bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consequences of hunter harvest, winter weather, and increasing population size on survival of non‐migratory Canada geese in Connecticut
Authors: Conover Michael R. , Dinkins Jonathan B. , Ruzicka Rebekah E.
Published: August 2015

In the last few decades, non‐migratory populations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have become established in metropolitan areas throughout North America. We banded 1,845 Canada geese in New Haven County, Connecticut, and studied goose survival of geese from 1984 through 2001, a period when local goose numbers increased several fold. Males outnumbered females among adults but not among juveniles. The hunter‐recovery proportion (probability that a goose was harvested by a hunter and its band reported to the U.S. Banding Lab) was 0.17 for all banded geese and was higher for males (0.19) than females (0.15). We used the Seber band‐recovery model in Program MARK to estimate the annual recovery rate and annual survival rate. The annual recovery rate was 0.22 for all geese and varied by year. The annual survival rate was 0.72 for all geese; survival was higher for females than males and higher for juveniles than adults. Survival rates varied among years and decreased in years with higher winter temperatures or more geese observed during Audubon's Christmas Bird Count. During our study, special hunting seasons in Connecticut targeted non‐migratory geese. Despite this, we found survival rates to be at the high end of values reported elsewhere, and the number of geese killed by hunters in Connecticut did not influence survival. Our results suggest that it will be difficult for wildlife agencies to rely solely on hunting to reduce the size of non‐migratory goose populations. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Mark–recapture estimation of snag standing rates in Northern Arizona mixed‐conifer and ponderosa pine forests
Authors: Ganey Joseph L. , White Gary C. , Jenness Jeffrey S. , Vojta Scott C.
Published: August 2015

Snags (standing dead trees) are important components of forests that provide resources for numerous species of wildlife and contribute to decay dynamics and other ecological processes. Managers charged with managing populations of snags need information about standing rates of snags and factors influencing those rates, yet such data are limited for ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and especially mixed‐conifer forests in the southwestern United States. We monitored standing rates of snags in 1‐ha plots in Arizona mixed‐conifer (n = 53 plots) and ponderosa pine (n = 60 plots) forests from 1997 through 2012. We used the Burnham live–dead, mark–resight model in Program MARK and multimodel inference to estimate standing rates during 5‐year intervals while accounting for imperfect detection. Because snag standing rates may be influenced by plot characteristics, we used plots rather than snags as sampling units and conducted bootstrap analyses (500 iterations per model) to resample plots and estimate standing rates and associated parameters. We modeled standing rates in 3 discrete steps. First, we selected a parsimonious base model from a set of models including snag species, and then we evaluated models created by adding snag and plot covariates to the base model in steps 2 and 3, respectively. Snag standing rates differed among snag species and 5‐year sampling intervals. Standing rates were positively related to snag diameter, negatively related to snag height, and were lower for snags with intact tops than for broken‐topped snags. Standing rates also were positively related to topographic roughness, elevation, tree density, and an index of northness, and negatively related to slope and relative topographic exposure. Our results provide comparative data on standing rates of multiple species of snags based on a large and spatially extensive sample and rigorous analysis, and quantify the relative importance of several snag and plot characteristics on those rates. They indicate that modeling snag dynamics is complicated by both spatial and temporal variation in standing rates and identify areas where further work is needed to facilitate such modeling. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Tens of thousands‐fold upconversion luminescence enhancement induced by a single gold nanorod
Authors: Zhan Qiuqiang , Zhang Xin , Zhao Yuxiang , Liu Jing , He Sailing
Published: August 2015

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have gained increasing attention for their wide applications in bioimaging, displays and photovoltaics. However, low efficiency has been an ongoing challenge for further developments. In this work, it is proposed that the ultrasmall size of UCNPs is essential for achieving large enhancement factors and experimentally demonstrated with 4‐nm UCNPs. A strategy of plasmonic dual resonance is proposed in which two distinct localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of gold nanorods (GNRs) were designed to perfectly match both the excitation and emission light wavelength of UCNPs. Combining the excitation enhancement and Purcell effect, a huge enhancement factor of tens of thousands‐fold is stochastically demonstrated for single UCNPs in solution. The largest overall enhancement region is close to the end of a GNR but not in its central part. The excitation enhancement (up to three orders of magnitude) and the emission enhancement (larger than one order of magnitude) induced by the Purcell effect are experimentally demonstrated separately. This study provides insight into how to achieve a very large upconversion enhancement factor with surface plasmons and will catalyze development of UCNPs’ extensive applications.

