bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Safety Assessment of Ocean‐Floating Photovoltaic Structure Model
Authors: Choi Young‐Kwan , Lee Jae‐Hyeong
Published: July 2015

In designing photovoltaic (PV) structures made to float in oceans through use of a buoyant system, one must consider wave load and mooring load in addition to the load applied in PV generation systems installed on land. It is also necessary to study the safety of such floating structures during high tide and low tide, focusing on aspects such as mooring conditions caused by large differences in reservoir depth between low and high water levels. This study focuses on finite element analysis and strength assessment of an ocean‐floating PV structure. The aims of this study are to suggest a structure for a floating PV buoy with a tidal power plant to be installed in Sihwaho Lake, to analyze its safety, and to propose a suitable structure model for an ocean‐floating PV system. As a result of structural analysis and safety assessment of the proposed unit structure, the maximum unity check (UC) value of allowable stress design (ASD) for load conditions with maximum stress was found to be much smaller than the reference value, indicating a sufficient degree of safety. In the structural design of floating PV generation systems, wind and wave loads must be considered in the detailed design of the overall and local structure. A 20 kW ocean‐floating PV system was developed in November 2013 based on this study.
Pilins in gram‐positive bacteria: A structural perspective
Authors: Krishnan Vengadesan
Published: July 2015

Pilins or fimbrilins are a class of proteins found in bacterial surface pilus, a hair‐like surface appendage. Both the Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria produce pilins to assemble pili on their cell‐surface for different purposes including adherence, twitching motility, conjugation, immunomodulation, biofilm formation, and electron transfer. Immunogenic properties of the pilins make them attractive vaccine candidates. The polymerized pilins play a key role in the initiation of host adhesion, which is a critical step for bacterial colonization and infection. Because of their key role in adhesion and exposure on the cell surface, targeting the pilins‐mediated adhesion (anti‐adhesion therapy) is also seen as a promising alternative approach for preventing and treating bacterial infections, one that may overcome their ever‐increasing repertoires of resistance mechanisms. Individual pilins interact with each other non‐covalently to assemble the pilus fiber with the help of associated proteins like chaperones and Usher in Gram‐negative bacteria. In contrast, the pilins in Gram‐positive bacteria often connect with each other covalently, with the help of sortases. Certain unique structural features present on the pilins distinguish them from one another across different bacterial strains, and these dictate their cellular targets and functions. While the structure of pilins has been extensively studied in Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria, the pilins in Gram‐positive pathogenic bacteria have been in only during the last decade. Recently, the discovery of pilins in non‐pathogenic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, has received great attention, though traditionally the attention was on pathogenic bacteria. This review summarizes and discusses the current structural knowledge of pilins in Gram‐positive bacteria with emphasis on those pilins which are sortase substrates. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(7):533–543, 2015
Bridging In‐School and Out‐of‐School Literacies
Authors: Pyo Jeongsoo
Published: July 2015

As new technology has changed adolescents’ literate life pathways outside of school in remarkable ways, new uses of terminology, such asmutiliteracies, are necessary to capture the multidimensional nature of literacy. However, there have been few studies on the multiliteracies experiences of Korean adolescent English learners (ELs). In this article, through a case study, Pyo examines how an adolescentELcultivated his literate identity through an inquiry‐based multimodal project. The findings reveal that the participant integrated his computer‐related practices and local experiences into the multimodal project. He used various modalities and orchestrated them for meaning making while inscribing an author's identity, which conveyed his message more comprehensively than writing alone could have done. This suggests that a multimodal literacy approach can be a powerful tool forELs to connect in‐school and out‐of‐school literacies.
Using class‐specific compound consequences to teach dictated and printed letter relations to a child with autism
Authors: Varella André A. B. , de Souza Deisy G.
Published: July 2015

The effects of class‐specific compound consequences embedded in an identity‐matching task to establish arbitrary emergent relations were evaluated. A 3‐year‐old child with autism was taught identity relations between lowercase letters (Set 1) and uppercase letters (Set 2). A compound stimulus that consisted of an auditory component (dictated letter name) and a visual component (an uppercase letter for Set 1 or lowercase letter for Set 2) followed correct responses. All targeted arbitrary relations emerged (uppercase–lowercase, lowercase–uppercase, dictated name/uppercase, and dictated name/lowercase), suggesting that this procedure may be useful for teaching.
Differential negative reinforcement of other behavior to increase wearing of a medical bracelet
Authors: Cook Jennifer L. , Rapp John T. , Schulze Kimberley A.
Published: July 2015

We used a changing criterion design to evaluate the extent to which differential negative reinforcement of other behavior increased compliance with wearing a medical alert bracelet for a young boy with autism. Results showed the duration for which the participant wore the bracelet systematically increased across trials from 5 s to 7 hr over several weeks.
Evaluating Shielding‐Based Ring‐Current Models by Using the Gauge‐Including Magnetically Induced Current Method
Authors: Du Dou , Sundholm Dage , Fliegl Heike
Published: July 2015

