bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Pleistocene stratigraphy of IODP Site U1396 and compiled chronology offshore of south and south west Montserrat, Lesser Antilles
Authors: Wall‐Palmer Deborah , Coussens Maya , Talling Peter J. , Jutzeler Martin , Cassidy Michael , Marchant Isabelle , Palmer Martin R. , Watt Sebastian F. L. , Smart Christopher W. , Fisher Jodie K. , Hart Malcolm B. , Fraass Andrew , Trofimovs Jessica , Le Friant Anne , Ishizuka Osamu , Adachi Tatsuya , Aljahdali Mohammed , Boudon Georges , Breitkreuz Christoph , Endo Daisuke , Fujinawa Akihiko , Hatfield Robert , Hornbach Matthew J. , Kataoka Kyoko , Lafuerza Sara , Maeno Fukashi , Manga Michael , Martinez‐Colon Michael , McCanta Molly , Morgan Sally , Saito Takeshi , Slagle Angela L. , Stinton Adam J. , Subramanyam K. S. V. , Tamura Yoshihiko , Villemant Benoit , Wang Fei
Published: July 2014

Marine sediments around volcanic islands contain an archive of volcaniclastic deposits, which can be used to reconstruct the volcanic history of an area. Such records hold many advantages over often incomplete terrestrial data sets. This includes the potential for precise and continuous dating of intervening sediment packages, which allow a correlatable and temporally constrained stratigraphic framework to be constructed across multiple marine sediment cores. Here we discuss a marine record of eruptive and mass‐wasting events spanning ∼250 ka offshore of Montserrat, using new data from IODP Expedition 340, as well as previously collected cores. By using a combination of high‐resolution oxygen isotope stratigraphy, AMS radiocarbon dating, biostratigraphy of foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, and clast componentry, we identify five major events at Soufriere Hills volcano since 250 ka. Lateral correlations of these events across sediment cores collected offshore of the south and south west of Montserrat have improved our understanding of the timing, extent and associations between events in this area. Correlations reveal that powerful and potentially erosive density‐currents traveled at least 33 km offshore and demonstrate that marine deposits, produced by eruption‐fed and mass‐wasting events on volcanic islands, are heterogeneous in their spatial distribution. Thus, multiple drilling/coring sites are needed to reconstruct the full chronostratigraphy of volcanic islands. This multidisciplinary study will be vital to interpreting the chaotic records of submarine landslides at other sites drilled during Expedition 340 and provides a framework that can be applied to the stratigraphic analysis of sediments surrounding other volcanic islands.
An entropy‐based surface velocity method for estuarine discharge measurement
Authors: Bechle Adam J. , Wu Chin H.
Published: July 2014

An entropy‐based method is developed to estimate estuarine river discharge from surface velocity measurements. A two‐dimensional velocity profile based on the principle of maximum entropy is employed to express the mean velocity as a function of average surface velocity. The entropy‐based flow profile is parameterized by the location of maximum velocity in the channel and the shape of the velocity distribution. The entropy parameters are quantified over the tidal cycle to account for the unsteady nature of estuarine flow. The method was tested using experiments conducted at the Danshui River, the largest estuarine system in Taiwan. Surface velocities were measured using an Automated River‐Estuary Discharge Imaging System (AREDIS), and full‐channel velocity profiles were measured with a moving‐boat ADP survey. Entropy parameters were calibrated over the tidal cycle and linearly correlated with the average surface velocity to facilitate estimation from AREDIS measurements. The discharge calculated from average surface velocity and entropy relationships exhibits a 7.7% relative error compared to the ADP velocity profiles. The error nearly doubles when the mean values for entropy parameters are used instead of the variable parameters, indicating the importance of accounting for the unsteady nature of estuarine flows. Furthermore, the effects of measurement coverage area, types of entropy distribution, and wind‐induced drift current on the surface velocity‐based discharge measurement are evaluated and discussed. Overall, surface velocity measurements in conjunction with the entropy profiles well represent the flow in a complex estuarine environment to provide a reliable estimate of discharge.
Gallium Sulfide–Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites: High‐Performance Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Meng Xiangbo , He Kai , Su Dong , Zhang Xiaofeng , Sun Chengjun , Ren Yang , Wang Hsien‐Hau , Weng Wei , Trahey Lynn , Canlas Christian P. , Elam Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2014

Metal sulfides are an important class of functional materials possessing exceptional electrochemical performance and thus hold great promise for rechargeable secondary batteries. In this work, we deposited gallium sulfide (GaSx, x = 1.2) thin films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) powders. The ALD GaSx was performed at 150 °C, and produced uniform and conformal amorphous films. The resulting core‐shell, nanostructured SWCNT‐GaSx composite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), yielding a stable capacity of ≈575 mA g–1 at a current density of 120 mA g–1 in the voltage window of 0.01–2 V, and an exceptional columbic efficiency of >99.7%. The GaSx component of the composite produced a specific capacity of 766 mA g–1, a value two times that of conventional graphite anodes. We attribute the excellent electrochemical performance of the composite to four synergistic effects: 1) the uniform and conformal ALD GaSx coating offers short electronic and Li‐ion pathways during cycling; 2) the amorphous structure of the ALD GaSx accommodates stress during lithiation‐delithiation processes; 3) the mechanically robust SWCNT framework also accommodates stress from cycling; 4) the SWCNT matrix provides a continuous, high conductivity network.
Interfacial Material System Exhibiting Superwettability
Authors: Tian Ye , Su Bin , Jiang Lei
Published: July 2014

