bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in growth rates of oral jaw elements produce evolutionary novelty in bahamian pupfish
Authors: Lencer Ezra S. , Riccio Mark L. , McCune Amy R.
Published: April 2016

To understand the origins of novelty and the evolution of biological diversity, it is important to investigate the processes that generate phenotypic variation from genotypic variation. A number of path‐breaking studies have revealed the genetic basis for phenotypic differences between distantly related taxa, but how qualitative change is produced during the early stages of divergence is largely unexplored. Here, we focus on striking differences in jaw morphology exhibited by three closely related sympatric pupfish species (genus Cyprinodon) from San Salvador Island, Bahamas as a basis for investigating the genetic sources of morphological variation in recently diverged species. San Salvador Island pupfish are trophically diverse and display derived jaw morphologies distinct from any other species in the genus. We illustrate these qualitative morphological differences between species with 3D‐reconstructed CT‐images and camera lucida drawings of the skulls of wild‐caught fish. Quantitative data representing the size of individual bony skull elements in wild fish show how qualitatively novel morphologies arise as a consequence of changes to the size and shape of individual skull elements, particularly the dentary, premaxilla, and maxilla bones associated with the oral jaws. Consistent with these comparative data is that the growth rate of individual bony skull elements, measured on a developmental time series of lab‐reared fish, differs between species. Our data provide a critical foundation for future studies developing San Salvador Cyprinodon pupfishes as a model system to understand the evolution and development of novel morphologies at the species level. J. Morphol. 277:935–947, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Myocardial strain in healthy adults across a broad age range as revealed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 3.0T: Associations of myocardial strain with myocardial region, age, and sex
Authors: Mangion Kenneth , Clerfond Guillaume , McComb Christie , Carrick David , Rauhalammi Samuli M. , McClure John , Corcoran David S. , Woodward Rosemary , Orchard Vanessa , Radjenovic Aleksandra , Zhong Xiaodong , Berry Colin
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To assess myocardial strain using cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) using 1.5T and 3.0T MRI in healthy adults.

Materials and Methods

Healthy adults without any history of cardiovascular disease underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5T and 3.0T within 2 days. The MRI protocol included balanced steady‐state free‐precession (b‐SSFP), 2D cine‐echo planar imaging (EPI)‐DENSE, and late gadolinium enhancement in subjects >45 years. Acquisitions were divided into six segments; global and segmental peak longitudinal and circumferential strain were derived and analyzed by field strength, age, and gender.

Results

In all, 89 volunteers (mean age 44.8 ± 18.0 years, range: 18–87 years) underwent MRI at 1.5T, and 88 of these subjects underwent MRI at 3.0T (1.4 ± 1.4 days between the scans). Compared with 3.0T, the magnitudes of global circumferential (–19.5 ± 2.6% vs. –18.47 ± 2.6%; P = 0.001) and longitudinal (–12.47 ± 3.2% vs. –10.53 ± 3.1%; P = 0.004) strain were greater at 1.5T. At 1.5T, longitudinal strain was greater in females than in males: –10.17 ± 3.4% vs. –13.67 ± 2.4%; P = 0.001. Similar observations occurred for circumferential strain at 1.5T (–18.72 ± 2.2% vs. –20.10 ± 2.7%; P = 0.014) and at 3.0T (–17.92 ± 1.8% vs. –19.1 ± 3.1%; P = 0.047). At 1.5T, longitudinal and circumferential strain were not associated with age after accounting for sex (longitudinal strain P = 0.178, circumferential strain P = 0.733). At 3.0T, longitudinal and circumferential strain were associated with age (P < 0.05). Longitudinal strain values were greater in the apico‐septal, basal‐lateral, and mid‐lateral segments and circumferential strain in the inferior, infero‐lateral, and antero‐lateral LV segments.

Conclusion

Myocardial strain parameters as revealed by cine‐DENSE at different MRI field strengths were associated with myocardial region, age, and sex. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1197–1205.
Cell‐based therapies for intervertebral disc and cartilage regeneration— Current concepts, parallels, and perspectives
Authors: Vedicherla Srujana , Buckley Conor T.
Published: April 2016

Lower back pain from degenerative disc disease represents a global health burden, and presents a prominent opportunity for regenerative therapeutics. While current regenerative therapies such as autologous disc chondrocyte transplantation (ADCT), allogeneic juvenile chondrocyte implantation (NuQu®), and immunoselected allogeneic adipose derived precursor cells (Mesoblast) show exciting clinical potential, limitations remain. The heterogeneity of preclinical approaches and the paucity of clinical guidance have limited translational outcomes in disc repair, lagging almost a decade behind cartilage repair. Advances in cartilage repair have evolved to single step approaches with improved orthopedic repair and regeneration. Elements from cartilage regeneration endeavors could be adopted and applied to harness translatable approaches and deliver a clinically and economically feasible regenerative surgery for back pain. In this article, we trace the developments behind the translational success of cartilage repair, examine elements to consider in achieving disc regeneration, and the need for surgical redesign. We further discuss clinical parameters, objectives, and coordination required to deliver improved regenerative surgery. Cell source, processing, and delivery modalities are key issues to be addressed in considering surgical redesign. Advances in biomanufacturing, tissue cryobanking, and point of care cell processing technology may enable intraoperative solutions for single step procedures. To maximize translational success a triad partnership between clinicians, industry, and researchers will be critical in providing instructive clinical guidelines for design as well as practical and economic considerations. This will allow a consensus in research ventures and add regenerative surgery into the algorithm in managing and treating a debilitating condition such as back pain. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:8–22, 2017.
Correlations between quantitative T2 and T1ρ MRI, mechanical properties and biochemical composition in a rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration model
Authors: Gullbrand Sarah E. , Ashinsky Beth G. , Martin John T. , Pickup Stephen , Smith Lachlan J. , Mauck Robert L. , Smith Harvey E.
Published: April 2016