Magnetically induced current densities and integrated ring‐current strength susceptibilities have been calculated at the density functional theory (DFT) level for a test set consisting of 17 ring‐shaped molecules using the gauge‐including magnetically induced current (GIMIC) method. Reliable values for the ring‐current strengths have been obtained by performing numerical integration of the current‐density susceptibility passing a cut plane perpendicularly to the molecular ring. The current densities and ring current strengths were calculated at the DFT level using the B3LYP functional and def2‐TZVP basis sets. Current densities and ring‐current strengths have also been calculated at the Hartree‐Fock self‐consistent field (HF‐SCF) level using Dunning’s aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets, which allow a direct comparison with ring‐current strengths that have previously been estimated using ring‐current models based on magnetic shielding calculations. Current density calculations at both levels of theory show that the magnetic shielding based ring‐current models are not a very accurate means to estimate the magnetically induced ring current strengths, whereas they provide qualitatively the correct aromaticity trends for the studied molecules.
Fetal nasal bone hypoplasia in the second trimester: Comparison of diagnostic methods for predicting trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
Authors: Has Recep , Akel Esra Gilbaz , Kalelioglu Ibrahim H. , Dural Ozlem , Yasa Cenk , Esmer Aytül Corbacioglu , Yuksel Atıl , Yildirim Alkan , Ibrahimoglu Lemi , Ermis Hayri
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The aim of this prospective observational study was to identify the best method for use in diagnosing fetal nasal bone (NB) hypoplasia in the second trimester as a means of predicting trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).

Methods

The NB length (NBL), NBL percentiles, and NBL multiple‐of‐median (MoM) values and the biparietal diameter–to–NBL ratios were calculated and compared in an attempt to identify the best predictive method and most appropriate cutoff value. Predictive values for several cutoff points were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curves at a fixed 5% false‐positive rate were used to compare the four methods.

Results

NBL measurements were obtained from 2,211 (95.6%) of a total of 2,314 fetuses. Data from 1,689 of those 2,211 fetuses were used to obtain reference ranges, derive a linear regression equation, and calculate NBL percentiles and MoM values. Using a fixed 5% false‐positive rate, we found 25.5% sensitivity for NBL (95% confidence interval [CI], 15–39.1) and 23.5% sensitivity for NBL percentiles (95% CI, 13.4–37), NBL MoM values (95% CI, 13.4–37), and biparietal diameter–to–NBL ratios (95% CI, 13.4–37).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that all four methods can be used in the second trimester for diagnosing fetal NB hypoplasia as a means of predicting trisomy 21 because their predictive values are similar at a fixed 5% false‐positive rate. For simplicity of use, we recommend using 3 mm as the NBL cutoff value. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:106–112, 2016
Prenatally diagnosed single umbilical artery: The role and relationship of additional risk factors in the fetus for congenital heart disease
Authors: Chen Kai , Akoma Ugochi , Anderson Andrea , Mertz Heather , Quartermain Michael D.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Single umbilical artery (SUA) has been associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). Women carrying fetuses with an SUA are often referred for fetal echocardiography, but data to support the need for this testing remain controversial.

Methods

A retrospective review of the records for all women carrying fetuses with an SUA who had undergone fetal echocardiography between 2009 and 2012 at our center was performed. Data on the maternal and fetal risk factors for CHD were collected, and the fetuses were categorized into three groups: low risk (LR; an SUA with no additional risk factors for CHD), moderate risk (MR; an SUA with one additional risk factor for CHD), and high risk (HR; an SUA with two or more additional risk factors for CHD).

Results

In total, 101 such patients were identified: 69 LR, 26 MR, and 6 HR. No fetuses in the LR group, three in the MR group, and two in the HR group had CHD (p = 0.0005).

Conclusions

An SUA in an LR fetus did not increase the risk of CHD in our cohort, whereas an SUA in the presence of additional risk factors was associated with significantly increased risk for CHD. Our results suggest that referral for a fetal echocardiogram is indicated for women carrying fetuses with an SUA when additional risk factors for CHD are present. In an LR fetus with an SUA, however, echocardiography may not provide additional benefit unless CHD is suggested on screening obstetric sonography. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:113–117, 2016
Expression pattern of zebrafish rxfp2 homologue genes during embryonic development
Authors: Donizetti Aldo , Fiengo Marcella , del Gaudio Rosanna , Iazzetti Giovanni , Pariante Paolo , Minucci Sergio , Aniello Francesco
Published: July 2015

