bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging mass spectrometry to discriminate breast from pancreatic cancer metastasis in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues
Authors: Casadonte Rita , Kriegsmann Mark , Zweynert Friederike , Friedrich Katrin , Bretton Gustavo , Otto Mike , Deininger Sören‐Oliver , Paape Rainer , Belau Eckhard , Suckau Detlev , Aust Daniela , Pilarsky Christian , Kriegsmann Jörg
Published: January 2014

Diagnosis of the origin of metastasis is mandatory for adequate therapy. In the past, classification of tumors was based on histology (morphological expression of a complex protein pattern), while supportive immunohistochemical investigation relied only on few “tumor specific” proteins. At present, histopathological diagnosis is based on clinical information, morphology, immunohistochemistry, and may include molecular methods. This process is complex, expensive, requires an experienced pathologist and may be time consuming. Currently, proteomic methods have been introduced in various clinical disciplines. MALDI imaging MS combines detection of numerous proteins with morphological features, and seems to be the ideal tool for objective and fast histopathological tumor classification. To study a special tumor type and to identify predictive patterns that could discriminate metastatic breast from pancreatic carcinoma MALDI imaging MS was applied to multitissue paraffin blocks. A statistical classification model was created using a training set of primary carcinoma biopsies. This model was validated on two testing sets of different breast and pancreatic carcinoma specimens. We could discern breast from pancreatic primary tumors with an overall accuracy of 83.38%, a sensitivity of 85.95% and a specificity of 76.96%. Furthermore, breast and pancreatic liver metastases were tested and classified correctly.
Efficiency of plant induced volatiles in attracting Encarsia formosa and Serangium japonicum, two dominant natural enemies of whitefly Bemisia tabaci in China
Authors: Li Shao‐Jian , Ren Su‐Li , Xue Xia , Ren Shun‐Xiang , Cuthbertson Andrew GS , van Dam Nicole M , Qiu Bao‐Li
Published: January 2014

BACKGROUND

Whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a globally distributed and most destructive pest to agriculture. Owing to increasing chemical resistance, a long‐lasting strategy to manage this pest must involve biological control. Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) usually play a profoundly important role in the foraging behaviour of natural enemies. Here, the effects of HIPVs from Chinese broccoli on the foraging behaviour of two dominant natural enemy species of B. tabaci in China, Encarsia formosa and Serangium japonicum, were investigated using a four‐arm olfactometer, and exogenous jasmonic acid (JA) was used to induce plant volatiles to mimic the damage of the herbivore pest.

RESULTS

The parasitoid E. formosa was found to be more attracted by the volatiles from JA‐induced broccoli than those from control plants. The residence times of E. formosa in the final‐choice areas closed to volatiles from shoot JA (SJA)‐ and root JA (RJA)‐induced plants were 119.8 ± 35.2 s and 99.8 ± 34.7 s respectively in the dual‐choice experiments, and 123.8 ± 32.0 s and 102.3 ± 28.7 s respectively in the three‐choice experiment. All are significantly longer than those spent in the final‐choice area closed to volatiles from control plants (CON). JA‐induced volatiles were also only a little more attractive to the predator S. japonicum. However, there was no significant difference between each of the two natural enemies in residence time spent in the final‐choice areas closed to SJA, RJA or CON volatiles in both the dual‐ and three‐choice experiments. Furthermore, the number of times that the parasitoid or predator entered the SJA, RJA and CON final‐choice areas was not significantly different in any of the experiments.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicate that RJA‐ and SJA‐induced plant volatiles have higher efficiencies in attracting the natural enemies of whitefly B. tabaci. The attractive efficiencies varied according to the plant volatiles that JA induced, and also depended on the natural enemy species. The parasitoid E. formosa seems to be more sensitive to and attracted by the induced volatiles than the predator S. japonicum. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetization states and magnetization processes in nanostructures: From a single layer to multilayers
Authors: Maziewski Andrzej , Fassbender Jürgen , Kisielewski Jan , Kisielewski Marek , Kurant Zbigniew , Mazalski Piotr , Stobiecki Feliks , Stupakiewicz Andrzej , Sveklo Iosif , Tekielak Maria , Wawro Andrzej , Zablotskii Vitalii
Published: January 2014

The results of combined (experimental, analytical, and micromagnetic simulations) studies on the evolution of magnetization states and processes in ultrathin films and multilayered systems are presented. We show ways to manipulate magnetization distributions in ultrathin magnetic single or multilayers by tuning: the thickness of the magnetic layer, the thickness of either the non‐magnetic cap or spacer layer, the magnetic anisotropy, and the geometrical constrictions of the system. In ultrathin magnetic films, both the magnetization distribution and the critical thickness of the magnetization reorientation phase transition (RPT) between perpendicular and in‐plane states can be also controlled by post‐growth treatments, e.g., by either ion or light irradiation. By changing the geometrical parameters of the nanostructure, as well as by an applied external magnetic field, one can tune magnetic domain sizes in a giant range (of a few orders of magnitude) and induce the RPT. Transitions between two‐ and three‐dimensional magnetization distributions are discussed.
Front‐ and rear‐side photoluminescence: recombination, depth profiles of excess carriers and optical band gap of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 in a three‐layer system
Authors: Neumann O. , Brüggemann R. , Könne N. , Bauer G. H.
Published: January 2014

