bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Shared Experiences: Facilitating Successful Transfer of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Fields
Authors: Jackson Dimitra Lynette , Starobin Soko S. , Laanan Frankie Santos
Published: June 2013

This chapter addresses critical issues related to the transfer success of women and underrepresented minorities (URMs) in STEM disciplines and will highlight implications for fostering a successful transfer experience for these populations.
Strict reaction and substrate specificity of AGXT2L1, the human O‐phosphoethanolamine phospho‐lyase
Authors: Schiroli Davide , Cirrincione Simona , Donini Stefano , Peracchi Alessio
Published: June 2013

Dysregulated expression of the AGXT2L1 gene has been associated to neuropsychiatric disorders. Recently the gene product was shown to possess O‐phosphoethanolamine phospho‐lyase activity. We here analyze the specificity of AGXT2L1 in terms of both reaction and substrate. We show that the enzyme, despite having evolved from a transaminase ancestor, is at least 500‐fold more active as a lyase than as an aminotransferase. Furthermore, the lyase reaction is very selective for O‐phosphoethanolamine, strongly discriminating against closely related compounds, and we dissect the factors that contribute to such narrow substrate specificity. Overall, AGXT2L1 function appears to be rigidly confined to phospholipid metabolism, which is altered in neuropsychiatric disturbances. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(7):645–650, 2013.
Biocompatibility assessment of porous chitosan‐Nafion and chitosan‐PTFE composites in vivo
Authors: Liu Bo‐Ji , Ma Li‐Nan , Su Juan , Jing Wei‐Wei , Wei Min‐Jie , Sha Xian‐Zheng
Published: June 2013

Chitosan (CS) is widely used as a scaffold material in tissue engineering. The objective of this study was to test whether porous chitosan membrane (PCSM) coating for Nafion used in implantable sensor reduced fibrous capsule (FC) density and promoted superior vascularization compared with PCSM coating for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PCSM was fabricated with solvent casting/particulate leaching method using silica gel as porogen and characterized in vitro. Then, PCSM‐Nafion and PCSM‐PTFE composites were assembled with hydrated PCSM and implanted subcutaneously in rats. The histological analysis was performed in comparison with Nafion and PTFE. Implants were explanted 35, 65, and 100 days after the implantation. Histological assessments indicated that both composites achieved presumed effects of porous coatings on decreasing collagen deposition and promoting angiogenesis. PCSM‐PTFE exerted higher collagen deposition by area ratio, both within and outside, compared with that of PCSM‐Nafion. Angiogenesis within and outside the PCSM‐Nafion both increased over time, but that of the PCSM‐PTFE within decreased. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2055–2060, 2014.
Duration of Antiresorptive Effects of Low-Dose Zoledronate in Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Grey Andrew , Bolland Mark , Mihov Bobby , Wong Sumwai , Horne Anne , Gamble Greg , Reid Ian R
Published: June 2013

Annual intravenous administration of 5 mg zoledronate decreases fracture risk, but the optimal dosing regimen for zoledronate has not been determined. We set out to evaluate the antiresorptive effects of a single administration of lower doses of zoledronate. A total of 180 postmenopausal women with osteopenia enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial over 2 years at an academic research center. Participants were randomized to a single baseline administration of intravenous zoledronate in doses of 1 mg, 2.5 mg, or 5 mg, or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in bone mineral density(BMD) at the lumbar spine. Secondary endpoints were change in BMD at the proximal femur and total body, and changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover. After 2 years, the change in spine BMD was greater in each of the zoledronate groups than in the placebo group; values are mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) difference versus placebo: zoledronate 1 mg 4.4% [2.7% to 6.1%]; 2.5 mg 5.5% [3.9% to 7.2%]; 5 mg 5.3% [3.8% to 6.7%], p < 0.001 for each dose). Change in BMD at the total hip was greater in each of the zoledronate groups than the placebo group (mean [95% CI] difference versus placebo: zoledronate 1 mg 2.6% [1.5% to 3.7%]; 2.5 mg 4.4% [3.5% to 5.3%]; 5 mg 4.7% [3.7% to 5.7%], p < 0.001 for each dose). Each of the bone turnover markers, β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) and procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), was lower in each of the 2.5-mg and 5-mg zoledronate groups than the placebo group throughout the trial (p < 0.001 versus placebo for each marker for each dose at each time point). For each endpoint, changes were similar in the 2.5-mg and 5-mg zoledronate groups, whereas those in the 1-mg group were smaller than those in the other zoledronate groups. These data demonstrate that single administrations of zoledronate 1 mg or 2.5 mg produce antiresorptive effects that persist for at least 2 years. Trials assessing the antifracture efficacy of intermittent low doses of zoledronate, in particular the 2.5-mg dose, are justified. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bounds and Constructions for Two‐Dimensional Variable‐Weight Optical Orthogonal Codes
Authors: Cheng Minquan , Jiang Jing , Wu Dianhua
Published: June 2013