RXFP2 is one of the 4 receptors for relaxin insulin‐like peptides, in particular it binds with high affinity the INSL3 peptide. INSL3/RXFP2 pair is essential for testicular descent during placental mammalian development. The evolutionary history of this ligand/receptor pair has received much attention, since its function in vertebrate species lacking testicular descent, such as the fishes, remains elusive. Herein, we analyzed the expression pattern of three rxfp2 homologue genes in zebrafish embryonic development. For all the three rxfp2 genes (rxfp2a, rxfp2b, and rxfp2‐like) we showed the presence of maternally derived transcripts. Later in the development, rxfp2a is only expressed at larval stage, whereas rxfp2b is expressed in all the analyzed stage with highest level in the larvae. The rxfp2‐like gene is expressed in all the analyzed stage with a transcript level that increased starting at early pharyngula stage. The spatial localization analysis of rxfp2‐like gene showed that it is expressed in many cell clusters in the developing brain. In addition, other rxfp2‐like‐expressing cells were identified in the retina and oral epithelium. This analysis provides new insights to elucidate the evolution of rxfp2 genes in vertebrate lineage and lays the foundations to study their role in vertebrate embryonic development. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 605–613, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole Derivatives of Dihydropyrimidinones: Synthesis, Anti‐Inflammatory, Anthelmintic, and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation
Authors: Shaikh Ambareen , Meshram Jyotsna
Published: July 2015

The present study depicts synthesis of a series of some novel 5‐(5‐(aryl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐6‐methyl‐4‐styrylpyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The compounds were evaluated for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. The compounds were also screened for their anthelmintic activity on Indian earthworms and antibacterial activity against some gram positive and gram negative strains of bacteria. This pharmacological activity evaluation revealed that, among all the compounds screened, compounds 4b and 4c were found to have promising anti‐inflammatory activity. Interestingly, compounds 4b, 4c, and 4i exhibited appreciable anthelmintic property, while compounds 4c, 4g, and 4h showed leading antibacterial activity against the selected pathogenic strains of bacteria.
Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with tissue covalently closed circular DNA in patients with hepatitis B‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qin , Luan Wei , Warren Leslie , Fiel M. Isabel , Blank Sima , Kadri Hena , Tuvin Daniel , Hiotis Spiros P.
Published: July 2015

Quantitation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in hepatitis B‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV‐HCC) remains to be clearly defined. This study aims to determine the association of HBsAg quantity with intrahepatic HBV viral load and activity in both tumor and non‐neoplastic liver of HBV‐HCC patients. Data were obtained from 89 prospectively enrolled patients treated with primary liver resection for HBV‐HCC at a single Western institution (2008–2013). Circulating HBsAg was quantitated using ELISA. HBV DNA, covalently closed circular (cccDNA) and precore‐pregenomic RNA (preC‐pgRNA) in both tumor and non‐neoplastic liver were quantitated by real‐time PCR from fresh liver resection specimens. Circulating HBsAg was detectable in all 89 patients. HBsAg negatively correlated with age, and positively correlated with pre‐operative serum AFP and ALT levels. HBsAg correlated with HBV cccDNA copy number in tumor or non‐neoplastic liver tissue. It also correlated with preC‐pgRNA copy number in non‐neoplastic liver tissue. HBsAg did not correlate with serum HBV DNA, total intrahepatic HBV DNA, viral replicative activity or transcriptional activity. In HBV‐HCC patients, HBsAg levels correlated with cccDNA copy number in tumor or non‐neoplastic liver tissue, suggesting that a greater pool of cccDNA is associated with a higher rate of HBsAg production. J. Med. Virol. 88:244–251, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Silver‐capped silicon nanopillar platforms for adsorption studies of folic acid using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory
Authors: Castillo John J. , Rindzevicius Tomas , Wu Kaiyu , Rozo Ciro E. , Schmidt Michael S. , Boisen Anja
Published: July 2015

The study of the interactions of folic acid (FA) with surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates is relevant for understanding its adsorption mechanism and for fabricating analytical devices for detection of malignant cells over‐expressing folate receptors. This paper presents a study of the adsorption of FA on silver‐capped silicon nanopillar substrates employing surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The experimentally observed vibrations from free FA and FA bound to the Ag surface display different vibrational spectra indicating chemical interaction of the molecule with the metal surface. Density functional theory calculations show that the Ag–FA interaction is primarily through the nitrogen from the pteridine ring anchoring to the Ag metal surface. To investigate the Ag–FA binding behavior further, the adsorption isotherm of FA on the silver‐capped silicon nanopillar surface is estimated. The results show a positive cooperative Ag–FA binding mechanism. That is, adsorbed FA increases the affinity of new incoming FA molecules. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exposure to a novel feedstuff by goat dams during pregnancy and lactation versus pregnancy alone does not further improve post‐weaning acceptance of this feedstuff by their kids
Authors: Vu Hai Phan , Schonewille J Thomas , Dam Van Tien , Everts Henk , Hendriks Wouter H
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Previous experiments demonstrated the existence of in utero learning in goats. However, in contrast to other animal species, in goats there is no information about the potential of flavour transmission from maternal feed to goat kids during lactation. The aim of the current study was to assess the role of post‐natal exposure of Chromonaela odorata leaf meal (COLM) in relation to the preferences to this feedstuff by goat kids after weaning. It was hypothesised that exposure of COLM to the dams during both pregnancy and lactation versus pregnancy alone, additionally affects post‐weaning intake of COLM by their offspring.

