approaches are needed to address barriers and optimize facilitators within cancer centers to enhance minority recruitment for cancer clinical trials. Cancer 2014;120(7 suppl):1097–105. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Enabling large‐scale next‐generation sequence assembly with Blacklight
Authors: Brian Couger M. , Pipes Lenore , Squina Fabio , Prade Rolf , Siepel Adam , Palermo Robert , Katze Michael G. , Mason Christopher E. , Blood Philip D.
Published: March 2014

A variety of extremely challenging biological sequence analyses were conducted on the XSEDE large shared memory resource Blacklight, using current bioinformatics tools and encompassing a wide range of scientific applications. These include genomic sequence assembly, very large metagenomic sequence assembly, transcriptome assembly, and sequencing error correction. The data sets used in these analyses included uncategorized fungal species, reference microbial data, very large soil and human gut microbiome sequence data, and primate transcriptomes, composed of both short‐read and long‐read sequence data. A new parallel command execution program was developed on the Blacklight resource to handle some of these analyses. These results, initially reported previously at XSEDE13 and expanded here, represent significant advances for their respective scientific communities. The breadth and depth of the results achieved demonstrate the ease of use, versatility, and unique capabilities of the Blacklight XSEDE resource for scientific analysis of genomic and transcriptomic sequence data, and the power of these resources, together with XSEDE support, in meeting the most challenging scientific problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hematite Photoanodes Modified with an FeIII Water Oxidation Catalyst
Authors: Dalle Carbonare Nicola , Cristino Vito , Berardi Serena , Carli Stefano , Argazzi Roberto , Caramori Stefano , Meda Laura , Tacca Alessandra , Bignozzi Carlo Alberto
Published: March 2014

Hematite photoelectrodes prepared via a hydrothermal route are functionalized with a water oxidation catalyst consisting of amorphous FeIII oxide, obtained by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction. The performances of the catalyst‐modified photoanodes are considerably higher than those of the parent electrodes, resulting in a nearly doubled photoanodic current in all the basic aqueous electrolytes explored in this study. The combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and laser flash photolysis indicates that the presence of the catalyst results in enhanced hole trapping in surface reactive states exposed to the electrolyte, allowing for a more successful competition between charge transfer and recombination.
Modifiable clinical and lifestyle factors are associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients: results from the nationwide DD2 study
Authors: Mor Anil , Svensson Elisabeth , Rungby Jørgen , Ulrichsen Sinna Pilgaard , Berencsi Klara , Nielsen Jens Steen , Stidsen Jacob Volmer , Friborg Søren , Brandslund Ivan , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Beck‐Nielsen Henning , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Thomsen Reimar Wernich
Published: March 2014

Background

Current literature lacks data on markers of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. We therefore, conducted a cross‐sectional study to examine modifiable clinical and lifestyle factors associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as a marker of NAFLD in new T2DM patients.

Methods

Alanine aminotransferase levels were measured in 1026 incident T2DM patients enrolled in the nationwide Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 Diabetes (DD2) cohort. We examined prevalence of elevated ALT (>38 IU/L for women and >50 IU/L for men) and calculated prevalence ratios associated with clinical and lifestyle factors using Poisson regression. We examined the association with other biomarkers by linear regression.

Results

The median value of ALT was 24 IU/L (interquartile range: 18–32 IU/L) in women and 30 IU/L (interquartile range: 22–41 IU/L) in men. Elevated ALT was found in 16% of incident T2DM patients. The risk of elevated ALT was increased in patients who were <40 years old at diabetes debut [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–3.33], in those with alcohol overuse (>14/>21 drinks per week for women/men) (aPR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.03‐2.50), and in those with no regular physical activity (aPR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04–1.93). Obesity and metabolic syndrome per se showed no association with elevated ALT when adjusted for other markers, whereas we found positive associations of ALT with increased C‐peptide (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06–0.21) and fasting blood glucose (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03–0.11).

Conclusions

Among newly diagnosed T2DM patients, several modifiable clinical and lifestyle factors are independent markers of elevated ALT levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degraded auditory processing in a rat model of autism limits the speech representation in non‐primary auditory cortex
Authors: Engineer C.T. , Centanni T.M. , Im K.W. , Borland M.S. , Moreno N.A. , Carraway R.S. , Wilson L.G. , Kilgard M.P.
Published: March 2014