Engineering the wettability of solid materials is a traditional, yet key issue in surface science and attracts tremendous interest by researchers in diverse fields. Recently, different superwetting phenomena have been discovered in both nature and experimental results. Therefore, in this review, various superwetting states, leading to a “superwettability” system, are summarized and predicted. Fundamental rules for understanding superwettability are discussed, mainly taking superhydrophobicity in air as an example. Then, some recent application progress of individual members of this “superwettability” system are introduced. Notably, several novel application fields, mainly gas, water, oil and/or other liquid environments, are presented in the following section. By combining different members of this “superwettability” system, new interfacial functions can be generated, allowing unexpected applications, such as in environmental protection, energy, green industry, and many other important domains. Finally, the future development of this interesting “superwettability” system is discussed.
Delineating the phenotype of 1p36 deletion in adolescents and adults
Authors: Brazil Ashley , Stanford Kevin , Smolarek Teresa , Hopkin Robert
Published: July 2014

1p36 deletion is the most common telomeric deletion syndrome, with an incidence of 1/5,000–1/10,000. A variety of clinical complications have been reported including seizures, hypotonia, heart malformations, cardiomyopathy, vision problems, and hearing loss. Approximately 90% are reported to have severe to profound intellectual disability and 75% to have absent expressive language. Little is known about long‐term outcomes. The current literature suggests a poor prognosis for most patients. This study attempted to assess medical conditions and function of adolescent and adult patients with 1p36 deletion. A survey was distributed through three support groups to identify patients >12 years of age to assess functional status and medical problems in older patients with 1p36 deletion syndrome. 40 patients were identified between 12 and 46 years old. Among our survey sample, medical complications including seizures, hypotonia, structural heart defects, hearing loss, and vision problems, were similar to previous reports. However, functional skills were better than anticipated, with an overwhelming majority reported to independently sit, walk, and receive the majority of nutrition orally. Forty‐four percent were reported to use complex speech abilities. While medical problems in patients with 1p36 deletion were similar to those that have been previously reported, we also demonstrated these same concerns persist into adolescence and adulthood. Additionally, patients were reported to have better functional skills than anticipated. Thus, quality of life and level of function appear to be better than anticipated from previous studies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oscillatory fluid flow influences primary cilia and microtubule mechanics
Authors: Espinha Lina C. , Hoey David A. , Fernandes Paulo R. , Rodrigues Hélder C. , Jacobs Christopher R.
Published: July 2014

Many tissues are sensitive to mechanical stimuli; however, the mechanotransduction mechanism used by cells remains unknown in many cases. The primary cilium is a solitary, immotile microtubule‐based extension present on nearly every mammalian cell which extends from the basal body. The cilium is a mechanosensitive organelle and has been shown to transduce fluid flow‐induced shear stress in tissues, such as the kidney and bone. The majority of microtubules assemble from the mother centriole (basal body), contributing significantly to the anchoring of the primary cilium. Several studies have attempted to quantify the number of microtubules emanating from the basal body and the results vary depending on the cell type. It has also been shown that cellular response to shear stress depends on microtubular integrity. This study hypothesizes that changing the microtubule attachment of primary cilia in response to a mechanical stimulus could change primary cilia mechanics and, possibly, mechanosensitivity. Oscillatory fluid flow was applied to two different cell types and the microtubule attachment to the ciliary base was quantified. For the first time, an increase in microtubules around primary cilia both with time and shear rate in response to oscillatory fluid flow stimulation was demonstrated. Moreover, it is presented that the primary cilium is required for this loading‐induced cellular response. This study has demonstrated a new role for the cilium in regulating alterations in the cytoplasmic microtubule network in response to mechanical stimulation, and therefore provides a new insight into how cilia may regulate its mechanics and thus the cells mechanosensitivity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) amount and composition along nested headwater stream locations during baseflow and stormflow
Authors: Singh Shatrughan , Inamdar Shreeram , Mitchell Myron
Published: July 2014

