bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural templates for comparative protein docking
Authors: Anishchenko Ivan , Kundrotas Petras J. , Tuzikov Alexander V. , Vakser Ilya A.
Published: December 2014

Structural characterization of protein‐protein interactions is important for understanding life processes. Because of the inherent limitations of experimental techniques, such characterization requires computational approaches. Along with the traditional protein‐protein docking (free search for a match between two proteins), comparative (template‐based) modeling of protein‐protein complexes has been gaining popularity. Its development puts an emphasis on full and partial structural similarity between the target protein monomers and the protein‐protein complexes previously determined by experimental techniques (templates). The template‐based docking relies on the quality and diversity of the template set. We present a carefully curated, nonredundant library of templates containing 4950 full structures of binary complexes and 5936 protein‐protein interfaces extracted from the full structures at 12 Å distance cut‐off. Redundancy in the libraries was removed by clustering the PDB structures based on structural similarity. The value of the clustering threshold was determined from the analysis of the clusters and the docking performance on a benchmark set. High structural quality of the interfaces in the template and validation sets was achieved by automated procedures and manual curation. The library is included in the Dockground resource for molecular recognition studies at http://dockground.bioinformatics.ku.edu. Proteins 2015; 83:1563–1570. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of JNJ‐40411813, a positive allosteric modulator of the mGlu2 receptor
Authors: Lavreysen Hilde , Ahnaou Abdellah , Drinkenburg Wilhelmus , Langlois Xavier , Mackie Claire , Pype Stefan , Lütjens Robert , Le Poul Emmanuel , Trabanco Andrés A. , Nuñez José María Cid
Published: December 2014

Compounds modulating metabotropic glutamate type 2 (mGlu2) receptor activity may have therapeutic benefits in treating psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and anxiety. The pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of a novel mGlu2 receptor‐positive allosteric modulator (PAM), 1‐butyl‐3‐chloro‐4‐(4‐phenyl‐1‐piperidinyl)‐2(1H)‐pyridinone (JNJ‐40411813/ADX71149) are described here. JNJ‐40411813 acts as a PAM at the cloned mGlu2 receptor: EC50 = 147 ± 42 nmol/L in a [35S]GTPγS binding assay with human metabotropic glutamate type 2 (hmGlu2) CHO cells and EC50 = 64 ± 29 nmol/L in a Ca2+ mobilization assay with hmGlu2 Gα16 cotransfected HEK293 cells. [35S]GTPγS autoradiography on rat brain slices confirmed PAM activity of JNJ‐40411813 on native mGlu2 receptor. JNJ‐40411813 displaced [3H]JNJ‐40068782 and [3H]JNJ‐46281222 (mGlu2 receptor PAMs), while it failed to displace [3H]LY341495 (a competitive mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist). In rats, JNJ‐40411813 showed ex vivo mGlu2 receptor occupancy using [3H]JNJ‐46281222 with ED50 of 16 mg/kg (p.o.). PK‐PD modeling using the same radioligand resulted in an EC50 of 1032 ng/mL. While JNJ‐40411813 demonstrated moderate affinity for human 5HT2A receptor in vitro (Kb = 1.1 μmol/L), higher than expected 5HT2A occupancy was observed in vivo (in rats, ED50 = 17 mg/kg p.o.) due to a metabolite. JNJ‐40411813 dose dependently suppressed REM sleep (LAD, 3 mg/kg p.o.), and promoted and consolidated deep sleep. In fed rats, JNJ‐40411813 (10 mg/kg p.o.) was rapidly absorbed (Cmax 938 ng/mL at 0.5 h) with an absolute oral bioavailability of 31%. Collectively, our data show that JNJ‐40411813 is an interesting candidate to explore the therapeutic potential of mGlu2 PAMs, in in vivo rodents experiments as well as in clinical studies.
Genetic variation in aryl N‐acetyltransferase results in significant differences in the pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of amifampridine (3,4‐diaminopyridine) phosphate
Authors: Haroldsen Peter E. , Garovoy Marvin R. , Musson Donald G. , Zhou Huiyu , Tsuruda Laurie , Hanson Boyd , O'Neill Charles A.
Published: December 2014

The clinical use of amifampridine phosphate for neuromuscular junction disorders is increasing. The metabolism of amifampridine occurs via polymorphic aryl N‐acetyltransferase (NAT), yet its pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profiles, as influenced by this enzyme system, have not been investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of NAT phenotype and genotype on the PK and safety profiles of amifampridine in healthy volunteers (N = 26). A caffeine challenge test and NAT2 genotyping were used to delineate subjects into slow and fast acetylators for PK and tolerability assessment of single, escalating doses of amifampridine (up to 30 mg) and in multiple daily doses (20 mg QID) of amifampridine. The results showed that fast acetylator phenotypes displayed significantly lower Cmax, AUC, and shorter t1/2 for amifampridine than slow acetylators. Plasma concentrations of the N‐acetyl metabolite were approximately twofold higher in fast acetylators. Gender differences were not observed. Single doses of amifampridine demonstrated dose linear PKs. Amifampridine achieved steady state plasma levels within 1 day of dosing four times daily. No accumulation or time‐dependent changes in amifampridine PK parameters occurred. Overall, slow acetylators reported 73 drug‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events versus 6 in fast acetylators. Variations in polymorphic NAT corresponding with fast and slow acetylator phenotypes significantly affects the PK and safety profiles of amifampridine.
Walk the Line
Authors: Forest Jerry J.
Published: December 2014