Spectral photoluminescence emitted from the front compared to the rear side of a semiconductor layer like a photovoltaic absorber is shown to exhibit significant differences in the high‐energy regime. This arises from the excess‐carrier depth profile and the absorption of photoluminescence photons during their way through the semiconductor layer depending on photon energy, distance to the absorber exit, and absorption coefficient.We get access to surface‐recombination velocities, the minority‐carrier diffusion length, the excess‐carrier depth profile and the optical band gap by fitting photoluminescence spectra via numerical modeling. The numerical modeling is based on an one‐dimensional three‐layer system that includes multiple reflection. This procedure is exemplarily demonstrated for a thin‐film system based on Cu(In,Ga)Se2.
Origin of broad luminescence from site‐controlled InGaN nanodots fabricated by selective‐area epitaxy
Authors: Lee L. K. , Aagesen L. K. , Thornton K. , Ku P.‐C.
Published: January 2014

We investigated the origin of broad luminescence observed from an array of site‐controlled InGaN nanodots grown by selective area epitaxy (SAE). Epitaxially grown site‐controlled nanodots with lateral dimensions <50 nm and an array density of 1010 cm−2 have been studied. During the nanoscale SAE, incorporation of adatoms from the SiO2 mask has greater relative importance, resulting in a non‐uniform growth profile. This non‐uniform growth profile leads to significant broadening of the InGaN nano‐heterostructure luminescence. Later in the SAE process, an orientation‐dependent growth rate coalesces various crystal planes and transforms these nanostructures into a more uniform array.
Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Glucose‐ and pH‐Stimulated Release of Insulin
Authors: Jain Rachit N. , Huang Xiaoxi , Das Sayantani , Silva Rafael , Ivanova Vera , Minko Tamara , Asefa Tewodros
Published: January 2014

Multi‐stimuli responsive porous silica nanoparticles for controlled release of insulin were synthesized by tethering insulin molecules onto boronic acid‐functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (BA‐MSNs) and then coating the BA‐MSNs with the bioadhesive and pH‐sensitive polymer polyacrylic acid (PAA). The insulin molecules were conjugated onto the exterior surfaces of BA‐MSNs via gluconic acid linker groups [or by making first the gluconic acid‐modified insulin (Gins)]. The surfaces of the resulting BA‐MSNs containing Gins were coated with PAA, which was used to protect the entrapped insulin from undergoing possible enzymatic degradations in such locations as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The PAA, which has excellent dispersibility and adherence to the mucosa, might also allow the permeation of such nanoparticles through the colon, and thereby improve their potential application for insulin delivery. The drug release properties of the resulting nanoparticles, denoted PAA‐Gins‐BA‐MSNs, as well as their control samples were studied in enzyme‐free simulated gastric fluid (SGF) (pH = 2.0), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) (pH = 6.8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (pH = 7.4). Because of their shrinkage at low pH and swelling at high pH, the PAA‐coated MSNs exhibited pH‐dependent insulin release properties. Besides pH, glucose was shown to trigger the release of insulin from the nanoparticles, which demonstrates the nanoparticles' multi‐stimuli‐responsive properties for controlled release of insulin. Finally, we show that the PAA‐coated MSNs were non‐cytotoxic.
Is Adrenal Venous Sampling Mandatory before Surgical Decision in Case of Primary Hyperaldosteronism?
Authors: Pirvu Augustin , Naem Nora , Baguet Jean Philippe , Thony Frédéric , Chabre Olivier , Chaffanjon Philippe
Published: January 2014

Background

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) is a cause of secondary arterial hypertension potentially curable by laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy. We describe the follow‐up of these patients according to their medical or surgical treatment.

Methods

We report a retrospective single‐center study of 91 patients with PHA from 1998 to 2012. Treatment was guided by computed tomography (CT) scans. Preoperative adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was performed when the CT scan did not show single solitary unilateral nodules on the adrenal glands. During the follow‐up, we considered hypertension to be cured in patients with normal blood pressure without antihypertensive medication (AM), and improvement was defined by a decrease in AM.

Results

A total of 28 patients received only AM. Of the 62 patients who underwent a unilateral adrenalectomy, 46 (74 %) had an adrenal adenoma, 14 (22 %) a hyperplasia, and the adrenal gland was normal in two cases. Hypertension was cured in 24 cases (38 %), and 28 patients (45 %) showed improvement with a reduction in AM. Predictive factors for a cure were gender, age, number of preoperative AMs, preoperative arterial systolic blood pressure, and plasma renin activity. All patients who presented with hypokalemia were cured postoperatively. We performed 38 AVS and nine of these patients were operated on based on the AVS findings, with an improvement of 100 % of arterial blood pressure after surgery.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy for PHA cured or improved hypertension in 84 % of patients. Preoperative AVS is mandatory for surgical decision making if the CT scan shows bilateral or no lesions associated with PHA.
Wohnraumversorgung und Wohnqualität einkommensschwacher Haushalte. Herausforderungen, Handlungsmöglichkeiten und Grenzen für Wohnungspolitik und Stadtentwicklung am Beispiel des Sonnenbergs in Chemnitz
Authors: Brinker Dörthe , Sinning Heidi
Published: January 2014