Although individuals with autism are known to have significant communication problems, the cellular mechanisms responsible for impaired communication are poorly understood. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant that is a known risk factor for autism in prenatally exposed children. Prenatal VPA exposure in rats causes numerous neural and behavioral abnormalities that mimic autism. We predicted that VPA exposure may lead to auditory processing impairments which may contribute to the deficits in communication observed in individuals with autism. In this study, we document auditory cortex responses in rats prenatally exposed to VPA. We recorded local field potentials and multiunit responses to speech sounds in primary auditory cortex, anterior auditory field, ventral auditory field. and posterior auditory field in VPA exposed and control rats. Prenatal VPA exposure severely degrades the precise spatiotemporal patterns evoked by speech sounds in secondary, but not primary auditory cortex. This result parallels findings in humans and suggests that secondary auditory fields may be more sensitive to environmental disturbances and may provide insight into possible mechanisms related to auditory deficits in individuals with autism. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 972–986, 2014
Do females invest more into eggs when males sing more attractively? Postmating sexual selection strategies in a monogamous reed passerine
Authors: Krištofík Ján , Darolová Alžbeta , Majtan Juraj , Okuliarová Monika , Zeman Michal , Hoi Herbert
Published: March 2014

Maternal investment can play an important role for offspring fitness, especially in birds, as females have to provide their eggs with all the necessary nutrients for the development of the embryo. It is known that this type of maternal investment can be influenced by the quality of the male partner. In this study, we first verify that male song is important in the mate choice of female Eurasian reed warblers, as males mate faster when their singing is more complex. Furthermore, female egg investment varies in relation to male song characteristics. Interestingly, clutch size, egg weight, or size, which can be considered as an high‐cost investment, is not influenced by male song characteristics, whereas comparably low‐cost investment types like investment into diverse egg components are adjusted to male song characteristics. In line with this, our results suggest that female allocation rules depend on investment type as well as song characteristics. For example, egg white lysozyme is positively correlated with male song complexity. In contrast, a negative correlation exists between‐song speed and syllable repetitiveness and egg yolk weight as well as egg yolk testosterone concentration. Thus, our results suggest that female egg investment is related to male song performance in several aspects, but female investment patterns regarding various egg compounds are not simply correlated.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity. XIII. Interactions with developmental instability
Authors: Scheiner Samuel M.
Published: March 2014

In a heterogeneous environment, natural selection on a trait can lead to a variety of outcomes, including phenotypic plasticity and bet‐hedging through developmental instability. These outcomes depend on the magnitude and pattern of that heterogeneity and the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals. However, we do not know if and how those two outcomes might interact with each other. I examined the joint evolution of plasticity and instability through the use of an individual‐based simulation in which each could be genetically independent or pleiotropically linked. When plasticity and instability were determined by different loci, the only effect on the evolution of plasticity was the elimination of plasticity as a bet‐hedging strategy. In contrast, the effects on the evolution of instability were more substantial. If conditions were such that the population was likely to evolve to the optimal reaction norm, then instability was disfavored. Instability was favored only when the lack of a reliable environmental cue disfavored plasticity. When plasticity and instability were determined by the same loci, instability acted as a strong limitation on the evolution of plasticity. Under some conditions, selection for instability resulted in maladaptive plasticity. Therefore, before testing any models of plasticity or instability evolution, or interpreting empirical patterns, it is important to know the ecological, life history, developmental, and genetic contexts of trait phenotypic plasticity and developmental instability.
Phenylboronic Acid‐Gold Nanoparticles for Potentiometric Detection of Saccharides
Authors: Shishkanova Tatiana V. , Žvátora Pavel , Král Vladimír
Published: March 2014

We propose a concept for the analytical application of gold nanoparticles modified by mercaptophenylboronic acid as a receptor of saccharides in a potentiometric sensor based on a conducting polymer.
Electrochemical Behavior of Graphene‐Based Sensors on the Redox Mechanism of Aspirin
Authors: Patil Shreekant M. , Sataraddi Sanjeevaraddi R. , Bagoji Atmanand M. , Pathan Riyazkhan M. , Nandibewoor Sharanappa T.
Published: March 2014

The electrochemical behavior of aspirin at a graphene modified glassy carbon electrode has been investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric techniques. The dependence of the current on pH, concentration and scan rate was investigated to optimize the experimental conditions for determination of aspirin. A plausible oxidation mechanism was proposed. Under the optimum conditions, the oxidation peak current was linearly proportional to the concentration of aspirin in the range from 1.00×10−6 to 2.00×10−4 M with a detection limit of 20.2 nM. The proposed method was successfully applied to aspirin determination in pharmaceutical and real samples.
International/Cross‐Border: Recent Canadian Regulatory Trends Positive for Financial Outlook
Authors: Jung James
Published: March 2014