Optical orthogonal codes (1D constant‐weight OOCs or 1D CWOOCs) were first introduced by Salehi as signature sequences to facilitate multiple access in optical fibre networks. In fiber optic communications, a principal drawback of 1D CWOOCs is that large bandwidth expansion is required if a big number of codewords is needed. To overcome this problem, a two‐dimensional (2D) (constant‐weight) coding was introduced. Many optimal 2D CWOOCs were obtained recently. A 2D CWOOC can only support a single QoS (quality of service) class. A 2D variable‐weight OOC (2D VWOOC) was introduced to meet multiple QoS requirements. A 2D VWOOC is a set of 0, 1 matrices with variable weight, good auto, and cross‐correlations. Little is known on the construction of optimal 2D VWOOCs. In this paper, new upper bound on the size of a 2D VWOOC is obtained, and several new infinite classes of optimal 2D VWOOCs are obtained.
Effect of polyaniline‐graphene nanosheets modified cathode on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cell
Authors: Ren Yueping , Pan Danyun , Li Xiufen , Fu Fei , Zhao Yanan , Wang Xinhua
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

The limitation on output power is a great challenge for the practical application of sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC). One of the effective strategies to overcome this problem is to develop better‐performing cathodes.

RESULTS

Polyaniline (PANI)‐graphene nanosheets (GNS) modified cathodes were fabricated and applied as the cathodes of SMFCs to improve their electricity generation capacity. PANI‐GNS cathodes were fabricated through situ‐polymerization of aniline in a solution containing homogeneously dispersed GNS. The mass ratio between aniline and GNS in the polymerized solution was the key factor controlling the properties of the modified cathode and the optimum ratio was 9:1. Because of the outstanding electrical conductivity of GNS, PANI‐GNS cathodes outperform the control (blank) and PANI cathodes. The PANI‐GNS0.1‐SMFC exhibited the highest output voltage of 640 mV, 5 times that of the blank SMFC; the maximum power density was improved from 0.85 mW m‐2 with the blank SMFC to 99 mW m‐2 of the optimal PANI‐GNS0.1‐SMFC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a simple electrode modifying method to enable an as‐synthesized PANI‐GNS cathode to dramatically promote the performance of an SMFC. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of organic solvents and ionic liquids on resolution of 2‐epoxyhexane by whole cells of Rhodotorula glutinis in a two‐liquid phase system
Authors: Matsumoto Michiaki , Sugimoto Takashi , Ishiguro Yudai , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Kondo Kazuo
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Enantiopure epoxides and diols have attracted much attention as important building blocks for the production of flavorings, agrochemicals and pharmaceutical products. Enantioselective hydrolysis reaction of rac‐epoxide in a biphasic system using whole cell catalysts is one of the promising methods to obtain enantiopure compounds.

RESULTS

The kinetic resolution of racemic 1,2‐epoxyhexane was carried out using whole cell biocatalyst in a hydrophobic solvent/buffer biphasic system and the effect of organic solvents and ionic liquids on the initial reaction rate of (R)‐enantiomer, rR0 and enantiomeric ratio, E was examined. In the case of using hydrophobic hydrocarbons, rR0 increased with the hydrophobicity of hydrocarbon (log PO/W), and a linear correlation was observed between rR0 and log PO/W. On the other hand, there were no correlations between rR0 and log PO/W of ionic liquids. Moreover, effects on E were small in both solvents. However, the addition of 1‐heptanol to dodecane was very effective at increasing E value. The kinetic data correlated well with the reaction kinetic model, considering the distribution between two liquid phases and competitive product inhibition.

CONCLUSION

The high enantiomeric ratio of (R)‐diol (E>100) without significant decrease in the reactivity was accomplished by adding 1‐heptanol in minute amounts to dodecane. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Surface change of root canal dentin after the use of irrigation activation protocols: Electron microscopy and an energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis
Authors: Capar Ismail Davut , Aydinbelge Hale Ari
Published: June 2013

This study evaluated the mineral contents of root‐canal dentin after treatment with different irrigation activation protocols. One hundred and eight maxillary lateral incisor teeth were randomly divided into eight experimental groups and one control group. Root canals were prepared using ProTaper rotary files, with the exception of the Self‐Adjusting File (SAF) group. Canals were irrigated with 2 mL of 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at each instrument change, and received a final flush with 10 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 10 mL of 5% NaOCl for 1 min. The control group was irrigated with distilled water. Group I (GI): Needle syringe irrigation; Group II (GII): NaviTip FX; Group III (GIII): CanalBrush; Group IV (GIV): Manual dynamic activation with gutta‐percha; Group V (GV): Passive ultrasonic irrigation; Group VI (GVI): EndoActivator; Group VII (GVII): EndoVac; Group VIII (GVIII): SAF. The level of elemental composition was analyzed by a scanning electron microscopy and an energy‐dispersive spectrometer (EDS) system. The results were then statistically analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Ca/P ratio was changed after treatment with SAF and EndoActivator. The Ca, P, Mg, and S level changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Final irrigation activation protocols did not alter the mineral level of root dentin surface. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:893–896, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolutionary morphology of the hemolymph vascular system in hermit and king crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomala)
Authors: Keiler Jonas , Richter Stefan , Wirkner Christian S.
Published: June 2013

