bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Fatigue in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inverse Correlation of Activity and Fatigue
Authors: Rongen‐van Dartel S. A. A. , Repping‐Wuts H. , van Hoogmoed D. , Knoop H. , Bleijenberg G. , van Riel P. L. C. M. , Fransen J.
Published: December 2013

Objective

Fatigue is generally associated with low physical activity in patients with various chronic medical conditions. However, such an association has not been reported among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to investigate whether daily activity level is associated with fatigue in patients with RA, and whether pain, disability, coping, and/or cognition are associated with the level of daily activity.

Methods

Patients with RA who visited our outpatient clinic were recruited consecutively. Fatigue severity was measured using the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS20). Physical activity was measured for 14 consecutive days using an ankle‐worn actometer. The daily activity level of each patient was calculated, and each patient was classified as having a low or high activity level with respect to the group average. Data were analyzed by linear regression.

Results

A total of 167 patients were included in the analysis; 25% had a low activity level and 75% had a high activity level. A regression analysis revealed that higher activity levels were associated with reduced fatigue (P = 0.008). The mean ± SD CIS fatigue score was 30.9 ± 12.3 among the patients with a high activity level and 35.7 ± 12.8 among the patients with a low activity level (P = 0.03). Pain, disability, coping, and cognition were not associated significantly with daily activity level.

Conclusion

Among patients with RA, a higher level of daily physical activity was associated with reduced levels of fatigue. This relationship was not explained by differences in sex, age, disease duration, pain, disability, or other fatigue‐related factors.
Understanding Presenteeism in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Contributing Factors and Association With Sick Leave
Authors: Gordeev Vladimir S. , Maksymowych Walter P. , Schachna Lionel , Boonen Annelies
Published: December 2013

Objective

To understand the impact of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on presenteeism and to explore its relationship to sick leave.

Methods

AS patients completed a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographics, disease characteristics, and work outcomes, including sick leave and presenteeism, assessed by the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ). Associations between a broad range of explanatory variables with the WLQ and AS‐related sick leave were assessed by zero‐inflated negative binomial and zero‐inflated Poisson regressions.

Results

Of 311 employed patients (204 men [65.6%]), 18% had sick leave in the past month. Limitations in meeting time management demands (33.7%), physical demands (30.2%), mental–interpersonal demands (20.2%), and output (19.0%) were noted. With the mean ± SD WLQ index score of 6.7 ± 5.9, the average decrease in work productivity attributable to health was 6.3%; an extra 7.1% of work hours would be needed to compensate for lost productivity. Helplessness, female sex, and impaired health‐related quality of life (Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life instrument [ASQoL]) were major contributors to the level of presenteeism (P < 0.01). At‐work limitations (WLQ) and lower quality of life (ASQoL) were significantly associated with probability of sick leave, while the length of sick leave was strongly associated with lower educational level and helplessness (P < 0.01), and in some models, also with disease duration and country of residence (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

AS hinders patients' work, mainly in time management and physical demand domains. The WLQ and ASQoL are able to identify patients who incur sick leave. Helplessness contributes independently to the level of presenteeism and the length of sick leave.
Analysis of Trial Data for Infliximab and Golimumab: Baseline C‐Reactive Protein Level and Prediction of Therapeutic Response in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Au Shiu‐Chung , Ramirez‐Fort Marigdalia K. , Gottlieb Alice B.
Published: December 2013

Objective

Anti–tumor necrosis factor medications have demonstrated good efficacy in treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Clinical responses at the primary end point in recent clinical trials of golimumab in PsA subjects yielded lower American College of Rheumatology 20% criteria for improvement (ACR20) responses than those seen in the Infliximab Multinational Psoriatic Arthritis Controlled Trial 2 infliximab study. However, baseline C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels of PsA subjects enrolled in these trials differed significantly. We hypothesized that baseline CRP levels predict the observed differing clinical response rates at the primary end point.

Methods

Combining the data from the infliximab and golimumab trials, we stratified the data by baseline CRP levels and then correlated these cohorts with response to treatment, specifically the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and the ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 responses.

Results

The mean baseline CRP level in the infliximab trial was 1.9 mg/dl versus 1.4 mg/dl in the golimumab trial. Only 23% of golimumab subjects had a CRP level ≥1.7 mg/dl versus 35% of infliximab subjects (P = 0.0023). All subjects with a CRP level ≥1.7 mg/dl at baseline achieved higher ACR20, ACR50, ACR70 response rates (56%, 36%, and 18%, respectively) at the primary end point of 14 weeks in the infliximab and golimumab clinical trials than any subjects with a CRP level <1.7 mg/dl (48%, 28%, and 13%, respectively [P = 0.045, P = 0.027, and P = 0.089, respectively]).