Amount and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were evaluated for multiple, nested stream locations in a forested watershed to investigate the role of hydrologic flow paths, wetlands and drainage scale. Sampling was performed over a 4‐year period (2008–2011) for five locations with drainage areas of 0.62, 3.5, 4.5, 12 and 79 ha. Hydrologic flow paths were characterized using an end‐member mixing model. DOM composition was determined using a suite of spectrofluorometric indices and a site‐specific parallel factor analysis model. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), humic‐like DOM and fluorescence index were most sensitive to changes with drainage scale, whereas dissolved organic nitrogen, specific UV absorbance, Sr and protein‐like DOM were least sensitive. DOM concentrations and humic‐like DOM constituents were highest during both baseflow and stormflow for a 3.5‐ha catchment with a wetland near the catchment outlet. Whereas storm‐event concentrations of DOC and humic DOM constituents declined, the mass exports of DOC increased with increasing catchment scale. A pronounced dilution in storm‐event DOC concentration was observed at peak stream discharge for the 12‐ha drainage location, which was not as apparent at the 79‐ha scale, suggesting key differences in supply and transport of DOM. Our observations indicate that hydrologic flow paths, especially during storms, and the location and extent of wetlands in the catchment are key determinants of DOM concentration and composition. This study furthers our understanding of changes in DOM with drainage scale and the controls on DOM in headwater, forested catchments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SrO‐ and MgO‐doped microwave sintered 3D printed tricalcium phosphate scaffolds: Mechanical properties and in vivo osteogenesis in a rabbit model
Authors: Tarafder Solaiman , Dernell William S. , Bandyopadhyay Amit , Bose Susmita
Published: July 2014

The presence of interconnected macro pores allows guided tissue regeneration in tissue engineering scaffolds. However, highly porous scaffolds suffer from having poor mechanical strength. Previously, we showed that microwave sintering could successfully be used to improve mechanical strength of macro porous tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds. This study reports the presence of SrO and MgO as dopants in TCP scaffolds improves mechanical and in vivo biological performance. We have used direct three dimensional printing (3DP) technology for scaffold fabrication. These 3DP scaffolds possessed multiscale porosity, that is, 3D interconnected designed macro pores along with intrinsic micro pores. A significant increase in mechanical strength, between 37 and 41%, was achieved due to SrO and MgO doping in TCP as compared with pure TCP. Maximum compressive strengths of 9.38 ± 1.86 MPa and 12.01 ± 1.56 MPa were achieved by conventional and microwave sintering, respectively, for SrO‐MgO‐doped 3DP scaffolds with 500 μm designed pores. Histomorphological and histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher osteoid, bone and haversian canal formation induced by the presence of SrO and MgO dopants in 3DP TCP as compared with pure TCP scaffolds when tested in rabbit femoral condyle defect model. Increased osteon and thus enhanced network of blood vessel formation, and osteocalcin expression were observed in the doped TCP scaffolds. Our results show that these 3DP SrO‐MgO‐doped TCP scaffolds have the potential for early wound healing through accelerated osteogenesis and vasculogenesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 679–690, 2015.
Meropenem in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: Clinical trial simulations using realistic covariates
Authors: Nehus Edward J. , Mouksassi Samer , Vinks Alexander A. , Goldstein Stuart
Published: July 2014

Meropenem is frequently prescribed in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Fluid overload is often present in critically ill children and affects drug disposition. The purpose of this study was to develop a pharmacokinetic model to (1) evaluate target attainment of meropenem dosing regimens against P. aeruginosa in children receiving CRRT and (2) estimate the effect of fluid overload on target attainment. Clinical trial simulations were employed to evaluate target attainment of meropenem in various age groups and degrees of fluid overload in children receiving CRRT. Pharmacokinetic parameters were extracted from published literature, and 287 patients from the prospective pediatric CRRT registry database provided realistic clinical covariates including patient weight, fluid overload, and CRRT prescription characteristics. Target attainment at 40% and 75% time above the minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated. Clinical trial simulations demonstrated that children greater than 5 years of age achieved acceptable target attainment with a dosing regimen of 20 mg/kg every 12 hours. In children less than 5, however, increased dosing of 20 mg/kg every 8 hours was needed to optimize target attainment. Fluid overload did not affect target attainment. These in silico model predictions will need to be verified in vivo in children receiving meropenem and CRRT.
Study on new magnetization property and its micro‐mechanism that occurred in anti‐ferromagnetic NiO nanoflowers with nearly uniform size
Authors: Xia Lei , Li Wanyu , Wang Chun‐Xiao , Zhang Yan , Jiang Jian‐Zhong , Zhang Shu‐Lin
Published: July 2014

Temperature‐dependent magnetization and magnon Raman spectra were measured for anti‐ferromagnetic NiO‐nanoflowers. The results show several new magnetic behaviors, including the appearance of a ferromagnetic phase, a reduced Néel temperature (TN) and a reduced Curie temperature (TC). The temperature dependencies of the double magnon (2M) Raman wavenumber and intensity are similar to those of magnetization. A magnetic granules model (MGM) consisted of a crystalline core enclosed by a shell is proposed. The model suggests that the large quantity of spins induced by specific surface effect in the shell plays a key role in nano‐magnetism. Based on the MGM, the micro‐mechanism of the observed new magnetic behavior is understood by the magnon Raman spectra. The MGM is based on the general features of magnetic nano‐particles, and thus it should be generally applicable to common magnetic nano‐particles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
mTOR regulate EMT through RhoA and Rac1 pathway in prostate cancer
Authors: Chen XianGuo , Cheng HaiYan , Pan TengFei , Liu Yi , Su Yang , Ren CuiPing , Huang DaKe , Zha XiaoJun , Liang ChaoZhao
Published: July 2014