Analysis of incident and event sharing data from sources such as the American Fuels and Petrochemical Manufacturers process safety portal indicate that a large number of process safety incidents have control of energy causes. The most fundamental responsibility of the process plant operator is to control the energy between any two points in the process. Failure to control this energy due to improper line‐up can lead to inadvertent mixing, challenges to safe operating limits, and loss of primary containment (LOPC). This article discusses a variety of practical conduct of operations topics that help the process operator bring consistency to operation in order to minimize line‐up errors and the process safety incidents that result from them. The concepts are: setting and reinforcing the expectation for energy control and establishing operational discipline (OD) and operational readiness. The OD topics discussed are: improved communication through shift notes, shift instructions, and operator evaluation, returning equipment to operation from maintenance, line labeling, and commissioning and process safety start‐up review activities. A brief case study is presented that discusses results from these activities—collectively called Walk the Line. Walk the line represents a culture change for operations where understanding of energy control each time a change is made in the process eliminates LOPC incidents. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 126–129, 2015
Chemical control of the Asian citrus psyllid and of huanglongbing disease in citrus
Authors: Boina Dhana Raj , Bloomquist Jeffrey R
Published: December 2014

By 2014, huanglongbing (HLB), the most destructive disease of citrus, and its insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama), became established in all major citrus‐growing regions of the world, including the United States, with the exception of California. At present, application of insecticides is the most widely followed option for reducing ACP populations, while application of antibiotics for suppressing HLB disease/symptoms is being practiced in some citrus‐growing regions. Application of insecticides during the dormant winter season, along with cultivation of HLB‐free seedlings and early detection and removal of symptomatic and asymptomatic trees, has been very effective in managing ACP. Area‐wide management of ACP by application of insecticides at low volume in large areas of citrus cultivation has been shown to be effective in managing HLB and reducing management costs. As insecticide resistance is a major problem in sustainable management of ACP, rotation/alternation of insecticides with different chemistries and modes of action needs to be followed. Besides control of the insect vector, use of antibiotics has temporarily suppressed the symptoms of HLB in diseased trees. Recent efforts to discover and screen existing as well as new compounds for their antibiotic and antimicrobial activities have identified some promising molecules for HLB control. There is an urgent need to find a sustainable solution to the HLB menace through chemical control of ACP populations and within HLB‐infected trees through the judicious use of labeled insecticides (existing and novel chemistries) and antibiotics in area‐wide management programs with due consideration to the insecticide resistance problem. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis on the enhanced hole concentration in p‐type GaN grown by indium‐surfactant‐assisted Mg delta doping
Authors: Chen Yingda , Wu Hualong , Yue Guanglong , Chen Zimin , Zheng Zhiyuan , Wu Zhisheng , Wang Gang , Jiang Hao
Published: December 2014

We have investigated the influence of indium surfactant on the hole‐concentration enhancement in Mg‐delta‐doped p‐type GaN grown at 920 °C. The hole concentration can be effectively enhanced from 7.8 × 1017 cm−3 to 1.5 × 1018 cm−3 when introducing the indium surfactant into the delta‐doping process. Analysis by secondary ion mass spectroscopy and low‐temperature photoluminescence results indicates that the increase of hole concentration is primarily contributed from the improved Mg incorporation and the suppressed N vacancy induced by the indium surfactant, while the contribution from unintentional C, Si, and O impurities and Ga‐vacancy‐related defects can be ruled out. On the other hand, it is shown that the acceptor activation energy, deduced from the temperature‐dependent photoluminescence, is decreased by indium surfactant, which is another factor accounting for the enhanced hole concentration.
Free‐electron concentration and polarity inversion domains in plasmonic (Zn,Ga)O
Authors: Sadofev Sergey , Kalusniak Sascha , Schäfer Peter , Kirmse Holm , Henneberger Fritz
Published: December 2014

Heavily Ga‐doped ZnO layers are grown on bulk ZnO wafers by molecular beam epitaxy. The layers grow in a two‐dimensional pseudomorphic mode with high structural quality under increase of the c‐lattice constant up to free‐electron concentrations of cm. Formation of Zn‐polar inversion domains in the O‐polar ZnO matrix is identified as the limiting factor for the incorporation of electrically active Ga. The domain formation can be inhibited by growing with larger excess of Zn. This results in a shift of surface plasmon frequency of  meV and allows for covering the telecommunication wavelength range.
Classes of structures in the stable atmospheric boundary layer
Authors: Kang Yanfei , Belušić Danijel , Smith‐Miles Kate
Published: December 2014

This article analyses ubiquitous flow structures which affect the dynamics of stable atmospheric boundary layers. These structures introduce non‐stationarity and intermittency to turbulent mixing, thus invalidating the usual scaling laws and numerical model parametrizations, but their characteristics and generating mechanisms are still generally unknown. Detecting these unknown events from time series requires techniques that do not assume particular geometries or amplitudes of the flow structures. We use a recently developed such method with some modifications to study the night‐time structures over a three‐month period during the FLOSSII experiment.