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Enhanced Cytoplasmic Delivery of RAGE siRNA Using Bioreducible Polyethylenimine‐based Nanocarriers for Myocardial Gene Therapy
Authors: Yang Min Jung , Ku Sook Hee , Kim Dongkyu , Kim Won Jong , Mok Hyejung , Kim Sun Hwa , Kwon Ick Chan
Published: August 2015

This study aims to develop bioreducible polyethylenimine (rPEI)/siRNA polyplexes with high stability, high transfection efficiency, and low cytotoxicity for efficient cytoplasmic siRNA delivery. rPEI successfully incorporated siRNA into stable and compact nanocomplexes, and the disulfide linkages in rPEI/siRNA were cleaved under reductive environments, resulting in efficient intracellular translocation and siRNA release. In this study, receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE) was selected as a therapeutic target gene because it is associated with inflammatory responses in ischemia/reperfusion injury. rPEI/siRAGE exhibited high target gene silencing and low cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes, and the treatment of rPEI/siRAGE reduced the myocardial infarction size.
Highly Fluorescent Gene Carrier Based on Ag–Au Alloy Nanoclusters
Authors: Wang Ping , Lin Lin , Guo Zhaopei , Chen Jie , Tian Huayu , Chen Xuesi , Yang Hua
Published: August 2015

For systemic delivery of gene, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been exploited as novel gene carriers because of the excellent characteristics for “visible” in intracellular trafficking. Herein, a highly fluorescent gene carrier was prepared by conjugating polyethylenimines on Ag–Au alloy nanoclusters. This carrier exhibited remarkable high gene transfection efficiencies and relatively low cytotoxicity toward B16F10, HeLa, and CHO cells. More interestingly, the high fluorescent Ag–Au–PEI conjugates showed high quantum yield of 14.56%, which is much higher than most of the reported gold nanocluster‐based quantum dots and Ag–Au–PEI possessed bioimaging capacity both in vitro and in vivo.
Continued fractions of primitive recursive real numbers
Authors: Georgiev Ivan
Published: August 2015

A theorem, proven in the present author's Master's thesis states that a real number is ‐computable, whenever its continued fraction is in (the third Grzegorczyk class). The aim of this paper is to settle the matter with the converse of this theorem. It turns out that there exists a real number, which is ‐computable, but its continued fraction is not primitive recursive, let alone in . A question arises, whether some other natural condition on the real number can be combined with ‐computability, so that its continued fraction has low complexity. We give two such conditions. The first is ‐irrationality, based on a notion of Péter, and the second is polynomial growth of the terms of the continued fraction. Any of these two conditions, combined with ‐computability gives an (elementary) continued fraction. We conclude that all irrational algebraic real numbers and the number π have continued fractions in . All these results are generalized to higher levels of Grzegorczyk's hierarchy as well.
The strong reflecting property and Harrington's Principle
Authors: Cheng Yong
Published: August 2015

In this paper we characterize the strong reflecting property for ‐cardinals for all , characterize Harrington's Principle and its generalization and discuss the relationship between the strong reflecting property for ‐cardinals and Harrington's Principle .
Nonstandard analysis of global attractors
Authors: Pražák Dalibor , Slavík Jakub
Published: August 2015

Key concepts of the theory of abstract dynamical systems are formulated in the language of nonstandard analysis (NSA). We are then able to provide simple and intuitive proofs of the basic facts. In particular, we use the NSA to give an alternative proof of the characterization of global attractors due to Ball. We also address the issue of connectedness. The key observation is that the global attractor, or more generally, the ω‐limit set, can be written as a standard part of a suitable internal set.
An ω‐categorical structure with amenable automorphism group
Authors: Ivanov Aleksander
Published: August 2015

We analyse ω‐categorical precompact expansions of particular ω‐categorical structures from the viewpoint of amenability of their automorphism groups.
Maximal cofinitary groups revisited
Authors: Fischer Vera
Published: August 2015

Let κ be an arbitrary regular infinite cardinal and let denote the set of κ‐maximal cofinitary groups. We show that if holds and C is a closed set of cardinals such that

, ,

if then ,

,

then there is a generic extension in which cofinalities have not been changed and such that . The theorem generalizes a result of Brendle, Spinas and Zhang (cf. ) regarding the possible sizes of maximal cofinitary groups. Our techniques easily modify to provide analogous results for the spectra of maximal κ‐almost disjoint families in , maximal families of κ‐almost disjoint permutations on κ and maximal families of κ‐almost disjoint functions in . In addition we construct a κ‐Cohen indestructible κ‐maximal cofinitary group and so establish the consistency of , which for is due to Yi Zhang (cf. ).
RAFT Polymerization of N‐[3‐(Trimethoxysilyl)‐propyl]acrylamide and Its Versatile Use in Silica Hybrid Materials
Authors: Maçon Anthony L. B. , Greasley Sarah L. , Becer C. Remzi , Jones Julian R.
Published: August 2015

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and characterization of an alkoxysilane acrylamide monomer using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent are described. Poly(N‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]acrylamide) (PTMSPAA) homopolymers are obtained with good control over the polymerization. A linear increase in the molecular weight is observed whereas the polydispersity values do not exceed 1.2 regardless of the monomer conversion. Moreover, PTMSPAA is used as a macro‐RAFT agent to polymerize N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). By varying the degree of polymerization of NIPAM within the block copolymer, different sizes of thermoresponsive particles are obtained. These particles are stabilized by the condensation of the alkoxysilane moieties of the polymers. Furthermore, a co‐network of silica and PTMSPAA is prepared using the sol–gel process. After drying, transparent mesoporous hybrids are obtained with a surface area of up to 400 m2 g−1.