RESULTS

Consumption of COLM by the goat kids was similar during the first week post‐weaning for all treatments. However, after 4 weeks the intake of COLM was at least 1.8 times greater when kids were exposed to COLM during pregnancy whereas it remained virtually unchanged when kids were exposed to COLM during lactation only. The increase in COLM consumption was in line with the observations on latency to eat and meal size.

CONCLUSION

Transmission of feeding behaviour from goat dams to offspring does not occur during lactation. However, the concept of in utero learning in goats was confirmed. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of a magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry method for the analysis of semivolatile organic compounds
Authors: Zhou Sicong , Qiu Jingfan , Liang Ying , Ma Yan , Wang Wei , Zhou Qing , Chen Xun , Shi Peng , Li Aimin
Published: July 2015

Semivolatile organic compounds are a category of organic micropollutants including phthalate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and so on, which are commonly analyzed by solid‐phase extraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. In this work, a highly sensitive and feasible method of magnetic solid‐phase extraction combined with gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was established for the determination of semivolatile organic compounds in water. The novel method was based on a permanent magnetic resin with uniform particle size and high surface area (1154.3 m2/g). The results demonstrated that the extraction efficiency of the resin was superior to that of a C18 cartridge. The method was proved to be of satisfactory recoveries (75–115.7%) and limits of detection and quantification (0.063–6.524 and 0.212–21.745 μg/L, respectively). The method was applied to the analysis of semivolatile organic compounds in the midstream Huai River. It was observed that polychlorinated biphenyls exceeded current water standards. To further illustrate the potential effects on human health, health risk assessment was conducted based on the obtained data. The existence of health risk was proved, with hexachlorobenzene and 2,2’,4,4’‐tetrachlorobiphenyl as the major causes. The method possesses the characteristics of high efficiency and rapid analysis, offering a good prospect of applications in large quantities of practical water.
The Evolution of Gay Travel Research
Authors: Vorobjovas‐Pinta Oskaras , Hardy Anne
Published: July 2015

This paper explores literature relating to the gay travel market. It argues that the current discourse in this area has largely concentrated on the demand‐led approaches such as the motivations and demographic profiles of gay travellers and the use of gay space. However, in light of societal change as well as the increasing role of technology, there is a need to revisit the demographic, motivational and behavioural characteristics of gay travellers, particularly in the context of their use of gay space. With this in mind, this paper highlights a number of significant opportunities for future research into the gay travel market. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exposure to Traumatic Events and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in France: Results From the WMH Survey
Authors: Husky Mathilde M. , Lépine Jean‐Pierre , Gasquet Isabelle , Kovess‐Masfety Viviane
Published: July 2015

This study examined the prevalence of traumatic events and the conditional probability of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with both specific and broad classes of events in a nationally representative sample from France. The sample (N = 1,436) was a part of the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders Survey (ESEMeD), under the WHO World Mental Health Surveys‐2000 initiative. Overall, exposure to any traumatic event was 72.7%, which appeared to be lower than what has been reported in Sweden (80.8%), similar to data from the Netherlands (71.1%), and higher than what has been reported in Spain (54.0%), Italy (56.1%), Northern Ireland (60.6%) or the U.S (55.9%). Lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 3.9%, lower than in the United States (7.8%), Sweden (5.6%), or Northern Ireland (8.8%), but higher than in Spain (2.2%) or Italy (2.4%). Being beaten up by a romantic partner (25.0%), having a child with serious illness (23.5%), and rape (21.5%) were associated with the highest risk of PTSD. The average duration of PTSD was 5.3 years (0.2–28.1). The burden of PTSD in France appeared to come from the consequences of violence and social network events suggesting that prevention efforts might focus on limiting the occurrence of exposure to avoidable events such as violence as well as provide support for persons exposed to social network events.
Using beaver works to estimate colony activity in boreal landscapes
Authors: Johnston Carol A. , Windels Steve K.
Published: July 2015

Beaver ponds and beaver‐impounded vegetation are indicators of past or present beaver activity that can be detected from aerial photography. A method to quantitatively relate these beaver works with the density of active beaver colonies could benefit beaver management, particularly in areas lacking beaver population data. We compared historical maps (1961–2006) of beaver works at Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA with concurrent aerial surveys of beaver colonies. We tested 2 landscape‐scale models of beaver colony density previously developed for a period of beaver population expansion (1940–1986), but they failed to predict colony density after 1986, a period of declining beaver population. We developed a new landscape‐scale regression, calculating that 2.15% of the landscape would be flooded by every 100 additional beaver colonies (R2 = 0.53, P = 0.027). Classification tree analysis of individual pond sites showed that open water pond and impounded marsh area were the primary predictors of beaver colony presence or absence, but that the classification trees were far better at identifying inactive sites (>93% correct) than active sites (35–38% correct). The area of open water in beaver ponds is a good but not perfect indicator of beaver activity that can be used by wildlife managers as a landscape‐scale indicator of beaver colony density. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Detecting, estimating, and correcting for biases in harvest data
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer I. , Kellie Kalin A. , Chapin F. Stuart
Published: July 2015