The structures cover about 26% of the dataset, and can be categorized using clustering into only three classes with similar characteristics. The largest class, including about 50% of the events, contains smooth structures, often with wave‐like shapes, which occur in stronger winds and weak stability. The second class, including sharper structures with large kurtosis, is characterized by weaker winds and stronger stability. The smallest class, including about 20% of the events, contains predominantly sharp step‐like structures, or microfronts. They occur in the weakest winds with strong stability.

Sharper, and particularly shallower, structures are related to transient low‐level wind maxima which create inflection points and may affect generation of turbulence. Furthermore, large wind directional shear, which is another source of transient inflection points, is generated even by deep coherent structures when the background wind is weaker than the structure intensity.

These results show that the complexity of structures can be reduced for the purpose of further analysis using a proper classification. Mapping common characteristics of such events leads to their better understanding, which, if combined with similar analyses of other boundary‐layer data, could lead to improving their effects in numerical models.
Output feedback control of discrete‐time systems with self‐triggered controllers
Authors: Zhang Jinhui , Zhao Danyang , Zheng Wei Xing
Published: December 2014

This paper is concerned with the self‐triggered output feedback control for discrete‐time systems, where an updating instants scheduler is implemented to determine when the controller is updated. For both the full‐order and reduced‐order observer cases, the updating instants are determined, respectively, where only the information of the estimated state at the current updating instant is required to obtain the next updating instant. It is shown that, with the proposed self‐triggered control schemes, not only the updating frequency is significantly reduced, but also the uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed. Finally, a numerical example is used to verify the effectiveness and the merits of the proposed approaches. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changing the Business Model: Effects of Venture Capital Firms and Outside CEOs on Portfolio Company Performance
Authors: Gerasymenko Violetta , De Clercq Dirk , Sapienza Harry J.
Published: December 2014

This study extends extant research on business model change by examining the impact of venture capital firms (VCFs) on the performance of young ventures that have substantially changed their business model. The analysis, using a unique dataset of 163 venture capital‐backed portfolio companies (PFCs), reveals a positive relationship between the scope of VCF involvement and PFC performance. Furthermore, the VCFs' experience with business model change and the recruitment of an outside CEO to the PFC both increase the positive impact of VCF involvement. These findings have implications for theory and practice. Copyright © 2014 Strategic Management Society.
Starch blends and their physicochemical properties
Authors: Waterschoot Jasmien , Gomand Sara V. , Fierens Ellen , Delcour Jan A.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, the current knowledge on properties of starch blends is critically reviewed. Nowadays, chemical modifications are commonly applied to modify starch properties. However, industry calls for alternatives for chemically modified starches to address the consumer's demand for natural food systems. A simple way to impact starch properties is by blending different starches. In some blends, interactions lead to unexpected gelatinization, pasting, gel texture, and retrogradation properties (non‐additive effect), while an additive effect occurs when the behavior of the blend corresponds to what can be expected based on the individual components. Analysis of different studies describing the physicochemical properties of blends brings insight into the role of botanical origin, amylose content, starch‐to‐water ratio, ratio of starches in the blend, etc. in the behavior of the blends. Gelatinization occurs mostly independently in excess water, while at intermediate water content more non‐additive behavior is recorded. Pasting, rheological, and textural properties show primarily non‐additive effects while retrogradation of starch blends occurs mainly in an additive way. Large differences in granule size and swelling power between the starches in a blend lead to uneven moisture distribution during heating of the starch suspension, which results in a different behavior of the blend than what would be expected based on the behavior of the individual starches.
Effect of amylose on pasting and rheological properties of corn starch/xanthan blends
Authors: Hong Yan , Wu Yinqin , Liu Guodong , Gu Zhengbiao
Published: December 2014

In this study, the pasting and rheological properties of gels obtained by mixing xanthan gum with (XG) waxy corn starch (WCS), normal corn starch (NCS), and high‐amylose corn starch (HACS) were evaluated. The degrees of interaction with XG differed significantly among the various starch preparations. Rapid visco‐analysis showed that XG affected the peak viscosities of NCS paste more significantly than those of WCS paste. The setback viscosity and pasting temperature of the WCS/XG mixtures were higher than that of WCS samples for the phase separation. However, adding XG to NCS lowered its setback viscosity and pasting temperature. All paste samples exhibited weak gel‐like behaviors, and their rigidities decreased after XG addition. Time sweep and texture analysis data demonstrated that XG inhibited the amylose retrogradation upon interaction with amylose. These results suggested that the effects of XG on starch pasting and rheological properties were enhanced with increasing amylose content of starch, which can be attributed to the interactions between XG and amylose molecules.
Impact of environmental factors on rice starch structure: A review
Authors: Patindol James A. , Siebenmorgen Terry J. , Wang Ya‐Jane
Published: December 2014