Cover illustration. The morphological transformation of hermit crabs into king crabs represents one of the evolutionary most fascinating scenarios in decapod evolution. It is certainly the most remarkable case of carcinization, or evolutionary shaping into a crab‐like form. In this issue of the Journal of Morphology Keiler and coauthors (pp. 759–778) investigate the hemolymph vascular system and adjacent anatomical structures of several recent hermit crab (Paguridae) and king crab (Lithodidae) species. The cover image shows a dorsal view of a corrosion cast of the circulatory system in Paralomis granulosa catched in the Pacific off the coast of Chile (Photograph by Jonas Keiler).
Multicenter evaluation of the elecsys® anti‐HCV II assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Esteban Juan I. , van Helden Josef , Alborino Flora , Bürgisser Philippe , Cellerai Cristina , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Eiras Adolfo , Rodriguez Maria I. , Ghisetti Valeria , Gleich Michael , Imdahl Roland , Kaiser Claudia , Möller Petra , Wetlitzky Olaf , Segovia Manuel , Schennach Harald , Mühlbacher Annelies
Published: June 2013

Routine screening of patients at risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become a priority given recent improvements in therapeutic options and the asymptomatic nature of most chronic infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II assay, a new qualitative antibody immunoassay, compared with currently available assays, and assess its suitability for routine diagnostic testing. The sensitivity of the Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II, ARCHITECT® Anti‐HCV, AxSYM® HCV 3.0, PRISM® HCV, Vitros® ECi Anti‐HCV, Elecsys® Anti‐HCV, and ADVIA Centaur® HCV assays was compared using commercially available seroconversion panels and samples from patients known to be HCV positive and infected with HCV genotypes 1–6. Specificity was investigated using samples from blood donors, unselected hospitalized patients, and patients with potential cross‐reacting factors or from high‐risk groups. The Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II assay detected more positive bleeds than the comparator assays, was more sensitive in recognizing early HCV infection, and correctly identified all 765 samples known to be HCV positive, regardless of genotype. The overall specificity of the Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II assay was 99.84% (n = 6,850) using blood donor samples, 99.66% (n = 3,922) using samples from unselected hospitalized patients, and 99.66% (n = 2,397) using samples from patients with potentially cross‐reacting factors or from high‐risk groups. The specificity of the Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II assay was superior or equal to the comparator assays. In conclusion, the Elecsys® Anti‐HCV II assay is a sensitive and specific assay suitable for routine use in the reliable detection of anti‐HCV antibodies. J. Med. Virol. 85:1362–1368, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Varicella zoster virus quantitation in blood from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals
Authors: Toi Cheryl S. , Lay Meav‐Lang J. , Lucas Robyn , Chew Choo Beng , Taylor Janette , Ponsonby Anne‐Louise , Dwyer Dominic E. ,   The Ausimmune Investigator Group (AIG)
Published: June 2013

Primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) occurs in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Clinical and asymptomatic reactivation with shedding of infectious virus and viremia may occur. The prevalence of VZV viremia is unknown. The aim of this study was to detect VZV viremia and quantify VZV DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in blood from different populations. A qPCR‐based method using EvaGreen® was used to quantify VZV DNA in 491 samples, including whole blood, plasma and buffy‐coat, from patients hospitalized with varicella‐associated disease (Group 1, n = 10) and three groups with no VZV disease: individuals with a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (Group 2, n = 213) with their age and sex‐matched controls (Group 3, n = 218); and HIV‐infected individuals (Group 4, n = 50). VZV‐specific IgG antibody titres were measured in Group 3. The proportion positive for viremia and mean detectable VZV DNA load (copies/ml) were: Group 1: 100% (10/10) and 4.6 × 106 ± 1.4 × 107; Group 2: 4% (9/213) and 1.5 × 103 ± 1.8 × 104; Group 3: 8% (17/218) and 1.1 × 103 ± 7.8 × 103; Group 4: 12% (6/50) and 7.7 × 101 ± 2.8 × 102. VZV DNA load and IgG titres were not significantly correlated (Group 3 only). VZV load in Group 1 was significantly elevated compared to Groups 2–4 (P < 0.001); the latter were not significantly different from each other (P = 0.05). VZV genotypes from clades 1–5 were identified in Group 1. VZV DNA was detected but at low frequency and viral load in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals asymptomatic for VZV infection, compared to individuals with active VZV infection. J. Med. Virol. 85:1491–1497, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting the presence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen in Chinese patients by pathology data mining
Authors: Shang Guifang , Richardson Alice , Gahan Michelle E. , Easteal Simon , Ohms Stephen , Lidbury Brett A.
Published: June 2013