Recently, an increasing number of studies have suggested that mTOR plays a critical role in the regulation of tumor cell motility, invasion and cancer metastasis. However, little is known about the signaling mechanisms in regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of prostate cancer. In this study, we found that the expression levels of Raptor and Rictor in prostate cancer tissues were elevated, which may suggest that Raptor and Rictor signaling pathways are associated with prostate cancer progression and metastasis. Inhibition of mTORC1 or mTORC2 by knock down of Raptor or Rictor, respectively, migration and invasion of prostate cancer were attenuated. Furthermore, EMT, a characterized by the changed expression levels of various markers like E‐cadherin, β‐catenin, N‐cadherin, and vimentin emergend following inhibition of Raptor or Rictor. Finally, the small GTPases (RhoA and Rac1) which were crucial regulatory proteins in cell migration and invasion were inactivited after downregulating Raptor and Rictor. These results suggest that mTOR regulate EMT at least in part by down regulation of RhoA and Rac1 signaling pathways. Our findings provide novel very attractive target strategies that the inhibition of mTOR signaling pathways may retard prostate cancer migration and invasion at early stages. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Palmatine inhibits growth and invasion in prostate cancer cell: Potential role for rpS6/NFκB/FLIP
Authors: Hambright Heather G. , Batth Izhar Singh , Xie Jianping , Ghosh Rita , Kumar Addanki Pratap
Published: July 2014

Novel agents are desperately needed for improving the quality of life and 5‐year survival to more than 30% for metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer. Previously we showed that Nexrutine, Phellodendron amurense bark extract, inhibits prostate tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently using biochemical fractionation we identified butanol fraction contributes to the observed biological activities. We report here that palmatine, which is present in the butanol fraction, selectively inhibits growth of prostate cancer cells without significant effect on non‐tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells. By screening receptor tyrosine kinases in a protein kinase array, we identified ribosomal protein S6, a downstream target of p70S6K and the Akt/mTOR signaling cascade as a potential target. We further show that palmatine treatment is associated with decreased activation of NFκB and its downstream target gene FLIP. These events led to inhibition of invasion. Similar results were obtained using parent extract Nexrutine (Nx) suggesting that palmatine either in the purified form or as one of the components in Nx is a potent cytotoxic agent with tumor invasion inhibitory properties. Synergistic inhibition of rpS6/NFκB/FLIP axis with palmatine may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of prostate cancer and possibly other malignancies with their constitutive activation. These data support a biological link between rpS6/NFκB/FLIP in mediating palmatine‐induced inhibitory effects and warrants additional preclinical studies to test its therapeutic efficacy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chapter 5: Clinical data in neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and overactive bladder (OAB)
Authors: Cruz Francisco , Nitti Victor
Published: July 2014

Following use of botulinum toxin in the 1980s for the treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), the potential therapeutic value of this neurotoxin in urology has been the subject of much interest. The DIGNITY (Double‐blind InvestiGation of purified Neurotoxin complex In neurogenic deTrusor overactivitY) clinical research program aimed to compare onabotulinumtoxinA with placebo in terms of efficacy and safety in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) due to SCI or multiple sclerosis. The EMBARK clinical research program mirrored these aims in patients with overactive bladder with urinary incontinence (UI). Each program comprised two phase III, randomized, placebo‐controlled studies. In all four trials, primary efficacy endpoints were met, and significant benefits of onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo were demonstrated across a range of secondary endpoints, including measures of health‐related quality of life. The most common adverse event across both programs was urinary tract infection. Interim analyses of data from ongoing long‐term extensions to these phase III trials have provided promising evidence for the efficacy of repeated injections. While further investigation is recommended to enrich the dataset, the available evidence indicates that onabotulinumtoxinA provides an effective treatment option for these two populations, which were previously considered very difficult to treat. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:S26–S31, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Is a Summer Job Worth? The Impact of Summer Youth Employment on Academic Outcomes
Authors: Leos‐Urbel Jacob
Published: July 2014

This paper estimates the impact of New York City's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) on school attendance and other educational outcomes in the following school year for a large sample of low‐income high school students. The program provides summer jobs and training to youth aged 14 to 21, and due to high demand allocates slots through a lottery. Analyses focusing on 36,550 students who applied in 2007 indicate that SYEP produces small increases in attendance in the following school year, with larger increases for students who may be at greater educational risk: those aged 16 and older with low baseline school attendance. For this group, SYEP also increases the likelihood of attempting and passing statewide high school math and English examinations. Findings suggest that although SYEP's explicit goals focus on workforce readiness rather than academics, the program fosters engagement and success in school.
A New Model for Repairable Systems with Nonmonotone Intensity Function
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Lu Yi‐Chen
Published: July 2014