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that an increased baseline CRP level predicted improved therapeutic response at the primary end point for subjects treated with both golimumab and infliximab. To allow for comparison between future drug development studies and meta‐analyses, baseline CRP levels should be factored into the multivariate analysis.
2D:4D Ratio in children at familial high‐risk for eating disorders: The role of prenatal testosterone exposure
Authors: Kothari Radha , Gafton Joseph , Treasure Janet , Micali Nadia
Published: December 2013

Objectives

Markers of prenatal hormone exposure have been associated with the development of eating disorder (ED) behaviors. Our aim was to determine whether 2D:4D ratio, a marker for in utero testosterone exposure, is associated with risk for ED in a large population‐based cohort: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Methods: This is the first study to investigate prenatal testosterone exposure in children at high‐risk for ED, using 2D:4D as a marker. We compared children whose mothers reported a lifetime ED (anorexia, bulimia, or both; N = 446) to children whose mothers did not (n = 5,367). Results: Daughters of women with lifetime bulimia nervosa (BN) had lower 2D:4D ratio (B: −0.01, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.002, P = 0.02), indicating higher prenatal testosterone exposure, than daughters of mothers unaffected by ED. No differences were observed in the male children of women with an ED. Conclusions: Findings suggest that children at high‐risk for BN may be exposed to higher levels of testosterone in utero. Fetal exposure to androgen excess is thought to be causal in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disorder which is highly comorbid with binge eating and BN. Future research should investigate the potential role of testosterone exposure in utero as a risk factor for BN and binge eating. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:176–182, 2014. © 2013 The Authors. American Journal of Human Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FGFR1 signaling is associated with the magnitude of morphological integration in human head shape
Authors: Hünemeier Tábita , Gómez‐Valdés Jorge , De Azevedo Soledad , Quinto‐Sánchez Mirsha , Passaglia Luciane , Salzano Francisco M. , Sánchez‐Mejorada Gabriela , Alonzo Víctor Acuña , Martínez‐Abadías Neus , Bortolini Maria‐Cátira , González‐José Rolando
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The head can be used as a model to study complex phenotypes controlled simultaneously by morphological integration (MI) due to common factors, and modular patterns caused by local factors affecting the development and functional demands of specific structures. The fibroblast growth factor and receptor system (FGF/FGFR) participates in cell communication and pattern formation in osseous tissues, among others, and there is compelling evidence from mouse model studies suggesting a role of the FGF/FGFR pathway as a covariance‐generating signaling process in head development. Here we use human data to test if specific genetic variants of another gene of this pathway, the FGFR1 gene, can be associated with differences in the integration of the head.

Methods

We explored whether and how three specific variants on FGFR1, previously associated with human cephalic index, influence the pattern and level of head integration of one Native American and one admixed group from Mexico. MI, measured as the intensity of covariation among head traits, was assessed using data from three‐dimensional head landmark coordinates taken on 176 individuals.

Results

Individuals carrying the derived allele of the rs4647905:G>C polymorphism present significantly greater levels of head MI, especially in facial structures and on the shape space where the modular portion of the covariation is explicitly removed.

Conclusions

Since FGFR genes present nonconservative and tissue‐specific splicing sites, they may have some effect on protein structure and performance likely involved in developmental processes responsible for the magnitude and pattern of MI in the human head. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:164–175, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unraveling the complex maternal history of Southern African Khoisan populations
Authors: Barbieri Chiara , Güldemann Tom , Naumann Christfried , Gerlach Linda , Berthold Falko , Nakagawa Hirosi , Mpoloka Sununguko W. , Stoneking Mark , Pakendorf Brigitte
Published: December 2013

The Khoisan populations of southern Africa are known to harbor some of the deepest‐rooting lineages of human mtDNA; however, their relationships are as yet poorly understood. Here, we report the results of analyses of complete mtDNA genome sequences from nearly 700 individuals representing 26 populations of southern Africa who speak diverse Khoisan and Bantu languages. Our data reveal a multilayered history of the indigenous populations of southern Africa, who are likely to be the result of admixture of different genetic substrates, such as resident forager populations and pre‐Bantu pastoralists from East Africa. We find high levels of genetic differentiation of the Khoisan populations, which can be explained by the effect of drift together with a partial uxorilocal/multilocal residence pattern. Furthermore, there is evidence of extensive contact, not only between geographically proximate groups, but also across wider areas. The results of this contact, which may have played a role in the diffusion of common cultural and linguistic features, are especially evident in the Khoisan populations of the central Kalahari. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:435–448, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fish biodiversity sampling in stream ecosystems: a process for evaluating the appropriate types and amount of gear
Authors: Smith Joseph M. , Wells Sarah P. , Mather Martha E. , Muth Robert M.
Published: December 2013

Because human impacts and climate change threaten aquatic ecosystems, a need exists to quantify catchment‐scale biodiversity patterns and identify conservation actions that can mitigate adverse human impacts on aquatic biota.

Whereas many traditional aquatic resource questions can be answered by repeatedly sampling a few target species with limited types of gear in the same habitats, sampling fish biodiversity patterns at larger scales requires a different approach. Researchers and managers need to determine the types of sampling gear and amount of effort that provide a representative estimate of biodiversity in a range of habitats across a catchment.