In Germany, social disparities between the rich and the poor, and the poverty risk have been continuously increasing in recent years, in particular with regard to single parents, people with low income and increasingly also the elderly. This dilemma is not only a challenge to society in general but also a huge challenge for cities and communities. In addition, the problem is intensified by a tight housing market, characterized by a lack of housing for low-income households. Morever, affordable and demand-oriented housing is becoming scarcer due to segregation and gentrification. A wide array of strategies has been developed to tackle these problems, e.g. rent control and new ways of providing public land for housing, to secure an appropriate supply of quality housing for low income households. Against this background the paper deals with two selected strategic approaches, namely cooperation of housing industry and urban development, and integrated area development. The case study of the Sonnenberg neighborhood in Chemnitz exemplarily describes options and limitations of housing supply. The results are discussed with regard to scientific debates on cooperative and socially cohesive urban development policies.
The Death of Marriage? The Effects of New Forms of Legal Recognition on Marriage Rates in the United States
Authors: Dillender Marcus
Published: January 2014

Some conservative groups argue that allowing same-sex couples to marry reduces the value of marriage to opposite-sex couples. This article examines how changes in U.S. legal recognition laws occurring between 1995 and 2010 designed to include same-sex couples have altered marriage rates in the United States. Using a difference-in-differences strategy that compares how marriage rates change after legal recognition in U.S. states that alter legal recognition versus states that do not, I find no evidence that allowing same-sex couples to marry reduces the opposite-sex marriage rate. Although the opposite-sex marriage rate is unaffected by same-sex couples marrying, it decreases when domestic partnerships are available to opposite-sex couples.
Relationship between metalloproteinase 2 and 9 concentrations and soluble CD154 expression in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sanchooli Javad , Ramroodi Nourollah , Sanadgol Nima , Sarabandi Vida , Ravan Hadi , Rad Reza Saebi
Published: January 2014

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in the blood–brain barrier permeability and in invasion of the leukocytes into the central nervous system during multiple sclerosis (MS). In this respect, in the present study, we have evaluated the possible role of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 on the expression of soluble CD154 (sCD154) and membrane‐bound isoform of the CD154 in Iranian MS patients. The expressions of the aforementioned protein‐related genes were analyzed at the levels of messenger RNA and proteins by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting. The results showed a high expression of CD154 isoforms, MMP‐9 and MMP‐2, in MS patients in contrast to controls (p < 0.001). We found an increase in sCD154 concentration (i.e., >3‐fold) in patients with a higher MMPs/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) ratio. Furthermore, secondary‐progressive MS patients with exacerbate period showed higher positive correlation between increasing sCD154 concentration and overexpression of MMP‐2 (p < 0.001). Our data demonstrate that following the exacerbation period, sCD154 concentration is increased in patients, which is mutually related to the MMPs/TIMP‐1 ratio. This relationship may represent a new link between sCD154 concentration and the MMPs/TIMP‐1 ratio with prognostic implications.
A Servant to Many Masters: Competing Shareholder Preferences and Limits to Catering
Authors: Manconi Alberto , Massa Massimo
Published: January 2014

We study what determines catering through the payout policy and how catering affects firm value. We create a catering index, measuring how the firm caters to its investors’ payout preferences. The index is based on the revealed payout preferences of mutual funds holding the firm’s stocks. Catering is constrained by market segmentation and dispersion in investor payout preferences. It is also associated with positive value effects: Firms increasing their catering index also experience an increase in value. Furthermore, greater catering ability is associated with a more positive market reaction to corporate announcements of equity issues and dividend payouts.
The goals of the EU seal products trade regulation: from effectiveness to consequence
Authors: Sellheim Nikolas
Published: January 2014

When policies are adopted, it seems reasonable to assume that they address a certain issue and provide means to mitigate specific problems. This seems the case with the EU's regime on trade in seal products, but it becomes evident that the goal formulation in this case is blurry and unclear. Taking animal welfare, the so-called ‘Inuit exemption’, and internal market harmonisation into account, this article examines the goals of the seal products trade regime and how they are applied. It becomes clear that the attainment of goals bears consequences that are unprecedented due to conceptual and formulation difficulties. Given the indistinct goal formulation during the policy-shaping process and the goal formulation in the policy itself, it seems fair to say that the regime does not aim to improve animal welfare standards in the commercial seal hunt, but rather aims to shut down the commercial hunt completely. This, however, affects Inuit and non-Inuit seal hunters equally and is inconsistent with secondary goals that are formulated in the EU's documents relating to the Arctic. Therefore, the seal products trade regime has consequences that challenge the EU's ambitions in the north.
Altered plasma glutathione levels in bipolar disorder indicates higher oxidative stress; a possible risk factor for illness onset despite normal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels
Authors: Rosa A. R. , Singh N. , Whitaker E. , de Brito M. , Lewis A. M. , Vieta E. , Churchill G. C. , Geddes J. R. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: January 2014

Background

Oxidative stress and neurotrophic factors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Our objective was to determine whether plasma glutathione or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were abnormal in bipolar disorder and therefore useful as possible biomarkers.