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Linking the evidence between urinary retention and antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs: A systematic review
Authors: Faure Walker Nicholas , Brinchmann Katherine , Batura Deepak
Published: August 2015

Aims

Urinary retention (UR) occurs in patients on antipsychotic and antidepressant medication despite no apparent underlying urological cause. This review was undertaken to ascertain which of these medications are associated with UR and how often.

Methods

A systematic literature search for evidence on antipsychotic and antidepressant medications and UR was completed in June 2015 using Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Search terms included urinary retention, antidepressants and antipsychotics as well as individual drug names. Filters used were: humans and English language. PRISMA guidelines were employed.

Results

Out of 614 articles initially identified, one meta‐analysis, five RCT's, five cohort studies and 27 case reports were finally included. There was a wide range of definitions of UR. Studies which appropriately defined UR revealed it occurred in 1/21 patients on ziprasidone (an atypical antipsychotic), 17.6% of those on imipramine but only 0.1% of those on all tricyclic antidepressants analysed together. It was not reported in any of the 1,139 patients given duloxetine (a combined serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor). It was reported in 0.025% of patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. UR was also reported in patients on typical antispychotics, selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors but the studies did not define UR. The majority of case reports reported an improvement in UR on discontinuation or dose reduction.

Conclusion

Antipsychotics and antidepressants interact with the urinary system in many ways. Clinicians treating acute UR need to keep in mind the role of antipsychotic and antidepressants as a precipitating cause. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:866–874, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical simulation of a class of fractional subdiffusion equations via the alternating direction implicit method
Authors: Yao Wenjuan , Sun Jiebao , Wu Boying , Shi Shengzhu
Published: August 2015

In this article, a new numerical technique is proposed for solving the two‐dimensional time fractional subdiffusion equation with nonhomogeneous terms. After a transformation of the original problem, standard central difference approximation is used for the spatial discretization. For the time step, a new fractional alternating direction implicit (FADI) scheme based on the L1 approximation is considered. This FADI scheme is constructed by adding a small term, so it is different from standard FADI methods. The solvability, unconditional stability and H1 norm convergence are proved. Finally, numerical examples show the effectiveness and accuracy of our proposed method. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 531–547, 2016
Ceria–Vanadia/Silica‐Catalyzed Cascade for C−C and C−O Bond Activation: Green One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐3‐cyano‐4H‐pyrans
Authors: Maddila Surya Narayana , Maddila Suresh , van Zyl Werner E. , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B.
Published: August 2015

We designed a ceria–vanadia/silica (Ce–V/SiO2) heterogeneous catalyst and used it for the green and efficient synthesis of 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4H‐pyran derivatives. The green reaction was a multicomponent one‐pot condensation of 5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐dione, aromatic aldehyde, and malononitrile in an eco‐compatible solvent (ethanol). The catalyst was synthesized and fully characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The reported procedure offers a number of advantages including decreased reaction times, mild conditions, high yields, operational simplicity, and environmentally benign and simple work‐up procedures. Furthermore, the catalyst is economical, fully recyclable, and reusable for over five runs while preserving its high activity. The synthesized 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4H‐pyran products can later be used for pharmaceutical purposes.
Pregnant patients' risk perception of prenatal test results with uncertain fetal clinical significance: ultrasound versus advanced genetic testing
Authors: Richards Elliott G. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar Haleh , McGuire Amy L. , Van den Veyver Ignatia B. , Fruhman Gary
Published: August 2015

Objective

A common concern of utilizing prenatal advanced genetic testing is that a result of uncertain clinical significance will increase patient anxiety. However, prenatal ultrasound may also yield findings of uncertain significance, such as ‘soft markers’ for fetal aneuploidy, or findings with variable prognosis, such as mild ventriculomegaly. In this study we compared risk perception following uncertain test results from each modality.

Methods

A single survey with repeated measures design was administered to 133 pregnant women. It included ‘intolerance of uncertainty’ questions, two hypothetical scenarios involving prenatal ultrasound or advanced genetic testing, and response questions. The primary outcome was risk perception score.

Results

Risk perception did not vary significantly between ultrasound and genetic scenarios (p = 0.17). The genetic scenario scored a higher accuracy (p = 0.04) but lower sense of empowerment (p = 0.01). Furthermore, patients were more likely to seek additional testing after an ultrasound than after genetic testing (p = 0.05). There were no differences in other secondary outcomes including perception of life‐altering consequences and hypothetical worry, anxiety, confusion, or medical care decisions.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that uncertain findings on prenatal genetic testing do not elicit a higher perception of risk or anxiety when compared to ultrasound findings of comparable uncertainty. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive Burning Performance of Deterred Oblate Spherical Powders with Large Web Thickness
Authors: Xiao Zhenggang , Ying Sanjiu , Xu Fuming
Published: August 2015