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogen of worldwide health significance, associated with liver disease. A vaccine is available, yet HBV prevalence remains a concern, particularly in developing countries. Pathology laboratories have a primary role in the diagnosis and monitoring of HBV infection, through hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) immunoassay and associated tests. Analysis of HBsAg immunoassay and associated pathology data from 821 Chinese patients applied 10‐fold cross‐validation to establish classification decision trees (CDTs), with CDT results used subsequently to develop a logistic regression model. The robustness of logistic regression model was confirmed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test, Pseudo‐R2 and an area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) result that showed the logistic regression model was capable of accurately discriminating the HBsAg positive from HBsAg negative patients at 95% accuracy. Overall CDT sensitivity and specificity was 94.7% (±5.0%) and 89.5% (±5.7%), respectively, close to the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay, providing an alternative to predict HBsAg status. Both the CDT and logistic regression modeling demonstrated the importance of the routine pathology variables alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum albumin (ALB), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to accurately predict HBsAg status in a Chinese patient cohort. The study demonstrates that CDTs and a linked logistic regression model applied to routine pathology data were an effective supplement to HBsAg immunoassay, and a possible replacement method where immunoassays are not requested or not easily available for the laboratory diagnosis of HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 85:1334–1339, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A climatology of aerosol optical depth over China from recent 10 years of MODIS remote sensing data
Authors: Luo Yuxiang , Zheng Xiaobo , Zhao Tianliang , Chen Juan
Published: June 2013

Using the recent 10‐year (March 2000 to February 2010) MODIS data of aerosol optical depth (AOD), the distributions of annual and seasonal mean AOD over China are presented, and the trends and seasonal variations in AOD over 10 regions in China are analysed. The spatial pattern of annual mean AOD is characterized generally with two low centres and two high centres over China. Two low AOD centres are located in the areas with a high vegetation cover and a sparse population in (1) the high‐latitude region in Northeast China with AOD of about 0.2 and (2) the high‐altitude region in Southwest China with AOD from 0.1 to 0.2. These two low AOD centres are connected by a low AOD zone (0.2–0.3) in a northeast–southwest direction across China. Demarcated by this low AOD zone, two high centres with AOD of about 0.8 are situated in (1) the most densely populated and industrialized regions in China with high anthropogenic aerosols from North China Plain, Yangtze River areas covering Sichuan Basin, Central China and Yangtze River Delta to South China with Pearl River Delta region and (2) Tarim Basin in Northwest China with high natural aerosols dominated with desert dust. The spatial AOD patterns over China keep seasonally unchanged, but the strengths of the AOD‐centres vary from season to season. The wintertime AOD is lowest in China. The monthly AOD variations from March to September in Southern China correspond with high AOD before, after the rain periods and low AOD during the rain periods of Asian summer monsoon. Asian summer monsoons also make a notable impact on the seasonal cycle of aerosols in China. The AOD in Northern China changes monthly with a single peak between April and June and a low in the winter months. The positive trends in AOD occur mostly in the aerosol source regions with higher annual mean AOD (>0.25), while the negative trends are found in the regions with lower annual mean AOD (<0.25) over China.
Strategies for ascertaining the interference of phase II metabolites co‐eluting with parent compounds using LC–MS/MS
Authors: Tang Caiming , Tang Caixing , Zhan Wei , Du Juan , Wang Zhifang , Peng Xianzhi
Published: June 2013

LC‐MS/MS is currently the most selective and efficient tool for the quantitative analysis of drugs and metabolites in the pharmaceutical industry and in clinical assays. However, phase II metabolites sometimes negatively affect the selectivity and efficiency of the LC‐MS/MS method, especially for the metabolites that possess similar physicochemical characteristics and generate the same precursor ions as their parent compounds due to the in‐source collision‐induced dissociation during the ionization process. This paper proposes some strategies for examining co‐eluting metabolites existing in real samples, and further assuring whether these metabolites could affect the selectivity and accuracy of the analytical methods. Strategies using precursor‐ion scans and product‐ion scans were applied in this study. An example drug, namely, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, which can generate many endogenous phase II metabolites, was selected to conduct this work. These metabolites, generated during the in vivo metabolic processes, can be in‐source‐dissociated to the precursor ions of their parent compounds. If these metabolites are not separated from their parent compounds, the quantification of the target analytes (parent compounds) would be influenced. Some metabolites were eluted closely to caffeic acid phenethyl ester on LC columns, although long columns and relatively long elution programs were used. The strategies can be utilized in quantitative methodologies that apply LC‐MS/MS to assure the performance of selectivity, thus enhancing the reliability of the experimental data.
Synthesis and Characterization of Functional Thienyl‐Phosphine Microporous Polymers for Carbon Dioxide Capture
Authors: Chen Xianghui , Qiao Shanlin , Du Zhengkun , Zhou Yuanhang , Yang Renqiang
Published: June 2013

A novel kind of functional organic microporous polymer is designed by introducing polar organic groups (P=O and P=S) and electron‐rich heterocyclic into the framework to obtain high carbon dioxide capture capacity. The estimated Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of these polymers are about 600 m2 g−1 and the highest CO2 uptake is 2.26 mmol g−1 (1.0 bar/273 K). Interestingly, the polymer containing P=O groups shows greater CO2 capture capacity than that containing P=S groups at the same temperature. In addition, these polymers show high isosteric heats of CO2 adsorption (28.6 kJ mol−1), which can be competitive with some nitrogen‐rich networks. Therefore, these microporous polymers are promising candidates for carbon dioxide capture.