Among cereal grains, rice is the world's leading source of caloric energy in the human diet. About 90% of a milled rice kernel is starch (dry weight basis), thus justifying the need to understand the impacts of factors affecting starch composition and behavior when processed. This review presents past and current perspectives regarding the effects of growing environment on the macro, micro, and nano level structures of rice starch. The environmental elements considered in this work are: air temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, light, water, and soil nutrients. All these elements are essential for plant development and reproduction. The effect of air temperature is the most widely explored aspect of the environment in relation to rice production and grain quality. This could be attributed in part to the recently purported and highly publicized global warming phenomenon. Amylose content has remained a major predictor of rice starch quality but emerging instrumental techniques have facilitated more thorough research addressing the fine structure of amylopectin, which constitutes ∼70% of the starch present in a milled rice kernel. Kernel chalkiness appears to be the most common visual manifestation of environment‐related stress. Typically, there are genotype by environment interactions; this may result in inconsistent temporal and spatial findings. However, such interactions may prove useful in identifying particular genotypes that are adaptable and stable across growing locations.
Structure‐function relationships of starch components
Authors: Vamadevan Varatharajan , Bertoft Eric
Published: December 2014

Starch continues to be an important renewable biopolymer in both the food and non‐food industries. Its properties, which vary depending on the plant source, stem directly from its structure. The recent substantial increase in knowledge of the molecular structure of starch components and the architecture of starch granules has contributed significantly to an enhanced understanding of the structural base of starch functionality. This résumé provides an overview of the present views of the starch structure‐function relationships with an emphasis on industrially important starch sources.
Activation of 5‐HT receptors inhibits GABAergic transmission by pre‐and post‐synaptic mechanisms in layer II/III of the juvenile rat auditory cortex
Authors: García‐Oscos Francisco , Torres‐Ramírez Oswaldo , Dinh Lu , Galindo‐Charles Luis , Pérez Padilla Elsy Arlene , Pineda Juan Carlos , Atzori Marco , Salgado Humberto
Published: December 2014

The specific mechanisms by which serotonin (5‐HT) modulates synaptic transmission in the auditory cortex are still unknown. In this work, we used whole‐cell recordings from layer II/III of pyramidal neurons in rat brain slices to characterize the influence of 5‐HT on inhibitory synaptic activity in the auditory cortex after pharmacological blockade of excitatory glutamatergic transmission. We found that bath application of 5‐HT (5 µM) reduced the frequency and amplitude of both spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), reduced the amplitude of evoked IPSCs, and enhanced facilitation of paired pulse ratio (PPR), suggesting presynaptic inhibition. To determine which the serotonin receptors were involved in this effect, we studied the influence of specific 5‐HT receptor agonists and antagonists on ɣ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic transmission. The inhibiting influence of 5‐HT in the GABAergic synaptic activity was mimicked by using the selective agonists of the 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2A receptors, 8(OH)‐DPAT (10 µM) and DOI (10 µM), respectively; and it was prevented by their respective antagonists NAN‐190 (1 µM) and ritanserin (1 μM). Furthermore, the application of the selective agonist of 5‐HT1A receptors, 8‐(OH)‐DPAT (10 µM), produced PPR facilitation, while DOI application (5‐HT2A agonist) did not change the PPR. Moreover, the 5‐HT2A agonist reduced the amplitude of the IPSCs evoked by application of the selective GABA agonist, muscimol. These results suggest a presynaptic and postsynaptic reduction of GABAergic transmission mediated by 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2A serotonergic receptors, respectively. Synapse 69:115–127, 2015.  © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climate change and Chinese history: a review of trends, topics, and methods
Authors: Fan Ka‐wai
Published: December 2014

The history of China is richly documented, and it is therefore possible to reconstruct the climatic characteristics of different historical periods using written records rather than other techniques. Historians, scientists, climatologists, and geographers have all considered climate change to explain macro‐historical issues. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research findings relating to the historical climatology of China, including the relationship between climate change and the dynastic conquest by northern nomads, wars, riots, dynastic decline, and changes in population, economy, and agriculture. This will provide a solid foundation for further developments in Chinese historical climatology.WIREs Clim Change2015, 6:225–238. doi: 10.1002/wcc.331