Method

Blood samples were collected from subsyndromal, medicated bipolar I patients (n = 50), recruited from OXTEXT, University of Oxford, and from 50 matched healthy controls. Total and oxidized glutathione levels were measured using an enzymatic recycling method and used to calculate reduced, percentage oxidized, ratio of reduced:oxidized and redox state. BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Self-monitored mood scores for the bipolar group were available (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale) over an 8-week period.

Results

Compared with controls, bipolar patients had significantly lower levels of total glutathione and it was more oxidized. BDNF levels were not different. Age of illness onset but not current mood state correlated with total glutathione levels and its oxidation status, so that lower levels of total and reduced glutathione were associated with later onset of disease, not length of illness.

Conclusions

Plasma glutathione levels and redox state detect oxidative stress even in subsyndromal patients with normal BDNF. It may relate to the onset and development of bipolar disorder. Plasma glutathione appears to be a suitable biomarker for detecting underlying oxidative stress and for evaluating the efficacy of antioxidant intervention studies.
Stochastic optimal enhancement of distributed formation control using Kalman smoothers
Authors: Anderson Ross P. , Milutinović Dejan
Published: January 2014

Beginning with a deterministic distributed feedback control for nonholonomic vehicle formations, we develop a stochastic optimal control approach for agents to enhance their non-optimal controls with additive correction terms based on the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, making them optimal and robust to uncertainties. In order to avoid discretization of the high-dimensional cost-to-go function, we exploit the stochasticity of the distributed nature of the problem to develop an equivalent Kalman smoothing problem in a continuous state space using a path integral representation. Our approach is illustrated by numerical examples in which agents achieve a formation with their neighbors using only local observations.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF INTRAVENOUS IODINATED CONTRAST MEDIA IN ITALY
Authors: Iannazzo Sergio , Vandekerckhove Stijn , De Francesco Maria , Nayak Akash , Ronco Claudio , Morana Giovanni , Valentino Massimo
Published: January 2014

Background:Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is defined as a deterioration in renal function after administration of radiologic iodinated contrast media (CM). Iodixanol, showed a lower CI-AKI incidence than low-osmolar contrast media (LOCM). A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed comparing iodixanol and LOCM in intravenous (IV) setting in Italy.

Methods:A Markov model was developed. Patients moved across four health states: CI-AKI free, CI-AKI, myocardial infarction, and death. The simulation horizon was lifetime with 1-month cycles. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 3.5 percent rate. CI-AKI incidence was considered from published literature across different definitions. Cost-effectiveness of iodixanol was assessed in terms of incremental cost per life-year gained. Net monetary benefit (NMB) was also calculated. Both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results:Base-case results showed an average survival increase of 0.51 life-years and a savings of €7.25 for iodixanol versus LOCM. The cost-effectiveness of iodixanol was confirmed when other scenarios were explored, such as varying CI-AKI definition, sub-populations with specified risk factors, CM hospital bids prices, and inclusion of adverse drug reactions of allergic nature. An NMB ranging between €6,007.25 and €30,007.25 was calculated.

Conclusion:Base-case results show that IV iodixanol is cost-effective compared with LOCM in the Italian clinical setting of a hospital computed tomography radiology practice. However, some caution is due, mainly linked to inherent limitations of the modeling technique and to the lack of agreement on CI-AKI incidence data in the clinical literature.
Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in children in Cyprus during three consecutive winter seasons (2010–2013): age distribution, seasonality and association between prevalent genotypes and disease severity
Authors: PANAYIOTOU C. , RICHTER J. , KOLIOU M. , KALOGIROU N. , GEORGIOU E. , CHRISTODOULOU C.
Published: January 2014

This study reports the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in hospitalized children in Cyprus over three successive seasons (2010–2013) and the association between prevalent genotypes and disease severity. RSV infections had a circulation pattern from December to March. Most RSV-positive children (83%) were aged <2 years. Genotyping of RSV isolates showed that during the first winter season of the study (2010–2011), the only RSV genotype circulating was GA2 (RSV-A), followed by genotype BA (RSV-B) in the next winter season with only few sporadic cases of GA2. During the last winter season of the study (2012–2013) the newly emerged RSV genotype ON1 (RSV-A) was virtually the only circulating genotype. Children infected with genotype ON1 suffered a significantly milder illness compared to infections with genotypes GA2 and BA with a higher percentage of BA-infected children requiring oxygen. Our findings are in contrast to the majority of published reports that suggest RSV-A causes more severe illness than RSV-B. Therefore, further investigation of the association between RSV genotypes and disease severity is required, as it might affect treatment strategies in the future.
A hydrodynamical model for covalent semiconductors with a generalized energy dispersion relation
Authors: ALÌ GIUSEPPE , MASCALI GIOVANNI , ROMANO VITTORIO , TORCASIO ROSA CLAUDIA
Published: January 2014