In order to obtain progressive burning of single‐base oblate spherical powders with a large web thickness, an internal porous structure and outer deterred shell are introduced into its preparation and deterring process. The preparation process comprised pore‐making, sphere‐shaping, shell forming and the subsequent deterring of outer surface of single‐base oblate spherical powders. The combustion characteristics of prepared single‐base oblate spherical powders with a large web thickness were tested by closed bomb tests. The influence of the type and content of deterrent, i.e. the small molecular weight deterrent dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and polymer deterrent poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (PEGDMA), and the preparation parameters on the burning progressivity were investigated. It was shown that a progressive burning single‐base oblate spherical powder can be prepared by the methods described in this study.
Protective effect of hydroxyfasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, on ventral prostatic hyperplasia in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Holmström Felix , Shimizu Shogo , Shimizu Takahiro , Higashi Youichirou , Martin Darryl T. , Honda Masashi , Saito Motoaki
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is associated with various cellular functions, such as smooth muscle contraction, inflammatory response, and cell proliferation. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is commonly used genetically hypertensive rat model which develops hyperplastic morphological abnormalities in the ventral prostate. We investigated whether administration of hydroxyfasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, could reduce the levels of growth factors, inflammatory markers, and morphological abnormalities in the ventral prostate of the SHR.

METHODS

Twelve‐week‐old SHRs were treated with hydroxyfasudil (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or vehicle once daily for another 6 weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats treated with vehicle were used as normotensive controls. At 18 weeks of age, blood pressure and heart rate were measured by the tail cuff method. Then the rats were sacrificed, and the ventral prostates were removed. The levels of ROCK activity, growth factors (TGF‐β1 and bFGF), a smooth muscle differentiation marker (α‐SMA) and an inflammatory cytokine (IL‐6) in the ventral prostate were measured by ELISA and western blot. A histological evaluation in each group was also performed.

RESULTS

There were significant increases in blood pressure, prostate weight, prostate body weight ratio, and tissue levels of ROCK activity, TGF‐β1, bFGF, α‐SMA, and IL‐6 in the SHR compared to the WKY rat. Histological examination of the ventral prostate showed morphological abnormalities such as a higher degree of proliferation in the glandular epithelial and stromal area in the SHR compared to the WKY rat. Treatment with hydroxyfasudil reduced the elevated ROCK activity, TGF‐β1, bFGF, α‐SMA, and IL‐6 found in the ventral prostate of the SHR. Moreover, treatment with hydroxyfasudil decreased the morphological abnormalies in the SHR ventral prostate.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with hydroxyfasudil decreased the growth factors, an inflammatory cytokine, and morphological abnormalies in the SHR ventral prostate. These results suggest that chronic treatment with hydroxyfasudil may inhibit the progression of prostatic hyperplasia in the SHR. Prostate 75:1774–1782, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled growth of PbI2 nanoplates for rapid preparation of CH3NH3PbI3 in planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Fu Fan , Kranz Lukas , Yoon Songhak , Löckinger Johannes , Jäger Timo , Perrenoud Julian , Feurer Thomas , Gretener Christina , Buecheler Stephan , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: August 2015

Absorbers for planar perovskite solar cells are often prepared by two‐step deposition methods, where a thick compact PbI2 layer is deposited followed by conversion to perovskite using CH3NH3I solution. The surface of the precursor layer quickly reacts with the CH3NH3I solution, which hinders further diffusion of CH3NH3I into the layer, consequently leading to significant amounts of residual PbI2 at room temperature. Here, we report a novel concept that employs a porous nanostructured PbI2 layer consisting of nanoplates to rapidly prepare single phase perovskite layer. The non‐compact nanoplate morphology is achieved in a controllable manner by thermal evaporation of PbI2 on TiO2‐coated FTO substrate and allows easy penetration of CH3NH3I solution into the whole PbI2 layer, thus facilitating fast and complete conversion. The amount of PbI2 residual can be controlled by varying the CH3NH3I concentration. The growth of the nanoplates is governed by the intrinsic crystallographic structure of the deposited material, crystal characteristics of the underlying substrate, and deposition method. The introduced process enables planar perovskite solar cells with efficiency of 8.6% measured at maximum power point. This work opens a new route for rapid preparation of other three‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites by rational tailoring the metal halide morphology.
Antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn3+and Mn2+cations in Mn‐doped spinel ferrites
Authors: Xu J. , Ma L. , Li Z. Z. , Lang L. L. , Qi W. H. , Tang G. D. , Wu L. Q. , Xue L. C. , Wu G. H.
Published: August 2015

Ferrite powder samples of MnxNi1–xFe2O4(0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) with single phase (A)[B]2O4spinel structure were prepared using a sol–gel method. Following the successful proposal by our group, that the magnetic moment directions of Cr2+(3d4) cations are antiparallel to those of Fe3+(3d5) and Fe2+(3d6) cations in a given sublattice of the Cr‐doped spinel ferrites due to the constraints imposed by Hund's rules, we extend here the same idea and assume that the magnetic moment directions of Mn3+(3d4) cations are also antiparallel to those of Mn2+(3d5) and divalent and trivalent Fe (Ni) cations in a given sublattice of Mn‐doped spinel ferrites. We have thereby obtained cation distributions for the samples by fitting the magnetic moments of the samples at 10 K. The results indicate that 72% of the Mn cations occupy the [B] sites in MnFe2O4, which is close to the results for Ni (82%) in NiFe2O4, but is different from the result obtained using the conventional view which yields 80% of the Mn cations in the (A) sites of MnFe2O4. On the basis of the present analyses of the magnetic structure of MnxNi1–xFe2O4(0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0), we propose here a new model for spinel ferrites that is distinctly different from both the super‐ and the double‐exchange model and that we refer to as the O2p itinerant electron model. Using this model, not only can the magnetic structure of the spinel ferritesMFe2O4(M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) be explained better than by using the super‐ and double‐exchange interaction models, but also the magnetic structure and the cation distributions of Cr‐, Mn‐, and Ti‐doped spinel ferrites can be explained.
Transient Absorption: A New Modality for Microscopic Imaging of Nanomaterials in Living Cells
Authors: Chen Tao , Huang Yanyi
Published: August 2015