Improved diagnostic measures for intervertebral disc degeneration are necessary to facilitate early detection and treatment. The aim of this study was to correlate changes in mechanical and biochemical properties with the quantitative MRI parameters T2 and T1ρ in rabbit lumbar discs using an ex vivo chymopapain digestion model. Rabbit lumbar spinal motion segments from animals less than 6 months of age were injected with 100 μl of saline (control) or chymopapain at 3, 15, or 100 U/ml (n = 5 per group). T2 and T1ρ MRI series were obtained at 4.7T. Specimens were mechanically tested in tension–compression and creep. Normalized nucleus pulposus (NP) water and GAG contents were quantified. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to determine which parameters contributed significantly to changes in NP T2 and T1ρ. When all groups were included, multiple regression yielded a model with GAG, compressive modulus, and the creep time constants as variables significantly impacting T2 (multiple r2 = 0.64, p = 0.006). GAG and neutral zone (NZ) modulus were identified as variables contributing to T1ρ (multiple r2 = 0.28, p = 0.08). When specimens with advanced degeneration were excluded from the multiple regression analysis, T2 was significantly predicted by compressive modulus, τ1, and water content (multiple r2 = 0.71, p = 0.009), while no variables were significant predictors in the model for T1ρ. These results indicate that quantitative MRI can detect changes in the mechanical and biochemical properties of the degenerated disc. T2 may be more sensitive to early stage degenerative changes than T1ρ, while both quantitative MRI parameters are sensitive to advanced degeneration. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1382–1388, 2016.
Decreased osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells derived from the aged mouse is associated with enhanced NF‐κB activity
Authors: Lin Tzu‐hua , Gibon Emmanuel , Loi Florence , Pajarinen Jukka , Córdova Luis A. , Nabeshima Akira , Lu Laura , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: April 2016

Aging is associated with significant bone loss and delayed fracture healing. NF‐κB activation is highly correlated with inflammatory‐associated bone diseases including infection, wear particle exposure, and chronic inflammation during natural aging processes. The critical roles of NF‐κB in both the pro‐inflammatory response and osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption have been well defined. However, the biological effects of NF‐κB activation in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐mediated bone formation remain largely unknown. In the current study, bone marrow‐MSCs were isolated from young (8 weeks old) and aged (72 weeks old) mice. NF‐κB activity in MSCs at basal levels and under different biological conditions were determined by our recently established lentiviral vector‐based luciferase reporter assay. We found that NF‐κB activity was increased in aged MSCs at basal levels or when exposed to low dose (10 or 100 ng/ml) lipopolysaccharide (LPS); this effect was not seen when the cells were exposed to higher dose (1 μg/ml) LPS. During osteogenesis, NF‐κB activity was increased in aged MSCs at weeks 1 and 2, but showed no significant difference at week 3. Both Smurf2 and TAZ, the NF‐κB target genes that regulate osteogenic differentiation, were increased in aged MSCs. In addition, the expression of RANKL was dramatically increased, and OPG was decreased in aged MSCs. Our findings suggest that targeting NF‐κB activity in MSCs has the potential to modulate aging‐associated bone loss, or enhance bone‐healing in aged patients. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:281–288, 2017.
Human fusion range for polarized 3D display
Authors: Wang Qin , Wang Qiong‐Hua , Gu Sheng‐Xue , Liu Chun‐Ling
Published: April 2016

If discrepancy between accommodation and convergence caused by a stereoscopic display exceeds fusion range of human eyes, viewers will see ghosting image, which leads to the loss of correct depth information and even causes severe visual fatigue. In this paper, an experiment aiming to investigate the binocular fusion range is conducted for a polarized 3D display. Two experimental trials are arranged to examine two aspects of fusion range including outward depth and inward depth. 3D modeling software is used to generate the test stereoscopic image pairs, which vary in depth by adjusting the separation between the virtual cameras. Angular parallax corresponding to the limit of fusion range is obtained by determining critical point of ghosting images. The experimental results show deviation between theoretical fusion range calculated by formula and experimental one.−0.223° to 0.275° represent critical fusion range for the polarized 3D display to avoid ghosting images.
90Y radiation lobectomy: Outcomes following surgical resection in patients with hepatic tumors and small future liver remnant volumes
Authors: Lewandowski Robert J. , Donahue Larry , Chokechanachaisakul Attasit , Kulik Laura , Mouli Samdeep , Caicedo Juan , Abecassis Michael , Fryer Jonathan , Salem Riad , Baker Talia
Published: April 2016

Background

The purpose of this study is to assess operative, post‐operative, and long‐term outcomes in patients who underwent radiation lobectomy (RL) for tumor control and/or hypertrophy of small future liver remnant (FLR) prior to resection.