We present the first macroscopical model for charge transport in compound semiconductors to make use of analytic ellipsoidal approximations for the energy dispersion relationships in the neighbours of the lowest minima of the conduction bands. The model considers the main scattering mechanisms charges undergo in polar semiconductors, that is the acoustic, polar optical, intervalley non-polar optical phonon interactions and the ionized impurity scattering. Simulations are shown for the cases of bulk 4H and 6H-SiC.
Retrospective and prospectively assessed childhood adversity in association with major depression, alcohol consumption and painful conditions
Authors: Patten S. B. , Wilkes T. C. R. , Williams J. V. A. , Lavorato D. H. , el-Guebaly N. , Schopflocher D. , Wild C. , Colman I. , Bulloch A. G. M.
Published: January 2014

Background.

Considerable evidence now links childhood adversity to a variety of adult health problems. Unfortunately, almost all of these studies have relied upon retrospective assessment of childhood events, creating a vulnerability to bias. In this study, we sought to examine three associations using data sources that allowed for both prospective and retrospective assessment of childhood events.

Methods.

Methods. A 1994 national survey of children between the ages of 0 and 11 collected data from a ‘person most knowledgeable’ (usually the mother) about a child. It was possible to link data for n = 1977 of these respondents to data collected from the same people in a subsequent adult study. The latter survey included retrospective reports of childhood adversity. We examined three adult health outcomes in relation to prospectively and retrospectively assessed childhood adversity: major depressive episodes, excessive alcohol consumption and painful conditions.

Results.

Results. A strong association between childhood adversities (as assessed by both retrospective and prospective methods) and major depression was identified although the association with retrospective assessment was stronger. Weaker associations were found for painful conditions, but these did not depend on the method of assessment. Associations were not found for excessive alcohol consumption irrespective of the method of assessment.

Conclusions.

These findings help to allay concerns that associations between childhood adversities and health outcomes during adulthood are merely artefacts of recall bias. In this study, retrospective and prospective assessment strategies produced similar results.
Enhancing the visualization of latent fingerprints by aggregation induced emission of siloles
Authors: Xu Linru , Li Yan , Li Shuhong , Hu Rongrong , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong , Su Bin
Published: January 2014

Aggregation-induced emission was explored for the visual enhancement of latent fingerprints deposited on wet non-porous surfaces.
Exploring anagostic interactions in 5,15-porphodimethene metal complexes
Authors: Derry Holaday M. G. , Tarafdar Gourav , Kumar Arun , Reddy M. L. P. , Srinivasan A.
Published: January 2014

By using 5,15-porphodimethene metal complexes, the weak noncovalent anagostic interaction is explored using variable temperature NMR studies and is further confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis.
Visualising and controlling the flow in biomolecular systems at and between multiple scales: from atoms to hydrodynamics at different locations in time and space
Authors: Pavlov Evgen , Taiji Makoto , Scukins Arturs , Markesteijn Anton , Karabasov Sergey , Nerukh Dmitry
Published: January 2014

A novel framework for modelling biomolecular systems at multiple scales in space and time simultaneously is described. The atomistic molecular dynamics representation is smoothly connected with a statistical continuum hydrodynamics description. The system behaves correctly at the limits of pure molecular dynamics (hydrodynamics) and at the intermediate regimes when the atoms move partly as atomistic particles, and at the same time follow the hydrodynamic flows. The corresponding contributions are controlled by a parameter, which is defined as an arbitrary function of space and time, thus, allowing an effective separation of the atomistic ‘core’ and continuum ‘environment’. To fill the scale gap between the atomistic and the continuum representations our special purpose computer for molecular dynamics, MDGRAPE-4, as well as GPU-based computing were used for developing the framework. These hardware developments also include interactive molecular dynamics simulations that allow intervention of the modelling through force-feedback devices.
Solvent-driven selective π-cation templating in dynamic assembly of interlocked molecules
Authors: Pun Andrew B. , Gagnon Kevin J. , Klivansky Liana M. , Teat Simon J. , Li Zhan-Ting , Liu Yi
Published: January 2014

The different solvent responses for bipyridinium and trispyridinium-based dynamic imine [2]rotaxanes allow their interconversion with high selectivity.
Novel biodegradable heparin-coated nanocomposite system for targeted drug delivery
Authors: Javid Amaneh , Ahmadian Shahin , Saboury Ali Akbar , Kalantar Seyed Mehdi , Rezaei-Zarchi Saeed
Published: January 2014

HP–SPIO NPs (42 nm) were formulated by co-precipitation. Doxorubicin and paclitaxel were loaded into the SPIO NP core. HP–SPIO NPs had sustained release of DOX (87%) and PTX (75%) at pH 6.0. Drug loaded HP–SPIO NPs caused 95 and 84%, and 85 and 77% apoptosis in A2780 and OVCAR-3 cells, respectively. DOX–HP–SPIO NPs and PTX–HP–SPIO NPs caused a sharp decrease in bcl-2 and survivin proteins.
Role of Toll-like receptors in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Mudaliar Harshini , Pollock Carol , Panchapakesan Usha
Published: January 2014