Transient absorption is a secondary absorption that happens after a material has been excited through primary absorption. Different mechanisms can contribute to transient absorption. This universal photophysical process exists in almost all types of nanomaterials, making it an ideal modality to monitor the location, dynamics, and interactions of nanomaterials in living cells, tissues, or animals. With two beams of lasers and a scanning microscope, transient absorption microscopy is able to acquire high‐resolution, 3D images at high speed, without the need for labeling. Through time‐delay adjustments of pulse trains, this novel method can also reveal background‐free images of specific nanomaterials, even with the interference of high concentrations of fluorophores.
In Vivo Identification and Induction of Articular Cartilage Stem Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tong Wenxue , Geng Yiyun , Huang Yan , Shi Yu , Xiang Shengnan , Zhang Ning , Qin Ling , Shi Qin , Chen Qian , Dai Kerong , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: August 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and debilitating joint disorder characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage. However, no effective medical therapy has been found yet for such condition. In this study, we directly confirmed the existence of articular cartilage stem cells (ACSCs) in vivo and in situ for the first time both in normal and OA articular cartilage, and explored their chondrogenesis in Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced inflammation environment and disclose whether the inhibition of NF-κB signaling can induce ACSCs activation thus improve the progression of experimental OA. We found an interesting phenomenon that ACSCs were activated and exhibited a transient proliferative response in early OA as an initial attempt for self-repair. During the in vitro mechanism study, we discovered IL-1β can efficiently activate the NF-κB pathway and potently impair the responsiveness of ACSCs, whereas the NF-κB pathway inhibitor rescued the ACSCs chondrogenesis. The final in vivo experiments further confirmed ACSCs' activation were maintained by NF-κB pathway inhibitor, which induced cartilage regeneration, and protected articular cartilage from injury in an OA animal model. Our results provided in vivo evidence of the presence of ACSCs, and disclosed their action in the early OA stage and gradual quiet as OA process, presented a potential mechanism for both cartilage intrinsic repair and its final degradation, and demonstrated the feasibility of inducing endogenous adult tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells for articular cartilage repair and OA therapy. Stem Cells  2015;33:3125–3137
Characterization of the wind speed variability and future change in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands
Authors: Gómez Guillermo , Cabos William David , Liguori Giovanni , Sein Dmitry , Lozano‐Galeana Sergio , Fita Lluís , Fernández Jesús , Magariño María Eugenia , Jiménez‐Guerrero Pedro , Montávez Juan Pedro , Domínguez Marta , Romera Raquel , Gaertner Miguel Ángel
Published: August 2015

Wind energy is susceptible to global climate change because it could alter the wind patterns. Then, improvement of our knowledge of wind field variability is crucial to optimize the use of wind resources in a given region.

Here, we quantify the effects of climate change on the surface wind speed field over the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands using an ensemble of four regional climate models driven by a global climate model.

Regions of the Iberian Peninsula with coherent temporal variability in wind speed in each of the models are identified and analysed using cluster analysis. These regions are continuous in each model and exhibit a high degree of overlap across the models. The models forced by the European Reanalysis Interim (ERA‐Interim) reanalysis are validated against the European Climate Assessment and Dataset wind. We find that regional models are able to simulate with reasonable skill the spatial distribution of wind speed at 10 m in the Iberian Peninsula, identifying areas with common wind variability.

Under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B climate change scenario, the wind speed in the identified regions for 2031–2050 is up to 5% less than during the 1980–1999 control period for all models. The models also agree on the time evolution of spatially averaged wind speed in each region, showing a negative trend for all of them. These tendencies depend on the region and are significant at p = 5% or slightly more for annual trends, while seasonal trends are not significant in most of the regions and seasons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Thermal Expansion Properties of Three‐Dimensional Cyanide‐Bridged Compounds Zn(4, 4′‐bpy)(H2O)2M(CN)4 (4, 4′‐bpy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine; M = Ni, Pd, Pt)
Authors: Tian Xiao‐Yan , Hu Ai‐Yun , Yuan Ai‐Hua , Chen Qi , Yang Dan , Yang Fei‐Lin
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Three cyanide‐bridged compounds Zn(4, 4′‐bpy)(H2O)2M(CN)4 (4, 4′‐bpy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine; M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3)) were synthesized by self‐assembly of Zn2+ ions, pillar ligands 4, 4′‐bpy and [M(CN)4]2–. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that compounds 1–3 are isostructural and belong to monoclinic space group C2/c. The zinc atom is located in a distorted octahedral arrangement, whereas the central nickel atom adopts square‐planar arrangement. The central Zn and Ni atoms are linked alternatingly through two cis cyanide groups, generating zigzag chains. The adjacent chains are further connected along two different directions by 4, 4′‐bpy ligands to form a three‐dimensional framework. Thermal expansion (TE) analyses of compounds 1–3 showed that both a and c axes are positive TE coefficients, compared to the near zero TE one along the b axis.
Synthesis and Structures of Ruthenium and Iron Complexes Bearing an Unsymmetrical Pincer‐type Ligand with Protic Pyrazole and Tertiary Aminoalkyl Arms
Authors: Toda Tatsuro , Kuwata Shigeki , Ikariya Takao
Published: August 2015