Methods

Right lobar +/− segment 4 radioembolization was performed prior to lobectomy/tri‐segmentectomy in patients with hepatic tumor but inadequate FLR. Parenchymal/tumor volumes were calculated from pre/post‐RL imaging; FLR/%FLR hypertrophy were determined. Complications were graded by the Clavien‐Dindo classification.

Results

Thirteen patients (HCC n = 10, cholangiocarcinoma n = 2, mCRC n = 1) underwent RL prior to resection. The median time between RL and post‐RL imaging was 40 days (23–190 days); the median time to resection was 86 days (30–210 days). Median FLR increased significantly [pre: 33% (22–43%); post: 43% (29–69%), P < 0.01] to yield a median %FLR hypertrophy of 30% (4–105%). The median hospital stay after resection was 4 days (3–11 days). Transient hepatobiliary toxicities normalized post‐operatively. Ninety‐two percent of resected tumors had >50% pathologic necrosis. Median follow up time after surgery was 604 days (144–1,416 days); one death occurred.

Conclusions

In this preliminary study, radiation lobectomy was a safe and effective method to achieve remnant liver hypertrophy while providing tumor control. This approach may facilitate safe resection and favorable post‐operative outcomes.J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:99–105. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corrosion and deposit formation on four steels exposed in the syngas section after a biomass gasifier
Authors: Elger R. , Norling R. , Pettersson R.
Published: April 2016

In this work, three different stainless steels (304L (CrNi‐18‐8), 253 MA®(CrNiSi‐21‐11), Kanthal® A‐1 (FeCrAl)) and a reference low‐alloyed ferritic steel (16Mo3 (Fe0.3Mo)) were exposed in a commercial biomass gasifier for three periods of 9 min, 580 and 1054 h in the temperature range 350–500 °C. Biomass is a fuel with generally higher amounts of chlorine and lower amounts of sulphur compared to coal and there is a current lack of data on materials performance in such environments. A high level of zinc sulphide was observed on the surfaces of all materials after exposure. It is argued that zinc plays a key role in capturing sulphur in this environment, thus preventing iron from sulphidation. Some incorporation of sulphur in the oxide scale was observed for Fe0.3Mo and CrNi‐18‐8. CrNiSi‐21‐11 showed some internal oxidation and pitting was observed for the FeCrAl material. All four materials showed acceptable performance with low total metal loss.
Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Solid Electrolyte Film: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrical Properties
Authors: Karthik Sekar , Suresh Jayaseelan , Vakees Ekambaram , Kayalvizhi Muthu , Thangaraj Venkatesan , Balaji Kanagasabai , Selvasekarapandian S. , Arun Araichimani
Published: April 2016

Polyvinyl alcohol based solid electrolyte films are prepared using polyvinyl alcohol and alum by varying wt.% of alum. The synthesized films are characterized by temperature dependent IR, A/C conductivity, temperature dependent dielectric studies, temperature dependent conductance studies, temperature dependent impedance studies, DSC, TGA. The X‐ray diffraction result shows that the crystallinity of PVA is increased upon increasing nano particle into a PVA film. The DSC behaviour of these films, exhibits excellent thermal response upon dispersal of the filler. Solid electrolyte doped with 0.15 wt.% of alum shows optimum AC conductivity of 1.73 × 10−4 Scm−1. Dielectric loss studies have also been used to understand the conduction process in the system. The Jonscher power law seems to be obeyed during AC conductivity measurements of the fiber mats.
Cladding Modified with PANI‐Oxalic Acid Composite Glucose Oxidase Immobilized Fiber Optic Intrinsic Glucose Biosensor
Authors: Pahurkar Vikas , Dagdale Shivaji , Tamgadge Yuoraj , Nagale Vinod , Muley Gajanan
Published: April 2016

Polyaniline (PANI) and its composites have drawn considerable interest because of their economical importance, good environmental stability and satisfactory conductivity among the conductive polymers. Polymers are playing an increasingly important role in the development of biosensors. The use of conducting polymer composites for the construction of biosensor is increasing nowadays for the immobilization of biomolecules as it enhances the activity and performance of the sensor. In the present investigation, we have used PANI‐oxalic acid (OA) for the cladding modification to prepare fiber optic intrinsic glucose biosensor (FOIGB) for detection of glucose. PANI‐OA composite have shown good binding toward enzyme‐glucose oxidase (GOx) and high biological activity that results in enhanced sensing characteristics. This investigation highlights approach to synthesize PANI‐OA composite and its applications in cladding modified FOIB technology. The characterizations were made using X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results revealed the formation of homogeneous, PANI‐OA film on sensing element. The sensing response of FOIGB toward glucose was measured by monitoring variation in power with varying glucose concentration.
High Temperature Crystal Growth: An Overview
Authors: Dagdale Shivaji , Pahurkar Vikas , Muley Gajanan
Published: April 2016