Hunting is important to many people because it provides food, recreation, and cultural identity, so proper management of wildlife is necessary. Wildlife agencies and researchers often rely on harvest data supplied by hunters, but interpretation of these data can be misleading when biases are not acknowledged, assessed, and corrected. We use harvest information collected by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) from moose (Alces alces gigas) hunters to examine and correct 3 common biases in harvest data: heaping in responses of estimated effort (i.e., rounding), changes in report design, and nonreporting. We found that bias due to heaping was limited (2.8%). A large increase in special permits in 2004 (6.1% in 2003 and 40.1% in 2004) corresponded with increases in individuals with multiple permits (8.6% and 17.3%), which biased estimates of hunt participation calculated from permit data. Failure to correct for multiple reports per hunter also resulted in an artificial decline in success over time. Road access influenced reporting rates; rural Alaska residents without a road had the lowest reporting rate (67%) and rural with a road the greatest (82%). A statewide trend of 663 additional hunters per year calculated from raw permit data was eliminated once data were corrected for both multiple permits and nonreporting. Late reporters were also less likely to hunt (11.8%) than all reporters. Our research shows that survey data bias can significantly influence data interpretation, and wildlife managers must balance information needs, time constraints, and financial resources when determining which biases to correct. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
On the influence of cold deformation on liquid metal embrittlement of a steel in a liquid zinc bath
Authors: Luithle A. , Pohl M.
Published: July 2015

The influence of cold deformation on liquid metal embrittlement of a steel in a liquid zinc bath was studied. A typical construction steel was cold deformed with different degrees. The microstructure of the different material conditions were investigated as well as their mechanical properties at 450 °C in hot air. Tensile tests with different strain rates were made in a 450 °C hot zinc bath. For each specimen the reduction in area was determined and the fracture surfaces were studied. It can be shown that the strain rate has a large effect on liquid metal embrittlement. An increasing degree of deformation leads to a decrease on liquid metal embrittlement which is caused by the change of microstructure through deformation.
Functional expression, purification, and biochemical properties of subtilase SprP from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pelzer Alexander , Schwarz Christian , Knapp Andreas , Wirtz Astrid , Wilhelm Susanne , Smits Sander , Schmitt Lutz , Funken Horst , Jaeger Karl‐Erich
Published: July 2015

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome encodes a variety of different proteolytic enzymes several of which play an important role as virulence factors. Interestingly, only two of these proteases are predicted to belong to the subtilase family and we have recently studied the physiological role of the subtilase SprP. Here, we describe the functional overexpression of SprP in Escherichia coli using a novel expression and secretion system. We show that SprP is autocatalytically activated by proteolysis and exhibits optimal activity at 50°C in a pH range of 7–8. We also demonstrate a significant increase in sprP promoter activity upon growth of P. aeruginosa at 43°C indicating a role for SprP in heat shock response.
The Core Assessment Program for Surgical Interventional Therapies in Parkinson's Disease (CAPSIT‐PD): Tolerability of Preoperative Neuropsychological Testing for Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pal Gian D. , Persinger Virginia , Bernard Bryan , Ouyang Bichun , Goetz Christopher G. , Verhagen Metman Leo
Published: July 2015

Objective

We examined tolerability of preoperative neuropsychological testing (the Core Assessment Program for Surgical Interventional Therapies in Parkinson's Disease [CAPSIT‐PD] protocol) for DBS. We also examined factors that may influence tolerability, including fatigue, global cognitive function, depression, and patient‐based characteristics.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we reviewed preoperative neuropsychological testing results from 35 patients who were scheduled to undergo DBS. We examined the overall tolerability of the full battery and the tolerability of each test. We placed attention on a test's placement in the fixed order of the battery to measure whether there was a clustering of poorly tolerated tests toward the end of the battery as an indication of fatigue. Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between tolerability and (1) global cognitive function, (2) depression, and (3) patient‐based characteristics.

Results

Fourteen subjects (40%) were able to tolerate the full battery and completed all 10 tests. The domains that were least tolerated pertained to executive function and procedural memory. There was a consistent time‐based tolerability pattern that was observed. There was a significant correlation between tolerability and global cognitive function (ρ = 0.344; P = 0.043), but not depression (P = 0.197). There was a significant correlation between tolerability and age (ρ = −0.491; P = 0.003) and disease duration (ρ = −0.442; P = 0.008), but not UPDRS‐III scores (P = 0.284).