For companies in the Canadian utilities sector, the regulatory framework is typically the primary driver of business risk, which ultimately affects financial performance (Exhibit 1).
Electric Transmission: Addressing the National Transmission Challenge Through HVDC
Authors: Bray Sarah , Szalkowski Erin
Published: March 2014

The United States possesses some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, but it also faces a serious challenge: there is a lack of transmission capacity to deliver that energy to market. Clean Line Energy Partners LLC is an independent developer of long‐haul transmission lines that will deliver thousands of megawatts of renewable power from the windiest areas of the United States to communities and cities that have a strong demand for clean, reliable energy but that lack access to clean energy resources.
Technology: Technology Ramping Up for Processing Water From Energy Production
Authors: Mullis Mark
Published: March 2014

Once an energy production operation makes the decision to process produced and/or flowback water for beneficial use (the return of fluid to the surface from hydraulic fracturing operations) or EPA‐permitted environmental surface discharge of properly processed water, technology choices for cost‐efficient processing of the water become of interest.
Natural Gas & Electricity Pricing: Understanding the Recent Volley in Natural Gas Prices
Authors: Bodell Tanya
Published: March 2014

Like the action in a volleyball game, this past winter saw spikes, but these spikes were natural gas prices at Henry Hub, to levels not seen since 2010. Basis differentials in a number of markets also experienced unprecedented levels, especially in New England, where the month‐ahead forward for January was over $20 per million Btu's and daily trades on the basis differential rose to nearly four times higher. Winter price spikes are common, but are they indicative of new equilibrium prices so much higher than the past two years?
Community Screening for Preschool Child Inhibition to Offer the ‘Cool Little Kids’ Anxiety Prevention Programme
Authors: Beatson Ruth M. , Bayer Jordana K. , Perry Alexandra , Mathers Megan , Hiscock Harriet , Wake Melissa , Beesley Kate , Rapee Ronald M.
Published: March 2014

Temperamental inhibition has been identified as a key risk factor for childhood anxiety and internalizing problems. An efficacious early prevention programme for shy/inhibited children has been developed; however, accurate, efficient and acceptable screening is needed to support wider implementation. We explore community screening options in the context of a trial implementing the Cool Little Kids prevention programme for anxiety disorders. In comparison to the Australian Temperament Project's inhibition scale, we examine the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire's (SDQ) ability to screen for inhibited preschool children. Parents of 6307 children aged 3 to 6 years enrolled in preschool programmes from eight socio‐economically diverse districts in Melbourne, Australia, first completed the measures of inhibition and SDQ. Parents with inhibited children then enrolled in the Cool Little Kids randomized trial (n = 545). Of these, 88% provided feedback about inhibition screening. Parents allocated to the intervention also provided feedback on the Cool Little Kids parenting programme. Results demonstrated that parents of preschool children (i) find inhibition screening acceptable, (ii) take up this parenting programme and (iii) report favourable feedback. The SDQ emotional symptoms subscale demonstrated acceptable sensitivity but insufficient specificity to identify inhibited preschool children. Presenting parents with a brief, validated inhibition scale could be a low‐cost option for identifying inhibited preschool children in the community to offer early anxiety prevention. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A coupled stochastic/deterministic model to estimate the evolution of the risk of water contamination by pesticides across Canada
Authors: Gagnon Patrick , Sheedy Claudia , Farenhorst Annemieke , McQueen DA Ross , Cessna Allan J , Newlands Nathaniel K
Published: March 2014

Periodic assessments of the risk of water contamination by pesticides help decision makers improve the sustainability of agricultural management practices. In Canada, when evaluating the risk of water contamination by pesticides, 2 main constraints arise. First, because the area of interest is large, a pesticide transport model with low computational running time is mandatory. Second, some relevant input data for simulations are not known, and most are known only at coarse scale. This study aims to develop a robust methodology to estimate the evolution of the risk of water contamination by pesticides across Canada. To circumvent the 2 aforementioned issues, we constructed a stochastic model and coupled it to the 1-dimensional pesticide fate model Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM). To account for input data uncertainty, the stochastic model uses a Monte Carlo approach to generate several pesticide application scenarios and to randomly select PRZM parameter values. One hundred different scenarios were simulated for each of over 2000 regions (Soil Landscapes of Canada [SLC] polygons) for the years 1981 and 2006. Overall, the results indicated that in those regions in which the risk increased from 1981 to 2006, the increase in risk was mainly attributable to the increased area treated by pesticides or an increase in the number of days with runoff. More specifically, this work identifies the areas at higher risk, where further analyses with finer-scale input data should be performed. The model is specific for Canadian data, but the framework could be adapted for other large countries. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:429–436. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