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Hypoxia‐dependent mRNA expression pattern of splicing factor YT521 and its impact on oncological important target gene expression
Authors: Hirschfeld Marc , Zhang Bo , Jaeger Markus , Stamm Stefan , Erbes Thalia , Mayer Sebastian , Tong Xiaowen , Stickeler Elmar
Published: June 2013

The ubiquitously expressed splicing factor YT521 (YTHDC1) is characterized by alternatively spliced isoforms with regulatory impact on cancer‐associated gene expression. Our recent findings account for the prognostic significance of YT521 in endometrial cancer. In this study, we investigated the hypoxia‐dependency of YT521 expression as well as its differential isoform activities on oncological important target genes. YT521's potential regulatory influence on splicing was investigated by a minigene assay for the specific target gene CD44. Functional splicing analysis was performed by YT521 knock‐down or overexpression, respectively. In addition, YT521 expression was determined under hypoxia. The two protein‐generating YT521 mRNA isoforms 1 and 2 caused a comparable, specific induction of CD44v alternative splicing (P < 0.01). In a number of oncological target genes, YT521 upregulation significantly altered BRCA2 expression pattern, while YT521 knock‐down created a significant regulatory impact on PGR expression, respectively. Hypoxia induced a specific switch towards the processing of two non‐protein‐coding mRNA variants, of which one is described for the first time in this study. The presented study underlines the comparable regulatory potential of both YT521 isoforms 1 and 2, on the investigated target genes in vivo and in vitro. Hypoxia induces a specific switch in YT521 expression pattern towards the two non‐protein coding mRNA variants, the already characterized isoform 3 and the newly discovered exon 8‐skipping isoform. The altered YT521 alternative splicing is functionally coupled with nonsense‐mediated decay and can be interpreted as regulated unproductive splicing and transcription with consecutive impact on the processing of specific cancer‐associated genes, such as BRCA2 and PGR. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification and biochemical analysis of a novel APOB mutation that causes autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Thomas Ellen R. A. , Atanur Santosh S. , Norsworthy Penny J. , Encheva Vesela , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Game Laurence , Vandrovcova Jana , Siddiq Afshan , Seed Mary , Soutar Anne K. , Aitman Timothy J.
Published: June 2013

Patients with autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH) have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease that can be effectively treated using statin drugs. Molecular diagnosis and family cascade screening is recommended for early identification of individuals at risk, but up to 40% of families have no mutation detected in known genes. This study combined linkage analysis and exome sequencing to identify a novel variant in exon 3 of APOB (Arg50Trp). Mass spectrometry established that low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) containing Arg50Trp APOB accumulates in the circulation of affected individuals, suggesting defective hepatic uptake. Previously reported mutations in APOB causing ADH have been located in exon 26. This is the first report of a mutation outside this region causing this phenotype, therefore, more extensive screening of this large and highly polymorphic gene may be necessary in ADH families. This is now feasible due to the high capacity of recently available sequencing platforms.
Smoking and carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Pourmemari Mohammad‐Hossein , Viikari‐Juntura Eira , Shiri Rahman
Published: June 2013

Introduction: We assessed the association between smoking and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and estimated the magnitude of the association with meta‐analysis. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and SciVerse databases were searched through December 2012. Thirteen studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Results: Cross‐sectional studies reported an association between current smoking and CTS (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–2.60, I‐squared = 0%). Meta‐analyses of case–control studies did not, however, show an association between smoking and CTS (pooled OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.95–1.12, I‐squared = 0.0%) or surgery due to CTS (pooled OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.82–1.15, I‐squared = 0%). Moreover, smoking was not associated with CTS in the meta‐analysis of cohort studies (pooled OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.45–1.50, I‐squared = 0%). Conclusions: We found an association between smoking and CTS in cross‐sectional studies. This association should be explored further in appropriately designed case–control and cohort studies. Muscle Nerve 49:345–350, 2014
An arbitrary order variationally consistent integration for Galerkin meshfree methods
Authors: Chen Jiun‐Shyan , Hillman Michael , Rüter Marcus
Published: June 2013

Because most approximation functions employed in meshfree methods are rational functions with overlapping supports, sufficiently accurate domain integration becomes costly, whereas insufficient accuracy in the domain integration leads to suboptimal convergence. In this paper, we show that it is possible to achieve optimal convergence by enforcing variational consistency between the domain integration and the test functions, and optimal convergence can be achieved with much less computational cost than using higher‐order quadrature rules. In fact, stabilized conforming nodal integration is variationally consistent, whereas Gauss integration and nodal integration are not. In this work the consistency conditions for arbitrary order exactness in the Galerkin approximation are set forth explicitly. The test functions are then constructed to be variationally consistent with the integration scheme up to a desired order. Attempts are also made to correct methods that are variationally inconsistent via modification of test functions, and several variationally consistent methods are derived under a unified framework. It is demonstrated that the solution errors of PDEs due to quadrature inaccuracy can be significantly reduced when the variationally inconsistent methods are corrected with the proposed method, and consequently the optimal convergence rate can be either partially or fully restored. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiquadric quasi‐interpolation methods for solving partial differential algebraic equations
Authors: Bao Wendi , Song Yongzhong
Published: June 2013