Using a randomized block design within a 90‐m stream reach that contained the same habitats as the scientific study area, fish assemblages were compared using three different types of gear (minnow traps, backpack electrofishing, and hoop nets) at three levels of effort (one, two, and three mixed‐gear units) over four replicate days.

A mixture of gear types best quantified fish assemblages. A combination of 10 minnow traps, 20‐m of backpack electrofishing, and two hoop nets caught the most species. Additional gear added few new species. Resampling confirmed these results.

When researchers and managers initiate sampling on a new stream or river system, they do not know how effective each gear type is and whether their sampling effort is adequate. Although the types and amount of gear may be different for other studies, systems, and research questions, the five‐step process described here for making sampling decisions and evaluating sampling efficiency can be applied widely to any system to restore, manage, and conserve aquatic ecosystems. It is believed that incorporating this gear‐evaluation process into a wide variety of studies and ecosystems will increase rigour within and across aquatic biodiversity studies.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epicutaneous Application of Toll‐like Receptor 7 Agonists Leads to Systemic Autoimmunity in Wild‐Type Mice: A New Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Yokogawa Maki , Takaishi Mikiro , Nakajima Kimiko , Kamijima Reiko , Fujimoto Chisa , Kataoka Sayo , Terada Yoshio , Sano Shigetoshi
Published: December 2013

Objective

To examine whether topical treatment of wild‐type mice with Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR‐7) agonists leads to lupus‐like autoimmunity.

Methods

Wild‐type FVB/N, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 mice were treated with the topical TLR‐7 agonist imiquimod or R848 administered to the ear 3 times weekly. During treatment, the mice were monitored for serum autoantibody and creatinine levels as well as histopathology of the kidneys, spleens, livers, hearts, and skin. Immunologic abnormalities were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. The role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) in the development of autoimmune disease was validated by in vivo treatment with an anti‐PDC antibody. Diseased mice underwent ultraviolet B irradiation, to evaluate skin photosensitivity. The disease‐causing effect of topical application of imiquimod was compared with that of systemic (intraperitoneal) administration. TLR‐7– and TLR‐9–deficient mice were used to validate the role of TLR‐7.

Results

Wild‐type mice of different genetic backgrounds developed systemic autoimmune disease following 4 weeks of topical treatment with imiquimod or R848, with elevated levels of autoantibodies to double‐stranded DNA and multiple organ involvement, including glomerulonephritis, hepatitis, carditis, and photosensitivity. Expression of Ifna and Mx1, the interferon‐α–stimulated gene, was up‐regulated in the organs of imiquimod‐treated mice. However, disease caused by intraperitoneal injection of imiquimod was less severe than that induced by topical application. In vivo depletion of PDCs by a specific antibody protected mice against the autoimmunity induced by topical administration of imiquimod, suggesting a role of PDCs. Furthermore, TLR‐7–deficient mice, but not TLR‐9–deficient mice, were protected against autoimmunity.

Conclusion

This protocol provides a novel model of inducible systemic lupus erythematosus in wild‐type mice and underscores the skin as the primary organ that allows TLR‐7 agonists to induce SLE.
Development of Vision‐Based Navigation System for Wheeled Agent
Authors: Su Kuo‐Ho , Lian Feng‐Li , Yang Chan‐Yun
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a vision‐based navigation system including support vector machine (SVM) path planner and fuzzy sliding‐mode controlled (SMC) path follower is developed for a wheeled agent. The developed system, comprising image acquisition, map formatting, path planning, label assignment, and path tracking inference mechanisms, aims to gracefully follow a planned smooth path. To obtain accurate coordinate values, the captured images are first adjusted by calibration processing. As a roadmap method for path generation, theVoronoi diagram is employed as a preprocessor and theGaussian kernelSVMpostprocessor is applied consecutively. To deal with the uncertainties, a path follower based on fuzzySMCis embedded to track the planned path on line. In this study, a practical framework is implemented to assess the performance. With the real devised system, a series of experiments are carried out and analyzed to confirm the expected performance. The experiments show a robust capability of the system for both path planning and path tracking under various obstacle layouts.
Advances in lanthanide‐based luminescent peptide probes for monitoring the activity of kinase and phosphatase
Authors: Pazos Elena , Vázquez M. Eugenio
Published: December 2013

Signaling pathways based on protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play critical roles in the orchestration of complex biochemical events and form the core of most signaling pathways in cells (i.e. cell cycle regulation, cell motility, apoptosis, etc.). The understanding of these complex signaling networks is based largely on the biochemical study of their components, i.e. kinases and phosphatases. The development of luminescent sensors for monitoring kinase and phosphatase activity is therefore an active field of research. Examples in the literature usually rely on the modulation of the fluorescence emission of organic fluorophores. However, given the exceptional photophysical properties of lanthanide ions, there is an increased interest in their application as emissive species for monitoring kinase and phosphatase activity. This review summarizes the advances in the development of lanthanide‐based luminescent peptide sensors as tools for the study of kinases and phosphatases and provides a critical description of current examples and synthetic approaches to understand these lanthanide‐based luminescent peptide sensors.
In Pichia pastoris, growth rate regulates protein synthesis and secretion, mating and stress response
Authors: Rebnegger Corinna , Graf Alexandra B. , Valli Minoska , Steiger Matthias G. , Gasser Brigitte , Maurer Michael , Mattanovich Diethard
Published: December 2013