A stochastic model is developed and coupled to a pesticide fate model in order to estimate the evolution of the risk of water contamination by pesticides for over 2000 region across Canada for the years 1981 and 2006. Mapping and statistical analyses of the results help to identify the most-at-risk areas were further attention would be needed. Risk level is generally higher for regions where the proportion of the land treated by pesticides and where the number of days with surface runoff are high. The stochastic model developed is specific for Canadian data, but the framework could be adapted for other large countries.
Lymphoid neoplasm incidence by WHO subtype in Australia 1982–2006
Authors: van Leeuwen Marina T. , Turner Jennifer J. , Joske David J. , Falster Michael O. , Srasuebkul Preeyaporn , Meagher Nicola S. , Grulich Andrew E. , Giles Graham G. , Vajdic Claire M.
Published: March 2014

There are limited data characterizing the subtype‐specific incidence of lymphoid neoplasms in the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification era. Data were obtained on all incident lymphoid neoplasms registered in Australia during 1982–2006. Subtypes were grouped using the InterLymph nested hierarchical classification, based on the 2008 WHO Classification. Temporal trends were examined using Joinpoint regression; average annual percentage change in incidence was computed. Multiple Poisson regression was used to compare incidence by sex and age. The incidence of all non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) increased by 2.5%/year during 1982–1996 and was stable thereafter. During 1997–2006, several mature B‐ and natural killer (NK)‐/T‐cell NHL subtypes increased in incidence, including diffuse large B‐cell (1.3%/year), follicular (2.5%/year), Burkitt (6.8%/year), marginal zone (13.2%/year), mantle cell (4.2%/year), peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (4.7%/year) and plasmacytoma (7.1%/year). While chronic lymphocytic leukemia incidence was stable, small lymphocytic lymphoma incidence declined (8.1%/year). Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) incidence increased during 1997–2006 (2.2%/year), both classical (4.3%/year) and nodular lymphocyte predominant (12.1%/year) HL. Diagnostic artifact, evidenced by a sustained decline in the incidence of NHL not otherwise specified (NOS; 5.8%/year) and lymphoid neoplasms NOS (5.6%/year), limits the interpretation of temporal trends for some subtypes. A marked male predominance was observed for almost all subtypes. Incidence of mature B‐ and NK‐/T‐cell NHL subtypes increased sharply with age, except for Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia. For HL subtypes, a bimodal age distribution was only evident for nodular sclerosis HL. Variation in incidence patterns over time and by sex and age supports etiological differences between lymphoid neoplasm subtypes.
POLICY, SCIENCE AND SOCIETY INTERACTION
Authors: Tollefson L. , El Atfy H. , Facon T. , Kerc A.
Published: March 2014

Irrigated agriculture is undergoing rapid change and is facing issues related to climate change, population growth, consumption patterns, competition for resources and cost of development. The challenge is whether water availability for irrigation along with rainfed production will be sufficient to meet growing food demand and improve global food security. Traditionally governments have been responsible for developments in the irrigation sector through planning, design and construction of projects. Trends toward decentralization, fiscal crisis and growth of the private sector have led government to divest some of its role to user organizations and the private sector. This has been known as the participatory approach to irrigation management and has been adopted widely by many countries with a range of institutional arrangements. Many irrigation and drainage schemes worldwide perform below their capacity. To modernize and improve this capacity will require innovation and technical advancement, but in addition issues of policy, governance, management and institution must be addressed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosis of liver cancer from blood sera using FTIR microspectroscopy: a preliminary study
Authors: Thumanu Kanjana , Sangrajrang Suleeporn , Khuhaprema Thiravud , Kalalak Anant , Tanthanuch Waraporn , Pongpiachan Siwatt , Heraud Philip
Published: March 2014

FTIR microspectroscopy was applied for studying macromolecular changes in human serum samples from patients with healthy livers, and those diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study demonstrated that the serum samples from HCC and cirrhotic patients could readily be discriminated from those from healthy controls based on macromolecular differences related to their lipid and protein structure. Spectral changes appeared to indicate that the secondary structure of protein from HCC sample groups contained a more distinctive β ‐sheet structure and a lower lipid content compared to samples from the healthy and cirrhosis group. This was correlated with measurements of large decreases in albumin levels in serum from diseased patients. We argue that this technique shows potential as a simple, rapid, inexpensive, and non‐subjective methodology for the screening patients suspected of liver disease. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Secular Trends in Hip Fractures Worldwide: Opposing Trends East Versus West
Authors: Ballane Ghada , Cauley Jane A , Luckey Marjorie M , Fuleihan Ghada El-Hajj
Published: March 2014