In this study, a new model based on the mixture of bounded Burr XII failure intensity and bounded intensity process is proposed to describe the failure intensity of minimally repaired systems with approximate bathtub behavior. The estimates of the model parameters are easily obtained using the maximum likelihood estimation method. The confidence intervals for the model parameters are also provided. Other existing models, such as superposed power law process, log‐linear process–power law process, and bounded bathtub intensity process are used to compare with our proposed model. Through numerical examples, the results show that our proposed model performs well regarding the Akaike information criterion value and the mean of square errors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizational adaptation in an economic shock: The role of growth reconfiguration
Authors: Chakrabarti Abhirup
Published: July 2014

Studies suggest that firms navigating an economic shock can adapt and improve performance by targeting perceived growth opportunities. A puzzle, however, is that an economic shock increases environmental uncertainty and therefore the risk associated with growth reconfiguration. This study finds that growth reduced performance and increased the risk of firm failure during the Asian economic shock of 1997. Growing firms differed in the extent to which they were able to mitigate the constraints imposed by the shock. However, the presence of developed external institutions played a more systematic role in their adaptation than did organizational resources represented by financial slack or product diversification. The deliberate attempt to reconfigure augmented the adverse effect of the economic shock on firm performance and survival. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Model for Homogenization of Solid Alloying Admixtures in an Induction Crucible Furnace
Authors: Ščepanskis Mihails , Jakovičs Andris , Baake Egbert , Nacke Bernard
Published: July 2014

The paper presents a methodology for identification of homogenization time of alloying inclusions in an induction crucible furnace. The methodology is based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) Euler‐Lagrange calculation of inclusions and a regression model for size of the inclusions and their density. The presented regression model avoids the repeated LES calculations and, therefore, is suitable for an optimization task.
Science languageWanted Alive: Through the dialectical/dialogical lens of Vygotsky and the Bakhtin circle
Authors: Roth Wolff‐Michael
Published: July 2014

Over the past two decades, science educators increasingly have become interested in the role of language in the learning of science and have drawn on the work of Bakhtin, among others, for understanding the dialogical nature of knowledge in a sociocultural framework. However, the nature of language and its relation to thinking have not substantially changed and, in many ways, are incommensurable with the cultural–historical, materialist dialectical underpinning of the original framing of the sociocultural and dialogical approaches in the theories of L. S. Vygotsky and M. M. Bakhtin and his circle (e.g., V. N. Vološinov). Most importantly, currently available analyses of science classroom talk do not appear to exhibit sufficient appreciation of the fact that words, statements, and language are living phenomena, that is, they inherently change in speaking. In this paper, I begin by working out the premise that language is a living phenomenon that changes in use. I then present two key insights on language‐in‐use that derive from the works of Vygotsky and the Bakhtin circle, which are used to develop a theoretical and methodological frame. These key insights and the theoretical aspects of this paper are exemplified with materials from a concept mapping session in a 12th‐grade physics course. The proposed model has considerable implications for theorizing the relation between classroom talk and formal written genres of expression, and gives rise to many new research questions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 1049–1083, 2014
Pelvic floor muscle contractility: digital assessment vs transperineal ultrasound
Authors: van Delft K. , Thakar R. , Sultan A. H.
Published: July 2014

Objectives

A significant reduction in hiatal area and anteroposterior diameter can be induced by pelvic floor muscle contraction, and this has been demonstrated using three‐dimensional/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) transperineal ultrasound (TPS) in a small group of women. Our objective was to correlate pelvic floor muscle contractility using digital assessment with the change in TPS hiatus measurements during maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Methods

Nulliparous pregnant women were recruited from the antenatal clinic. Pelvic floor muscle contractility was assessed by digital palpation using the validated Modified Oxford Scale (MOS). Subsequently, women underwent 3D/4D TPS. Measurements of the hiatal area and anteroposterior diameter were taken from the rendered ultrasound images at rest and at maximum contraction, and differences in measurements were expressed as percentages. Spearman's rank (ρ) was used to assess the correlation.

Results

Four hundred and fifty‐nine assessments were performed, of which 268 were from women at around 36 weeks' gestation, and 191 were from women following delivery at 3 months postpartum. The overall correlation between MOS and TPS was found to be ρ = 0.47 for hiatal area (P < 0.001) and ρ = 0.51 for hiatal anteroposterior diameter (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Digital palpation using MOS and TPS can both be used as tools to assess pelvic floor muscle contractility. Although MOS is a simple clinical tool without the need for any equipment, TPS can provide good visual biofeedback when training patients in pelvic floor muscle exercises. As TPS is non‐intrusive, it may be the method of choice for some women. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Plasma proteins predict conversion to dementia from prodromal disease
Authors: Hye Abdul , Riddoch‐Contreras Joanna , Baird Alison L. , Ashton Nicholas J. , Bazenet Chantal , Leung Rufina , Westman Eric , Simmons Andrew , Dobson Richard , Sattlecker Martina , Lupton Michelle , Lunnon Katie , Keohane Aoife , Ward Malcolm , Pike Ian , Zucht Hans Dieter , Pepin Danielle , Zheng Wei , Tunnicliffe Alan , Richardson Jill , Gauthier Serge , Soininen Hilkka , Kłoszewska Iwona , Mecocci Patrizia , Tsolaki Magda , Vellas Bruno , Lovestone Simon
Published: July 2014

Background

The study aimed to validate previously discovered plasma biomarkers associated with AD, using a design based on imaging measures as surrogate for disease severity and assess their prognostic value in predicting conversion to dementia.