A protic pyrazole‐armed NNN‐type pincer ligand 2‐(5‐tert‐butylpyrazol‐3‐yl)‐6‐(diethylaminomethyl)pyridine (LH) with a tertiary aminomethyl tether was synthesized as a new template for metal‐ligand bifunctional catalysts furnished with proton‐responsive pyrazole and hemilabile amine as the cooperating units. Treatment of LH with trans‐[RuCl2(Me2SO)4] and anhydrous FeCl2 led to the formation of the pincer‐type ruthenium complex [RuCl2(Me2SO‐S)(LH)] (2) and iron complex [FeCl2(LH)] (3), respectively. Detailed structures of 2·CH2Cl2 and 3 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The Brønsted acidic pyrazole NH group proved to be engaged in intra‐ or intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone with the protic pincer‐type complexes 2 and 3 was also investigated.
Characterization of a novel alkaline arylsulfatase from Marinomonas sp. FW-1 and its application in the desulfation of red seaweed agar
Authors: Wang Xueyan , Duan Delin , Xu Jiachao , Gao Xin , Fu Xiaoting
Published: August 2015

A bacterial strain capable of hydrolyzing sulfate ester bonds of p-nitrophenyl sulfate (pNPS) and agar was isolated from the coast area of Qingdao, China. It was identified as Marinomonas based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and named as Marinomonas sp. FW-1. An arylsulfatase with a recovery of 13 % and a fold of 12 was purified to a homogeneity using ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain with the molecular mass of 33 kDa estimated using SDS-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature of arylsulfatase were pH 9.0 and 45, respectively. Arylsulfatase was stable over pH 8–11 and at temperature below 55 °C. The K  m and V  max of this enzyme for the hydrolysis of pNPS were determined to be 13.73 and 270.27 μM/min, respectively. The desulfation ratio against agar from red seaweed Gelidium amansii and Gracilaria lemaneiformis were 86.11 and 89.61 %, respectively. There was no difference between the DNA electrophoresis spectrum on the gel of the arylsulfatase-treated G. amansii agar and that of the commercial agarose. Therefore, this novel alkaline arylsulfatase might have a great potential for application in enzymatic conversion of agar to agarose.
Useful Functional Outcome Can be Achieved after Motor Nerve Transfers in Management of the Paralytic Hand. An Observational Study
Authors: Sallam Asser A. , El-Deeb Mohamed S. , Imam Mohamed A.
Published: August 2015

Background

Nerve transfers have demonstrated encouraging outcomes in peripheral nerve reconstructions compared with the conventional direct repair or grafting.

Questions/Purposes

We aimed to identify whether the patient's demographics, delay to surgery, degree of loss of grip and pinch strengths, mechanism of injury, and compliance to hand therapy have an impact on the functional outcome of motor nerve transfers in patients with paralytic hand.

Methods

Fifty-five patients with a mean age of 31.05 (18–48) years with complete isolated high injuries of radial, ulnar, and median nerves, who underwent motor nerve transfers, were reviewed. The outcome was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and measurement of grip and pinch strengths of the hand at minimum 1-year follow-up (mean of 14.4 (12–18) months). Patient's age and gender, delay to surgery, body mass index (BMI), degree of loss of grip and pinch strengths, educational level, occupation, mechanism of injury, and compliance to hand therapy were analyzed to determine their impact on the extent of recovery of hand function.

Results

Forty of fifty five (72.73%) patients regained useful functional recovery (M3–M4) with satisfactory grip hand functions. Worse motor recovery was observed in older ages, delayed surgical intervention, higher BMI, and greater postoperative loss of grip and pinch strengths in comparison to the healthy opposite hand. Better outcomes are significantly associated with higher educational level and postoperative compliance to hand therapy. Contrarily, there was no significant association between gender, occupation, mechanism of injury, and achievement of useful functional recovery.