In this article, we propose two meshless collocation approaches for solving time dependent partial differential algebraic equations (PDAEs) in terms of the multiquadric quasi‐interpolation schemes. In presenting the process of the solution, the error is estimated. Furthermore, the comparisons on condition numbers of the collocation matrices using different methods and the sensitivity of the shape parametercare given. With the use of the appropriate collocation points, the method for PDAEs with index‐2 is improved. The results show that the methods have some advantages over some known methods, such as the smaller condition numbers or more accurate solutions for PDAEs which has an modal index‐2 or an impulse solution with index‐2. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 95–119, 2014
Paediatric Occupational Therapists' Use of Sound‐based Interventions: A Survey Study
Authors: Gee Bryan M , Devine Nancy , Werth Amanda , Phan Vu
Published: June 2013

Sound‐based interventions (SBIs) involve listening to psychoacoustically modified music as a means for promoting new neural pathways in individuals with neurological dysfunction. Multiple forms of SBIs exist and are being used by healthcare professionals despite the lack of evidence to support their efficacy. The purpose of this study was to describe how occupational therapists (OTs) are using SBIs as an intervention in paediatric practice.

An online survey was conducted using SurveyMonkey® and was completed by OTs describing their use of SBIs with paediatric clients.

Paediatric OTs are using SBIs in a variety of practice settings, with children with a variety of medical and developmental conditions, and primarily use a subjective assessment process for determining effectiveness. Most referrals for SBIs come from other OTs and parents, and reimbursement primarily is achieved through private‐pay mechanisms.

This study had a small sample size (n = 74) and an estimated response rate of 14.7%, so generalization to occupational therapy practice in the United States is not possible. Further research is needed to identify the internal and external influences on the selection of SBIs as an OT intervention in paediatric practice. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Healing efficiency of epoxy‐based materials for structural applications
Authors: Raimondo Marialuigia , Guadagno Liberata
Published: June 2013

Self‐healing is receiving increasing interest worldwide as a technology to autonomously address the effects of damage in composite materials. This article relates to a self‐healing composite exhibiting high levels of healing efficiency under working conditions typical of aeronautic materials. The self‐healing material is composed of a thermosetting epoxy matrix in which a catalyst of Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and nanocapsules are dispersed. The nanocapsules contain a monomer able to polymerize via ROMP. Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to determine mechanical parameters. The autorepair composite shows a high modulus in a wide temperature range, a glass transition temperature at about 110°C and a self‐healing efficiency of about 97%. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1525–1532, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Kinetics and modeling of curing behavior for two different prepregs based on the same epoxy precursor: A case study for the industrial design of thick composites
Authors: Giorgini Loris , Mazzocchetti Laura , Benelli Tiziana , Minak Giangiacomo , Poodts Ezequiel , Dolcini Enrico
Published: June 2013

The industrial production of a thick part obtained by hand lay‐up of two commercial prepregs (≈35 mm) and intended for primary structural application is considered. Prepregs are made of either unidirectionally aligned fibers, PP‐UD, or 2 × 2 twill woven fabric, PP‐T2. While the resin is exactly the same, the prepreg production technology is different, namely, hot melt and solvent impregnation, respectively. The study shows that the prepregs age differently in the time span required for the process work up. Moreover, simulation of the independent curing process of each raw material shows unexpected differences both in the timescale (PP‐UD reacts faster than PP‐T2) and in the extent of reaction (PP‐UD develops a higher amount of heat than PP‐T2). The outlined differences require a particular care in the design of the curing cycle for production of thick composites where sequences of different prepregs alternate with no necessarily regular pattern, in order to reduce overheating, and to promote equal reaction of the two components without inducing too much residual stress between adjacent layers. This work shows that the experimental verification of raw materials and curing conditions might help identifying unforeseen industrial critical situations and avoiding the lack of performance in the final composite materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1506–1514, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Starch‐based biocomposite films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals from garlic stalks
Authors: Agustin Melissa B. , Ahmmad Bashir , De Leon Enna Richel P. , Buenaobra Jerico L. , Salazar Joel R. , Hirose Fumihiko
Published: June 2013

The study was conducted to reinforce starch‐based biocomposite films using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from garlic stalks. An average yield of 4.6% by mass based from air‐dried garlic stalks was obtained through alkali delignification, acid hydrolysis and sonication. The isolated CNCs are spherical and have an average diameter of 35 nm and crystallinity of 62%. Fourier transform infrared spectra correspond to the structure of cellulose, but some absorption bands corresponding to hemicelluloses were also noticed. Starch‐based biocomposite films with varying amount of the isolated CNCs as reinforcing filler were prepared by solution casting and evaporation method. Scanning electron micrographs of the films showed homogeneous dispersion of CNC in the starch matrix. Improvement in tensile strength and modulus was at maximum when the starch to CNC ratio is 100:5. The thermal stability of the films, on the other hand, decreased with the addition of CNC. Finally, CNC‐reinforced films had lower moisture uptake than nonreinforced films. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1325–1332, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and properties of block and graft waterborne polyurethane modified with α,ω‐bis(3‐(1‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane and α‐N, N‐dihydroxyethylaminopropyl‐ω‐butylpolydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Yu Yitao , Wang Jing
Published: June 2013