Despite wide variations in hip rates fractures worldwide, reasons for such differences are not clear. Furthermore, secular trends in the age-specific hip fracture rates are changing the world map of this devastating disease, with the highest rise projected to occur in developing countries. The aim of our investigation is to systematically characterize secular trends in hip fractures worldwide, examine new data for various ethnic groups in the United States, evidence for divergent temporal patterns, and investigate potential contributing factors for the observed change in their epidemiology. All studies retrieved through a complex Medline Ovid search between 1966 and 2013 were examined. For each selected study, we calculated the percent annual change in age-standardized hip fracture rates de-novo. Although occurring at different time points, trend breaks in hip fracture incidence occurred in most Western countries and Oceania. After a steep rise in age-adjusted rates in these regions, a decrease became evident sometimes between the mid-seventies and nineties, depending on the country. Conversely, the data is scarce in Asia and South America, with evidence for a continuous rise in hip fracture rates, with the exception of Hong-Kong and Taiwan that seem to follow Western trends. The etiologies of these secular patterns in both the developed and the developing countries have not been fully elucidated, but the impact of urbanization is at least one plausible explanation. Data presented here show close parallels between rising rates of urbanization and hip fractures across disparate geographic locations and cultures. Once the proportion of the urban population stabilized, hip fracture rates also stabilize or begin to decrease perhaps due to the influence of other factors such as birth cohort effects, changes in bone mineral density and BMI, osteoporosis medication use and/or lifestyle interventions such as smoking cessation, improvement in nutritional status and fall prevention. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Mice Expressing Mutant Trpv4 Recapitulate the Human TRPV4 Disorders
Authors: Weinstein Michael M , Tompson Stuart W , Chen Yuqing , Lee Brendan , Cohn Daniel H
Published: March 2014

Activating mutations in transient receptor potential vanilloid family member 4 (Trpv4) are known to cause a spectrum of skeletal dysplasias ranging from autosomal dominant brachyolmia to lethal metatropic dysplasia. To develop an animal model of these disorders, we created transgenic mice expressing either wild-type or mutant TRPV4. Mice transgenic for wild-type Trpv4 showed no morphological changes at embryonic day 16.5 but did have a delay in bone mineralization. Overexpression of a mutant TRPV4 caused a lethal skeletal dysplasia that phenocopied many abnormalities associated with metatropic dysplasia in humans, including dumbbell-shaped long bones, a small ribcage, abnormalities in the autopod, and abnormal ossification in the vertebrae. The difference in phenotype between embryos transgenic for wild-type or mutant Trpv4 demonstrates that an increased amount of wild-type protein can be tolerated and that an activating mutation of this protein is required to produce a skeletal dysplasia phenotype. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Antagonizing the αvβ3 Integrin Inhibits Angiogenesis and Impairs Woven but Not Lamellar Bone Formation Induced by Mechanical Loading
Authors: Tomlinson Ryan E , Schmieder Anne H , Quirk James D , Lanza Gregory M , Silva Matthew J
Published: March 2014

Angiogenesis and osteogenesis are critically linked, although the role of angiogenesis is not well understood in osteogenic mechanical loading. In this study, either damaging or non-damaging cyclic axial compression was used to generate woven bone formation (WBF) or lamellar bone formation (LBF), respectively, at the mid-diaphysis of the adult rat forelimb. αvβ3 integrin–targeted nanoparticles or vehicle was injected intravenously after mechanical loading. β3 integrin subunit expression on vasculature was maximal 7 days after damaging mechanical loading, but was still robustly expressed 14 days after loading. Accordingly, targeted nanoparticle delivery in WBF-loaded limbs was increased compared with non-loaded limbs. Vascularity was dramatically increased after WBF loading (+700% on day 14) and modestly increased after LBF loading (+50% on day 14). This increase in vascularity was inhibited by nanoparticle treatment in both WBF- and LBF-loaded limbs at days 7 and 14 after loading. Decreased vascularity led to diminished woven, but not lamellar, bone formation. Decreased woven bone formation resulted in impaired structural properties of the skeletal repair, particularly in post-yield behavior. These results demonstrate that αvβ3 integrin–mediated angiogenesis is critical for recovering fracture resistance after bone injury but is not required for bone modeling after modest mechanical strain. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Morphology of the eyeball from the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Authors: Rodrigues Fernanda M. , Silva Fernanda M.O. , Trompieri‐Silveira Ana Carolina , Vergara‐Parente Jociery E. , Miglino Maria Angélica , Guimarães Juliana P.
Published: March 2014