Conclusion

Our results have shown limited tolerability of the full neuropsychological battery as outlined by the CAPSIT‐PD protocol. We suggest the consideration of updating the neuropsychological assessment used in the CAPSIT‐PD protocol.
Development of Small‐Molecule Antivirals for Ebola
Authors: Janeba Zlatko
Published: July 2015

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. Although a significant progress has recently been made in understanding of Ebola virus biology and pathogenesis, development of effective anti‐Ebola treatments has not been very productive, compared to other areas of antiviral research (e.g., HIV and HCV infections). No approved vaccine or medicine is available for Ebola but several are currently under development. This review summarises attempts in identification, evaluation, and development of small‐molecule candidates for treatment of Ebola viral disease, including the most promising experimental drugs brincidofovir (CMX001), BCX4430, and favipiravir (T‐705).
Testicular dysgenesis/regression without campomelic dysplasia in patients carrying missense mutations and upstream deletion of SOX9
Authors: Katoh‐Fukui Yuko , Igarashi Maki , Nagasaki Keisuke , Horikawa Reiko , Nagai Toshiro , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Suzuki Erina , Miyado Mami , Hata Kenichiro , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Hayashi Keiko , Matsubara Yoichi , Baba Takashi , Morohashi Ken‐ichirou , Igarashi Arisa , Ogata Tsutomu , Takada Shuji , Fukami Maki
Published: July 2015

SOX9 haploinsufficiency underlies campomelic dysplasia (CD) with or without testicular dysgenesis. Current understanding of the phenotypic variability and mutation spectrum of SOX9 abnormalities remains fragmentary. Here, we report three patients with hitherto unreported SOX9 abnormalities. These patients were identified through molecular analysis of 33 patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Patients 1–3 manifested testicular dysgenesis or regression without CD. Patients 1 and 2 carried probable damaging mutations p.Arg394Gly and p.Arg437Cys, respectively, in the SOX9 C‐terminal domain but not in other known 46,XY DSD causative genes. These substitutions were absent from ~120,000 alleles in the exome database. These mutations retained normal transactivating activity for the Col2a1 enhancer, but showed impaired activity for the Amh promoter. Patient 3 harbored a maternally inherited ~491 kb SOX9 upstream deletion that encompassed the known 32.5 kb XY sex reversal region. Breakpoints of the deletion resided within nonrepeat sequences and were accompanied by a short‐nucleotide insertion. The results imply that testicular dysgenesis and regression without skeletal dysplasia may be rare manifestations of SOX9 abnormalities. Furthermore, our data broaden pathogenic SOX9 abnormalities to include C‐terminal missense substitutions which lead to target‐gene‐specific protein dysfunction, and enhancer‐containing upstream microdeletions mediated by nonhomologous end‐joining.
FAM170B, a novel acrosomal protein involved in fertilization in mice
Authors: Li Yuchi , Lin Shouren , Luo Manling , Guo Huan , Chen Jianbo , Ma Qian , Gu Yanli , Jiang Zhimao , Gui Yaoting
Published: July 2015

The acrosome is a specialized organelle that covers the anterior region of the sperm nucleus, and plays an essential role in mammalian fertilization. Although acrosome biogenesis is an important aspect of spermiogenesis, the molecular mechanism that regulates this event remains unknown. In the present study, we identified a novel gene, Fam170b (family with sequence similarity 170, member B), exclusively expressed in mouse testes. Fam170b expression first started at postnatal week 3, and increased in an age‐dependent manner until plateauing in adulthood. Immunofluorescence staining revealed its enrichment in round spermatids, and redistribution to a perinuclear spot adjacent to the Golgi and the acrosome of elongating spermatids and spermatozoa; this localization was shared between mouse and human spermatozoa. Anti‐FAM170B antibody was remarkably found to inhibit murine in vitro fertilization, specifically blocking the acrosome reaction. We further determined that FAM170B interacts with GOPC (Golgi‐associated PDZ and coiled‐coil motif containing protein) during acrosome formation, as verified by immunofluorescence and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. Thus, we document the expression and function for the endogenous acrosomal protein FAM170B during spermiogenesis and fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 787–796, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A rapid simulation of nano‐particle transport in a two‐dimensional human airway using POD/Galerkin reduced‐order models
Authors: Nguyen N. H.
Published: July 2015

An approach is proposed for the rapid prediction of nano‐particle transport and deposition in the human airway, which requires the solution of both the Navier–Stokes and advection–diffusion equations and for which computational efficiency is a challenge. The proposed method builds low‐order models that are representative of the fully coupled equations by means of the Galerkin projection and proper orthogonal decomposition technique. The obtained reduced‐order models (ROMs) are a set of ordinary differential equations for the temporal coefficients of the basis functions. The numerical results indicate that the ROMs are highly efficient for the computation (the speedup factor is approximately 3 × 103) and have reasonable accuracy compared with the full model (relative error of ≈7 × 10−3). Using ROMs, the deposition of particles is studied for 1≤dn≤100 nm, where dn is the diameter of a nano‐particle. The effectiveness of this approach is promising for applications of health risk assessment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body mass index and all‐cause mortality in patients with hypertension
Authors: Xu Wenxin , Shubina Maria , Goldberg Saveli I. , Turchin Alexander
Published: July 2015

Objective

To characterize the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all‐cause mortality among adults with hypertension.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with hypertension from The Health Improvement Network primary care research database in the United Kingdom. Mortality rates within each BMI category were compared after adjustment for age, sex, pre existing medical conditions, smoking, alcohol use, and socioeconomic status.