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > World Historical Perspectives
Advanced quality of services with security integration in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Rachedi Abderrezak , Hasnaoui Amina
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we focus on the coexistence between security and quality of services (QoS) guarantee in wireless sensor networks. The idea is to integrate the security services: authentication, integrity, confidentiality, and non‐repudiation with QoS guarantee. In literature, the major proposed solutions consider QoS and security separately. In addition, it has been shown that it is difficult to offer the end‐users multiple levels of security while offering a high level of QoS, because security and QoS are opposite parameters. To tackle this main issue, we propose a new model based on proportional integral derivative controller in order to dynamically select the security level adapted to QoS requirements while considering the energy consumption. The stability parameters in terms of security level and QoS are taken into account by using the principle of proportional integral derivative which is based on the past parameters (history), the current system state (present), and the predictable system change (future). In order to evaluate the proposed model, we consider the case of routing protocol, and we introduce this model into the well‐known ad‐hoc on‐demand distance vector (AODV) protocol called QwS‐AODV protocol. Unlike the classical secure AODV, the QwS‐AODV protocol aims at adding or removing security services dynamically according to the network performance. Moreover, the validation and the evaluation of the proposed solution are carried out by simulation. The performance evaluation is presented with different network parameters such as throughput, delay, energy consumption, and security services. In addition, the comparison with a classical secure AODV is carried out, and the results obtained with the simulation illustrate that the security is always ensured with lower costs in terms of QoS and energy consumption. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Item Response Models for Forced-Choice Questionnaires: A Common Framework
Authors: Brown Anna
Published: December 2014

In forced-choice questionnaires, respondents have to make choices between two or more items presented at the same time. Several IRT models have been developed to link respondent choices to underlying psychological attributes, including the recent MUPP (Stark et al. in Appl Psychol Meas 29:184–203, 2005) and Thurstonian IRT (Brown and Maydeu-Olivares in Educ Psychol Meas 71:460–502, 2011) models. In the present article, a common framework is proposed that describes forced-choice models along three axes: (1) the forced-choice format used; (2) the measurement model for the relationships between items and psychological attributes they measure; and (3) the decision model for choice behavior. Using the framework, fundamental properties of forced-choice measurement of individual differences are considered. It is shown that the scale origin for the attributes is generally identified in questionnaires using either unidimensional or multidimensional comparisons. Both dominance and ideal point models can be used to provide accurate forced-choice measurement; and the rules governing accurate person score estimation with these models are remarkably similar.
Fabric Softener Technology: A Review
Authors: Murphy Dennis S.
Published: December 2014

This paper reviews current and emerging fabric softener technologies including various benefits that can be achieved by manipulating quat active structure, polymer/quat active combination systems, single rinse products, consumer product forms, softening‐through‐the‐wash, and fragrances used in fabric softeners. The technologies reviewed are aimed at the consumer market. Insights are provided into the drivers behind the technologies as well as their influence on market trends.
La calidad desde el diseño: principios y oportunidades para la industria farmacéutica
Authors: García Aponte Oscar Fabián , Vallejo Díaz Bibiana Margarita , Mora Huertas Claudia Elizabeth
Published: December 2014

La calidad desde el diseño ofrece ventajas sobre modelos previos de aseguramiento de la calidad, siendo útil en sectores donde la calidad signifique diferenciación y la flexibilización de los procesos estimule el mejoramiento continuo y la innovación. Como una contribución para facilitar su implementación en la industria farmacéutica en Colombia, en el presente artículo se analizan las circunstancias que la originaron. Igualmente, partiendo de un estudio de literatura especializada, se explica su importancia en el desarrollo de productos y se proponen algunos aspectos metodológicos para su puesta en práctica. La evidencia reportada sugiere que esta nueva visión de la calidad es una estrategia que genera confianza en clientes, industria y organismos reguladores, respecto a la calidad de los productos farmacéuticos.
A randomized noninferiority trial of condensed protocols for genetic risk disclosure of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Green Robert C. , Christensen Kurt D. , Cupples L. Adrienne , Relkin Norman R. , Whitehouse Peter J. , Royal Charmaine D.M. , Obisesan Thomas O. , Cook‐Deegan Robert , Linnenbringer Erin , Butson Melissa Barber , Fasaye Grace‐Ann , Levinson Elana , Roberts J. Scott ,   REVEAL Study Group
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Conventional multisession genetic counseling is currently recommended when disclosing apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype for the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cognitively normal individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of brief disclosure protocols for disclosing APOE genotype for the risk of AD.

Methods

A randomized, multicenter noninferiority trial was conducted at four sites. Participants were asymptomatic adults having a first‐degree relative with AD. A standard disclosure protocol by genetic counselors (SP‐GC) was compared with condensed protocols, with disclosures by genetic counselors (CP‐GC) and by physicians (CP‐MD). Preplanned co‐primary outcomes were anxiety and depression scales 12 months after disclosure.

Results

Three hundred and forty‐three adults (mean age 58.3, range 33–86 years, 71% female, 23% African American) were randomly assigned to the SP‐GC protocol (n = 115), CP‐GC protocol (n = 116), or CP‐MD protocol (n = 112). Mean postdisclosure scores on all outcomes were well below cut‐offs for clinical concern across protocols. Comparing CP‐GC with SP‐GC, the 97.5% upper confidence limits at 12 months after disclosure on co‐primary outcomes of anxiety and depression ranged from a difference of 1.2 to 2.0 in means (all P < .001 on noninferiority tests), establishing noninferiority for condensed protocols. Results were similar between European Americans and African Americans.