Aquatic mammals underwent morphological and physiological adaptations due to the transition from terrestrial to aquatic environment. One of the morphological changes regards their vision since cetaceans' eyes are able to withstand mechanical, chemical, osmotic, and optical water conditions. Due to insufficient information about these animals, especially regarding their sense organs, this study aimed to describe the morphology of the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) eyeball. Three newborn females, stranded dead on the coast of Sergipe and Bahia, Brazil, were used. Samples were fixed in a 10% formalin solution, dissected, photographed, collected, and evaluated through light and electron microscopy techniques. The Humpback whale sclera was thick and had an irregular surface with mechanoreceptors in its lamina propria. Lens was dense, transparent, and ellipsoidal, consisting of three layers, and the vascularized choroid contains melanocytes, mechanoreceptors, and a fibrous tapetum lucidum. The Humpback whale eyeball is similar to other cetaceans and suggests an adaptation to diving and migration, contributing to the perception of differences in temperature, pressure, and lighting. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:348–355, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Open‐source circuit simulation tools for RF compact semiconductor device modelling
Authors: Grabinski Wladek , Brinson Mike , Nenzi Paolo , Lannutti Francesco , Makris Nikolaos , Antonopoulos Angelos , Bucher Matthias
Published: March 2014

MOS‐Modelle und Parameterextraktion Arbeitskreis (MOS‐AK) is a European, independent compact modelling forum created by a group of engineers, researchers and compact modelling enthusiasts to promote advanced compact modelling techniques and model standardization using high‐level behavioural modelling languages such as VHDL‐AMS and Verilog‐A. This invited paper summarizes recent MOS‐AK open‐source compact model standardization activities and presents advanced topics in metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor modelling, focusing in particular on analogue/radio frequency applications. The paper discusses links between compact models and design methodologies, finally introducing elements of compact model standardization. The open‐source computer‐aided design tools Qucs, QucsStudio and ngspice all support Verilog‐A as a hardware description language for compact model standardization. Latter sections of this paper describe a Verilog‐A implementation of the EKV3 MOS transistor model. Additionally, the simulated radio frequency model performance is evaluated and compared with experimental results for 90 nm CMOS technology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial and temporal variability of winter snow and precipitation days in the western and central Spanish Pyrenees
Authors: Buisan Samuel T. , Saz Miguel Angel , López‐Moreno Juan I.
Published: March 2014

In this study we analysed the spatial distribution of the long‐term average and interannual variability of the number of snow days (NSD) and the number of precipitation days (NPD) in winter (DJFM) in the Spanish Pyrenees, using data from 38 meteorological stations for the period 1981–2010. The interannual variability of the NSD and the NPD in winter was related to the frequency of weather types over the Iberian Peninsula. Data from six stations were also used to analyse a longer time period (1961–2013) to confirm the consistency of the results obtained during the main study period (1981–2010).

The results indicated that the NPD is only influenced by the distance to sea whereas the NSD is determined by elevation and distance to the sea. A high frequency of west (W), northwest (NW) and cyclonic (C) weather systems led to a high NPD in winter across the entire study area, whereas the frequency of north (N) weather types was only correlated with the NPD at the most westerly stations. For the NSD there was a gradient from the Western Pyrenees to eastern areas, mainly explained by the frequency of N weather types in the former area, and high frequencies of NW and W weather types associated with the latter. For most stations there was no significant trend found in the NPD or the NSD for the 1981–2010 period. However, a slight decrease was found for stations strongly correlated with NW weather types, and a slight increase was found for stations strongly correlated with the C weather type, which was related to a decreasing (increasing) frequency of NW (C) weather types during the same period. Analysis of the 1961–2013 and 1971–2000 time slices using a smaller subset of stations revealed a similar relationship between weather types and the NSD. This indicates that the 1981–2010 period is sufficiently representative to describe the relationship of the NSD and the NPD to weather type frequency. However, the study period chosen can markedly influence the trends observed, as the results showed a statistically significant decrease in the NSD for the 1971–2000 period, but no significant trends for the 1961–2013 and 1980–2010 periods.
Surgical treatment and results of 62 patients with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of bone
Authors: Angelini Andrea , Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Gambarotti Marco , Merlino Biagio , Picci Piero , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: March 2014

Objective

Purpose of this retrospective study was (1) to evaluate overall survival and survival to local recurrence of patients with unifocal and multifocal tumor and (2) to evaluate survival to local recurrence after intralesional or wide surgery.

Material and Methods

We reviewed 62 patients with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of bone, treated from 1985 to 2010. Histological sections and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. Tumor presented as unifocal in 49 patients and as multifocal in 13.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 9 years. Five patients (10%) with unifocal tumor progressed to multifocal. Overall survival was 92% at 10 years. Survival with unifocal tumor was significantly higher than survival with multifocal tumor. Survival to local recurrence was 76% at 10 years, significantly higher after wide resection than after intralesional surgery, while there was no statistical difference comparing unifocal and multifocal tumor. At multivariate analysis both variables showed no statistically significance.