In this study, α,ω‐bis(3‐(1‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane and α‐N,N‐dihydroxyethylaminopropyl‐ω‐butylpolydimethylsiloxane were used to prepare block and graft waterborne polyureathane–polysiloxane copolymer dispersions. α,ω‐bis(3‐(1‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane was synthesized by hydrosilylation, methoxylation and equilibrium reactions; α‐N,N‐dihydroxyethylaminopropyl‐ω‐butylpolydimethylsiloxane was synthesized via hydroxyl protection, alkylation, anionic ring‐opening polymerization, hydrosilylation, and deprotection. Block and graft waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane copolymer dispersions were prepared by the reaction of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 2,2‐dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), 1,4‐butanediol (BDO), α,ω‐bis(3‐(1‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)propyl)polydimethylsiloxane, and α‐N,N‐dihydroxy‐ethylaminopropyl‐ω‐butylpolydimethylsiloxane. The water absorption of block and graft waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane copolymer films decreased from 163.9 to 40.2% and 17.3%, respectively, when percent of polysiloxane (w/w) increased from 0 to 5%, and the tensile strength of the block waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane copolymer films decreased while the tensile strength of graft waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane copolymer films increased with increase of percent of polysiloxane. For graft waterborne polyurethane–polysiloxane films, the tensile strength would decrease when percent of polysiloxane was more than 3%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:805–811, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Description of the Tautomerism in Some Azonaphthols
Authors: Kawauchi Susumu , Antonov Liudmil
Published: June 2013

The performance of several functionals (M06‐2X, B97D, ωB97 family and B2PLYPD), accounting long range correlation, was evaluated in respect of the tautomerism of 1‐phenylazo‐4‐naphthol. Three sets of experimental data were used to define the evaluation criteria: reproduction of the bond lengths in the structures of the individual tautomers, description of the non‐planarity of the enol tautomer and prediction of the position of the tautomeric equilibrium (∆G value) at 298 K. The results show that M06‐2X at most of the basis sets reasonably covers all requirements. In most of the cases, the empirical dispersion correction tends to stabilize the keto tautomer independently on the basis set.

The obtained results have been used to select M06‐2X, ωB97X and B2PLYP functionals to test their performance for a set of azonaphthols (1‐phenylazo‐4‐napthol, 1‐phenylazo‐2‐naphthol and 2‐phenylazo‐1‐naphthol) where experimental data for the Gibbs free energies at room temperature are available. As a result, it should be pointed out the M06‐2X functional slightly overestimates the enol tautomer, but at 6‐31G**, TZVP and def2TZVP basis sets, the deviation is below 0.5 kcal.mol−1. The same result, but in favor of the keto tautomer, is obtained at B2PLYP/D95++**. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoinduced depolymerization of poly(olefin sulfone)s possessing photobase generator side‐chains: Effect of spacer‐chain length
Authors: Sasaki Takeo , Yoneyama Takumi , Hashimoto Shota , Takemura Sumie , Naka Yumiko
Published: June 2013

Photoinduced depolymerization of poly(olefin sulfone)s possessing photobase generators in the side‐chain was investigated. Irradiation with UV light generated base on the side‐chains and induced depolymerization based on proton abstraction on the main‐chain. The effect of the length of the spacer chain, which connects the photobase‐generating moiety to the polymer main chain on the photoinduced depolymerization, also was investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3873–3880
Characteristics and Persistence of Relict High‐Altitude Permafrost on Mahan Mountain, Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Xie Changwei , Gough William A. , Tam Andrew , Zhao Lin , Wu Tonghua
Published: June 2013

Mahan Mountain is the only region in the Loess Plateau (China) where permafrost persists. The permafrost is typical warm permafrost and remains in a very fragile and sensitive state. Remnants of permafrost (approximately 0.134 km2 in area) remain in a low‐lying swamp where the top 70 cm of soil contains abundant organic material (peat). The lowest temperature of the permafrost was ‐0.2°C between depths of 10 and 16 m, with temperature increasing upwards and downwards along a gradient of ± 0.01°C/m, and the permafrost thickness exceeded 30 m in this region. The distribution and thermal state of permafrost on Mahan Mountain closely relate to the surface conditions and soil type. In this study, the important protective effects of the peat layer and ground ice are illustrated using a one‐dimensional finite difference model of heat flow. The simulation results indicate that active‐layer thickness of permafrost on Mahan Mountain would increase by approximately 83 per cent under current climate conditions without the protection of the peat layer and ground ice. Based on the temperature projections of general circulation models, this study projects that permafrost will likely remain on Mahan Mountain for the next 40 to 50 years. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Progress Regarding Permafrost Coasts
Authors: Lantuit H. , Overduin P. P. , Wetterich S.
Published: June 2013