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of kidney failure and its increasing prevalence and incidence has imposed global socio-economic stress on healthcare systems worldwide. Although historically considered a metabolic disorder, recent studies have established that inflammatory responses are central to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. TLRs (Toll-like receptors) are a family of pattern recognition receptors responsible for the initiation of inflammatory and immune responses. The regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases, and emerging evidence shows their involvement in the perpetuation of inflammation in the diabetic kidney. The present review focuses on the relative contributions of TLR2 and TLR4 in recognizing endogenous ligands relevant to diabetic nephropathy and their subsequent activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB), which results in the synthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, we discuss the pro-inflammatory signalling pathways of TLR2 and TLR4, in which their interruption or blockade may prove to be important therapeutic targets, potentially translated into clinical treatments for diabetic nephropathy. Currently, inhibitors to TLR2 and TLR4 are undergoing clinical trials in various inflammatory models of disease, but none in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Given the existing literature, there is a fundamental necessity to undertake trials in patients with diabetic nephropathy with a focus on renal end points.
Aliskiren limits abdominal aortic aneurysm, ventricular hypertrophy and atherosclerosis in an apolipoprotein-E-deficient mouse model
Authors: Seto Sai-Wang , Krishna Smriti M. , Moran Corey S. , Liu David , Golledge Jonathan
Published: January 2014

Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor developed to treat hypertension. Several clinical studies have suggested that aliskiren has beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases beyond its antihypertensive effect. In the present study, we examined whether aliskiren limits the progression of AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm), VH (ventricular hypertrophy) and atherosclerosis in an AngII (angiotensin II)-infused mouse model. ApoE−/− (apolipoprotein-E-deficient) mice were infused subcutaneously with AngII (1000 ng/kg of body weight per day; 4 weeks) to induce AAA and VH. At the completion of the AngII infusion, mice were randomly allocated to three groups to receive vehicle control, low-dose aliskiren (10 mg/kg of body weight per day) or high-dose aliskiren (50 mg/kg of body weight per day) for 4 weeks. Suprarenal aortic diameter assessed by ultrasound was significantly smaller in mice administered aliskiren at days 42 and 56. Aliskiren also significantly reduced the normalized heart weight, ventricular myocyte cell width and aortic arch atherosclerosis. Aliskiren lowered PRR (pro-renin receptor) expression and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) activity in the suprarenal aorta and heart. Aortic infiltration of T-lymphocytes and macrophages was reduced by aliskiren. In conclusion, aliskiren limits the progression of AAA, VH and atherosclerosis in an AngII-infused mouse model.
Longitudinal Analysis of Receptive Vocabulary Growth in Young Spanish English–Speaking Children From Migrant Families
Authors: Jackson Carla Wood , Schatschneider Christopher , Leacox Lindsey
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The authors of this study described developmental trajectories and predicted kindergarten performance of Spanish and English receptive vocabulary acquisition of young Latino/a English language learners (ELLs) from socioeconomically disadvantaged migrant families. In addition, the authors examined the extent to which gender and individual initial performance in Spanish predict receptive vocabulary performance and growth rate.

Method

The authors used hierarchical linear modeling of 64 children's receptive vocabulary performance to generate growth trajectories, predict performance at school entry, and examine potential predictors of rate of growth. The timing of testing varied across children. The ELLs (prekindergarten to 2nd grade) participated in 2–5 testing sessions, each 6–12 months apart.

Results

The ELLs' average predicted standard score on an English receptive vocabulary at kindergarten was nearly 2SDs below the mean for monolingual peers. Significant growth in the ELLs' receptive vocabulary was observed between preschool and 2nd grade, indicating that the ELLs were slowly closing the receptive vocabulary gap, although their average score remained below the standard score mean for age-matched monolingual peers. The ELLs demonstrated a significant decrease in Spanish receptive vocabulary standard scores over time. Initial Spanish receptive vocabulary was a significant predictor of growth in English receptive vocabulary. High initial Spanish receptive vocabulary was associated with greater growth in English receptive vocabulary and decelerated growth in Spanish receptive vocabulary. Gender was not a significant predictor of growth in either English or Spanish receptive vocabulary.

Conclusion

ELLs from low socioeconomic backgrounds may be expected to perform lower in English compared with their monolingual English peers in kindergarten. Performance in Spanish at school entry may be useful in identifying children who require more intensive instructional support for English vocabulary growth. Findings substantiate the need for progress monitoring across the early school years.
Phonological Skills in English Language Learners
Authors: Morrow Alyse , Goldstein Brian A. , Gilhool Amanda , Paradis Johanne
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the English phonological skills of English language learners (ELLs) over 5 time points.

Method

Sound class accuracy, whole-word accuracy, percentage of occurrence of phonological patterns, and sociolinguistic correlational analyses were investigated in 19 ELLs ranging in age from 5;0 (years;months) to 7;6.

Results

Accuracy across all samples was over 90% for all sound classes except fricatives and increased for all sound classes across time. Whole-word accuracy was high and increased across time. With the exception of cluster reduction, stopping, and final consonant deletion, the frequency of occurrence for phonological patterns was less than or equal to 5% at every time point. Sociolinguistic variables such as age of arrival, age of exposure, and age were significantly related to phonological skills.