Conclusions

These data support the safety of condensed protocols for APOE disclosure for those free of severe anxiety or depression who are actively seeking such information.
The transitional association between β‐amyloid pathology and regional brain atrophy
Authors: Insel Philip S. , Mattsson Niklas , Donohue Michael C. , Mackin R. Scott , Aisen Paul S. , Jack Clifford R. , Shaw Leslie M. , Trojanowski John Q. , Weiner Michael W. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of β‐amyloid (Aβ) associated with brain atrophy and cognitive decline. The functional form to model the association between Aβ and regional brain atrophy has not been well defined. To determine the relationship between Aβ and atrophy, we compared the performance of the usual dichotomization of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ to identify subjects as Aβ+ and Aβ− with a trilinear spline model of CSF Aβ.

Methods

One hundred and eighty‐three subjects with mild cognitive impairment and 108 cognitively normal controls with baseline CSF Aβ and up to 4 years of longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative were analyzed using mixed‐effects regression. Piecewise‐linear splines were used to evaluate the nonlinear nature of the association between CSF Aβ and regional atrophy and to identify points of acceleration of atrophy with respect to Aβ. Several parameterizations of CSF Aβ were compared using likelihood ratio tests and the Akaike information criterion. Periods of acceleration of atrophy in which subjects transition from CSF Aβ negativity to CSF Aβ positivity were estimated from the spline models and tested for significance.

Results

Spline models resulted in better fits for many temporal and parietal regions compared with the dichotomous models. The trilinear model showed that periods of acceleration of atrophy varied greatly by region with early changes seen in the insula, amygdala, precuneus, hippocampus, and other temporal regions, occurring before the clinical threshold for CSF Aβ positivity.

Discussion

The use of piecewise‐linear splines provides an improved model of the nonlinear association between CSF Aβ and regional atrophy in regions implicated in the progression of AD. The important biological finding of this work is that some brain regions show periods of accelerated volume loss well before the CSF Aβ42 threshold. This implies that signs of brain atrophy develop before the current conventional definition of “preclinical AD”.
Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite: 2014 Update
Authors: McIntosh Scott E. , Opacic Matthew , Freer Luanne , Grissom Colin K. , Auerbach Paul S. , Rodway George W. , Cochran Amalia , Giesbrecht Gordon G. , McDevitt Marion , Imray Christopher H. , Johnson Eric L. , Dow Jennifer , Hackett Peter H.
Published: December 2014

The Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel to develop a set of evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and treatment of frostbite. We present a review of pertinent pathophysiology. We then discuss primary and secondary prevention measures and therapeutic management. Recommendations are made regarding each treatment and its role in management. These recommendations are graded on the basis of the quality of supporting evidence and balance between the benefits and risks or burdens for each modality according to methodology stipulated by the American College of Chest Physicians. This is an updated version of the original guidelines published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 2011;22(2):156–166.
CHOOSING EXPERT STATISTICAL ADVICE: PRACTICAL COSTS AND EPISTEMIC JUSTIFICATION
Authors: González De Prado Salas Javier , Teira David
Published: December 2014

We discuss the role of practical costs in the epistemic justification of a novice choosing expert advice, taking as a case study the choice of an expert statistician by a lay politician. First, we refine Goldman's criteria for the assessment of this choice, showing how the costs of not being impartial impinge on the epistemic justification of the different actors involved in the choice. Then, drawing on two case studies, we discuss in which institutional setting the costs of partiality can play an epistemic role. This way we intend to show how the sociological explanation of the choice of experts can incorporate its epistemic justification.
On the existence of steady-state resonant waves in experiments
Authors: Liu Z. , Xu D. L. , Li J. , Peng T. , Alsaedi A. , Liao S. J.
Published: December 2014

This paper describes an experimental investigation of steady-state resonant waves. Several co-propagating short-crested wave trains are generated in a basin at the State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering (SKLOE) in Shanghai, and the wavefields are measured and analysed both along and normal to the direction of propagation. These steady-state resonant waves are first calculated theoretically under the exact resonance criterion with sufficiently high nonlinearity, and then are generated in the basin by means of the main wave components that contain at least 95 % of the wave energy. The steady-state wave spectra are quantitatively observed within the inherent system error of the basin and identified by means of a contrasting experiment. Both symmetrical and anti-symmetrical steady-state resonant waves are observed and the experimental and theoretical results show excellent agreement. These results offer the first experimental evidence of the existence of steady-state resonant waves with multiple solutions.
How often do primary care veterinarians record the overweight status of dogs?
Authors: Rolph Nicola C. , Noble Peter-John M. , German Alexander J.
Published: December 2014