Protein production in yeasts is related to the specific growth rate μ. To elucidate on this correlation, we studied the transcriptome of Pichia pastoris at different specific growth rates by cultivating a strain secreting human serum albumin at μ = 0.015 to 0.15 h–1 in glucose‐limited chemostats. Genome‐wide regulation revealed that translation‐related as well as mitochondrial genes were upregulated with increasing μ, while autophagy and other proteolytic processes, carbon source‐responsive genes and other targets of the TOR pathway as well as many transcriptional regulators were downregulated at higher μ. Mating and sporulation genes were most active at intermediate μ of 0.05 and 0.075 h–1. At very slow growth (μ = 0.015 h–1) gene regulation differs significantly, affecting many transporters and glucose sensing. Analysis of a subset of genes related to protein folding and secretion reveals that unfolded protein response targets such as translocation, endoplasmic reticulum genes, and cytosolic chaperones are upregulated with increasing growth rate while proteolytic degradation of secretory proteins is downregulated. We conclude that a high μ positively affects specific protein secretion rates by acting on multiple cellular processes.
Scale‐down models to optimize a filter train for the downstream purification of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins produced in tobacco leaves
Authors: Buyel Johannes F. , Fischer Rainer
Published: December 2013

The extraction of biopharmaceutical proteins from intact leaves involves the release of abundant particulate contaminants that must be removed economically from the process stream before chromatography, for example, using disposable filters that comply with good manufacturing practice. We therefore scaled down an existing 200‐kg process for the purification of two target proteins from tobacco leaves (the monoclonal antibody 2G12 and the fluorescent protein DsRed, as monitored by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging, respectively) and screened different materials on the 2‐kg scale to reduce the number of depth filtration steps from three to one. We assessed filter cost and capacity, filtrate turbidity, and protein recovery when the filter materials were challenged with extracts from different tobacco varieties and related species grown in soil or rockwool. PDF4 was consistently the most suitable depth filter because it was the least expensive, it did not interact significantly with the target proteins, and it had the greatest overall capacity. The filter capacity was generally reduced when plants were grown in rockwool, but this substrate has a low bioburden, thus improving process safety. Our data concerning the clarification of plant extracts will help in the design of more cost‐effective downstream processes and accelerate their development.
A rapid flow cytometry assay for the relative quantification of protein encapsulation into bacterial microcompartments
Authors: Kim Edward Y. , Tullman‐Ercek Danielle
Published: December 2013

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are protein‐based organelles that have been suggested as scaffolds for creating in vivo nanobioreactors. One of the key steps towards engineering MCPs is to understand and maximize the encapsulation of enzymes into the lumen of the MCP. However, there are currently no high‐throughput methods for investigating protein encapsulation. Here, we describe the development of a rapid in vivo assay for quantifying the relative amount of protein encapsulated within MCPs based on fluorescence. In this assay, we fuse a degradation peptide to a MCP‐targeted fluorescence reporter and use flow cytometry to measure overall fluorescence from the encapsulated, protected reporter protein. Using this assay, we characterized various MCP‐targeting signal sequence mutants for their ability to encapsulate proteins and identified mutants that encapsulate a greater amount of protein than the wild type signal sequence. This assay is a powerful tool for reporting protein encapsulation and is an important step towards encapsulating metabolic enzymes into MCPs for synthetic biochemical pathways.
Salidroside induces rat mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Bin , Ma Hui , Ha Xiao‐Qin , Zheng Ping , Li Xiao‐Yun , Zhang Ming , Dong Ju‐Zi , Yang Yin‐Shu
Published: December 2013

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons that leads to a reduction in striatal dopamine (DA) levels. Replacing lost cells by transplanting dopaminergic neurons has potential value to repair the damaged brain. Salidroside (SD), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from plant Rhodiola rosea, is neuroprotective. We examined whether salidroside can induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into neuron‐like cells, and convert MSCs into dopamine neurons that can be applied in clinical use. Salidroside induced rMSCs to adopt a neuronal morphology, upregulated the expression of neuronal marker molecules, such as gamma neuronal enolase 2 (Eno2/NSE), microtubule‐associated protein 2 (Map2), and beta 3 class III tubulin (Tubb3/β‐tubulin III). It also increased expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNAs, and promoted the secretion of these growth factors. The expression of dopamine neurons markers, such as dopamine‐beta‐hydroxy (DBH), dopa decarboxylase (DDC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), was significantly upregulated after treatment with salidroside for 1–12 days. DA steadily increased after treatment with salidroside for 1–6 days. Thus salidroside can induce rMSCs to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons.
Iatrogenic erosion of the septum primum resulting in an atrial septal defect with left‐to‐right shunt: A rare pitfall of patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure
Authors: Scacciatella Paolo , Biava Lorenza Michela , Marra Sebastiano
Published: December 2013