Methods

Three multicenter cohorts of cognitively healthy elderly, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD participants with standardized clinical assessments and structural neuroimaging measures were used. Twenty‐six candidate proteins were quantified in 1148 subjects using multiplex (xMAP) assays.

Results

Sixteen proteins correlated with disease severity and cognitive decline. Strongest associations were in the MCI group with a panel of 10 proteins predicting progression to AD (accuracy 87%, sensitivity 85%, and specificity 88%).

Conclusions

We have identified 10 plasma proteins strongly associated with disease severity and disease progression. Such markers may be useful for patient selection for clinical trials and assessment of patients with predisease subjective memory complaints.
Protein alterations in women with chronic widespread pain—A proteomic study of the trapezius muscle
Authors: Olausson P. , Ghafouri N. , Sjöström D. , Blixt E. , Gerdle B. , Ghafouri B.
Published: July 2014

Aim

This study aims to investigate the proteome of trapezius muscle biopsies of women with chronic widespread pain (CWP) compared to female pain-free controls using proteomic tools. CWP has a high prevalence (10%) resulting in prominent negative individual and societal consequences. There is no clear consensus concerning the etiology behind CWP although alterations in the central processing of nociception maintained by peripheral nociceptive input has been suggested.

Methods

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis and nano-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (nLC/MS) was used to study the proteome differences of biopsies from the trapezius muscle between 18 female patients diagnosed with CWP and 19 healthy female controls.

Results

The proteomic analysis revealed 17 proteins to be statistically significantly expressed between the two groups by which 12 were up-regulated and 5 were down-regulated in the CWP group compared to healthy controls. Many of the proteins were important enzymes in metabolic pathways like the glycolysis and gluconeogenesis (Triosephosphate isomerase, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M1/M2 and Fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A, all up-regulated in CWP). Other proteins are associated with muscle damage (Ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 2, down-regulated in CWP), muscle recovery (Alpha-crystallin B chain, up-regulated in CWP) stress and inflammation (carbonic anhydrase 3, up-regulated in CWP). The contractile and structural proteins found have been associated with various types of myopathies (Actin alpha skeletal muscle, up-regulated, Troponin T slow skeletal muscle and Desmin, down-regulated in CWP).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the expression of these proteins belonging to the protein groups, contractile, stress and inflammatory, structural, and metabolic, suggests abnormalities and alterations in the myalgic trapezius muscle.
A revision of the epiphytic species of theLecanora subfuscagroup (Lecanoraceae, Ascomycota) in the Czech Republic
Authors: MALÍČEK Jiří
Published: July 2014

During a revision of epiphytic species of theLecanora subfuscagroup in the Czech Republic, nine taxa were recorded.Lecanora cinereofusca, although reported for the first time from the country here, is considered to be extinct, as isL. horiza. Lecanora circumborealishas been excluded from the list of Czech lichens.Lecanora rugosellaandL. subrugosarespectively are regarded as extreme morphological forms ofL. chlaroteraandL. argentata, ecologically derived through nutrient enrichment (eutrophication).Lecanora laevisis regarded as a morphotype ofL. horiza. An identification key is provided. The importance of the amphithecium and cortex type as taxonomic characters is discussed in detail. Several new secondary metabolites belonging to the terpenoids, discovered during an investigation of lichen compounds, proved to be taxonomically important. The abundance ofL. allophanaandL. chlaroterahas decreased during the second half of the 20th century, butL. pulicarishas expanded. The main reasons for these changes are air pollution and acidification of substrata;L. pulicaris, for example, formerly a predominant lichen on acid-barked trees, today grows mainly on trees with slightly acidic or subneutral bark.
Acculturative and enculturative stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal warmth: Examining within-person relations among Mexican-origin adolescent mothers
Authors: Zeiders Katharine H. , Umaña-Taylor Adriana J. , Updegraff Kimberly A. , Jahromi Laudan B.
Published: July 2014

Mexican-origin adolescent mothers face numerous social challenges during dual-cultural adaptation that are theorized to contribute to greater depressive symptoms. Alongside challenges, there are familial resources that may offer protection. As such, the current study examined the trajectories of depressive symptoms among 204 Mexican-origin adolescent mothers (Mage= 16.80,SD= 1.00) across a 4-year period (third trimester of pregnancy, and 10, 24, and 36 months postpartum). Further, we examined the within-person relations of two unique sources of stress experienced during dual-cultural adaptation,acculturativeandenculturative stress, and youths' depressive symptoms; we also tested whether adolescent mothers' perceptions of warmth from their own mothers emerged as protective. Adolescent mothers reported a decline in depressive symptoms after the transition to parenthood. Acculturative and enculturative stress emerged as significant positive within-person predictors of depressive symptoms. Maternal warmth emerged as a protective factor in the relation between enculturative stressors and depressive symptoms; however, for acculturative stressors, the protective effect of maternal warmth only emerged for US-born youth. Findings illustrate the multidimensionality of stress experienced during the cultural adaptation process and a potential mechanism for resilience among Mexican-origin adolescent mothers.
THE KOKURYŪKAI (BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY) AND THE RISE OF NATIONALISM, PAN-ASIANISM, AND MILITARISM IN JAPAN, 1901–1925
Authors: Saaler Sven
Published: July 2014