Permafrost coasts make up to 34 per cent of the world's coastlines. Erosion of these coasts currently averages 0.5 m a‐1, which is similar to or greater than rates observed in temperate regions. The erosion rate has risen on the Arctic coast of Alaska during the first decade of the 21st century as the minimum sea ice extent has declined. Increasing erosion leads to higher engineering and relocation costs for coastal villages (US$140 million for Kivalina alone to adapt and eventually relocate), and to greater quantities of organic carbon contained in permafrost being released to the near‐shore zone (up to 46.5 Tg a‐1). Modelling of coastal erosion has begun to include permafrost‐specific components such as block failure. The absence of basic information on Arctic coasts that would be provided by a dedicated observing network, especially on lithified coasts, has hindered the development of a system model with predictive capability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of residue–residue contact prediction in CASP10
Authors: Monastyrskyy Bohdan , D'Andrea Daniel , Fidelis Krzysztof , Tramontano Anna , Kryshtafovych Andriy
Published: June 2013

We present the results of the assessment of the intramolecular residue‐residue contact predictions from 26 prediction groups participating in the 10th round of the CASP experiment. The most recently developed direct coupling analysis methods did not take part in the experiment likely because they require a very deep sequence alignment not available for any of the 114 CASP10 targets. The performance of contact prediction methods was evaluated with the measures used in previous CASPs (i.e., prediction accuracy and the difference between the distribution of the predicted contacts and that of all pairs of residues in the target protein), as well as new measures, such as the Matthews correlation coefficient, the area under the precision‐recall curve and the ranks of the first correctly and incorrectly predicted contact. We also evaluated the ability to detect interdomain contacts and tested whether the difficulty of predicting contacts depends upon the protein length and the depth of the family sequence alignment. The analyses were carried out on the target domains for which structural homologs did not exist or were difficult to identify. The evaluation was performed for all types of contacts (short, medium, and long‐range), with emphasis placed on long‐range contacts, i.e. those involving residues separated by at least 24 residues along the sequence. The assessment suggests that the best CASP10 contact prediction methods perform at approximately the same level, and comparably to those participating in CASP9. Proteins 2014; 82(Suppl 2):138–153. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research on the changes in wettability of rice (Oryza sativa.) leaf surfaces at different development stages using the OWRK method
Authors: Zhu Yan‐qiu , Yu Chun‐xin , Li Yu , Zhu Qing‐qing , Zhou Lu , Cao Chong , Yu Ting‐ting , Du Feng‐pei
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

A good knowledge in wetting behavior of pesticide spray liquid on plant surface is crucial to spray applications. Difference in leaf surface wettability would result in obvious changes in spray wetting behavior. The aim of this paper is to obtain the changes of wettability during different growth periods.

RESULTS

The contact angle (CA) of rice leaf for each liquid increased with rice growth. No significant difference was found between cultivars. The CA was found to be correlated with the polar component of liquid surface tension. The square of the polar component was also found to be highly significant indicating that the relationship between these two properties was not a simple linear one. The surface energy of each plant surface decreased as the plants aged. This was also true of each part of the surface energy. However, no obvious difference on the proportion of the components was found among different cultivars and stages.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes in value of CA and surface free energy (SFE) both reflect the changes of the leaf surface wettability, while the SFE value shows better in wettability characterizing. Obvious rice leaf wettability changes were found on different development stages, which may be beneficial for researches in agrochemical sprays wetting and spreading behavior. Factors influencing these alterations were discussed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Light‐induced degradation in indium‐doped silicon
Authors: Möller Christian , Lauer Kevin
Published: June 2013

Light‐induced degradation of charge carrier lifetime was observed in indium‐doped silicon. After defect formation, an annealing step at 200 °C for 10 min deactivates the defect and the initial charge carrier lifetime is fully recovered. The observed time range of the defect kinetics is similar to the well known defect kinetics of the light‐induced degradation in boron‐doped samples. Differences between defect formation in boron‐ and indium‐doped silicon are detected and discussed. A new model based on an acceptor self‐interstitial ASi–Sii defect is proposed and established with experimental findings and existing ab‐initio simulations.

magnified image

Charge carrier lifetime degradation during light soaking of indium‐doped samples with different oxygen concentrations.

(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Weighted re‐randomization tests for minimization with unbalanced allocation
Authors: Han Baoguang , Yu Menggang , McEntegart Damian
Published: June 2013

Re‐randomization test has been considered as a robust alternative to the traditional population model‐based methods for analyzing randomized clinical trials. This is especially so when the clinical trials are randomized according to minimization, which is a popular covariate‐adaptive randomization method for ensuring balance among prognostic factors. Among various re‐randomization tests, fixed‐entry‐order re‐randomization is advocated as an effective strategy when a temporal trend is suspected. Yet when the minimization is applied to trials with unequal allocation, fixed‐entry‐order re‐randomization test is biased and thus compromised in power. We find that the bias is due to non‐uniform re‐allocation probabilities incurred by the re‐randomization in this case. We therefore propose a weighted fixed‐entry‐order re‐randomization test to overcome the bias. The performance of the new test was investigated in simulation studies that mimic the settings of a real clinical trial. The weighted re‐randomization test was found to work well in the scenarios investigated including the presence of a strong temporal trend. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.