Iatrogenic erosion of the septum primum after foramen ovale closure is an anecdotal event. We report the case of a 39‐year‐old woman admitted to our institution for multifocal cryptogenic cerebral ischemia and a patent foramen ovale (PFO) associated with an aneurysm of the septum primum. The patient underwent percutaneous closure of the PFO with an Amplatzer PFO Occluder device. At the 6‐months follow up, the device was in the right position, but a jagged defect of the septum primum and evidence of significant left‐to‐right shunting was detected. The atrial septal defect was then repaired by a surgical approach. Although this event is not life‐threatening, it should be considered as a therapeutic pitfall, resulting in a risk of paradoxical embolism recurrences and long‐term hemodynamic impairment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topologically Sensitive Surface Segregations of Au–Pd Alloys in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Okube Maki , Petrykin Valery , Mueller Jonathan E. , Fantauzzi Donato , Krtil Petr , Jacob Timo
Published: December 2013

Density functional calculations along with in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy data show that AuPd alloys form unique potential‐controlled surface structures during the hydrogen evolution. We find evidence for surface segregations preferring a gold surface if the surface is free of chemisorbed species, while hydrogen adsorption triggers palladium segregation into the surface.
Insertion of a Single‐Molecule Magnet inside a Ferromagnetic Lattice Based on a 3D Bimetallic Oxalate Network: Towards Molecular Analogues of Permanent Magnets
Authors: Clemente‐León Miguel , Coronado Eugenio , Gómez‐García Carlos J. , López‐Jordà Maurici , Camón Agustín , Repollés Ana , Luis Fernando
Published: December 2013

The insertion of the single‐molecule magnet (SMM) [MnIII(salen)(H2O)]22+ (salen2−=N,N′‐ethylenebis‐(salicylideneiminate)) into a ferromagnetic bimetallic oxalate network affords the hybrid compound [MnIII(salen)(H2O)]2[MnIICrIII(ox)3]2⋅(CH3OH)⋅(CH3CN)2 (1). This cationic Mn2 cluster templates the growth of crystals formed by an unusual achiral 3D oxalate network. The magnetic properties of this hybrid magnet are compared with those of the analogous compounds [MnIII(salen)(H2O)]2[ZnIICrIII(ox)3]2⋅(CH3OH)⋅(CH3CN)2 (2) and [InIII(sal2‐trien)][MnIICrIII(ox)3]⋅(H2O)0.25⋅(CH3OH)0.25⋅(CH3CN)0.25 (3), which are used as reference compounds. In 2 it has been shown that the magnetic isolation of the Mn2 clusters provided by their insertion into a paramagnetic oxalate network of CrIII affords a SMM behavior, albeit with blocking temperatures well below 500 mK even for frequencies as high as 160 kHz. In 3 the onset of ferromagnetism in the bimetallic MnIICrIII network is observed at Tc=5 K. Finally, in the hybrid compound 1 the interaction between the two magnetic networks leads to the antiparallel arrangement of their respective magnetizations, that is, to a ferrimagnetic phase. This coupling induces also important changes on the magnetic properties of 1 with respect to those of the reference compounds 2 and 3. In particular, compound 1 shows a large magnetization hysteresis below 1 K, which is in sharp contrast with the near‐reversible magnetizations that the SMMs and the oxalate ferromagnetic lattice show under the same conditions.
A 4‐MicroRNA signature can discriminate primary lymphomas from anaplastic carcinomas in thyroid cytology smears
Authors: Fassina Ambrogio , Cappellesso Rocco , Simonato Francesca , Siri Maayan , Ventura Laura , Tosato Francesca , Busund Lill‐Tove , Pelizzo Maria Rosa , Fassan Matteo
Published: December 2013

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) and primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) are uncommon tumors of the thyroid gland with several overlapping clinical and pathologic features that may render their differentiation difficult in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. MicroRNA (miRNA) signatures have been recently reported as useful diagnostic tools applied to cytology specimens.

METHODS

Smears of 23 ATCs, 14 PTLs, and 20 non‐neoplastic materials with multinodular goiter (MNG) were retrieved and classified based on their cytologic features and flow cytometric profiles. The ATC‐related expression of hsa‐miR‐26a, hsa‐miR‐146b, hsa‐miR‐221, and hsa‐miR‐222 was quantified using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis.