Conclusions

The results were consistent with the hypotheses outlined in Flege's (1995) speech learning model in that the phonological skills of ELLs increased over time and as a function of age of arrival and time. Thus, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) also should expect phonological skills in ELLs to increase over time, as is the case in monolingual children. SLPs can use the longitudinal and connected-speech results of this study to interpret their assessments of the phonological skills of ELLs.
Bullying: What Speech-Language Pathologists Should Know
Authors: Hughes Stephanie
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to the broad issues surrounding the problem of school bullying in childhood and adolescence. Specifically, types of bullying and their causes are considered, as are the roles students take when bullying occurs and the effects of bullying on students with communication disorders. Strategies and suggestions to help SLPs more effectively prevent and manage bullying of students with communication disorders are discussed.

Method

A review of the scholarly literature in education, psychology, child and adolescent development, and speech-language pathology was conducted. Recommendations for how SLPs can prevent and intervene in bullying incidences were extrapolated from the reviewed literature.

Results

Students with communication disorders are at particularly high risk for being bullied by peers. Some students with communication disorders are “provocative victims” in that they demonstrate impairments in social skills that draw the attention of bullies. Both provocative victims and typical students may react aggressively when bullied and bully others in retaliation.

Conclusion

SLPs can and should help to create an inclusive environment for all students while addressing bullying of students with communication disorders via therapeutic activities.
On the coding advantages of the quasi‐orthogonal space–frequency block codes
Authors: Shahabinejad Mostafa , Morsali Alireza , Talebi Siamak , Shahabinejad Mohammad
Published: January 2014

In this study, the authors show that the coding advantage (CA) of quasi‐orthogonal space–frequency block codes (QOSFBCs) could be decomposed into two parts, namely intrinsic CA (ICA) and extrinsic CA (ECA). Then, by using the ICA, the authors demonstrate that the optimum precoder of the QOSFBCs could be analytically derived without any requirement of the exhaustive search. Then, by improving the ECA, the authors enhance performances of the QOSFBCs efficiently – up to 4 dB. Finally, the authors show that a very fast optimisation process for the QOSFBCs is viable over any arbitrary frequency‐selective channel.
Improved line‐of‐sight/non‐line‐of‐sight classification methods for pulsed ultrawideband localisation
Authors: Abbasi Arash , Liu Huaping
Published: January 2014

Classification of line‐of‐sight (LOS) or non‐LOS (NLOS) propagation is critical for most pulsed ultrawideband localisation systems. In this letter, first, the authors propose a two‐dimensional (2D) LOS/NLOS classification scheme that uses skewness of the channel impulse/pulse response, which has not been used by existing work. The log‐likelihood ratio of the 2D LOS/NLOS classification is used to determine the weights for localisation. Then, the authors derive an iterative Gauss–Newton method to solve the location of the target, which provides a higher accuracy than the Gauss–Newton method used in existing work. Finally, they investigate improved localisation by incorporating the statistics of NLOS bias as a result of LOS/NLOS classification into the cost function, and derive the statistics of the corresponding errors of location estimates. The proposed 2D LOS/NLOS classification scheme is compared with an existing 3D scheme to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Dynamic scene modelling and anomaly detection based on trajectory analysis
Authors: Wan Yiwen , Yang Tze‐I , Keathly David , Buckles Bill
Published: January 2014

A real‐time scene modelling approach is presented that recognises temporary and permanent road structure change resulting from construction, accident or lane expansion and other obstructions. The system defined utilises a two‐phase approach to modelling the scene. In the transitional phase, a dominant set‐based graphical clustering approach is applied to understand the current scene structure from trajectory groupings, whereas the operational phase analyses the trajectories in real‐time to detect anomalies such as u‐turns, wrong‐way or erratic drivers based on the acquired model of the scene structure and normal traffic patterns. In addition, the concept of dynamic traffic flow analysis is utilised to identify and remember temporary additions and removals of paths due to construction and accidents, as well as permanent road structure changes. An intuitive equal‐arc‐length sampling is applied to extract only the spatial information from the trajectory comparisons, since the spatial characteristics alone are sufficient for road structure understanding. A distance metric is developed to measure spatial difference and directional change of the path with entrance and exit awareness. Results for a publicly available dataset are provided, demonstrating that the method can efficiently model the scene, detect anomalies and capture both temporary and permanent scene reconstructions.
Microscopic cooperative traffic flow: calibration and simulation based on a next generation simulation dataset
Authors: Monteil Julien , Nantes Alfredo , Billot Romain , Sau Jacques , El Faouzi Nour‐eddin
Published: January 2014