Obesity is a prevalent medical condition in dogs caused by the excess accumulation of fat, with negative effects on quality of life, longevity and the risk of developing associated pathologies. However, it is unclear how frequently first-opinion veterinarians record dogs as overweight (OW) or obese in medical records, and what factors determine when they do. Data sourced through the Small Animal Surveillance Network were used to determine the relative frequency of recording OW status (obesity or OW) in dogs presented to the UK first-opinion practices. Cases were identified using a search of clinical record-free text for relevant keywords. A case–control study was then conducted, comparing dogs where the OW status was recorded with a control group of obese dogs with no diagnosis recorded. Of 49 488 consultations, the OW status was recorded in 671 dogs (relative frequency 1·4 %). Using multiple logistic regression, the OW status of a dog was more likely to be recorded when the consultation was for osteoarthritis (OR 5·42; 95 % CI 2·09, 14·07; P < 0·001) or lameness (OR 2·02; 95 % CI 1·20, 3·42; P = 0·006). Furthermore, the OW status was more commonly recorded in dogs that were members of a practice health scheme (OR 5·35; 95 % CI 1·57, 18·17; P = 0·04) and less commonly recorded in microchipped dogs (OR 0·43; 95 % CI 0·41, 0·91; P = 0·02). These results suggest that OW and obesity are underdiagnosed in the first-opinion practice. However, a presentation for orthopaedic disease appears a key prompt for recording the OW status. Further studies are now warranted to determine the reasons for such marked underdiagnosis.
ON THE -LENGTH AND THE WIELANDT SERIES OF A FINITE -SOLUBLE GROUP
Authors: SU NING , WANG YANMING
Published: December 2014

The Wielandt subgroup of a group $G$, denoted by ${\it\omega}(G)$, is the intersection of the normalisers of all subnormal subgroups of $G$. The terms of the Wielandt series of $G$ are defined, inductively, by putting ${\it\omega}_{0}(G)=1$ and ${\it\omega}_{i+1}(G)/{\it\omega}_{i}(G)={\it\omega}(G/{\it\omega}_{i}(G))$. In this paper, we investigate the relations between the$p$-length of a $p$-soluble finite group and the Wielandt series of its Sylow $p$-subgroups. Some recent results are improved.
Consumption of ready-made meals and increased risk of obesity: findings from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study
Authors: Alkerwi Ala'a , Crichton Georgina E. , Hébert James R.
Published: December 2014

The consumption of ready-made meals, such as pre-packaged dishes, available at grocery stores and fast-food restaurants, is a habit related to our modern fast-paced lives. No study has examined the association of daily ready-made meal consumption with diet quality or health-related outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported ready-made meal consumption and diet quality, as measured by compliance with dietary recommendations and with a set of adiposity measures, in a nationally representative sample of 1352 subjects, aged 18–69 years, participating in the nationwide population-based ORISCAV-LUX (Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg) survey. The daily consumption of ready-made meals was calculated as follows: frequency of consumption × portion size × number of portions consumed. The sum of the daily consumption values of the eleven pre-packaged dishes included in the FFQ represented the total daily consumption of ready-made meals (g/d) for each participant. About 97 % of the participants reported daily consumption of ready-made meals. The intake was highly prevalent in men living alone and varied according to education level. Ready-made meal consumption provided >7 % of total daily energy. The fractions (%) of macro- and micronutrients derived from daily consumption of ready-made meals varied from 10 % for total cholesterol to 0·65 % for total fibre. Increased consumption of ready-made meals was found to be independently associated with abdominal obesity. On controlling for age, sex, socio-economic status and lifestyle factors, daily consumption of ready-made meals was found to be associated with higher energy intake and with poor compliance with national nutritional recommendations, and hence it could plausibly increase the risk of central obesity and fat deposition.
BIOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF AGE AT FIRST SEXUAL INTERCOURSE: THE CASE OF GRADE 9 AND GRADE 11 PUPILS IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: AMOATENG ACHEAMPONG YAW , KALULE-SABITI ISHMAEL
Published: December 2014

Survival analysis – specifically the actuarial life-table method and the Cox Proportional Hazards model – was used to assess Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological model with regards to the onset of sexual intercourse in a random sample of 1697 grade 9 and grade 11 pupils in the North West Province of South Africa. Data were collected in July and August 2007. Of the contextual factors examined, only academic performance and community disorganization were found to be statistically significantly associated with age at first sexual intercourse amongst girls. High academic performance by girls is positively associated with age at first sexual intercourse, while girls who live in disorganized communities initiate sexual intercourse earlier than their counterparts in other communities. Age is negatively associated with the timing of first sexual debut among both girls and boys. Males initiate sexual intercourse earlier than females, while youths with at least one sexual partner are much more likely to initiate sexual intercourse earlier than those without sexual partners.
INTER-GENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WOMEN'S FERTILITY, ASPIRATIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND SCHOOL COMPLETION IN THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: GIPSON JESSICA D. , HINDIN MICHELLE J.
Published: December 2014