Conclusions

Successful nerve transfers are expected with experienced skilled surgeons. However, outstanding outcomes are not the standard, with about one fourth failing to achieve M3 grade. The educational level, hand dominance, compliance to hand therapy, loss of grip and pinch strengths, age, injury-surgery interval, and BMI are possible predictors of patients’ outcome.
Calcite Flotation in Potassium Oleate/Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate System
Authors: El‐Mofty Salah El‐Din , El‐Midany Ayman
Published: August 2015

Calcite flotation in acidic media is a difficult task due to the solubility of calcite and consequently the release of calcium ions in the flotation pulp. In addition, the interaction of calcium ions with the flotation reagents requires the correct selection of these reagents. In this study, potassium oleate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) were used as collector and depressant, respectively. Micro‐flotation experiments were conducted to probe the effect of these chemical reagents as well as their interaction on calcite flotation using H2SO4 as a pH regulator. In addition, to elucidate the depressing action of KH2PO4 on calcite, electrokinetic properties of calcite have been measured in relation to pH and in the absence and presence of KH2PO4. Moreover, thermodynamic calculations were used to rationalize the reasons for calcite depression as well as the adsorption mechanism of KH2PO4 onto the calcite surface.
Bilateral Retinal Detachments Caused by Severe Preeclampsia Diagnosed with Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Authors: Chenkin Jordan , Heslop Claire L. , Atlin Cori R. , Romano Michael , Jelic Tomislav
Published: August 2015

Bilateral retinal detachments are a rare complication of preeclampsia. We present a case report of a patient with an unknown pregnancy who presented with acute bilateral vision loss and elevated blood pressure. Point-of-care ocular ultrasound revealed bilateral retinal detachments. She was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and taken for an urgent caesarean section with the delivery of a 26-week-old infant.
Information for global mental health
Authors: Lora A. , Sharan P.
Published: August 2015

Background.

Information is needed for development of mental health (MH) services; and particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), where the MH systems are relatively weak. World Health Organization (WHO) has worked intensively during the last 15 years for developing a strategy in the field of MH information.

Methods.

The paper analyzes WHO instruments developed in this area [MH Atlas series and WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS)].

Results.

Data from Atlas series and WHO-AIMS demonstrated that the role of information is often neglected at all the steps: from data collection and processing to analysis, dissemination and utilization, particularly in LAMIC. By implementing several sets of feasible MH indicators WHO has technically supported the improvement of the MH information systems in LAMICs.

Conclusions.

In the last few years the importance of information in MH has increased and has been successfully highlighted; but a lot of work still needs to be done for achieving a minimum set of MH indicators and reliable data that can be used by both high-income countries and LAMIC.
Particle Dispersion Simulation in Turbulent Flow Due to Particle-Particle and Particle-Wall Collisions
Authors: Lin J.-H. , Chang K.-C.
Published: August 2015

Simulation of the 3-D, fully developed turbulent channel flows laden with various mass loading ratios of particles is made using an Eulerian-Lagrangian approach in which the carrier-fluid flow field is solved with a low-Reynolds-number k-ε turbulence model while the deterministic Lagrangian method together with binary-collision hard-sphere model is applied for the solution of particle motion. Effects of inter-particle collisions and particle-wall collisions under different extents of wall roughness on particle dispersion are addressed in the study. A cost-effective searching algorithm of collision pair among particles is developed. It is found that the effects of inter-particle collisions on particle dispersion cannot be negligible when the ratio of the mean free time of particle to the mean particle relaxation time of particle is less or equal to O(10). In addition, the wall roughness extent plays an important role in the simulation of particle-wall collisions particularly for cases with small mass loading ratios.
TRANSVERSALS AS GENERATING SETS IN FINITELY GENERATED GROUPS
Authors: BUTTON JACK , CHIODO MAURICE , LARIS MARIANO ZERON-MEDINA
Published: August 2015

We explore transversals of finite index subgroups of finitely generated groups. We show that when$H$is a subgroup of a rank-$n$group$G$and$H$has index at least$n$in$G$, we can construct a left transversal for$H$which contains a generating set of size$n$for$G$; this construction is algorithmic when$G$is finitely presented. We also show that, in the case where$G$has rank$n\leq 3$, there is a simultaneous left–right transversal for$H$which contains a generating set of size$n$for$G$. We finish by showing that if$H$is a subgroup of a rank-$n$group$G$with index less than$3\cdot 2^{n-1}$, and$H$contains no primitive elements of$G$, then$H$is normal in$G$and$G/H\cong C_{2}^{n}$.
Markers of iron status are associated with stage of pregnancy and acute-phase response, but not with parity among pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Kæstel Pernille , Aaby Peter , Ritz Christian , Friis Henrik
Published: August 2015

While prenatal Fe supplementation prevents maternal Fe deficiency and anaemia, it is uncertain whether it improves infant health outcomes, at least when taken by Fe-replete women. Inflammation as well as physiological changes complicates the assessment of Fe status during pregnancy. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), Hb and the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) in a cross-sectional study among 738 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of Fe status markers. The mean gestational age was 23 (sd7) weeks. Serum ferritin values were lower with progressing gestation, from 27 % lower during weeks 16–20 of gestation up to 59 % lower after 29 weeks of gestation compared with early pregnancy. Using cut-off values for Fe deficiency as established in non-pregnant individuals, 52 % of the women had sTfR levels >2·3 mg/l, while only 25 % had serum ferritin levels < 12 μg/l. Serum ferritin but also sTfR levels were elevated at increased serum CRP and ACT levels. The proportion of sTfR >2·3 mg/l decreased to 47 % after adjustment for elevated serum CRP and ACT levels. On the contrary, the proportion of serum ferritin < 12 μg/l increased to 33 % after adjustment for ACT and CRP. The high proportion of elevated serum sTfR calls for pregnancy-specific cut-offs since increased erythropoiesis is expected in response to increased plasma volume of pregnancy. The present study further underlines the need to adjust for inflammation when serum sTfR and serum ferritin are used to assess Fe status in pregnancy.
B-1 cells contribute to susceptibility in experimental infection withLeishmania (Leishmania) chagasi
Authors: GONZAGA WAGNER FRANCISCO KENNERLY MARCONDES , XAVIER VANESSA , VIVANCO BRUNO CAMOLESE , LOPES JOSÉ DANIEL , XANDER PATRICIA
Published: August 2015