The deployment of new emerging technologies, such as cooperative systems, allows the traffic community to foresee relevant improvements in terms of traffic safety and efficiency. Autonomous vehicles are able to share information about the local traffic state in real time, which could result in a better reaction to the mechanism of traffic jam formation. An upstream single‐hop radio broadcast network can improve the perception of each cooperative driver within a specific radio range and hence the traffic stability. The impact of vehicle to vehicle cooperation on the onset of traffic congestion is investigated analytically and through simulation. A next generation simulation field dataset is used to calibrate the full velocity difference car‐following model, and the MOBIL lane‐changing model is implemented. The robustness of the calibration as well as the heterogeneity of the drivers is discussed. Assuming that congestion can be triggered either by the heterogeneity of drivers’ behaviours or abnormal lane‐changing behaviours, the calibrated car‐following model is used to assess the impact of a microscopic cooperative law on egoistic lane‐changing behaviours. The cooperative law can help reduce and delay traffic congestion and can have a positive effect on safety indicators.
Design of compact reconfigurable ultra‐wideband slot antenna with switchable single/dual band notch functions
Authors: Badamchi Bahareh , Nourinia Javad , Ghobadi Changiz , Valizade Shahmirzadi Arash
Published: January 2014

A compact reconfigurable microstrip slot antenna with switchable single and dual band notch functions for ultra‐wideband (UWB) applications is presented in this study. In the proposed structure, an additional resonance is excited by etching two symmetrical notches on the feed‐line and thereby a UWB characteristic is obtained. Then, by cutting two slots on the radiating patch and embedding two positive‐intrinsic‐negative (PIN) diodes along these slots, switchable single and dual band notch performances are added to the antenna performance. By changing the bias states of the PIN diodes, the antenna is capable of exhibiting four different performances of UWB spectrum coverage, UWB coverage with single rejection of the wireless local area network (WLAN) band, UWB coverage with single rejection of the WiMAX and C‐band spectrum, and UWB coverage with dual band notch function at the WLAN, the WiMAX and the C‐band frequencies. Good agreement between the simulated and the measured results is achieved at different performances of the antenna. The designed antenna has a small size of 20 × 20 mm2 and the measured results reveal that the fabricated antenna has good radiation behaviour in the UWB frequency spectrum with switchable band notch functions at 3.15–3.85 and 5.43–6.1 GHz which can eliminate the UWB frequency band interference with the WiMAX, the C‐band and the WLAN systems.
Optimal allocation of distributed generation and energy storage system in microgrids
Authors: Chen Changsong , Duan Shanxu
Published: January 2014

This study presents a new approach for optimal allocation of distributed generation (DG) and energy storage system (ESS) in microgrids (MGs). The practical optimal allocation problems have non‐smooth cost functions with equality and inequality constraints that make the problem of finding the global optimum difficult using any mathematical approaches. A dynamic capacity adjustment algorithm is incorporated in the matrix real‐coded genetic algorithm (MRCGA) framework to deal with the non‐smooth cost functions. The proposed cost function takes into consideration operation cost minimisation as well as investment cost minimisation at the same time for the MG. Moreover, an energy storage equality constraint is applied to manage the state of charge of EES in MGs. The MRCGA is used to minimise the cost function of the system while constraining it to meet the customer demand and security of the system. For each studied case, sets of optimal capacities and economic operation strategies of ESS and DG sources are determined. The computational simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Melting of “non-magic” argon clusters and extrapolation to the bulk limit
Authors: Senn Florian , Wiebke Jonas , Schumann Ole , Gohr Sebastian , Schwerdtfeger Peter , Pahl Elke
Published: January 2014

The melting of argon clusters ArN is investigated by applying a parallel-tempering Monte Carlo algorithm for all cluster sizes in the range from 55 to 309 atoms. Extrapolation to the bulk gives a melting temperature of 85.9 K in good agreement with the previous value of 88.9 K using only Mackay icosahedral clusters for the extrapolation [E. Pahl, F. Calvo, L. Koči, and P. Schwerdtfeger, “Accurate melting temperatures for neon and argon from ab initio Monte Carlo simulations,” Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 47, 8207 (2008)]. Our results for argon demonstrate that for the extrapolation to the bulk one does not have to restrict to magic number cluster sizes in order to obtain good estimates for the bulk melting temperature. However, the extrapolation to the bulk remains a problem, especially for the systematic selection of suitable cluster sizes.
Boundary layer dynamics at the transition between the classical and the ultimate regime of Taylor-Couette flow
Authors: Ostilla-Mónico Rodolfo , van der Poel Erwin P. , Verzicco Roberto , Grossmann Siegfried , Lohse Detlef
Published: January 2014

Direct numerical simulations of turbulent Taylor-Couette flow are performed up to inner cylinder Reynolds numbers of Rei = 105 for a radius ratio of η = ri/ro = 0.714 between the inner and outer cylinders. With increasing Rei, the flow undergoes transitions between three different regimes: (i) a flow dominated by large coherent structures, (ii) an intermediate transitional regime, and (iii) a flow with developed turbulence. In the first regime the large-scale rolls completely drive the meridional flow, while in the second one the coherent structures recover only on average. The presence of a mean flow allows for the coexistence of laminar and turbulent boundary layer dynamics. In the third regime, the mean flow effects fade away and the flow becomes dominated by plumes. The effect of the local driving on the azimuthal and angular velocity profiles is quantified, in particular, we show when and where those profiles develop.