RESULTS

All miRNAs were remarkably up‐regulated in ATC samples compared with PTL samples (P < .01). Moreover, expression levels of hsa‐miR‐146b, hsa‐miR‐221, and hsa‐miR‐222 were significantly higher in ATCs than in MNG samples (P < .01). Significant down‐regulation of hsa‐miR‐26a was observed in PTLs compared with MNG samples, whereas hsa‐miR‐146b was overexpressed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff for distinguishing ATC from PTL. The estimated receiver operating characteristic thresholds displayed a sensitivity level greater than 0.80 in achieving a diagnosis of PTL, allowing the correct identification of 13 of 14 PTL samples (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

Histotype‐specific miRNA signatures can provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms of thyroid carcinogenesis. The tested 4‐miRNA signature is a promising diagnostic tool for differentiating ATC from PTL and non‐neoplastic MNG, even in the presence of scant material obtained from minimally invasive procedures. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:274–281. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
A comparative performance study of common and popular task‐centric programming frameworks
Authors: Podobas Artur , Brorsson Mats , Faxén Karl‐Filip
Published: December 2013

Programmers today face a bewildering array of parallel programming models and tools, making it difficult to choose an appropriate one for each application. An increasingly popular programming model supporting structured parallel programming patterns in a portable and composable manner is the task‐centric programming model. In this study, we compare several popular task‐centric programming frameworks, including Cilk Plus, Threading Building Blocks, and various implementations of OpenMP 3.0. We have analyzed their performance on the Barcelona OpenMP Tasking Suite benchmark suite both on a 48‐core AMD Opteron 6172 server and a 64‐core TILEPro64 embedded many‐core processor. Our results show that the OpenMP offers the highest flexibility for programmers, and this flexibility comes to a cost. Frameworks supporting only a specific and more restrictive model, such as Cilk Plus and Threading Building Blocks, are generally more efficient both in terms of performance and energy consumption. However, Intel's implementation of OpenMP tasks performs the best and closest to the specialized run‐time systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminescent Materials of Europium(III) Coordinated by a Terpyridine‐Functionalized Poly(Ionic Liquid)
Authors: Ru Qiaorong , Xue Zhxin , Wang Yige , Liu Yamei , Li Huanrong
Published: December 2013

A new poly(ionic liquid) (Terpy‐PIL) carrying a terpyridine group in each repeating unit of the polymer architecture was readily prepared by polymerization of the monomer (Terpy‐IL), which was initiated by azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN). The obtained poly(ionic liquid) can coordinate and sensitize europium(III) ions through numerous chelating terpyridine moieties, which are linked to the polymer chains. A red‐emitting luminescent material was obtained by the complexation of europium(III) salts with Terpy‐PIL, and the luminescence is due to an energy transfer from the terpyridine moieties to Eu3+ ions. The luminescence performance of the luminescent material based on Terpy‐PIL, for example the 5D0 quantum efficiency and the decay time, is much higher than that of the luminescent material prepared from the monomer Terpy‐IL, which can be ascribed to the confinement of the europium(III)–terpyridine complexes to the polymer architecture.
Copy number variants are produced in response to low‐dose ionizing radiation in cultured cells
Authors: Arlt Martin F. , Rajendran Sountharia , Birkeland Shanda R. , Wilson Thomas E. , Glover Thomas W.
Published: December 2013

Despite their importance to human genetic variation and disease, little is known about the molecular mechanisms and environmental risk factors that impact copy number variant (CNV) formation. While it is clear that replication stress can lead to de novo CNVs, for example, following treatment of cultured mammalian cells with aphidicolin (APH) and hydroxyurea (HU), the effect of different types of mutagens on CNV induction is unknown. Here we report that ionizing radiation (IR) in the range of 1.5–3.0 Gy effectively induces de novo CNV mutations in cultured normal human fibroblasts. These IR‐induced CNVs are found throughout the genome, with the same hotspot regions seen after APH‐ and HU‐induced replication stress. IR produces duplications at a higher frequency relative to deletions than do APH and HU. At most hotspots, these duplications are physically shifted from the regions typically deleted after APH or HU, suggesting different pathways involved in their formation. CNV breakpoint junctions from irradiated samples are characterized by microhomology, blunt ends, and insertions like those seen in spontaneous and APH/HU‐induced CNVs and most nonrecurrent CNVs in vivo. The similarity to APH/HU‐induced CNVs suggests that low‐dose IR induces CNVs through a replication‐dependent mechanism, as opposed to replication‐independent repair of DSBs. Consistent with this mechanism, a lower yield of CNVs was observed when cells were held for 48 hr before replating after irradiation. These results predict that any environmental DNA damaging agent that impairs replication is capable of creating CNVs. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:103–113, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mapping Data, Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Azzam Tarek
Published: December 2013

This chapter offers an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) and provides examples of how this approach to data visualization can help evaluators better understand the context in which they are working, conduct a deeper analysis of the data, and communicate using maps to illustrate important findings and patterns. The chapter also discusses the limitations of this approach and offers suggestions for those interested in integrating GIS in their evaluation practice. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
A modular, operator‐splitting scheme for fluid–structure interaction problems with thick structures
Authors: Bukač M. , Čanić S. , Glowinski R. , Muha B. , Quaini A.
Published: December 2013