Conclusion

Wide surgical excision reduces the risk of local recurrence, but functional results and morbidity need to be considered individually when defining surgical indications. Due to the risk of radiation‐induced sarcomas, radiation therapy should be reserved to those cases not amenable to wide surgery or when lesions are seated locations difficult to treat. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:791–797. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Dirichlet problem for non‐divergence parabolic equations with discontinuous in time coefficients in a wedge
Authors: Kozlov Vladimir , Nazarov Alexander
Published: March 2014

We consider the Dirichlet problem in a wedge for parabolic equation whose coefficients are measurable function of t. We obtain coercive estimates in weighted ‐spaces. The concept of “critical exponent” introduced in the paper plays here the crucial role. Various important properties of the critical exponent are proved. We give applications to the Dirichlet problem for linear and quasi‐linear non‐divergence parabolic equations with discontinuous in time coefficients in cylinders , where Ω is a bounded domain with an edge or with a conical point.
Eight‐element antenna array for diversity and mimo mobile terminal in LTE 3500 MHz band
Authors: Al‐Hadi Azremi Abdullah , Ilvonen Janne , Valkonen Risto , Viikari Ville
Published: March 2014

A multiantenna system comprising of an eight‐element antenna array in mobile terminal is presented. In this work, two sets of eight‐element antenna structures based on capacitive coupling element and inverted‐F antennas operating at 3400–3600 MHz long‐term evolution frequency band are designed. The structures are estimated to achieve a good effective diversity gain in both uniform and nonuniform environments. It is also shown that the proposed structures achieve an ergodic multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) capacity of only 1.2 bit/(s Hz) lower than the capacity achieved by ideal uncorrelated antennas. A prototype is fabricated to validate the simulation results. The result shows that the structure exhibited the highest mutual coupling of −10 dB across the required frequency band. Therefore, the proposed structure is a good candidate for implementing diversity and MIMO in mobile terminals. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1323–1327, 2014
Design of a high‐gain ultra‐wideband slot antenna using frequency selective surface
Authors: Kushwaha Nagendra , Kumar Raj , Oli Tuhina
Published: March 2014

A CPW‐feed prototype slot antenna for ultra‐wideband applications is proposed. The slot is made by etching on the ground plane, the union of two elliptical structures placed at right angles. The fractal shape antenna is excited by two stepped CPW feed. To enhance the gain, a compact ultra‐wideband frequency selective surface (FSS) structure is designed and implemented. The measured impedance bandwidth of antenna with and without FSS is nearly same and equal to 9.0 GHz from 3.6 to 12.6 GHz. The measured peak gain varies from 3 to 5 dB without FSS and from 5 to 12.5 dB with FSS. Measured results are found in good agreement with the simulated results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1498–1502, 2014
Ultra‐wideband tapered patch antenna with fractal slots for dual notch application
Authors: Zarrabi Ferdows B. , Shire A.M. , Rahimi Maryam , Gandji Navid P.
Published: March 2014

In this article, the ultra‐wideband tapered patch antenna with fractal slots for dual notch application is presented. The antenna is printed on FR‐4 low‐cost substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and thickness of 1.6 mm. Total dimensions of the antenna is 45 × 44 × 1.6 mm3. In here, fractal slots was applied to represent dual notch band characteristics. The final antenna as demonstrated in this article has two rejection bands at 3 and 5 GHz and the antenna covers 2.1–12 GHz frequency band with the VSWR of less than 2. The current distribution in notch frequency and efficiency was checked for the whole frequency band and the maximum antenna gain is between 2 and 6 dBi. Finally, the experimental results are compared with the HFSS simulation ones. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1344–1348, 2014
Compact phased array antenna system based on dual‐band operations
Authors: Ren Han , Shao Jin , Zhou Rongguo , Arigong Bayaner , Zhang Hualiang
Published: March 2014

This article presents a novel approach to shrink the size of the conventional phased array antenna fed by Butler matrix. The proposed size reduction of the phased array antenna is obtained by designing the whole system to operate at dual frequency bands. Due to the dual‐band operation, an N‐element phased array antenna can be used to generate 2N radiation beams, leading to a great size reduction. To verify this design concept, a dual‐band feed network is built based on a dual‐band 4 × 4 Butler matrix. By integrating this dual‐band feed network with a four‐element antenna array, eight distinct radiation beams can be realized. An experimental prototype operating at 5 and 8 GHz is designed and fabricated. It can achieve the same function as the conventional phased array antenna system using single‐band 8 × 8 Butler matrix, realizing a great size reduction. The simulated and measured results show good agreement with the design theory. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1391–1396, 2014
An efficient modeling approach for multilayered dielectric embedded with periodic metal
Authors: Zhao Teng , Song Jiming , Kamgaing Telesphor , Mekonnen Yidnekachew S.
Published: March 2014