In the conduct of prewar Japanese foreign relations, political associations (seiji kessha) – we might also call them pressure groups – exerted considerable political influence, particularly on Japan's relations with China and other Asian nations. One of the best known of these political associations is the Kokuryūkai (the “Amur Society,” also known as the “Black Dragon Society”), which was founded in 1901 and, in 1946, was banned as an ultranationalist association by the American occupation authorities. The Kokuryūkai was also identified as the center of an expansionist conspiracy to steer Japan towards war with the Western powers.

In the absence of detailed studies of the Kokuryūkai, this article aims to clarify the organization's political views and activities and to demonstrate its influence on Japanese foreign relations and involvement in East Asia in the early twentieth century. Drawing on primary sources such as the association's publications and its leaders' memoranda and letters, I show that the Kokuryūkai engaged in intensive networking activities and the accumulation of social capital involving not only Japanese but also Chinese and Korean politicians and diplomats. Nevertheless, I conclude that the association's influence on the origins of the Asia-Pacific War should not be overstated, since its activities reached a climax in the late 1910s and effectively ended with the death of founder Uchida Ryōhei in 1937.
The influence of cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method on mulch, weed cover and soil nitrate in reduced-tillage organic systems
Authors: Wayman Sandra , Cogger Craig , Benedict Chris , Burke Ian , Collins Doug , Bary Andy
Published: July 2014

Overwintered cover crops mechanically terminated into mulch can be a weed management tool for reduced-tillage organic agriculture. However, the impacts of management options for cover cropping are not well understood, including cover crop variety, termination timing and termination method. In a field experiment, conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Western Washington, we examined three grains, four vetches and one barley–vetch mix terminated with two mechanical methods and at two different times. We determined the influence of cover crop variety and termination time on cover crop biomass production and tissue nitrogen (N), effectiveness of cover crop termination, soil nitrate–N and percent weed cover. We also determined the influence of termination method on percent weed cover. Cover crop biomass ranged between 3 and 9 Mg ha−1and was not influenced by termination time; the greatest production was from three varieties of grain. Rye varieties were more effectively terminated with a roller–crimper than barley. Mean soil nitrate–N levels ranged from 1.9 to 18 mg kg−1and were the greatest with vetches. Post-termination weed cover was greater in 2013 than in 2012 and the cover crop variety influenced weed cover at the Late termination time only. Neither plant N concentration in the cover crop mulch nor soil nitrate influenced weed cover. The results of this study indicate that cover crop biomass and termination timing are important factors influencing weed cover and termination effectiveness in cover crop mulch.
Improved annotation of antibiotic resistance determinants reveals microbial resistomes cluster by ecology
Authors: Gibson Molly K , Forsberg Kevin J , Dantas Gautam
Published: July 2014

Antibiotic resistance is a dire clinical problem with important ecological dimensions. While antibiotic resistance in human pathogens continues to rise at alarming rates, the impact of environmental resistance on human health is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between human-associated and environmental resistomes, we analyzed functional metagenomic selections for resistance against 18 clinically relevant antibiotics from soil and human gut microbiota as well as a set of multidrug-resistant cultured soil isolates. These analyses were enabled by Resfams, a new curated database of protein families and associated highly precise and accurate profile hidden Markov models, confirmed for antibiotic resistance function and organized by ontology. We demonstrate that the antibiotic resistance functions that give rise to the resistance profiles observed in environmental and human-associated microbial communities significantly differ between ecologies. Antibiotic resistance functions that most discriminate between ecologies provide resistance to β-lactams and tetracyclines, two of the most widely used classes of antibiotics in the clinic and agriculture. We also analyzed the antibiotic resistance gene composition of over 6000 sequenced microbial genomes, revealing significant enrichment of resistance functions by both ecology and phylogeny. Together, our results indicate that environmental and human-associated microbial communities harbor distinct resistance genes, suggesting that antibiotic resistance functions are largely constrained by ecology.
Tipping elements in the human intestinal ecosystem
Authors: Lahti Leo , Salojärvi Jarkko , Salonen Anne , Scheffer Marten , de Vos Willem M.
Published: July 2014