We present an operator‐splitting scheme for fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems in hemodynamics, where the thickness of the structural wall is comparable to the radius of the cylindrical fluid domain. The equations of linear elasticity are used to model the structure, while the Navier–Stokes equations for an incompressible viscous fluid are used to model the fluid. The operator‐splitting scheme, based on the Lie splitting, separates the elastodynamics structure problem from a fluid problem in which structure inertia is included to achieve unconditional stability. We prove energy estimates associated with unconditional stability of this modular scheme for the full nonlinear FSI problem defined on a moving domain, without requiring any sub‐iterations within time steps. Two numerical examples are presented, showing excellent agreement with the results of monolithic schemes. First‐order convergence in time is shown numerically. Modularity, unconditional stability without temporal sub‐iterations, and simple implementation are the features that make this operator‐splitting scheme particularly appealing for multi‐physics problems involving FSI. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Self‐Assembled Helical Supramolecular Polymer of Ethyl 7,8‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxy‐9‐methyl‐7‐(4′‐nitrophenyl)‐6H‐dibenzo[c]‐ pyran‐6‐one‐8‐carboxylate
Authors: Chen Chaoyue , Hu Jinsong , Zhang Xiaomei , Shi Jianjun , He Jie
Published: December 2013

A structurally novel compound was isolated as the main product of tandem Pechmann–dehydration between diethyl 4‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐(4′‐nitrophenyl)‐6‐oxocyclohexane‐1,3‐dicarboxylate (1) and resorcinol in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. The structure of the product was determined as a racemate of (7R,8R)‐ and (7S,8S)‐ethyl 7,8‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxy‐9‐methyl‐7‐(4′‐nitrophenyl)‐6H‐dibenzo[c]‐pyran‐6‐one‐8‐carboxylate (3a) enantiomers by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The X‐ray crystal structure revealed that 3a possesses an extended and more stable conjugated aromatic system as a consequence of the stereoselectivity of intramolecular dehydration behavior of Pechmann condensation product 2. In the crystal superstructure, the (7R,8R)‐ and (7S,8S)‐isomers of 3a respectively self‐assembled into left‐ and right‐handed supramolecular helical chains with a channel size of 3.70 Å × 10.20 Å in virtue of intermolecular hydrogen bonding together with dramatic twisting between carboxylate group at C8 and tricyclic ring framework of 3a, which are then arranged alternatively along the b‐axis direction with a pitch length of 7.894 Å.
Learning About Managing the Business in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Li Li , Gray David E. , John Lockwood Andrew , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: December 2013

This research examines the learning experiences of general managers (GMs) in the hospitality industry, a sector much neglected in terms of research into management learning and human resource development. Our research focused on four large hospitality organizations (two hotels and two contract catering companies) and adopted an approach that integrates multiple data collection strategies in supporting our qualitative case studies. Data were collected by using document analysis plus detailed, qualitative interviews with 21 general managers, of whom 7 were subsequently observed at work and observation notes generated. Data analysis revealed that the participants learned to manage the business primarily through experience, a process consisting of four key stages: Being Challenged, Information Searching, Information Transformation, and Testing. Reflective thinking plays a central role in their learning, taking the form of “actions” involving association, integration and validation, and of “products” involving content, process and context reflections. We argue that the way hospitality managers learn, while sharing the learning approaches taken by other professionals, differs in that these managers' learning is more highly contextualized.
CANAL CONTROLLER FOR THE LARGEST WATER TRANSFER PROJECT IN CHINA
Authors: Cui Wei , Chen Wenxue , Mu Xiangpeng , Bai Yinbaoligao
Published: December 2013

A control system consisting of a decentralized feedback controller, a centralized feedforward controller and a decoupler is presented for the Middle Route Project for South‐to‐North Water Transfer in China. The feedback controller is a kind of level‐discharge cascade adaptive PI controller, which has the merit of diminishing unknown disturbances and reducing coupling effects of the control action on downstream canal pools. The volume compensation algorithm is used in the feedforward controller to reduce time delays in scheduled delivery of the long‐ distance canal system. And the decoupler is designed to decrease the coupling effects of the control action from the upstream pools. This controller is tested in part of the Middle Route Project for South‐to‐North Water Transfer using distant downstream water depth by means of numerical simulation. The results show that the control system can efficiently deal with known and unknown disturbances, and can significantly reduce the delay time and the coupling effects between the canal pools. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Career‐Related Parent Support and Career Barriers: An Investigation of Contextual Variables
Authors: Raque‐Bogdan Trisha L. , Klingaman Elizabeth A. , Martin Helena M. , Lucas Margaretha S.
Published: December 2013

The authors used social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, & Hackett, ) as the basis for examining the person and contextual variables of gender, ethnicity, educational and career barriers, and career‐related parent support for incoming 1st‐year African American, Asian, Latino, and White college students. Women, as compared to men, perceived significantly higher levels of career barriers but similar levels of coping efficacy in dealing with these barriers. Women also reported receiving more career‐related emotional support from parents than did men. For all participants, career‐related parent support accounted for a significant portion of the variance for perceptions of educational and career barriers and coping efficacy with educational and career barriers.
The Historical Importance of Social Justice in the Founding of the National Career Development Association
Authors: Pope Mark , Briddick William C. , Wilson Fatima
Published: December 2013

The authors discuss the role of social justice in the founding of the National Career Development Association (NCDA). They discuss the historic context of the founding, the social justice work of the pioneers of vocational guidance, and the social justice influences that permeate the fabric of NCDA even today.
Optimization of process parameters and dissolution kinetics of nickel and cobalt from lateritic chromite overburden using organic acids
Authors: Biswas Supratim , Chakraborty Suparna , Chaudhuri Mahua Ghosh , Banerjee Pataki C , Mukherjee Siddhartha , Dey Rajib
Published: December 2013

BACKGROUND

Leaching kinetics of the roasted (at 600°C) chromite overburden of Sukinda mines Orissa, India, was studied with optimized data generated through response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with Box‐Behnken design (BBD). The effects of oxalic, citric and gluconic acid concentration (50–150 mmol L−1), reaction temperature (60° to 80°C) and period (up to 3 h) on metal (nickel and cobalt) dissolution were examined.