Results

During a median follow‐up period of 8.0 years, 34,354 deaths occurred (8.8%) among the 388,724 study patients. In multivariable analysis that included interaction terms between smoking, heavy alcohol use, preexisting cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and BMI category to account for these conditions' association with increased mortality at lower BMI levels, a U‐shaped relationship was observed between BMI and mortality, with no difference in mortality in overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2) versus normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) BMI (risk ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.95 to 1.04,P = 0.80). In multivariable analysis that used narrower BMI categories, lowest mortality was observed between BMI of 23.0 and 26.9 kg/m2.

Conclusions

Patients with hypertension who have no history of smoking, heavy alcohol use, cardiovascular disease, or COPD have lowest mortality between BMI of 23.0 and 26.9 kg/m2.
Group dynamics are associated with weight loss in the behavioral treatment of obesity
Authors: Nackers Lisa M. , Dubyak Pamela J. , Lu Xiaomin , Anton Stephen D. , Dutton Gareth R. , Perri Michael G.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To assess whether group dynamics are associated with weight loss, session attendance, and self‐monitoring adherence after 6 months of lifestyle intervention for obesity.

Methods

Women with obesity (N = 125; mean ± SD BMI = 37.84 ± 3.94 kg/m2; age =  51.99 ± 10.81 years) participated in a 24‐week group‐based lifestyle weight loss intervention and achieved a weight loss of 9.13 ± 7.15 kg after 6 months. Participants reported their perceptions of group conflict, avoidance, engagement, social support, and attraction at the end of treatment. Multiple regression with forward selection assessed which group dynamic variables were associated with weight loss, attendance, and adherence.

Results

Greater perceived group conflict was associated with smaller weight losses (β = 1.833, P = 0.044) and lower attendance (β = −2.313, P = 0.002) and adherence rates (β = −2.261, P = 0.030). Higher group attraction was associated with higher attendance rates (β = 0.051, P = 0.039). The association between perceived conflict and weight change was mediated by attendance and adherence (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate that group dynamics associate with weight loss outcomes, attendance, and adherence. Addressing conflicts and fostering acceptance among group members may promote success in group‐based lifestyle interventions for obesity.
Hold Your Fire: Did the 1996 Federal Gun Control Act Expansion Reduce Domestic Homicides?
Authors: Raissian Kerri M.
Published: July 2015

In 1996, Congress expanded the federal Gun Control Act (GCA) to prohibit defendants convicted of a qualifying domestic violence misdemeanor from possessing or purchasing a firearm. Using the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports along with homicide data collected from selected state law enforcement agencies, I investigate if this expansion was successful in reducing homicides among the target groups. I use variation from a legal loophole and a series of circuit court decisions to generate difference‐in‐differences estimates. I find evidence that the GCA expansion led to 17 percent fewer gun‐related homicides among female intimate partner victims and 31 percent fewer gun homicides among male domestic child victims. The law also has protective benefits for those that were not targeted by the legislation. “Other” family members (parents and siblings) also experience a 24 percent reduction in gun homicides. I find no evidence that reductions in gun homicides were offset by an increase in nongun homicides. While most falsification and robustness tests support the above conclusions, some tests suggest caution when interpreting the results and a need for further research.
Chemotherapy responsiveness in a patient with multiply relapsed ameloblastic fibro‐odontosarcoma of the maxilla
Authors: Gatz Susanne A. , Thway Khin , Mandeville Henry , Kerawala Cyrus , MacVicar David , Chisholm Julia
Published: July 2015

Ameloblastic fibro‐odontosarcoma (AFOS) is an extremely rare malignant odontogenic tumor. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Deaths due to disease recurrence and/or progression are documented. Here, we report the case of a 15‐year‐old female with multiple recurrent AFOS. She responded to chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin consolidated by stereotactic reirradiation using cyberknife and remained in complete remission 14 months from the end of reirradiation therapy. Chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin should be considered in advanced cases of AFOS. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 The Authors. Pediatric Blood & Cancer Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An investigation on the bound rubber and dynamic mechanical properties of polystyrene particles‐filled elastomer
Authors: Jiang Bowen , Zhu Liqiang , Zhao Chuanzhuang , Chen Zhongren
Published: July 2015