The microbial communities living in the human intestine can have profound impact on our well-being and health. However, we have limited understanding of the mechanisms that control this complex ecosystem. Here, based on a deep phylogenetic analysis of the intestinal microbiota in a thousand western adults, we identify groups of bacteria that exhibit robust bistable abundance distributions. These bacteria are either abundant or nearly absent in most individuals, and exhibit decreased temporal stability at the intermediate abundance range. The abundances of these bimodally distributed bacteria vary independently, and their abundance distributions are not affected by short-term dietary interventions. However, their contrasting alternative states are associated with host factors such as ageing and overweight. We propose that the bistable groups reflect tipping elements of the intestinal microbiota, whose critical transitions may have profound health implications and diagnostic potential.
Electronic Structure, Dielectric Response and Surface Charge Distribution of RGD (1FUV) Peptide
Authors: Adhikari Puja , Wen Amy M. , French Roger H. , Parsegian V. Adrian , Steinmetz Nicole F. , Podgornik Rudolf , Ching Wai-Yim
Published: July 2014

Long and short range molecular interactions govern molecular recognition and self-assembly of biological macromolecules. Microscopic parameters in the theories of these molecular interactions are either phenomenological or need to be calculated within a microscopic theory. We report aunified methodologyfor theab initioquantum mechanical (QM) calculation that yields all the microscopic parameters, namely the partial charges as well as the frequency-dependent dielectric response function, that can then be taken as input for macroscopic theories of electrostatic, polar and van der Waals-London dispersion intermolecular forces. We apply this methodology to obtain the electronic structure of the cyclic tripeptide RGD-4C (1FUV). Thisab initio unified methodologyyields the relevant parameters entering the long range interactions of biological macromolecules, providing accurate data for the partial charge distribution and the frequency-dependent dielectric response function of this peptide. These microscopic parameters determine the range and strength of the intricate intermolecular interactions between potential docking sites of the RGD-4C ligand and its integrin receptor.
Rapid simultaneous determination of herbicides in human serum by UPLC-ESI-MS
Authors: Dong Xinfeng , Shi Zhihong , Liang Shuxuan , Sun Hanwen
Published: July 2014

A simple, rapid and reliable method is developed for the determination of 51 kinds belonging to at least 8 classes of herbicides in human serum by ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.
Fast analysis of phenolic terpenes by high-performance liquid chromatography using a fused-core column
Authors: Zabot Giovani L. , Moraes Moyses N. , Rostagno Maurício A. , Meireles M. Angela A.
Published: July 2014

A validation method for fast analysis of phenolic terpenes by HPLC; fused-core technology; good chromatographic performances: robustness, repeatability, reproducibility and applicability.
One-step synthesis of “rattle-like” polymer particles via suspension polymerization
Authors: Suzuki T. , Osumi A. , Minami H.
Published: July 2014

Multiple particles in a polymer shell, i.e. “rattle-like” capsules, have the potential to be used in electric ink or vibro-isolating and sound absorption materials because the encapsulated small particles are movable independently. Here, we demonstrate one-step preparation of the capsules containing small particles. In the final products, encapsulated particles were movable inside the capsule.
Linking crystal structure with temperature-sensitive vibrational modes in calcium carbonate minerals
Authors: Xu Ben , Poduska Kristin M.
Published: July 2014

Crystal structure packing arrangements could provide a generalizable approach to track either temperature-dependent or crystallinity-related effects in IR-active solids.
Charge separation energetics at organic heterojunctions: on the role of structural and electrostatic disorder
Authors: Castet Frédéric , D'Avino Gabriele , Muccioli Luca , Cornil Jérôme , Beljonne David
Published: July 2014

This review presents recent theoretical advances regarding the determination of the energetics and dynamics of charge carriers at organic heterojunctions.
Developments and perspectives of oxide-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Fabbri E. , Habereder A. , Waltar K. , Kötz R. , Schmidt T. J.
Published: July 2014

Activity, selectivity and stability of oxygen evolution catalysts for water electrolyzers: an interplay between composition, morphology, preparation and processing.
A multicellular, neuro-mimetic model to study nanoparticle uptake in cells of the central nervous system
Authors: Fernandes A. R. , Chari D. M.
Published: July 2014

We describe a multicellular neural model to study nanoparticle uptake and gene delivery, using stem cell derived cell populations.
Controllable synthesis of spherical anatase mesocrystals for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Fu Xinxin , Wang Binbin , Chen Chao , Ren Zhimin , Fan Chenyao , Wang Zhiyu
Published: July 2014

This paper reports the controllable preparation of TiO2 mesocrystals using benzoic acid as a surfactant.
New synthesis of two-dimensional CdSe/CdS core@shell dot-in-hexagonal platelet nanoheterostructures with interesting optical properties
Authors: Chauhan Himani , Kumar Yogesh , Deka Sasanka
Published: July 2014

A new method to prepare fluorescent monodispered 2D CdSe/CdS core/shell hexagonal platelet nanostructure system using differentially capped CdSe seeds.
Identification of free radicals in pyrolysis oil and their impact on bio-oil stability
Authors: Meng Jiajia , Smirnova Tatyana I. , Song Xiao , Moore Andrew , Ren Xueyong , Kelley Stephen , Park Sunkyu , Tilotta David
Published: July 2014

The existence of radicals in pyrolysis oil generated from loblolly pine in three different reactor systems was verified with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.