RESULTS

Extraction of nickel and cobalt to the extent of 63.61% and 44.33%, respectively, was achieved using 150 mmol L−1 oxalic acid at 80°C in 3 h; compared with other acids, oxalic acid leached more of the metals. Associated apparent activation energy for Ni was 74 kJ mol−1, and that for cobalt was 84.37 kJ mol−1 during the first hour, and 80.99 kJ mol−1 for the remaining period since cobalt leaching followed biphasic kinetics.

CONCLUSION

Dissolution of nickel and cobalt from the roasted chromite overburden was highly dependent on the amenability of ore minerals to organic acid attack. Nickel leaching data fit the three‐dimensional diffusion mechanism of the type Ginstling Brounsthein (GB) equation while a mixed kinetic model consisting of spherical geometry and the GB equation was followed for cobalt. This work presents maximum recovery of nickel and cobalt from chromite overburden using organic acid reported to date. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
ZrCl4/TMSCl as an Efficient Catalyst for Synthesis of 4,6‐Substituted 2‐Alkylthio‐6H‐1,3‐thiazines
Authors: Halimehjani A. Z. , Airamlounezhad S.
Published: December 2013

4,6‐Substituted‐2‐alkylthio‐6H‐1,3‐thiazines were synthesized by the reaction of S‐alkyl dithiocarbamates and α, β‐unsaturated ketones in the presence of ZrCl4/TMSCl. The procedure is simple and efficient and gives good to high yields of products.
NBS‐Mediated Aziridination between Styrenes and Amides under Transition Metal‐Free Conditions
Authors: Meng Xu , Chen Wenlin , Zhang Yuanqing , Chen Yongxin , Chen Baohua
Published: December 2013

An efficient and simple protocol for N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS)‐mediated styrenes aziridination using amides as the nitrenoid source has been developed. This aziridination affords desired products in moderate to good yields without using transition metal catalyst under very mild reaction condition.
New data about the functional morphology of the chaetiferous leech‐like annelids Acanthobdella peledina (Grube, 1851) and Paracanthobdella livanowi (Epshtein, 1966) (Clitellata, Acanthobdellida)
Authors: Bielecki Aleksander , Cichocka Joanna Maria , Jeleń Iwona , Świątek Piotr , Płachno Bartosz Jan , Pikuła Dorota
Published: December 2013

Approximately 130 individuals of Acanthobdella peledina and 100 individuals of Paracanthobdella livanowi were studied. Morphometric measurements were taken to explore the body form. The digestive and the reproductive systems of leech‐like annelids were analyzed for the first time in such a high number of specimens. Observation of A. peledina and P. livanowi revealed crucial differences in the reproductive system of the analyzed taxa, mostly regarding variation in the shape of the testisacs and the length of the ovisacs. The results of a digestive system analysis suggest that blood‐sucking parasites of the order Acanthobdellida may also lead a predatory lifestyle. The presented findings support the taxonomic division of the order Acanthobdellida into the families Acanthobdellidae and Paracanthobdellidae. Multiple similarities between Acanthobdellida and Hirudinida were also discussed. J. Morphol. 275:528–539, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Methodological approaches in conducting overviews: current state in HTA agencies
Authors: Pieper Dawid , Antoine Sunya‐Lee , Morfeld Jana‐Carina , Mathes Tim , Eikermann Michaela
Published: December 2013

Objectives

Overviews search for reviews rather than for primary studies. They might have the potential to support decision making within a shorter time frame by reducing production time. We aimed to summarize available instructions for authors intending to conduct overviews as well as the currently applied methodology of overviews in international Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies.

Methods

We identified 127 HTA agencies and scanned their websites for methodological handbooks as well as published overviews as HTA reports. Additionally, we contacted HTA agencies by e‐mail to retrieve possible unidentified handbooks or other related sources.

Results

In total, eight HTA agencies providing methodological support were found. Thirteen HTA agencies were found to have produced overviews since 2007, but only six of them published more than four overviews. Overviews were mostly employed in HTA products related to rapid assessment. Additional searches for primary studies published after the last review are often mentioned in order to update results.

Conclusions

Although the interest in overviews is rising, little methodological guidance for the conduct of overviews is provided by HTA agencies. Overviews are of special interest in the context of rapid assessments to support policy‐making within a short time frame. Therefore, empirical work on overviews needs to be extended. National strategies and experience should be disclosed and discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.