In this review, main advances produced in crystal growth techniques during recent years have been presented. The most commonly used methods for growth of solid‐state lasers and nonlinear optical crystals of oxide materials are discussed. The crystals grown by high temperature solution growth method has got vital importance, because of their useful applications. The high temperature crystal growth methods involve liquid – solid phase transformation. These may range from a small inexpensive technique to a complex sophisticated expensive process. The crystallization time may ranges from minutes, hours, days and to months. Besides, the various methods, Czochralski, top‐seeded solution growth (TSSG), and Bridgeman are some of the most popular methods, used to grow single crystals have been discussed here. The ambient temperature conditions used to melt grown materials or become polymorphic transitions below the crystallization temperature are presented. Regarding to it, various crystals grown by researchers with high temperature crystal growth method have been reviewed.
Controlled Electrochemical Polymerization Strategies for Electroactive Polyaniline Thin Films
Authors: Kharade Rohini R. , Patil Pallavi B. , Khot Kishor V. , Ghanwat Vishvnath B. , Kondalkar Vijay V. , Bagade Chaitali S. , Desai N. D. , Mane R. M. , Bhosale P. N.
Published: April 2016

Polyaniline (PANI) thin films were successfully deposited using controlled electrodeposition (ED) technique from a mixed solution of 0.1M aniline and 0.5M H2SO4 on ITO coated substrate. The effect of different deposition cycles 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 on thickness, optical and morphological properties of electrodeposited PANI thin films was studied. The formation mechanism of highly conducting form of polyaniline i.e. Emeraldine salt is explained. The support of Fourier transform‐infra red (FT‐IR) and Raman spectroscopy was given to confirm Emeraldine salt of PANI. Further DC electrical conductivity of PANI has been measured in temperature range from 300 to 500 K using two point probe method. The optical and morphological properties of PANI give its application towards flexible electrochromic glasses.
Process of Making Antimicrobial Polymers from Quaternary Ammonium Maleic Di‐Ester Surfmers and Methyl Methacrylate by Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Dominic G. John , Yashoda M. P. , Ajith Kumar M. P. , Prasannakumar Shankarappa
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this article is to develop degradable quaternary ammonium polymerizable surfactants and their copolymers with methyl methacrylate. Such polymers work efficiently against harmful microbes. The antimicrobial properties were tested against recombinant E. coli to understand its efficiency over superbugs. E. coli culture was developed by introducing pET22b vector having ampicillin resistance gene. Current research paper also focuses on novel synthetic route in obtaining quaternary ammonium maleates. Both the surfmer and copolymer were characterized by spectral methods such as FTIR and NMR. Surface properties of the polymers were studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was employed to study the extent of bacterial viable cell damage. The degradable property of the surfmers was studied by using FTIR‐technique. The thermal properties of the polymer were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Thermo‐Optical Properties of Amino Acid Modified ZnO‐PVA Colloidal Suspension Under CW Laser Illumination
Authors: Tamgadge Yuoraj , Pahurkar Vikas , Sunatkari Ashok , Talwatkar Swarnalata , Muley Gajanan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we present synthesis of amino acids (l‐arginine and l‐alanine) assisted surface modification of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using chemical precipitation method. Study emphasizes the utility of l‐arginine over l‐alanine in the synthesis process and ZnO NPs with average particle size of 18 nm have been successfully obtained using l‐arginine. Structural properties were evaluated using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that confirmed the purity, surface morphology and hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO NPs. Linear optical studies using ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectroscopy indicated the blue shift of excitons absorption wavelength and surface modification by amino acids. Blue shifting is more prominent for l‐arginine and optical band gap of 3.48 eV has been achieved in the present case. Third order nonlinearity (nonlinear refraction and absorption) of ZnO NPs embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (ZnO‐PVA colloidal suspension) was studied by Z‐scan technique at wavelength 632.8 nm in continuous wavelength regime which shows negative nonlinearity with self‐defocusing effect. Large value of n2 and β were obtained in case of ZnO NPs passivated by l‐arginine and effect was attributed to thermal lensing. Thermally stimulated third order nonlinear susceptibility (x(3)) for ZnO‐PVA colloids have also been calculated and presented.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Organosoluble and Thermally Stable Polyimides Containing Pyridine and Anthracene Units
Authors: Amutha N. , Tharakan Simi Annie , Sarojadevi M.
Published: April 2016

A series of new polyimides were obtained by the polycondensation reactions of the three diamines containing pyridine and anthracene units with various aromatic tetra carboxylic dianhydrides via both two‐step and one‐step methods. The precursors and monomers were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR techniques. The structure of the polyimides was confirmed by FT‐IR, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, inherent viscosity and molecular weight measurements. All the polyimides are soluble in aprotic solvents such as NMP, DMF, DMAc and DMSO. These polyimides exhibit Tg in the range of 213–317 °C and 10% weight loss (T10) takes place in the range of 414‐531 °C in N2 401–521 °C in air and the char yield varies between 38–54%. The polymer films have tensile strength in the range of 84–110 MPa, elongation at break in the range of 11.2–13.8% and tensile modulus in the range of 1.1–1.4 GPa and low moisture absorption (0.87–1.16). All of these new polymers show excellent thermal stability and the polyimide films have good mechanical properties.
Sustainable Development Through Feedstock Recycling of Plastic Wastes
Authors: Vasudeo Rane Ajay , Abitha V. K. , Vinayak K. , Jayaja P. , Gaikwad Shripal
Published: April 2016