Women's education is associated with positive social and health outcomes for women and their families, as well as greater opportunities and decision-making power for women. An extensive literature documents ways in which broader, societal changes have facilitated roles for women beyond reproduction, yet there is minimal exploration at the family level. This study used inter-generational cohort data from the Philippines to examine mothers' aspirations for their children's education, and how these aspirations predict children's subsequent educational attainment. Mothers' education, household wealth and a locally developed measure of women's status were positively associated with higher educational aspirations for children; however, only mothers with the highest fertility were less likely to desire their children to attend college or higher. Mothers' fertility and aspirations both significantly and independently predicted children's school completion. Together, these findings indicate that increased opportunities for Filipina women beyond childbearing may not only positively benefit these women themselves, but also future generations.
Syncope, syllabic consonant formation, and the distribution of stressed vowels in English
Authors: POLGÁRDI KRISZTINA
Published: December 2014

Post-tonic synope in English (Received Pronunciation) optionally deletes a schwa between a stressed and an unstressed vowel (gén(e)ral), but it cannot apply if the vowel following the schwa is stressed (gén*(e)ràte), or if no vowel follows (hápp*(e)n). Syncope is thus triggered by a metrical lapse of unstressed vowels. In addition, short stressed vowels cannot occur in an open syllable in English (Stress-to-Weight), except when preceding a single consonant and a vowel. Hammond (1997a) analyses such seemingly open stressed syllables in words likegén(e)ralas closed by a virtual geminate. I argue that post-tonic syncope can be understood as another means of satisfying the Stress-to-Weight requirement, closing the stressed syllable in a different way, at the same time avoiding a metrical lapse. In addition, surprisingly, English post-tonic syncope is sensitive to the quality of the flanking consonants: the consonant following the alternating vowel must be a sonorant which is more sonorous than the consonant preceding it (dél*(i)cate, cól*(o)ny). These are the same conditions as those applying to syllabic consonant formation, which can be regarded as a stage preceding syncope, explaining the melodic restrictions. I analyse the interplay of different forces in Stratal Optimality Theory, employing Government Phonological representations.
Creaming and Parking in Quasi-Marketised Welfare-to-Work Schemes: Designed Out Of or Designed In to the UK Work Programme?
Authors: CARTER ELEANOR , WHITWORTH ADAM
Published: December 2014

‘Creaming’ and ‘parking’ are endemic concerns within quasi-marketised welfare-to-work (WTW) systems internationally, and the UK's flagship Work Programme for the long-term unemployed is something of an international pioneer of WTW delivery, based on outsourcing, payment by results and provider flexibility. In the Work Programme design, providers’ incentives to ‘cream’ and ‘park’ differently positioned claimants are intended to be mitigated through the existence of nine payment groups (based on claimants' prior benefit type) into which different claimants are allocated and across which job outcome payments for providers differ. Evaluation evidence suggests however that ‘creaming’ and ‘parking’ practices remain common. This paper offers original quantitative insights into the extent of claimant variation within these payment groups, which, contrary to the government's intention, seem more likely to design in rather than design out ‘creaming’ and ‘parking’. In response, a statistical approach to differential payment setting is explored and is shown to be a viable and more effective way to design a set of alternative and empirically grounded payment groups, offering greater predictive power and value-for-money than is the case in the current Work Programme design.
Expanding the gerontological imagination on ethnicity: conceptual and theoretical perspectives
Authors: TORRES SANDRA
Published: December 2014

The globalisation of international migration has increased the ethnic diversity of most ageing populations across the Western world. This has implications for gerontological research, policy and practice, and puts our understandings of ethnicity to the test. This paper presents the different perspectives that inform ethnicity scholarship (the essentialist/primordial perspective, the structuralist/circumstantialist perspective and social constructionism) and suggests that the way in which we regard ethnicity has implications for how gerontological research is designed, how policies for old age are formulated and how gerontological practice is shaped. Through a review of contemporary gerontological research on ethnicity published in some of gerontology's main journals, the paper discusses some of the trends observed and concludes that most research seems to be informed by essentialism and structuralism. This suggests that the gerontological imagination on ethnicity has yet to be informed by the latest developments in ethnicity scholarship. The paper therefore urges gerontologists to broaden their understanding of ethnicity and suggests that much could be gained if we were to let the social constructionist perspective on ethnicity and the notion of intersectionality be sources of inspiration for the gerontological imagination on ethnicity.
Dynamic IBVS of a rotary wing UAV using line features
Authors: Xie Hui , Lynch Alan F. , Jagersand Martin
Published: December 2014

In this paper we propose a dynamic image-based visual servoing (IBVS) control for a rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which directly accounts for the vehicle's underactuated dynamic model. The motion control objective is to follow parallel lines and is motivated by power line inspection tasks where the UAV's relative position and orientation to the lines are controlled. The design is based on a virtual camera whose motion follows the onboard physical camera but which is constrained to point downwards independent of the vehicle's roll and pitch angles. A set of image features is proposed for the lines projected into the virtual camera frame. These features are chosen to simplify the interaction matrix which in turn leads to a simpler IBVS control design which is globally asymptotically stable. The proposed scheme is adaptive and therefore does not require depth estimation. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed control and its robustness to calibration parameter error.