Polymeric nanoparticles have many advantages as the reinforcing filler of rubber. To investigate the mechanism of the reinforcement, nanocomposites of poly(styrene‐butadiene) rubber (SBR) filled with polystyrene (PS) particles as the reinforcing agents was prepared. Morphology and dynamical mechanical properties of PS particles‐filled SBR were investigated. It was found that the polymer chains of the elastomer could be absorbed onto the PS particles, in reminiscent to the concept of bound rubber in inorganic filler‐filled elastomeric system. The adsorbed polymer layer can form up glassy bridges between neighboring filler particles, leading to the agglomeration of the filler particles and the reinforcement of the elastomer. With higher filler content or smaller filler size, the numbers of the glassy bridges increase, and the modulus of the elastomer increases. With higher strain or higher temperature, the filler–filler interaction is disrupted and the material is softened. The study discovered the existence of bound rubber in PS particles‐filled elastomer and illustrated its influence on the dynamic mechanical properties, which could be helpful to design the polymeric nanoparticles for rubber reinforcement. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1112–1117, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Nanosilica‐reinforced Epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposites: Effect of Epoxidation level on morphological and mechanical properties
Authors: Jarnthong Methakarn , Peng Zheng , Lopattananon Natinee , Nakason Charoen
Published: July 2015

Epoxidized natural rubbers (ENRs) with three different epoxide contents (i.e., 20, 35, and 50 mol% indicated as ENR20, ENR35, and ENR50, respectively) were prepared. They were then reinforced with 3‐methyacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane‐modified nanosilica (MPTS‐SiO2). Influence of epoxide level in ENR molecules on morphological, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of the ENR nanocomposites was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy results revealed larger agglomerates of SiO2 were found in the ENR composites with higher epoxide content. Furthermore, the strength and moduli of the ENR nanocomposites increased with increasing epoxide content. However, the optimal tensile strength and elongation at break were observed in the nanocomposites with the intermediate level of epoxide contents. The correlation between the strength properties and the interfacial silica‐matrix adhesion indicated that the maximum interfacial adhesion of the nanocomposites was observed in the nanocomposite with ENR35. Also, DMA results indicated stronger interaction between ENR35 and MPTS‐SiO2 due to higher storage modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1151–1157, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Study on viscoelastic, crystallization, and mechanical properties of HDPE/EVA/Mg(OH)2 composites
Authors: Ma Yonghong , Qi Fei , Chen Man , Chen Xiaolang , Qin Jun , Tang Mengqi
Published: July 2015

In this article, elastomer‐toughened high density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide (HDPE/MH) composites with various contents of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) are prepared in a twin‐screw extruder and then injection‐molded. The effect of EVA on the viscoelastic, crystallization, morphology, and tensile properties of the HDPE/EVA/MH composites is studied. The rheological behaviors show that the complex viscosity, storage, and loss modulus at low frequencies are largely unaffected with various EVA contents; however, the corresponding values decrease with increasing EVA content at high frequencies. The scanning electronic microscopy studies on the HDPE/EVA/MH composites show that the MH particles mainly disperse in the EVA phase, and the interfacial adhesion has been also enhanced due to the addition of EVA. The crystallization of HDPE diminishes because of the surface energy difference resulting in encapsulation structure. The tensile properties of the HDPE/EVA/MH composites are strong influenced by the incorporation of EVA. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1221–1226, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Impact of radiative‐heat transfer on photovoltaic module temperature
Authors: Weiss Lucas , Amara Mohamed , Ménézo Christophe
Published: July 2015

The prediction and the optimization of the energy production of a photovoltaic (PV) module require a good knowledge of its optical, electrical, and thermal behavior. We build a complete multi‐physics model able to describe the behaviors of a PV module depending on the environmental conditions (ambient temperature, wind speed, total irradiance, and installation conditions). The model treats radiation heat transfer in participating media. This feature reveals the limits of the commonly used modeling. It also opens new possibilities on improvement of the PV module yield and may influence the design strategy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of a designed tetrahedral protein assembly variant engineered to have improved soluble expression
Authors: Bale Jacob B. , Park Rachel U. , Liu Yuxi , Gonen Shane , Gonen Tamir , Cascio Duilio , King Neil P. , Yeates Todd O. , Baker David
Published: July 2015

We recently reported the development of a computational method for the design of coassembling multicomponent protein nanomaterials. While four such materials were validated at high‐resolution by X‐ray crystallography, low yield of soluble protein prevented X‐ray structure determination of a fifth designed material, T33‐09. Here we report the design and crystal structure of T33‐31, a variant of T33‐09 with improved soluble yield resulting from redesign efforts focused on mutating solvent‐exposed side chains to charged amino acids. The structure is found to match the computational design model with atomic‐level accuracy, providing further validation of the design approach and demonstrating a simple and potentially general means of improving the yield of designed protein nanomaterials.
Insights into vaccine development for acquired immune deficiency syndrome from crystal structures of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 gp41 and equine infectious anemia virus gp45
Authors: Duan Liangwei , Du Jiansen , Liu Xinqi
Published: July 2015

An effective vaccine against acquired immune deficiency syndrome is still unavailable after dozens of years of striving. The glycoprotein gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus is a good candidate as potential immunogen because of its conservation and relatively low glycosylation. As a reference of human immunodeficiency virus gp41, gp45 from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) could be used for comparison because both wild‐type and vaccine strain of EIAV have been extensively studied. From structural studies of these proteins, the conformational changes during viral invasion could be unveiled, and a more effective acquired immune deficiency syndrome vaccine immunogen might be designed based on this information.