The usage of plastic materials in daily life has continuously increased over the last 30 years. The amount of plastic consumed per inhabitant in the industrialized countries has increased by a factor of 60 over this period, while the generation of plastic wastes has grown at a similar rate. Recycling of plastic materials is now an important field in the plastics industry, not just an activity born under environmental pressure. The recycling processes include industrial operations in which secondary materials are reprocessed and/or monomers recovered for further polymerization; such processes are termed secondary and tertiary recycling. At present, there are three main alternatives for the management of plastic wastes in addition to land filling: (i) mechanical recycling by melting and regranulation of the used plastics, (ii) feedstock recycling and (iii) energy recovery. Consequently, feedstock recycling appears as a potentially interesting approach, based on the conversion of plastic wastes into valuable chemicals useful as fuels or as raw materials for the chemical industry. The cleavage and degradation of the polymer chains may be promoted by temperature, chemical agents, catalysts, etc. The purpose of this work is to describe and review the different alternatives developed for the feedstock recycling of plastic wastes, with emphasis on both the scientific and technical aspects.
Some approximation properties of a Durrmeyer variant of q‐Bernstein–Schurer operators
Authors: Acu Ana‐Maria , Muraru Carmen Violeta , Sofonea Daniel Florin , Radu Voichiţa Adriana
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we will propose a Durrmeyer variant of q‐Bernstein–Schurer operators. A Bohman–Korovkin‐type approximation theorem of these operators is considered. The rate of convergence by using the first modulus of smoothness is computed. The statistical approximation of these operators is also studied. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Force training induces changes in human muscle membrane properties
Authors: Z'Graggen Werner J. , Trautmann Joël P. , Bostock Hugh
Published: April 2016

Introduction: Human muscle membrane properties can be assessed in vivo by recording muscle velocity recovery cycles (MVRCs). This study was undertaken to study the effect of muscle force training on MVRC parameters. Methods: MVRCs with 1 to 5 conditioning stimuli were recorded from brachioradialis muscle before and after 2 weeks of muscle force training in 12 healthy subjects. The effects of training on relative refractory period and early and late supernormality were quantified. Results: Force training induced a reduction of relative refractory period (P < 0.0001), while early supernormality was increased (P < 0.02) and peaked earlier (P < 0.01). Late supernormality and the increases in late supernormality due to 2 and 5 conditioning stimuli remained unchanged. Conclusions: Muscle force training leads to hyperpolarization of the resting muscle membrane potential, probably caused by an increase in the number of sodium pump sites. Muscle Nerve 54: 144–146, 2016
Involvement of distal sensory nerves in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Isak Baris , Tankisi Hatice , Johnsen Birger , Pugdahl Kirsten , Torvin MØLler Anette , Finnerup Nanna Brix , Christensen Peter BrØGger , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen Anders
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The diagnostic criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) require normal sensory nerve conduction studies (NCS) or abnormal NCS only in the presence of neuropathy of identified etiology. In this study, we investigated the presence and extent of involvement of Aß sensory fibers in ALS.

Methods

Distal sensory NCS [antidromic dorsal sural (DS) and orthodromic medial plantar (MP)] and conventional sensory NCS (unilateral median sensory and bilateral sural nerves) were performed in 16 definite and 2 probable ALS patients (based on Awaji criteria) and 31 controls.

Results

Abnormal conventional sensory NCS were found in 8 (44.4%) ALS patients and 1 (3.2%) control subject (P = 0.002), whereas abnormal distal sensory NCS were found in 12 (66.7%) ALS patients and 3 (9.6%) controls (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Distal sensory NCS were more often abnormal than conventional sensory NCS in ALS. Muscle Nerve 54: 1086–1092, 2016
Limited‐memory adaptive snapshot selection for proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Oxberry Geoffrey M. , Kostova‐Vassilevska Tanya , Arrighi William , Chand Kyle
Published: April 2016

Reduced order models are useful for accelerating simulations in many‐query contexts, such as optimization, uncertainty quantification, and sensitivity analysis. However, offline training of reduced order models (ROMs) can have prohibitively expensive memory and floating‐point operation costs in high‐performance computing applications, where memory per core is limited. To overcome this limitation for proper orthogonal decomposition, we propose a novel adaptive selection method for snapshots in time that limits offline training costs by selecting snapshots according an error control mechanism similar to that found in adaptive time‐stepping ordinary differential equation solvers. The error estimator used in this work is related to theory bounding the approximation error in time of proper orthogonal decomposition‐based ROMs, and memory usage is minimized by computing the singular value decomposition using a single‐pass incremental algorithm. Results for a viscous Burgers' test problem demonstrate convergence in the limit as the algorithm error tolerances go to zero; in this limit, the full‐order model is recovered to within discretization error. A parallel version of the resulting method can be used on supercomputers to generate proper orthogonal decomposition‐based ROMs, or as a subroutine within hyperreduction algorithms that require taking snapshots in time, or within greedy algorithms for sampling parameter space. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Political Influence and the Performance of Nonprofit Spanish Banks
Authors: Pina Vicente , Torres Lourdes , Bachiller Patricia
Published: April 2016