The immune response to leishmaniasis is complex, and the result of infection depends on both the genetic composition of theLeishmaniaspecies and the immunity of the host. Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that the activation of B cells leads to exacerbation of visceral leishmaniasis. However, the role of B-1 cells (a subtype of B lymphocytes) in the pathogenesis of experimental visceral leishmaniasis has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the importance of B-1 cells in experimental infection withLeishmania.(L.)chagasi. Our results showed that BALB/XID mice (X-linked immunodeficient mice which are genetically deficient in B-1 cells) infected withL.(L.)chagasifor 45 days had a significant reduction in parasite load in the spleen when compared with control mice. Cytokine analysis showed that the BALB/XID mice had lower amounts of IL-10 in their sera compared with control group. In addition, the transfer of B-1 cells from wild type mice into IL-10KO animals led to an increase in susceptibility toL.(L.)chagasiinfection in the IL-10KO mice, suggesting that the IL-10 produced by these cells is important in experimental infection. Our results suggest that B-1 cells may play an important role in susceptibility toL.(L.)chagasi.
Orthopedic Injuries and Their Treatment in Children During Earthquakes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Morelli Ilaria , Sabbadini Maria Grazia , Bortolin Michelangelo
Published: August 2015

Orthopedic injuries commonly affect children during earthquakes, but reports about them are rare. This setting may lead to different standards of care, but guidelines are still missing in this field. A systematic review was performed to: (1) assess type and body distribution of pediatric earthquake-related injuries, treatment performed, length of stay, and complications; and (2) identify starting points to define standards of care.

PubMed database was researched for papers (1999-2014 period) in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Inclusion criteria were: English, French, Spanish, or Italian language and data reported about orthopedic lesions in children (≤18 years old). Reviews, letters, commentaries, editorials, and single case reports were excluded. Two independent reviewers selected articles after abstract and full-text reading.

Traumatic injuries caused child hospital admissions ranging from 46.9% to 100.0%; 16% to 53% suffered fractures. Lower limbs mostly were involved. Soft-tissue injuries affected 55% of patients. Debridement and external fixation (EF) were the most frequent surgical treatments. Amputation rates varied from 5% to 11%.

This study revealed that field hospitals should be prepared to: (1) treat mainly lower extremities fractures in children; and (2) use especially EF techniques. The presence of orthopedic surgeons familiar with pediatric traumatology should be considered.

MorelliI, SabbadiniMG, BortolinM. Orthopedic injuries and their treatment in children during earthquakes: a systematic review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(5):478–485.
Contributions of bilingualism and public speaking training to cognitive control differences among young adults
Authors: XIE ZHILONG , DONG YANPING
Published: August 2015

The Flanker and Number Stroop tasks, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were adopted to examine how bilingualism and public speaking training would contribute to cognitive control differences among young adults. Four groups of participants (of similar cultural and language backgrounds) were tested: monolinguals, general bilinguals, L1 public speaking bilinguals, and L2 public speaking bilinguals. Both ANOVA and multiple regression analyses showed that public speaking experience (esp. in L2) significantly contributed to conflict monitoring as tested in the global reaction times in the Flanker and Number Stroop tasks, whereas bilingualism (L2 verbal fluency, to be more specific) significantly contributed to mental set shifting as tested in the WCST. These results suggest that specific aspects of language experience, either in L1 or in L2, may incur enhancement in specific aspects of cognitive control, which has implications for bilingual advantage research.
DISCRETE SYMMETRIES OF LOW-DIMENSIONAL DIRAC MODELS: A SELECTIVE REVIEW WITH A FOCUS ON CONDENSED-MATTER REALIZATIONS
Authors: WINKLER R. , ZÜLICKE U.
Published: August 2015

The most fundamental characteristic of a physical system can often be deduced from its behaviour under discrete symmetry transformations, such as time reversal, parity and chirality. Here, we review some of the basic symmetry properties of the relativistic quantum theories for free electrons in ($2+1$)- and ($1+1$)-dimensional spacetime. Additional flavour degrees of freedom are necessary to properly define symmetry operations in ($2+1$) dimensions, and are generally present in physical realizations of such systems, for example in single sheets of graphite. We find that there exist two possibilities for defining any flavour-coupling discrete symmetry operation of the two-flavour ($2+1$)-dimensional Dirac theory. Some physical implications of this previously unnoticed duplicity are discussed.