In this article, an accurate and efficient approach to model the multilayered dielectric with periodic metal inclusions is presented. The modeling combines effective medium theory and an efficient integral equation approach. Numerical results are provided to validate the accuracy and efficiency of this approach. Printed circuit board‐based test structures are fabricated and measured to compare with the modeling results. Good agreements have been observed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1387–1391, 2014
Effects of an ordinary adhesive material on radiation characteristics of a dielectric resonator antenna
Authors: Faiz Alam M. , Gogosh Nayab , Khan Shahid A. , Shafique Muhammad Farhan
Published: March 2014

This article reports the impact of using an ordinary adhesive material to bond a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) to the ground plane to predict the potential variations in resonant frequency and impedance bandwidth of DRA. A set of aperture fed and monopole fed cylindrical DRAs have been analyzed at resonant frequencies of 2.4 and 8.9 GHz. For DRAs resonating at 2.4 GHz, an upward resonance frequency shift of 6.2% along with increase of 1.4 to 2% in impedance bandwidth have been observed. However, a significant shift of 12% in the resonant frequency and 17–20% increase in impedance bandwidth have been observed for DRAs operating at 8.9 GHz. End‐fire TM01 mode has been excited in the DRAs, and it has been observed that the adhesive material has not affected the operating resonant mode. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1502–1506, 2014
A motor's rotational angle sensor based on fiber Bragg grating
Authors: Cheng Chin‐Hsing , Hung Sung‐Chen , Liu Wen‐Fung
Published: March 2014

This article develops an optical fiber sensor using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a piezo‐electrical transducer (PZT) to measure a motor's rotational angle. By mounting an FBG on a PZT bar, a dynamic strain simulator was constructed. The equivalent voltage produced by the potentiometer caused by the rotational angle of a motor's shaft was applied to the PZT and converted to the dynamic variation of the FBG Bragg wavelength. The motor's rotational angle was attained by measuring the changing value of the wavelength. The experimental results demonstrate that a high sensitivity of 0.459 pm/deg is achieved over a range of 0° to 270°. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1449–1452, 2014
Experimental and theoretical NMR studies of interaction between phenylalanine derivative and egg yolk lecithin
Authors: Wałęsa Roksana , Ptak Tomasz , Siodłak Dawid , Kupka Teobald , Broda Małgorzata A.
Published: March 2014

The interaction of phenylalanine diamide (Ac‐Phe‐NHMe) with egg yolk lecithin (EYL) in chloroform was studied by 1H and 13C NMR. Six complexes EYL–Ac‐Phe‐NHMe, stabilized by N–H···O or/and C–H···O hydrogen bonds, were optimized at M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) level. The assignment of EYL and Ac‐Phe‐NHMe NMR signals was supported using GIAO (gauge including atomic orbital) NMR calculations at VSXC and B3LYP level of theory combined with STO‐3Gmag basis set. Results of our study indicate that the interaction of peptides with lecithin occurs mainly in the polar ‘head’ of the lecithin. Additionally, the most probable lecithin site of H‐bond interaction with Ac‐Phe‐NHMe is the negatively charged oxygen in phosphate group that acts as proton acceptor. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel KCNA1 mutation causing episodic ataxia type I
Authors: Lassche Saskia , Lainez Sergio , Bloem Bastiaan R. , van de Warrenburg Bart P.C. , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Lemmink Henny H. , Hoenderop Joost G.J. , Bindels René J.M. , Drost Gea
Published: March 2014

We describe the clinical phenotype of a novel de novo KNCA1 mutation, and functional characterization of the effects of the mutation on Kv1.1 channel function. HEK293 cells were transfected transiently with either wild‐type or mutant channels. Representative currents were evoked after application of a series of square voltage steps from −80 mV to +50 mV in 200‐ms intervals from Vh = −80 mV. Extracellular K+ was added to evoke tail currents. Equal amounts of wild‐type and Kv1.1I262M mutant DNA were transfected transiently in HEK293 cells to evaluate the influence of the mutation. We found that Kv1.1I262M leads to a defective voltage‐gated potassium channel. Coexpression studies revealed a dominant‐negative effect. We describe the phenotype of a novel KCNA1 mutation causing episodic ataxia. Patch‐clamp studies confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation in vitro and suggest that it is dominant with respect to wild‐type. Muscle Nerve 50:289–291, 2014