This article presents empirical evidence about factors that influence the solvency of Spanish savings banks. It also studies whether the presence of politicians in their governance has led to lower solvency ratios and, consequently, to the current economic situation in the Spanish banking sector. We use multivariate regressions, taking the solvency ratio as the dependent variable; and efficiency, the coverage ratio, political influence, CEOs’ political influence, size, growth, and age as independent variables. Our results confirm that banking entities controlled by politicians resulted in poor performance, and political influence on the boards of savings banks led them to insolvency. The findings show that the non‐ownership structure of savings banks, the lack of best practice corporate governance mechanisms, and political presence have weakened them.
Inconvenient Truth? Do Collective Bargaining Agreements Help Explain the Mobility of Teachers within School Districts?
Authors: Goldhaber Dan , Lavery Lesley , Theobald Roddy
Published: April 2016

We utilize detailed teacher‐level longitudinal data from Washington State to investigate patterns of teacher mobility in districts with different collective bargaining agreement (CBA) transfer provisions. Specifically, we estimate the log odds that teachers of varying experience and effectiveness levels transfer out of their schools to other schools in the district in Washington kindergarten through 12th grade (K‐12) public schools. We find little consistent evidence relating voluntary transfer provisions in CBAs to patterns in teacher mobility, but do find evidence that patterns in within‐district mobility by teacher experience and effectiveness vary between districts that do not use seniority in involuntary transfer decisions and those that use seniority as a tiebreaker or the only factor in these moves. In models that consider teacher experience, the interaction between teacher experience and school disadvantage in teacher transfer decisions is more extreme in districts with strong involuntary seniority transfer protections; novice teachers are even more likely to stay in disadvantaged schools, and veteran teachers are even more likely to leave disadvantaged schools. On the other hand, models that consider value‐added measures of teacher effectiveness suggest that more effective teachers are less likely to leave disadvantaged schools in districts that do use seniority in involuntary transfer decisions, that is, seniority transfer provisions could actually make the distribution of output‐based measures of quality more equitable. Taken together, these results suggest that seniority transfer provisions may have differential impacts on the distributions of teacher experience and effectiveness.
Optical Absorption of Small Palladium‐Doped Gold Clusters
Authors: Kaydashev Vladimir , Ferrari Piero , Heard Christopher , Janssens Ewald , Johnston Roy L. , Lievens Peter
Published: April 2016

The effect of Pd doping on the structure and optical absorption of small cationic gold clusters is investigated by a combined photodissociation spectroscopy and time‐dependent density functional theory study of Aun+Arp and PdAun‐1+Arp (n = 4,5; p = 0,1). While pure Au clusters are planar, the Pd‐doped clusters are 3D. UV–visible absorption is studied in the 2.0–4.7 eV photon energy range, allowing the observation of previously unreported absorption bands for Au4+ and Au4+Ar. The oscillator strength of the optical transitions is dramatically reduced upon incorporating a Pd atom in Au4+ and Au4+Ar, while this effect is less pronounced for Au5+Ar. Analysis of the electron density transfer shows a different influence of Pd with size. While Pd has a formal negative charge in Au3Pd+, in Au4Pd+ most of the charge is attracted by the highly coordinated central Au atom, leaving Pd positively charged, also affecting the induced structural changes. In addition, orbital analysis of the optical transitions is carried out in order to identify the levels involved in the optical absorption of the pure Au and Pd doped clusters. A reduction of the s density near the Fermi energy, induced by Pd doping, causes a quenching of optical absorption.
Device simulation of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite/heterojunction crystalline silicon monolithic tandem solar cells using an n‐type a‐Si:H/p‐type µc‐Si1–xOx:H tunnel junction
Authors: Nakanishi Akira , Takiguchi Yuki , Miyajima Shinsuke
Published: April 2016

We investigate perovskite/heterojunction crystalline silicon monolithic tandem solar cells by using device simulation. A hydrogenated amorphous and microcrystalline silicon‐based tunnel recombination junction is applied to the tandem solar cells. The influence of the conduction and valence band offset between the n‐type layer of the perovskite top cell and the tunnel recombination junction was investigated. To obtain excellent solar cell performance, the conduction band offset should be 0–0.6 eV, although the valence band offset does not affect the solar cell performance. We also found that higher fill factor is expected when the n‐type layer of the perovskite top cell is located on the tunnel recombination junction compared with the structure in which the hole conductor is located on the tunnel recombination junction.
The hidden threat of customer‐led growth
Authors: Meehan Seán , Dawson Charlie , Avagyan Karine
Published: April 2016

The companies behind the world's most popular brands are exceptional. They have beaten the odds by surviving the birthing process, transitioning from small to medium, eventually graduating to “the big time”. Survival it seems is no longer an everyday concern. Growth is the common imperative. However, many, if not most, of those surviving to “adulthood” will face life threatening events.
Intercultural Insight Gathering, Research World Connect Series
Authors: Appleton Edward
Published: April 2016

Interculturally sensitive Insights–a contradiction in terms?
Unbiased estimation in seamless phase II/III trials with unequal treatment effect variances and hypothesis‐driven selection rules
Authors: Robertson David S. , Prevost A. Toby , Bowden Jack
Published: April 2016

Seamless phase II/III clinical trials offer an efficient way to select an experimental treatment and perform confirmatory analysis within a single trial. However, combining the data from both stages in the final analysis can induce bias into the estimates of treatment effects. Methods for bias adjustment developed thus far have made restrictive assumptions about the design and selection rules followed. In order to address these shortcomings, we apply recent methodological advances to derive the uniformly minimum variance conditionally unbiased estimator for two‐stage seamless phase II/III trials. Our framework allows for the precision of the treatment arm estimates to take arbitrary values, can be utilised for all treatments that are taken forward to phase III and is applicable when the decision to select or drop treatment arms is driven by a multiplicity‐adjusted hypothesis testing procedure. © 2016 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, photo physical properties of two isomeric forms of an azo dye supported by DFT calculations and their interaction with DNA
Authors: Ganguly Durba , Santra Ramesh C , Mondal Tapan K , Das Saurabh
Published: April 2016

A new azo compound 2‐(2‐hydroxyphenylazo)‐indole‐3/‐acetic acid was synthesized. It is a yellow solid when freshly prepared but upon exposure to light turns red gradually. The change in color may be controlled by lowering the temperature or by keeping the compound in the dark. IR and mass spectroscopy of the two forms are similar while UV‐vis, NMR and HPLC are different suggesting isomerization. Fluorescence emission of the yellow compound at 370 nm following excitation at 280 nm is different from the red showing emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 350 nm. Spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime data suggest change from the yellow form to red is reversible. DFT calculations show the yellow and red forms to be the torsional rotamer and the trans isomer respectively.The cis isomer was determined theoreticallybut could not be isolated.The trans is stable than the cis by 18.825 kcal mol−1.Interaction of the isomers with DNA was studied with the help of UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Binding parameters suggest change in spatial orientation makes the trans compound a slightly better binder of DNA than the torsional rotamer.
Comparative Study of Individual and Mixed Aqueous Electrolytes with ZnFe2O4 Nano–flakes Thin Film as an Electrode for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Vadiyar Madagonda M. , Bhise Sagar C. , Patil Sandip K. , Kolekar Sanjay S. , Chang Jia‐Yaw , Ghule Anil V.
Published: April 2016

In the present work, ZnFe2O4 nano‐flakes thin films are grown on stainless steel substrate using mechanochemical approach. The prepared thin films are characterized and used as working electrodes for supercapacitor application. Investigation for an ideal electrolyte is systematically carried out by comparing three aqueous electrolytes such as LiOH, NaOH, KOH (1 M) and their binary mixtures (1:1 v/v of 1 M each electrolyte) on the basis of their supercapacitive performances. Among the electrolytes, 1 M KOH is found to be an ideal electrolyte, which demonstrates higher specific capacitance (433 F g−1), cycle stability (91 % retention up to 4000 cycles), energy density (86 Wh kg−1), respectively. The binary mixtures of LiOH‐NaOH, NaOH‐KOH and LiOH‐KOH electrolytes show relatively less specific capacitance of 106, 146 and 180 F g−1, respectively. The use of mixed electrolytes and underlying factors affecting the performance are investigated in detail for the first time. The physical parameters such as conductivity, density, viscosity, contact angle and hydrated ionic radius of aqueous electrolytes influencing the specific capacitance of the ZnFe2O4 nano‐flakes based electrode is studied.
Improved and A Simple Approach For Mass Production of Graphene Nanoplatelets Material
Authors: La Mr. Duong Duc , Bhargava Suresh , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: April 2016

Graphene has become the most studied nanomaterial of the past decade, due to its unique electronic properties which are essential for various applications such as electronics, sensors, transistors, batteries, as well as conducting polymer composites. There are several report outlined to prepare few layers of graphene nanoplatelets, however, few of them suffer from few drawbacks such as use of toxic reagents (oleum) tedious method and also suffer from production of defect free graphene. Herein, we describe mass production of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by exfoliation of natural graphite flakes in single step using sodium persulfate and sulphuric acid at room temperature followed by washing with dry acetone. The produced GNPs (∼100 %) are tens of microns in diameter with thickness are about 10–20 nm. We have also evaluated role of water for exfoliation of graphite. The formed GNPs were confirmed by SEM, TEM, and AFM microscopy.
High Efficient Mesoporous Co3O4 Nanocatalysts For Methane Combustion at Low Temperature
Authors: Han Zhen , Zhang Hengqiang , Dong Bing , Ni Yangyang , Kong Aiguo , Shan Yongkui
Published: April 2016

Co3O4 nanomaterials with different morphology were easily prepared by calcining Co(OH)2 precursor at different temperatures. The obtained mesoporous Co3O4 with special surface structure had excellent catalytic activity for methane combustion. The specific rate of methane combustion over mesoporous Co3O4 reach up to 1.8 μmol g−1 s−1 at 300 °C. It is close to the specific rate over the supported noble metal catalysts and higher than that over the transition metal oxide catalysts reported in the literature. TEM images, H2‐TPR profiles and XPS spectra analysis testified that some vacancy, antisite, dislocation and grain boundary defects in narrow junction regions around the pore openings may be the origin of the excellent catalytic activity of the mesoporous Co3O4 nanomaterials.
pH‐Responsive Indicator Displacement Assay of Acetylcholine Based on Acridine–p‐Sulfonatocalix[4]arene Supramolecular System: Fluorescence Off/On Switching and Reversible pKa Shift
Authors: Sayed Mhejabeen , Shinde Ketaki , Shah Ramesh , Pal Haridas
Published: April 2016

Host‐guest complexes of protonated (AcH+) and neutral (Ac) forms of biologically important acridine dye with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SCX4) and their responses towards acetylcholine (AcCh) as a competitive binder has been investigated using photochemical studies. Unlike Ac, the AcH+ undergoes strong binding with SCX4 and their differential binding results in a large upward pKa shift for the bound dye. Dye binding to SCX4 causes a drastic fluorescence quenching, witnessing a strong fluorescence “turn OFF”, which is switched to strong fluorescence “turn ON” by the presence of neurotransmitter, AcCh, acts as a stimulus cum competitive binder. This is a unique system showing controlled binding and release for both AcH+ and Ac forms of the dye triggered by AcCh, convincingly established through absorption, pKa tuning, fluorescence modulation and NMR shift. Fluorescence “OFF/ON” switching observed in this study demonstrates an efficient indicator displacement methodology, achieving a control over the selectivity in binding and release of the dye/analyte, having prospective uses in designing new optical sensors and smart functional materials for analytical and biological applications.
Ten‐Electron Donor Indenyl Anion in Binuclear Transition‐Metal Sandwich Complexes: Electronic Structure and Bonding Analysis
Authors: Zendaoui Saber‐Mustapha , Saillard Jean‐Yves , Zouchoune Bachir
Published: April 2016

Whereas dinuclear sandwich complexes of pentalene, azulene and naphthalene are not uncommon, their bis‐indenyl counterparts are scarce, with only two M2(indenyl)2 examples known so far. This paper investigates by the means of DFT calculations the possibility for such compounds to exist for the M=Sc−Ni and Y‐(Re)‐Pd series. Stable diamagnetic species are predicted for total valence electron counts (TNE) of 34 and 40. The most favored situation corresponds to TNE = 34. For this electron count, which exhibits full ligand hapticity, no formal metal‐metal bond exists, but only weak non‐bonding attraction. Adding supplementary electrons (TNE > 34) results in partial ligand decoordination. When TNE < 34, metal‐metal bonding is predicted to compensate electron deficiency, with the largest formal bond order for TNE = 26. However, in the case of the series of the first‐row metals, the metal‐metal interaction is rather weak, thus favoring the existence of low‐lying high‐spin states. On the other hand, all the second‐row (and Re) complexes are computed to be diamagnetic. It is concluded that there is no specific reason for M2(indenyl)2 complexes not being isolable.
From Prowar Soldier to Antiwar Activist: Change and Continuity in the Narratives of Political Conversion among Iraq War Veterans
Authors: Flores David
Published: April 2016

This study examines conversion narratives of Iraq War military veterans who have become antiwar political activists. I examine how antiwar veterans construct and emplot prewar, wartime, and postwar narrative periods to shape and reclaim their moral identities as patriots fighting for a just cause, and how through a communal antiwar story they work to both challenge and reappropriate the rhetorical framework they associate with justifications for the invasion of Iraq. The study draws on in‐depth interviews with forty members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). In sum, the research describes how veterans engage with dominant narratives, shape new moral identities, and transition from soldiers to political activists.
Synaptic number changes in the medial prefrontal cortex across adolescence in male and female rats: A role for pubertal onset
Authors: Drzewiecki Carly M. , Willing Jari , Juraska Janice M.
Published: April 2016

Adolescence is a unique period of development, marked by maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region important for executive functioning. During this time, the human PFC decreases in overall volume and thickness. Likewise in adolescent rodents, losses of neurons, dendrites, dendritic spines and neurotransmitter receptors have been documented within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), sometimes with sex and layer specificity. However, changes in the number of synapses during this time have not been examined. In the present study, we stereologically quantified the number of synaptophysin‐immunoreactive boutons in the male and female rat mPFC across multiple time points from the juvenile period through adulthood (postnatal days (P) 25, 35, 45, 60 and 90). In females, there was a significant decrease in synaptophysin boutons between P35 and P45, coinciding with the onset of puberty. In males, there was no significant main effect of age on synaptophysin boutons; however, in both males and females, pubertal onset was associated with significant synaptic losses. These results suggest that puberty is a critical period for synaptic pruning within the rat mPFC, potentially contributing to maturation of adolescent executive function. Synapse 70:361–368, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Targeted sequencing of maternal plasma for haplotype‐based non‐invasive prenatal testing of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Chen M. , Lu S. , Lai Z. F. , Chen C. , Luo K. , Yuan Y. , Wang Y. S. , Li S. Q. , Gao Y. , Chen F. , Asan  , Chen D. J.
Published: April 2016

Five pregnant women with a child affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were recruited between November 2014 and March 2015. Deletion of exons 7 and/or 8 in the SMN1 gene were identified by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA), the current standard diagnostic test for SMA. Parental and fetal haplotypes of the SMN1 gene were determined in each family from haplotype‐based non‐invasive testing of blood samples and maternal plasma, respectively. Fetal haplotype was compared with the results of MLPA of fetal DNA obtained from amniotic fluid or chorionic villi. Parental haplotypes were constructed successfully in the five families. Assisted by the information on parental haplotype, non‐invasive testing of maternal plasma identified one fetus with homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8, two fetuses with heterozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 and two normal fetuses. These results were consistent with the diagnosis by MLPA. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.